The Newark journal., 1913-02-28
SUPERVISION OF
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Pressing Need of School Work in Stateis Efficient Superinten-
 dent in Each County

The biggest business in which Arkansas IS engaged is education "a business in which more than 10000 persons are employed, en- trusted with the education and training of more than 100000 boys and girls for futue citizen ship. It Is a business represent ing a property valuation of more than $10,000,000 and an expendi- ture of approximately 100000 a year-certainly any business of such magnitude and proportions should require the most careful direction and supervision in all it's details.
 The legislature of 1907 passed a law that provides that any county in the State may adopt supervision for its schools by a majority vote of the electors at the annual school election. Under the proyi- sions of this county superinten- dency law eight counties elected county superintendents in 1910, while in 1912, seven other coun- ties were added to the superinten- dency column.
 The following definite lines of work have been pursued by the superintendents in these counties with most satisfactory results: Schools are being carefully grad ed, as rapidly as possible; length of school terms being increased; better character of school build- ings being erected; annual school revenues being materially increas- ed; professional standards of teachers being raised; schools being better equiped and physical conditions in general made better; greater school interest on the part of the people being aroused; the establishment of strong rural high schools being stimulated; consoli- dation of small, weak districts in- to stronger ones being encouraged where conditions are favorable; school enrolment and attendance being materially increased; the real needs and conditions of the schools in these counties being brought to the attention of the people in an intelligent and def- nite way; and, in fact, there has been a general improvement and vitalization of the work of the schools in these different counties as result of the work being done by these superinteudents.
 When county adopts supinten- dency and elects a superintendent, the office of county examiner is abolished and the office of superin- tendent takes its place, hence there is not an additional office but rather the one takes the place of the other. Practically every state in the Union has long since adopted, the plan of county super intendency for its schools. It has proved eminently successful and has resulted in greatly increasing the efficiency of the schools.
 Any county in the State may adopt county superintendency for it's schools by vote of the cleo tors at the annual school election, held on the years preceding the years in which the general state election is held. If a majority of the votes cast on the question of county supervision be favorable, then the question has been adopt ed, and at the next general State election a county superintendent is elected in the same manner as any other counE-oficer IS elected.
 The county superintendent does not displace school directors or other school officers, neither does he assume or take away any of the powers or duties now exercised by these officers. His duties are specific and in no wise conflict with the duties of any other school officer. He simply aids, assists and co-operates with these school off