The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1909-12-02
Superintendent Burdette Also
Says 1t is the Proper
Idea.


The educational rally in Coal dis
trict closed ut Adamston with a full
house. The district was well represent
de at the last meetingof the campaign
conducted by Prof. Frank Marsh Of
the state department of schools at
Charleston.
Prof. A. w. Martin, district super
|intendent of Simpson district, made
Ia brief address. He explained that
the reason the patrons are not will
ing to accept the course of study is
that they lack knowledge along that
line.
Superintendent F. L. Burdette of
the city schools made strong talk.
He compared Clarksburg as it was
thirteen years ago to the present
Harrisburg. There were sixteen
teachers then and now there are
Ififty-seven. Coal district had two
rooms at Northyiew then and has
seven there now. Adamston had
two then and now has eight full
rooms. Superintendent Burdette di-
rected attention to the fact that the
population is growing rapidly, fac
tories springing up and wealth is in
creasing. Mr.. Burdette declared that
the schools must he brought up in
the same proportion. He said he
Thought supervision would give bet
tier schools and that he wished 10
correct any idea that he might
be misunderstood or that Coal dis
trict did not need supervision. He
Thought it needed 1t and urged the
people to. go forward. not backward.
He gave an all-round talk on educa-
ltion.
Others made short talks speaking
favorably of the progress of the
schools.
| Prof. Marsh closed with splendid
talk that interested teachers and pu-
lpils. Prof. Marsh was asked whether
lhe thought Coal district needed SUI
tpervision. He replied that It did and
gave the following statement for
qualifications:
After looking the work over care.
fully, l see signs on every hand that
district supervision brings up the
deficiency OF the school system. This
lis especially noticeable in.
/ First, the business management
In a district OF thirty or thirty-nve
schools the board of education trans
acts large amount of very i'm
portant business and it needs an
agentwho makes study of school
houses, furniture, fixtures. etc. Il
lfeel sure that the supervisor Of
FOCAL district saves to the people the
amount OF his salary by an econom-
teal management of business matters.
care of outbuildings. painting OF
houses, care of furniture, etc.
Second, The impetus 1t gives toI
better teaching. In these days when
progressive boards of education are
searching for teachers with prepare
ton and professional spirit, they
must have some one to look out forl
good teachers and to report the ma
iture of their services from time to
time. The district supervisor serves
as such agent. Besides, he holds
regular teachers meetings where the
teachers make careful study OIL
modern methods, compare notes and
establish common standard fcrI
the measurement of all teaching of,
the district.
"Third, The management it gives
to the pupils 9nd patrons. When
pupils and patrons feel that they be-,
longto a large system with defin-,
lite aims in view. they have moro
pride in the work. Close supervis-i
ion brings all the pupils into school,
and encourages them to stay there.
TN general, find the work in Coal
district in fine shape and sincerely
hope that the district will continue
to show the state what can he done
under such a system
Prof. Marsh and District -superin-
tendent j. Walter Duncan visited al!
the schools in Coal district. Prof.
Marsh was very gladly received by
the entire district. 4