The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-01-16
EDUCATIONAL REORGANIZATION
FOR KENTUCKY
Continued from Last Week. f,

skill and professional training hav'
resulted from the rapid changes II
social, industrial and economic con
ditions which have taken place dur
ing the past few years. They are
not unique To- Kentucky, but ar
shared TO some degree by every
state in the union. Various forms
of reorganization have been insti.
tuted, but the one seeming TO have
the sanction of the best authorities
and to be meeting with success wher-
ever tried, is TO place the education
al affairs of the state in the hand:
of a small, non-partisan, profession
al board which shall have full con-
troll Of all matters pertaining to the
administration of the public schools
II Kentucky should establish such
a state board, following in a general
way what appears to be the best
principle and precedent, its compo-
siton and powers would be some
thing as follows:
The board would consist Of from
five to nine members appointed by
the governor, with or without re-
strictions, as might seem best in
framing the law. The period OF
service would be for as many years
as there were members, one retir-
ing each year. With the Governors
term Of Office being four years, il
would doubtless be best that there
be nine members, so that the majbr-
ity Of the members would not be ap-
pointed during any one administra-
ton. If there seemed need of secur-
ing the non-political complexion Of
the board, il could be provided that
no two successive appointments be
made from the same political party.
The members Of the board would
serve without pay, receiving their
expenses while in performance Of
their duties, and probably a mere
nominal sum would be allowed them
annually as an honorarium.
The powers OF the board would be
many and large, but by far the most
important would be the appoint
ment Of the State Superintendent of
Schools.
In the selection Of a superintendent
the board would not be limited as to
his place of residence; the amount
Of salary paid. except by high min
imum restrictions: or the time for
which they employ him. They
would be under obligation. however.
TO secure man of highest personal
character, of broad academic and
professional training. and one who
had successful experience in school
administration and supervision. In
ether words they would have the
same power that is granted to city
boards in securing a superintendent.
They would be at liberty TO go upon
the open market and secure the best
person within their reach.
IL is worthy of note that this
power given TO the State board
brought Doctor Snedden from
Teachers College 10 the Superin-
tendency OF the Massachusetts
schools, and similar liberty given
20 the Governor of New Jersey en-
abled that state 20 secure the ser
vices of Doctor Kendell, formerly
superintendent of the Indianapolis
schools.
IL seems self-evident that in
matter so vitality important as edu-
cation, where, in the words of Ken
tucky's great educator, Doctor Ro-
ark, The best is hardly good
enough" there should be nothing
that would prevent our securing the
highest Obtainable talent TO assume
control of our educational affairs.
As an indication Of the trend OF
opinion along this line, reference
may properly be made TO a resolu-
tioil DdNNfu "" |
the State Superintendent of tho
United States at their meeting in St.
Paul in 1914 in which they express
ed themselves as being in favor Of
the appointment Of the State Super
intendent by a State Board. Doctor
Monehan of the Department Of Fdn-
cation, Washington, says, in recent ;
Bulletin. The trend of present de
is toward strong State {
Board, organized on a nOn-parlisan {
basis; the best interest of this SER
vice would seem 10 require that
this board when thuscOnstituted, be
given the power 10 appoint the q
State Superintendent; that il be free q
10 select him from the country at
large; have the authority TO pay O
whatever salary is necessary TO get I
the best man for the position: keep
him in Office so long as he proves TO
be effective, and supply him with a
staff of assistants needed 10 do the Il