Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-06-27

ment. Be there!
THERE has been some agitation
during the past few weeks in Shep-
herdStown in regard to the school Situ-
alton, and movement has been made
looking to the abolishing OF the office
of school supervisor and the severance
of an agreement between the State Board
of Regents and the local board OF
education, by which Shepherd College
and the town school have enjoyed a
close relationship. A petition to- do
away with supervision and abrogate
the contract, signed by patrons of the
school and others, has been presented
to the latter board. A counter petit
ton, containing large number OF
names, is now in circulation, praying
the board not to abrogate the agree
ment.
The Register has taken no sides in
the controversy and has no criticism to
make Of those who desire the removal
of the present supervisor and to sever
the relations between the two schools.
But we do most firmly contend that il
would be unwise and unfortunate TO do
away with school supervision. 1t is
a good thing. If the work OF the Su-
pervisor is satisfactory, let us retain
him. If his administration is not bring
ing good results, and it can be shown
that the fault lies. with him, let us
change supervisors. The principle is
a sound one and the idea progressive
feature that ought to be endorsed.
We think that it would be foolish and
disastrous TO separate the relations be-
tween the town school and the normal
school We have for years sought to
see such cooperation established, and
we believe that it can be made mutual
benefit of the highest sort. We do not
deny that readjustments may be neces-
sary, but the advantages will largely
overbalance the objections. The plain
duty of this community is to cooperate
in every legitimate way with the nor
NAL school. Failure to do so is the
height of folly, and may be fraught
with grave results. We hope that our
board of education will not only renew
the contract quickly and cheerfully, but
that the people will back up the board
with the fullest approval.
In this connection we commend to
our readers the following letter to Rob-
ert T. Banks, president of the board of
education, from State Superintendent
of Schools NJ P. Shawkey. Mr.. Shaw
key has long been a friend to Shepherd
College and this community. We have
the highest respect for his views and
our people will do we'll to take his
counsel in this matter. He says:
My Dear Mr.. Banks am advised
that there is opposition to the contract
between your board of education and
the State with respect to training school
facilities for Shepherd College Normal
School. We all understand that il is
practically impossible to carry out any
such plan of work without cases of dis
satisfaction of minor character such
as will come to all large school systems.
So far as | am able to judge, however,
| believe that the plan under which We
are working at present is both practical
and equitable. The present standard of
normal schools the country over re-
quireS training school facilities for STU
dent teachers. When your county ac-
cepted the State Normal School il obi
gated itself to cooperate in such a way
as TO make the school a success. Ii is,
therefore, the plain duty of the commu-
nifty TO furnish training school facilities.
The normal school will do everything il
can TO help the community in which it
is situated and their public schools, but
the normal school cannot exist without
the cooperation of the community.
trust, therefore, that your people NAV
realize not only their obligations but
their opportunities for service and give
your board of education the support il
ought to have in carrying out this work.
III there are any questions OF business
nature or any details that you would
al