The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1914-04-12

lation to each other, as it were, and
there is need Of a slight adjustment
In matters. Several contributing
causes might be mentioned but, as was
at this time to dwell on this phase of
the question. None Of them, I think,
are necessarily insurmountable OBJ
stacles- They have not seriously re-
tarded material progress, and IL the
problems are Judicfously dealt with,
progress along educational lines may
be made just as surely. Public senti-
ment is being aroused-and public
sentiment is a mighty force when once
she asserts herself. And that she is
beginning to assert herself as touch
ing the school situation in Pensacola
IS evident beyond the shadow of a
doubt
As to what may be ACCOMPLISHED by
this upheava1 will depend very large
ly upon the leadership recognized in
the matter. That there must be some
concentration Of this force all will adj
nit Without this concentration it is
possible that our scattered efforts will
avail but little and that sooner or
carry us back even lower in the scale
or education than we are at present
(and it is possible for us to drop much
lower, those who think to the contrary
Notwithstanding. This is not time
to test theories. Present conditions
demand practical knowledge tactfuiry
and delicately applied by one who has
been In actual contact with big things,
and not merely read about them.
1t would seem that conditions are
ripe for some definite action in the
matter. Under the present system no
one has any authority to lead out in
a campaign for better education with
out subjectfng himself to criticism ex-
cept the county superintendent of
schools, and he already has more than
he can do. None OF the principals or
teachers of the city can do it because
of a lack of both time and authority.
TX the forces now manifesting them
selves are to be marshaled and d.
rected into proper channels, as has
been said, someone who is possessed
OF much tact and ability, and intelli-
gent, capable school man, must needs
be In charge. He should be free to
devote at least half of his time to
school matters in a general way. The
other half Of his time might. for the
teaching or Supervision.
This person would be recognized as
the head of the city schools, or SUI
ually, of course, as the system de-
Veloped, his entire time would be
given to experimenting. He would for
the present be under the direction of
the county board of education and
would relieve the county superinten-
dent Of the details Of the city schools
or. in fact look after matters pertain
ing to the city schools that have of
necessity been neglected in the past
He would exercise such powers as
might be delegated to him by the
board of education. A large share of
his time at first might be devoted to
the movement to make of Pensacola a
special tax school district which, as
is generally conceded, would be de-
cided improvement over the present
arrangement And until nnAdnd
legislation is ena cted enabling us to
have a modern city system of schools,
this is about the only move we can
make. 1t is true that this would be
only partial transition, but besides
augmenting the present school fund
1T would enable us as a special tax
district to issue bonds for building
purposes and other improvements
Should the special tax school propo-
sition win, the city superintendent of
schools would then be employed by,
and work in connection with, q board
of trustees who would then have i'm
mediate control of the city schools.
The county board of education has
which, without doubt. would meet
with general approval as all would
recognize it as a decided step toward
establishing a separate and distinct
system of public education for the
city of Pensacola. 1t is doubtful
made without someone who may be
recognized as in authority and at the
head of the movement, and who is
famed for his ability to do things in
a simple transformations manner. The
situation demands a practical man,
one who has come up through great
as it were and has
learned to do by doing. If he has
theories, well and good, IL only they
are seasoned with enough practical |
n xryi&I
dence in his ability to pug them into
successful operation and lay for Pen
sacola a modern, up-to- date system of |
public education. It is our candid and |
unbiased opinion that this scheme
should be inaugurated without delay. |