The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-04-30

beg leave respectfully to decline the
position. Yours very truly,
(Signed) S. j. Derrick.
A DeplOrable Situation.
! The salary of the county superin-
tendent in Newberry is fxeA ahso-
lutely by the county delegation IN the
legislature. The senator and repre-
sentatives fixed this salary at 5000 a
year. This really neans SIS rec
month, because the clu2ty superin-
tendent is compelled to work twelve
months. In fact, June, July, August
and September should be his four
busiest months. During this time the
county superintendent is making up
his annual report Of school receipts
and expenditures, enrolment, teacn-
ers, etc. In July he is busy with the
appointment of trustees, the erection
of school houses, and the outlining of
plans for the next session. The selec-
tion and employment of teachers is
perhaps his most important duty. This
work cannot be undertaken without a
clear understanding of the financial
condition of each district and a con-
structive grasp cf the needs Of the
school
Graduates fresh from college nails
are demanding and receiving at least
$75 a month as public school teach
ers. Not a few of them are paid S100
a month for term of nine months.
The county superintendent is expected
to organize, direct and supervise the
activities not only of those inexperi-
enced graduates, but Of trained, COM
petent and experienced men and Wo-
men in the schools.
Prof. Derrick believes tnat this posi-
ton is mans job, offering excep-
tional opportunities for public service.
| He says further that the interests Of
the schools demand the full time of the
county superintendent The State
board of education has shown its will
ingness to secure a competent man
for this important work. The county
superintendent will nave ffty-nine
white schools, employing one hundred
and five teachers and enrolling three
thousand six hundred and thirty-four
pupils, under his supervision.
One member of the delegation is a
life trustee of Clemson college. Would
he be willing to put a 5000 man in
charge of tnat institution? Could the
board of trustees of Clemson college
e. secure bookkeeper for $75 a month?
1t is time for South Carolina to rec
ognize tie value and importance of the
county superintendent's work. He
must be the educational leader and or
ganizer Of his county. He should not be
required or expected to work for moth
ing. If professor in State institu-
ton is worth $4,000 year to lecture
. eighteen hours week or three hours
a day for term of nine months, Ger
tainly the county superintendent of
progressive county like NewDerry
should be paid no less.
1t Il as been found necessary to pay
the salaries of county treasurers and
county auditors partly by the county
and partly by the State. The educa-
tional interests Of the Commonwealth
justify and may require finally tne
adoption of a similar course With re-
spect to the county superintendent.
The legislature is the highest school
board in the State. 1t fixes the policy
with regard to State colleges. In like
manner, the legislature as whole can
determine the development of the pub
lie schools. The senator and repre-
sentatives from each county in a pc
culiar sense constitute the county's
school board. Tn lawmakers appear
to be willing to vote ample funds for
distribution by college trustees in the
payment of the salary Of college en-
ployes. The salary of each county su-
perintendent, however, is fixed aDso-
lutely by the county delegation. Only
few delegations have been willing
to assume tie responsibility OF p1ac-
ing the county superintendent work
on a proper professional and financial
basis. The beneficial results of this
constructive policy are to be seen in
Darlington, Florence, Clarendon and
partly in Spartanburg. This situa-
ton in Newberry merely repeats SIM
liar situations existing within the last
few years in Calhoun, Laurens and
Abeeville counties. The further de-
velopment of the schools will depend
,