The citizen., 1919-01-23
EDUCATIONAL REORGANIZATION
FOR KENTUCKY
Continued from Last Week

should be placed in the hands of 0
county board of education composed
of from five TO nine members, elected
from the county at large at time
other than at the general election Of
county or State Cflicers. Such a
board is in operation in a number
of states, and is favored by the
highest authorities on school or
ganiZation today. The resolutions
adopted by the SuperintendentS
Section of the n. T.. A., at the De-
troit meeting in February, 1916, iu-
cluded the following I'VE re-af'lrm
our belief that small board Of edu-
cation is the most efficient instru-
ment for the administration OF
Schools" and I'VE believe that the
county superintendent of schools
should be chosen solely on account
of academic and professional qualifi-
cations, executive ability and good
character. We are convinced that
his selection should be determined
by some method other than popular
election, which is usually influenced
by considerations other than pro-
fessional." Doctor Cubberly, Of Le-
land Stanford University, one of the
highest authorities in the United
States on school organization, and a
specialist in rural education, stands
firmly for such county organiza-
tion, with powers assigned to the
board as mentioned below.
The county board should exercise
many functions, such as oversight
of all property, construction of
buildings, location of schools, etc.
but by far the most important duty
assigned TO il would be the selection
of a qualified County Superintendent
TO administer the schools Of the
county. In this selection they would
not be limited to residents of the
county. They would be free to Sc
lect person coming up to the
standards established by the State
board wherever one could be found |
best fitted for the work. Like the
proposed State board they would
not employ for a fixed time, but
during such time as the person en-
ployed proved efficient. In other
words they would have the powers
nOy exercised by every town and
city board in the State.
In addition to appointing the
county superintendent, they would
appoint such other officers and as
sistants as the proper management
of the schools demanded, and ap-
point all teachers employed in the
county upon nomination of the su-
perintendent.
The striking features in the above
are the large powers placed in the
hands of the superintendent. But
why should he not have large pow
ers? He is TO be well educated,
thoroughly trained, of successful
experience, and held strictly ac-
cOuntable for the success of the
schools. His salary will be in keep
ing with his ability. and he will
hold his position as long as he can
convince the board that he is giving
the county the full worth of every
dollar spent in educational results.
This being the case he ought 10
have the appointing of supervisors,
of Office assistants, and Of every
teacher in the county. If, under
these conditions, he cannot make
good, another should have his posi-
tion.
Briefly summarized the suggested
changes in State and county organi-
cations are as follows:
I. \ non-partisan state Board of
Education. composed of seven or
nine members appointed by the
Governor, shall have general charge
of all matters relating to public edu-
cation. This board shall have vari-
GUS duties, the most important of /
which shall be TO appoint a State |
superintendent of schools who may ,
be secure from any section Of the !
country, but must be a person Of :
high character, thorough academic ,
and professional training, and of es- |
tablished reputation as a school ad- ,
ministrator and educational expert.
Upon his recommendation they {
shall appoint such assistant super |
intendents, supervisors, business
agents. and clerical assistants
as the needs Of the schools may de- =
mand, fixing the salaries Of the ,
same. They shall establish stand |
ards Of qualification for county su- |
perintendents, school supervisors
and teachers and perform such other /
duties as may be assigned 10 them. |
The members Of the board shall
serve without salary, receiving only {
such expenses as are incurred in the ,