Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-03-06
Harold Files
May Be State
School Sup't

The name Of Harold w. Files. super
intcndent of schools at Putnam,
Conn, and formerly superintendent Of
schools at Biddeford, is being men
toned in connection with the Office of
state superintendent of schools to
which it is understood a permanent
appointment will soon be made by
Governor Milliken. Glenn w. Starkey,
the present state superintendent Of
schools, accepted the office only tenn
porarily, with the understanding that
he was to be relieved from it before
the expiration of the Curtis admins
tration but this was not done.
| Mr.. Files was born at West Gorham,
| Aug. 3, 1881 and comes from good Col
onial stock on both sides and from
family that has contributed successful
| ten chers.
He attended the elementary schools
al Portland and at Cornish, completing
his preparation for Bowdoin at the Cor
nish High School. He was student
at Bcwdoin in 1899 and 1900 and during
| 1901, 1909 and 1903 was principal of
| High schools at North Windham, Cam
again a student at Bowdoin in 1904 and
1905 and then went to Frankfort as
principal of a High school that he or
gained, acting as superintendent of
schools as well, remaining there until
1907. During his teaching at Frankfort
Mr.. Files was also doing college work.
In all these years he proved himself a
thorough student. an excellent organic
er and an able executive. He also
showed himself possessed of ambition,
confidence and tact.
During 1907, 1908 and 1909 Mr. Files
was principal of the school at North
Haven, where he is pleasantly remem-
bered by the citizens of the island
town and at Bowdoinham, where he
also served as superintendent Of
schools.
| During 1909 1910 and 1911 Mr. Files
was principal of the High school at
/ wilmington, Mass, and during Il part
Of that time acted also as superintend-
cnt of schools In 1911 Mr. Files was
elected superintendent of schools of
| Biddeford and here he showed himself
4 diplomat Of no mean ability, handling
SOME difficult situations with skill and
! address. In 1915 Mr. Files went to
Putnam, Conn, as superintendent Of
schools, which position he still holds
He was attracted there by the chance
afforded to observe and take part in
the working out Of a proper correlation
Of trade or vocational education and
the conventional type Of education
| In the work in Putnam along trade
and vocational ,ires the town furnished
modern building and the state Of
\ Connecticut has furnished equipment
and teachers so that the town is able
to offer straight trade courses and CO.
operative courses to High school boys
and girls in domestic science-cooking,
sewing and allied branches-and to
boys work in electrical trades. textile
work throughout, machine shop and
! forge work, wood work and cabinet
/ making. The problem is to work out
q corr elation that will keep the town
free from the too common mistake OF
emphasizing the one. phase at the ex-
penSe of the other This is along the
line Of modern educational tendencies
and is work that would be of great
value to = Maine State superintendent
Of schools.
lie is an athlete a teacher Of proven
ability, affahle. courteous. a splendid
tighter for 4 principle. Of good presence
ana q pleasing and convincing speaker.
Nc has always Eccn an active worker
for community Improvement At diff
: 1erenr times he has been connected
with different Maine newspapers. in
connection with his other work. and
he has good sense of news values.
ME. Files has
ance over the State of Maine and
Wherever he is known he has warm
friends who believe that as State sup
erlntendent of schools he would prove
an excellent selection