The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-01-16
School News from Various Departments

a man Of the highest professional
training and established reputation,
whether from within our own Dor
ders, or from without; and free his
hands so completely as to allow a
far-sighted program Of reorganiza-
ton and rehabilitation TO be inaugu-
rated and carried into operation.
The State Board as here proposed
could be provided by legislation,
possessing all powers suggested but
the appointment of the Superintend-
ent. This should doubtless be done
as a preliminary step, to be followed
by the constitutional amendment.
II may be objected, however, that
such change is toj difficult TO I'M
dertake. In return il may be asked,
is there a better cause, an interest
of greater Importance, that can be
brought before the people? Educa-
ton must not he made a play thing
of politics, or the ,ictinm Of indif-
ference and ignorance, eithe,' in
state or local affairs. Let the teach
ers, and others interested in the
cause, make a careful study of the
situation, agree as TO the greatest
reforms for which they can stand,
and then go before the people, the
final court of appeal, fearlessly fight
ing for what they believe TO be the
best interests of the childhood of the
State.
We are fortunately in harmony
with the best thought and practice
of the day in having the county as
our local administrative unit. There
are, however, certain changes which
must be made before we can expect
real efficiency from it. Here, as in
the State, we suffer from non-pro-
fessional tendencies arising from the
connection Of the office of county
superintendent with politics, re-
striction to local talent, a fixed term
of Office, and entirely inadequate
salaries. Again it should be said
that there is no desire TO under
value the fine work that has been
done in the past and is now being
done, by many of the men and wom-
en- who have been elected to the
Office. They have done splendid
work, and will continue to do it,
work far better than could have
been expected in many instances.
The writer, however, believes with
Doctor Snedden who said recently,
we must make a career for the
county superintendent no less digni-
fled, important, and permanent than
that Of the city superintendent"
and he would add what was clearly
implied,-with standards of qualifi-
cations as high, and with salary as
attractive.
That we do not have such cOndi-
lions regarding the position VI
county superintendent in Kentucky
Today is very evident when one
ylances over certain tables found in
he State superintendent last re-
port.
Superintendents in our towns of
rom five to fifteen thousand pOpula-
ion receive salaries ranging from
Il 800 to $500 per year, and in most
'ases enjoy long periods of service. ,
They have under their supervision ,
rom twenty to fifty teachers. But ,
low is il with the county superin-
,ndent? Out of the 100 in the State
me receives as much as $1,000, al
eceive from $1,000 to $1,000, while ,
IS receive $3.50 or less per year for
heir services. Thirty-six of these
county superintendent have under
heir supervision 100 or more teach
rs. while only ten have fewer than
fifty teachers 10 supervise.
When one considers that the SUI i
,erintendent has to undergo two
in many cases, and that
'ften the most progressive admin T
stration is rewarded by the smallest }
lumber of votes in an election for
second term, we may well wonder !.
hat the State has so many conse-
rated, efficient superintendent as .
[ has today. b
Chas. ID. Lewis. {
Continued next week.