The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-01-10
VERMONT SCHOOL NEEDS.
Were Discussed Before New State Edu-
cational Commission.

The newly constituted state educa
tonal commission gave public hearing
last evening in the hall of Representa-
tivcs on the adequacy of elementary an,
secondary schools. Chairman John u
Watson of Montpelier, Horace w. Gra
ham of Craftsbury, Percival W. Clement
OF Rutland. Frank A. Brooks of st
Johnsbury, j. y. Estee OF Montpelier
President Guy Potter Benton OF the Uni
rersity OF Vermont, President John II
Thomas Of Middlebury college, Principal
Iuttle of Bellows Falls, and Eli II. Por-
ter of Wilmington, all members of the
commission, were present.
Representative Hapgood of Peru was
the first speaker and read figures show.
ing illiteracy among school teachers. DR..
L. A. Bates OF llighgate questioned
whether his town was getting value re-
ceived" for money expended. He criti-
eised the lack of practical education as
the Vermont system is now carried ont
He suggested that county meetings be
held to discuss the problem of better
schools.
Mr.. Jose, who sent out many invita-
tions urging people to attend the hear
ing, prcfaced his remarks by saying,
that those vitally interested in the ques-
tion were poorly represented. He crit
icised the closing of many small schools
and transporting of scholars to central
schools and said that Vermont stands
Add in the AZ states in the amount paid
its school teachers. He thought an at
tempt was being made to cram small
John H. Senter of Montpelier said he
had taught 43 terms OF school and was
we'll aware that our curriculum is spread
over considerable territory. He told Of
petty jealousies arising in small districts.
He favored the consolidation of many
small schools especially in mountain
towns. He denied that politics has any
hing to do with the selection Of town
ind district superintendent The speak
II cited many instances where there is a
seeming lack of fundamentals in the in |
given in elementary schools. |
Mr. Senter and Mr. Jose engaged in a /
passage at arms over statement made
" Mr.. Senter, who misquoted the gem
leman from johnson.
Former Principal Allen Of the john
on Normal school thinks that better +
raining is needed for teachers. We
hould raise the standard of our teaching
orce. Law for union supervision Is one
1 advancement.
Superintendent Drown of WalliRgfofd
aid compliment to our present school
ystem though there are many short I
omings in the general schemes. He
oes not believe that our curriculum il
. extensive as many Of the speakers
verred. He was strongly in favor OF
linor districts.
Mr.. Hollister, principal of Goddard
aminary, said district supervision hrs
suited in better prepared pupils com
lg from the rural sections to his school. ,
Ir. Allen spoke a second time and said /
0 believed that normal schools would
,on become thing of the past in i
ermont. n
Representative Ryder of Rockingham, /
'rmerly teacher, said he was BY no /
cans pessimist as regards the educa- /
ona1 system Of Vermont. He sug- I
,sted that there should be codification t
our laws on education 10
Principal Chittenden of Burlington D
gh school told of the efficiency of The /
hools of his city. He favors teacher b
aiming courses but is not in favor Of 1 i
Q present normal school system Of the 4
ate. He argued for one frst-class n
'rmal school. In