Evening journal., 1919-02-18
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 49,. 1919.
EDUCATIONAL REFORM AN ESSENTIAL WILMINGTON
NEFDt

SUBSTANTIALLY everyone In Wilmington agrees that
- one Of the essential needs Of municipality is
educational reform. There may be- and doubtless Is,
disagreement the precise reforms needed but there
is no division among the Intelligent men and women
relative to the fundamental need Itself.
How strong the feeling is and to what extent 1t
has crystazed indicated by the fact that the follow
ing representative organizations have given approval OF
the educational reform bin pending in the Legsa-
turea
Chamber OF Commerce. Central Labor Union Jewish
Community. Polish Community. Rotary Club, Kiwanls
Club Washington Heights Century Club, Y. NJ. G. A.
w II. S. Alumni. Juvenile Court Association, Social
Service Club. Y. w G. A.. Junior League OF Wilmington
Church Club OF Delaware, Westminster Club. Hanover
Church; ST. James Brotherhood. ST. ndrews Mems
Club Mems Club. Emmanuel Church. women's Commit
tee, Council OF Defense; Delaware Association Of College
Women, Unity Club Consumers League New Century
Club Daughters OF American Revolution Knights Of
Columbus. Wilmington Section. Council OF Jewish
Women Benevolent Pioneer Literary Assoclaiion; In
part; Voters Non-Partsan League p o. S. OF A., Wash
ington Camp, No. 4; Ministerial Union Diligent Council
No. 10 Jr O. u. A. NJ; womsns Christian Temperance
Union and Clerical Brotherhood OF the Diocese Of Della
ware.
Those who favor the passage Of Senate bill No. "a
say with respect 10 IT,
"Flrst Modern practice and experience approve Of
small boards Of education. elected or appointed at
large, for the purpose Of having more compact busi-
body directly responsible TO the citizens for
it's acts. and each member OF which responsible to
She whole city In rounding out a school program de-
cded on city lines and not ward lines. Over eighty per
cent Of the cities In the United States have adopted this
method during the past twenty years and we do not
know Of any that have returned to the ward system
Second To complete this direct responsibility to the
voters for effectively developing a modern school
system, such boards given exclusive power Of
fixing their budgets and bonding within safe stau-
tory limits These are fixed ooncusively IN Senate Bill
No "a It is important 10 make the educational boards
stand exclusively their bottom as to responsibility
for management and financing, since education is so
fundamental and important and since Il considered
obligation Of the state In order avoid group
ing public school budgets with ordinary municipal bud
gets for Streets sewers etc.
Third. A small board, working directly as an
executive body operates through paid experts bus-
ness managers and the board members develop a vision
and broad policy in handling the school system and
modernizing its physical and professional development
and the board members TO operate through non
so-ordnated committees dealing with the small details
Hhe present system In Wilmington working through
numerous committees, is OF the fundamental de-
fecs now generally recognized throughout the United
States
Fourth. While Wilmington schools well handled
on academic lines within the limit OF funds available,
they are sadly lacking In and equipment for
kindergarten. special classes. manual training shops.
evening schools medical Inspection physical education
specal classes for super-norms. sub-normal and
pupils open-air schools for anaemic children ETC.
san, Mrse proportion Of school buildings are thor
cond,,,, 'ars ,rs and in bad shape OF repair which
"uon Is unhealthful and uninspIrins 70 children This
ace,nustaa oonoiuon resulting from many years OF
as at,seSaS under the system See extracts
January Is 1910 o Sspor' Superintendent Scott issued
arub 1s,s ~, W approval Of Board OF Eduoa,ion
.s,.s s oao condition Of affairs ha ss"-.
studied for some time by Iars A nas peen fully
Schools 4Dou, sI~p''hs a6svn the CITY Committee on ppsa
resented in this survey Thirty-thres ~ a,e Deen rep
nave acted definitely and unmsakabiy in tsSos bodies
principles embodied in Senate Bill No "a Tn. o the
ship OF those approving totals about $4,000 peops
The two coored organizations have -
out OF this list since there is question OF ,hs,s
stttude. though the hearing only showed that tha'
wanted representation and were not particularly ~
posed to the Important provisions Of Senate Bill No e
These endorsements given by the thry-three or
1anfzacns with full understanding and discussion in