Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-08

tional progress.
yTNHE functions of a board Of public cdu-
| cation are to provide for the children the
best education that the community can at
ford to obtain adequate appropriations Tor
this purpose to dishursc such appropriations
wisely and honestly and to employ competent
agents for carrying on It's work. In the per-
formancc of these functions and in the pur-
suanCo Of these duties the prime duties o'
a board of education are:
First. To provide adequate buildings,
grounds and physical equipment generally.
Second. To employ a qualified superintend-
cut and subordinate superintendents and, on
his or their nomination, competent super
vising and teaching staff
Third. To approve suitable courses OF
ytudv school supplies and textbooks rec
commended for adoption by the superintend-
cut. aided by the supervising and teaching
staff.
Fourth TO approve Of tho transfer or
the dismissal OF any member of the super
yising and teaching staff recommended for
.urh transfer or dismissal by the supern
tendcnt or board OF superlntendents when
such board exists.
Fifth. To provide for the organization OF
business bureaus. Such bureaus may be;
Ca) A bureau of audts and bookkeeping,
including all statistics ana accounts relating
70 disbursements of school moneys.
M A bureau of buildings, including all
building operations, new structures, sites,
repairs to buildings janitorial service, school
sanitation, etc
nurchase and distribution of textbooks and
supplies
tlonal research and information TINS hu-
rcau should be under the supervision and
direction of the superintendent of schools.
(e) A bureau of school attendance, census
and child welfare. This bureau, with COM
petent head, should be under the general
supervision Of the superintendent OF schools
IN In order TO prevent favoritism in the
appointment and promotion of teachers, such
appointments and promotions should be from
eligible lists. Hence, If eligible lists for diff
feren; localities are not made by state De-
partnent of Education, it is necessary 10
have a local bureau or board OF examination
The members of this board should be APP
pontod for long terms and the superintend-
ent of schools should not be member
yTNHE tendency in some quarters al pres
| ent is TO make the superintendent Of
schools the chief executive officer of a
hoard of education. This Is provided in the
recently enacted State education law for
cities in the State of New York. Hence all
chiefs of bureaus in the department of
education come under his supervision. The
theory underlying this provision is no doubt,
that the superintendent of schools is an eX-
merit on school finance, on school buildings,
on school books and supplies and on school
statistics and accounting as we'll as the lead
ing expert on courses of study, school man
Rgement qualifications in teaching and meth
ods of teaching.
In some quarters the appointment of a
business manager for each board of educa-
| tion in n large city is urged. II is claimed
| that such an officer or employe would corTe-
| late the business of the various bureaus, ex-
| pedte business and effect economies. The
| advisablity of having such an officer is de-
batable 1t seems II a business manage
ment committee of a board of education
| could harmoniZe differences and effect CO.
| operation as we'll business manager.
CoME Of the following are becoming WELL
y settled principles of school admnistra-
| lion throughout the United States; Boards
men. should leave the initiative in the fol-
| lowing matters TO the professional stafR. but
reserve TO themselves the right of disap-
proyal for good cause shown: First, The ap-
pointment promotion and transfer of teach
| ers Second. The selection OF textbooks and
supplies Third. The making of qualihca-
| tions for the appointment Of teachers.
| Fourth. The making Of courses of study
In no public bodies as a rule have so few
| scandals arisen as in our boards of public
| educs ton. They are generally composed OF
| men ard women of high purpose and devo-
lion e. duty. But whenever scandals ha Ve
| appeared they have been caused usually by
| a desire on the part - some member Of a
| hoard 70 further his own Interests By ap-
| pointing or promoting teachers, by favorins
| certain textbook publishers or supply houses
| or by some improper transactions relating 10
| school sites and buildings The merit system
| OF appointing teachers and selecting books
and supplies removes many temptations.