Should Norwood Hire a School Superintendent?-This Day in Norwood History-June 7, 1890

TOWN MEETING.

NORWOOD TAKES A STEP IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

At 7 o’clock last Thursday night about one hundred and fifty voters assembled in Village Hall in response to a call for a town meeting, the principal object of which was to see if the town would vote to employ a superintendent of schools.

The reports of committees were first in order, and Chairman Winslow, of the Building Committee, made the following reports:

Mr. Winslow also reviewed the work of the committee, and said that all the hills up to date had been paid by the committee, and in submitting the report he recommended that the selectmen be authorized to take such measures as they deem best in regard to the amount expended beyond the appropriation. The report and recommendation were accepted unanimously.

Article 3 in regard to supervision was taken up and in the absence of Chairman Hill Mr. C. W. Morse stated briefly that after looking thoroughly into the matter the committee had found a man, highly qualified and well recommended, who would act as superintendent, spending three days per week here, from now till May 1st, 1891, for $700. The committee, he said, had voted unanimously to call the meeting for the purpose of asking the town for authority to hire a superintendent.

H. B. Baker moved that the matter be indefinitely postponed. A long and interesting debate followed. H. W. Barrett was the first speaker. He said: “We have started a good work, and I do not want to see this matter thrown overboard. We are too apt to let things go by default, and I cannot sit in my scat and see this matter go by. We that arc parents are deeply interested. A superintendent is a good thing; we need one and can afford to pay him.”

J. J. Feely said that as he was not on the committee he could talk freely on this subject. “If any man has good reasons for wishing to postpone this subject let him state them here. He believed that the best sentiment of the town is in favor of supervision. Educated men of all classes say supervision is absolutely necessary. Sister towns find it profitable. We do not want to be behind a town like Walpole. If we can get a man till May ist, 1891, for $700, we should hire him. It is a matter of economy to have supervision.”

W. L. Gay said: “We knew when these new members were elected as school committee that they would report in favor of a superintendent. I think we had better drop either the committee or superintendent; we do not need both, and I think that under the condition the town is in we can get along without a superintendent.”

J. W. Talbot said: “I think Norwood is growing wiser; am glad to see arguments called up on both sides. We are too apt to act hastily. This is an important question. Norwood has done, and I believe means to do, well. Don’t drop the matter till we hear all the arguments.”

Mr. Kiley said: “l am in favor of all that benefits schools. What education I have I got in the public schools. The school coihmiUcu’s report from year to year says that our schools arc up to the standard. If this is so, can one superintendent, or a dozen, make the teachers do more for our children. Teachers will have all they can do to look after the committee and let children take care of themselves. I hope Mr. Baker’s motion will prevail.”

Dr. Lyman Bigelow stated when the law was enacted (1854) authorizing towns to have supervision, and gave the number of towns that now have supervision. lie said that so far as he could learn only two towns have gone back to the old way after once having had a superintendent.

Mr. Feely again urged the important, and, much-needed improvement of our school system. The expense, he said, for the time became convinced that it was best. The teachers favor supervision. He was sorry not to see more of the parents’ names upon the register. Parents should know for themselves just what is going on, and not judge of the schools by what others may say.

Mr. Winslow spoke earnestly for supervision and paid a glowing tribute to Mr. M. J. O’Brien of the Everett school.

W. L. Gay : “I have no children, but, will do all I can to aid the schools. Mr. Winslow has said, A superintendent lays out a course. Now the chairman told us at the dedication that the new building completed the system. Whose judgment is to be final, committees or superintendents?”

W. H. Bigelow thought it even more important to have a superintendent of schools than a superintendent of water works.

Mr. Plimpton said: If you had seen the work done by the superintendent in Walpole you would not go without another day. You will find a superintendent profitable.

Mr. Libby asked if Mr. Hill (who was not present) was in favor of supervision; the speaker said he did not favor it at present.

Richard E. Oldham: “What do we want a superintendent for? If we want one, why not hire Mr. O’Brien of the Everett School? Mr. Manning said no doubt much good work could be done by a superintendent. He believed in having a good one. If the man proposed was what we wanted the sum of $700 would not keep him. He did not like the way the matter has been worked up.”

Dr. Lyman Bigelow spoke highly of the candidate the committee had decided upon.

Other remarks were made by Messas. Barrett, Kiley, Manning, and Morse. When the question was put 76 voted to postpone, and 49 against it. Thus ended an interesting meeting. The result was not what was expected by the earnest friends of celebration, but it is hoped that good will come out of it.

(The Norwood Advertiser)