The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-12-16
SCHOOLS or VERMONT
AND THEIR PRoGRESs
hneh IL the Criticism Comes Prom
People Who Have Studied the siiua-
t,ou in Limited Way.

People Who Have Studied the siius-
tsou in Limited Way.
Montpelier. Dec Before the state
ssperintsndsuts in session here To-
sight. Luther B johnson of Randolph
chairman of the state board of eduoa-
tlon. reviewed the Vermont education
Al system and made suggestions for
IL Improvement ne said IN part
a'Tho state board. in its membership,
srohably carries out the scheme Of the
trainers Of the Vermont system IN that
il is made up Of educational laymen
drawn from various walks in life and
supposed 70 represent in this respect
the body u the people. II has in It's
personnel two essentially business
men. one lawyer. one clergyman and
one eciter
III | were TO suggest any change
IN personnel Il would be based on the
idea that the predominant industrial
class in Vermont--the farmers
should be represented on the board.
Candidly, | think the board lacks
something that Il might have from
that quarter.
The basic feature Of the Vermont
educational system Is a state board OF
education composed Of laymen with an
expert educator as active head OF the
system. The idea is that while an
expert educator should have all the
technical knowledge and the admins
trative capacity needfui TO conduct the
system, he can profit by the counsel,
the advice and in certain matters by
the direction Of board Of laymen,
and that the board-men Of everyday
affairs-can arrive at more balanced
Judgment in these matters through the
ripened experience, the technical
knowledge, and the close touch Of their
expert in educational affairs
"It Is a practical adaptation Of the
system Of administration followed by
an large business enterprises-a board
Of directors. with an expert manager
- superintendent in charge. II cor
responds TO the commission form by
which many Of our large city govern
ments are being conducted efficiently
for the first time. ] believe il is well
adapted to It's purpose, for such short
eomings as may be noted result from
those incident to all human contriv-
ances, and perhaps in the case OF Yer
mont 10 the shortcomings Of the per
sonnel connected.
"Whntever so-called reforms are
suggested, the state viii do well 70
move slowly in dsrupting the maehin-
cry Of its present educational system
1t can easily spare any or all Of the
individuals connected with it, but the
scheme itself should be retained
zone Of the admirable features Of
the plan Is that il removed education
from politics. The governor appoints
one member Of the state board each
year FOR FIVE year term, but as Yer
mont retains her governors, but one
term and as the board consists Of five
members, he cannot name more than
two Of them. unless vacancies occur or
unless he removes members for cause
SO change OF administration does not
involve possibilities Of complete
shakeup Of the state board with what
ever handicap 10 action might result
therefrom
"The selection by the board Of
commissioner OF education on basis
Of merit. whose term OF service is
solely dependent on his performance
Of duty and who may be drawn from
any quarter that promises best results,
has much 20 commend Il over election
by tie people, or by the Legislature,
for short term during which he can
not be displaced IL incompetent, re-
curing him TO play the part of the
politician 10 retain his place, TO the
hurt OF his department. and naturally
limiting the selection TO our own state.
wren better choice, perhaps, could be
made outside
There are 2849 elementary schools.
- the average cost is about S65 per
school per year-not a large sum. or
out Of proportion to the value Of ser
vice rendered. believe
"Cost e supervision. while Il has /
increased since 1918. when 4 amount
ed % siilOo0. has no; increased un-
reasonably A gross income of 20 per
cent Is far less than almost any hua-
nsss or department o. government ear 4
show Tor TIE same period Ii
Figures submitted % the ls- state
teachers' convention showed the IN
=reases % be as follows. 20 single
ssar i9eo- q eonsps-d Wrh
1880
Rural school toaehez sos 3. e. /.
Graded schools teachers s3p. 6.
High school teachers E2p.e !.