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ADMINISTRATION OF SCHOOLS IN THE

SMALLER CITIES.

INTRODUCTION.

The demand for Bulletin, 1915, No. 44, School Administration in the Smaller Cities, having been so great that the supply was soon exhausted, and the demand for it still being great, a new bulletin regarding the administration of schools in the smaller cities has been prepared. The information contained in it was collected by means of a questionnaire, to which about 520 superintendents in cities of from 5,000 to 30,000 population replied. The aim has been to present not only the data collected but also certain well-established principles of school administration.

THE SCHOOL BOARD.

METHOD OF CHOOSING BOARD MEMBERS,

The usual method of choosing school board members is election at large. In 417, or 80.8 per cent, of the 516 cities reporting, the board is elected by the people; and in 99, or 19.2 per cent, it is appointed by the mayor, city council, or commission. Of the 99 boards appointed, 32 are appointed by the mayor and 67 by the council or commission. Most of the States having general laws regarding the method of choosing city school boards provide for election by the people. (See p. 7.)

Students of school administration almost without exception favor an elective board, especially in the smaller cities. They say that appointment by the mayor or city council places the schools too far away from the people, and that the people take more interest in the schools if they elect the board. It is pointed out that in some cities where boards are appointed the mayor or the members of the city council control the schools to a very great degree, so that anyone seeking an appointment or a contract needs only to obtain the approval of the mayor or the members of the council. In brief, an appointive board is too often the tool of the mayor or council, many times not working for the interest of the schools but for the interest of party. If the council appoints, there is temptation on the part of its individual members to dictate policies to the school board and to influence it to elect such janitors and teachers as they may suggest. In other words, appointment by either the mayor or city council tends to entangle the schools in petty city and ward politics.

It is recognized, however, that whatever method is employed in selecting board members, objectionable political methods may be and will be used until the people really demand efficient management of their schools by their representatives. The people can demand this from either an elective or an appointive board, but they can best demand efficiency from a board they themselves elect.