Evening journal., 1910-01-22
SCHOOL LAWS
NEED REVISING
Prof. A. R. Spaid Suggests
Some Reforms to State
School Commission
NORMAL SCHOOL AND
CO-EDUCATION DESIRED

At the meeting Of the State school Com
mission in the Y. M. &. a. Building yes
terday afternoon pertinent suggestions OF
changes in the present 7i-ycar-old school
system Of Delaware were made About
twelve persons attended.
Colonel Theodore Townsend. OF Milford.
and Charles l.. Moore, OF Georgetown,
we're the commissioners present. Fred
erick Brady. the other commissioner. was
unable 10 attend because OF illness
A communication was received from tho
New-Century Club assuring tho commits
sion Of its readiness 10 cooperate with
the commission. and expressing the hope
that Delaware would room provide such
facilities for the education OF its girls
as it provides FOR It's boys. This letter
was presented by Mrs II. W Kellogg
Mr.. Moore. who presided. after reading
the communication. Expressed his fun
sympathy with the desire Tor higher edu-
uation here for girls and intimated that
the commission would make recommenda-
tion 10 thst end The codihcauon or
the school laws may be brought about
by the commission. according 60 Mr..
Moore. Mr.. Moore also proposed that the
school policy OF the State be reposed In q
commission consisting Of three men, but
he feared that such a plan migh' meet
with some opposition Mr.. Moore said
that IN Sussex county alone $4,000. and
in the entire state $4,000 year could be
saved by investing the conduct OF the
State schools IN a central board and tho
consolidation OF rural schools At a fu-
ture meeting he said. statistics would be
presented showing the economy OF such
plan. He told OF petty graft among
district clerks under tho present sys-
tenn.
Colonel Townsend speaking briefly. re-
ciared. that IL would probably be most
difficult to change the mode Of taxa
ton for schools. This would require the
biggest fight with the Legislature. he
said. Colonel Townsend clearly indicated
that he desired school taxation included
in the general tax levy. lie instanced
numerous Disadvantages OF the present
method OF levying school taxes accord
ing 20 rental values.
Need Of State Normal School.
DR.. George W. Twitmyer. superinten-
dent Of city schools discussing various
school needs, expressed doubt that State
normal school could be established. He
said there was need OF changes in taxa
ton for schools IN Wilmington. but he
city should be brought under the same
head as the rural schools. He was en-
phatio in declaring that appropriations
for city schools should be taken from
City Council.
The Rev. Dr. n. W. Kellogg, pastor Of
Grace NJ =. Church. said he had noted
marked change IN Delaware during the
last few years in educational progress.
Mrs. J. r. Mlliean. Of St. Georges. rep
resentiuR the w c. r. u, pledged the
support OF that association for any plan
afordinE young women Of the State op-
portunities for higher education. Mrs. A.
% Warner suggested that mothers should
be made members OF vistorial commit
tees. this bringing the homo and the
school closer.
, More Training Needed.
George 8. Messersmith, principal Of
Newark schools, said that a majority OF
the teachers in the State were not prop
erly trained and suggested that much
could be done toward increasing their ef-
fciency. He recommended the adoption
OF the Pennsylvania school code.
Professor o. W. syford. Of Delaware
College, thought that the college should
be given some definite relation with the
public schools. Professor Yerger. OF the
dupont school. spoke favorsbiy OF the
Pennsylvania school system.
Professor r. j. Hsrdesty. superinten-
dent OF the Sussex county schools, de-
clared a central system Of collecting tax
would greatly facilitate school work. A
sliding scale OF wages for teachers was
absolutely necessary. he said.
Present System Opposed.
The principal address OF the afternoon
was made by Professor A. r, spaid. SUI
perintendent of New Castle county
schools. at whose invitation the commits
sion met here. Professor Spaid said in
part:
There are many objections 10 our
present system OF the local district. 1t is
entirely out Of harmony with the general
plan OF organization and classification so
evident in the administration OF the gov
ernment, the state. and Of the business