New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-08-23
DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT
Presence Anachronistic in the
School System.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Owing TO limited finances, our sys-
tenn OF summer schools and vocational schools
has been in part disorganized this summer,
and reduced appropriations for kindergartens
and for teachers salaries are now being con-
sidered. But why shall that part of the
school system so indispensable to the people
be made to suffer? Are there not means Oh
retrenching in departments OF our educa-
tional machine less necessary? | refer 10
the Office Of district superintendent.
Why not abolish the Office?
As il exists to-day, il is an anachronistic
hangover. 1t is a vestigial remnant IN our
public school system.
In the simple days when Riddle, Tanning.
Jones. Jasper. ct al were superintendent
the superintendent performed the functions
now sub-divided among superintendent aS
sociate superintendent, district superinten-
dent. examiner of teachers, examiner OF pupils
departmental head and specially supervisor
To-day the district superintendent IS eHuhc
donated To-day the city superintendent ana
his eight associate superintendent, IN their
Offices at Fifty-nnth Street, are In constant
touch. as an inspection of the rapidly grow
ing list of public schools in the telephone
directory will attest, with each and every one
of the five hundred schools and high schools
in greater New York.
A rigidy detailed and a meticulously NIL
mute course Of study prescribes for the lndi-
vidual classroom teacher, divested OF lnitla-
tive and option, the exact work OF each grade
Heads of department and supervisors IN each
school are assigned to direct an exact and
~ ttfdV
A study of the gradual development of the
system. both in the classroom and from
above shows that the Office of district SUI
pc rintendent is superhuous.
BY stress Of growth and time, the district
superintendent has virtually become nothing
more than a transmitter of messages between
the city superintendent and the school prin-
cipal Yet the $4,000 salaries go on.
Is not the time ripe for a change?
To those who are cognizant of the magnih-
cent development of our public school sys-
tenn since the advent of DR.. Maxwell, it is
evident that the merit system OF promotion
has developed a superior grade Of classroom
teacher. Owing TO the high scholastic re-
quirements for periodic promotions, race
Of teachers has arisen that Joseph knew not
Teachers in the classroom bearing the titles
OF A. NJ, NJ. S., Pd. NJ, Ii. b., d. j., Phi. d.,
l.. Sc, d. Pd., etc, indices Of scholarly attain
ment, are more common to-day than was the
title of b. A. or b. s. in the so-caled good
old simple days. These titles as rule have
been earned by energetic, ambitious, enthu-
sIastic young men and women, futilely fret
ting at the limitations imposed by ordinary
classroom requirements -1OO-horsepower dy-
namos doing 5-horsepOwcr work.
Why not substitute these young teachers
at their present average maximum salaries
Of 5000 to perform the simple duties still
being carried out by the Office Of district su-
perintendent?
As the city has about thirty Of these func-
tionaries. it would easily save 100000 year
to the taxpayers, without in any way dimin-
ishing the efficiency of the mainstay OF the
school system namely the classroom teach
er-or Gripping or aboishing necessary
classes for the sake of false economy, or
being compelled to seek retrenchment at the
expense of the class least able TO afford it
namely, the primary teachers and kindergart-
ners. The present incumbents of the Office of
district superintendent could with safety be
sent back to the system teachers and prin-
cipals, thereby adding to the effectiveness Of
the teaching force Of our city of whose pro-
fciency they have long so proudly and pub
licly prated
Eventually we must do it. Why not now?
New York, Aug Is, 1915. ICY.