The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1912-04-19
VOLUME OF WORK IN SuPERIN
TENDENT's OFFICE

The law makes the superintendent
of public instruction not only super
intendent of the schools, but secre-
tary to the board of public instruc-
tion. 1t is a double office, carrying
the work of two good men in a county
like Marion. The county board meets
| in regular session once each month,
and it is absolutely impossible for the
superintendent to get away from the
office during that week. Then he is
supposed to be in the office on each
Monday and Saturday so as to confer
with the trustees, supervisors. pat
rons, etc. This condition is found in
all large and populous counties. and
has been recognized by the state de-
partment, and rural and high school
inspectors have been appointed TO
travel the state so as to help out in
the supervision.
In former years there was purely a
county system, with no special tax
districts. Now there are thirty-five
of these districts, and there will soon
be another at Summerfield. Each of
these districts has three trustees, and
the district system adds at least one
third to the work of the superintend-
ent's office. A few years ago the an
nual expenditures in the county for
school purposes were less than
$4,000; now they are about $4,000.
The system of accounting in the Of
flee is more complete than at any
time heretofore, and of course re
quires more time for the work.
Our negro schools run but five
months, and there are now forty-nine
of them. Our regular county term
for whites is six months, and In the
Especial tax districts some run seven
and some run eight months. IL Is
about fair to assume that the terms
will average six months in length.
which means 120 school days. The
board meets in regular session once
each month, which takes out 80 days.
leaving so. The superintendent Is
supposed TO be at the office each mon
day, which takes out is more days.
which would leave 72 days, and when
we take out Thanksgiving day we
shall have II days in which 20 visit
ia schools. ANY reasonable person
sees that il there is no bad weather,
are no special meetings OF the board.
no accidents, no sickness, no anything
to interfere with the regular round of
visiting, that with all these conditions
favorable, it would be almost impos-
sible for a superintendent to visit ev-
cry school in the county during the
running time of the schools. With
all of these conditions, there have
been but very few schools missed in
my tours of inspection.
| have kept in the closest touch
with every school in the county by
reports and inquiry, and have always
gone where the need seemed mot
pressing. If it has happened that
have not gotten to your school during
the term it was because was needed
worse at some other place. II IL were
possible | would be in the county Wis
iting schools all the time, as that Is
the most interesting and pleasant
part of the work, but the office work
must be done, and the work of in
spection should be done.
There is an attempt being made 20
make political capital of the fact that
very few schools have been missed
in getting around. This is in keeping
with the other small criticisms and
political rot that are being circulated
over the county by certain parties.
There is not a single feature Of
my administration that | am not pre-
pared to defend, and ! appeal to the
reasonable people of the county In
the name OF common justice and com
mon sense and the school interests.
for their support in the primary.
Very respectfully yours.
J.H. BRINSON.