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18 eral Assembly to provide a Uniform System of Free Public Schools for the State of Maryland, and the General Assembly enacted that there shall be such a system "in each County and every City now incorpo- rated or which hereafter may be incorporated." In this view of the binding force of the law, and its applicability to the Schools of the City of Baltimore, the State Board of Education unanimously concur. But, far more important to the State and to the citizens of Baltimore, than a narrative of these unamiable doings and the refusal of the School Commissioners to extend the right hand of fellowship to the State Board of Education, is the condition of the School System of the City as it is now administered. This concerns the welfare of the children whom it is designed to serve, and the tax paying citizens who provided during the year 1865 over $350,000 for the support of public instruction, adding to the direct tax of 15 cents a municipal tax of 18 cents, making a total of 33 cents in the hundred dollars for school purposes. With such munificent resources we ought to have better school houses, with comfortable furniture, more liberal salaries to teachers, and at least such ordinary apparatus of education as may be found in every Primary and Grammar School of other cities. According to my judgment, Baltimore, strictly speaking, has no well defined EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM, she has a congregation of schools regulated in external matters by a system of by- laws, many highly competent and zealous teachers, but no Educational System. There is no central educational authority; no provision for active supervision beyond that which a Commissioner without a recom- pense, voluntarily bestows; in tact nothing that is uniform, unless it be the uniform rejection of the Spelling Book and the consequent absence of all uniformity of pronunciation. The opinion expressed in my first report has been strengthened by closer observation, increased experience, and consultation with many citizens whose views are entitled to the highest respect. I do not hesitate to advise that the term of office of the Baltimore School Commissioners be extended to four years, and that they be appointed by the State Board of Education. I also advise the appointment of a City Superin- tendent of Schools, selecting for this responsible office a gentleman of large educational experience, a practical teacher, well acquainted with prevailing modes of instruction, and accustomed to the use of educational apparatus. A man who will devote his whole time lo the work, inspire the teachers with confidence in his ability and with enthusiasm tor their duties. This office should be separate from the management of finances, procuring school supplies, and other duties which appertain to the posi- tion of treasurer and actuary. The Commissioners should be gentlemen of liberal education and sufficient leisure to give time and attention to the duties of super- vision and conference. They ought to be selected without reference to partizan politics, and not be subjected to the perturbations of popu- lar elections. Chosen for their interest in Public Instruction, zeal- ous in the cause of Universal Education, competent to discharge their duties, they should be retained while their interest, zeal and compe- tency lasts. One of the grave objections to the present system of appointment is, that every year the whole Board may be changed. |
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Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1866
| Volume 107, Page 484 View pdf image (33K) |
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