Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-19
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM OF
FLORIDA.
The Finanees-HOw Raised ana
Disbursed.

The Ffnances-HOW RAISED ana
DIsbursed.
OTTER CREEK. FLA, October 15.-Edttor
Mornino Ne,rs: The State, as well as indi-
viduals. should have a specific object in view
in educating the children. Parents often edu-
cate their children with the view Of making
them doctors, lawyers, theologians. merchants
mechanics. farmers, good wives and mothers.
The State, pro contra, with one purpose IN
common to all, and that is that they be made
intelligent and useful citizens of the common
wealth. The State assumes to do that which
parents should do, and it is presumed would
IL they could command the means
and leisure for them. And thoughtful
parents will always educate TO the
utmost of their ability, regardless Of any as
sstance from the public school fund. With us,
I regret to saw a large number have neither
the means nor the inclination TO educate. what
Is meant by this is that they do not reel enough
concerned to make any sacrifice Whatever 20
promote that object. presume That II their
children could be educated without any lncon-
venience whatever, on their part, that IL would
be permitted. simply 40 NOT - Len d5',oo IN
the children, let them be kept at school every
hour that the schools are open to
them. 1t is we'll that the truth, the whole
truth, should be known, ana then perhaps a9s
our solons of the Legislature will realize the
situation, and apply the needtul remedy;
Compulsory education with us, as distasteful
as it may be to some, is the only meuhod Dy
which our system can be made thoroughly
Successful There are not a few of the most
prominent and thoughtful men or the state
who recognize this, but say the people are not
prepared for it yet. cannot unoersIano sucn
reasoning. 1t seems to me that people is
best prepared for a thing when they need II
most idoubt whether there ever was time.
or ever will be. when it is needed more than
at the present. There are others who tell
us that it would be impolitic for our
party to adopt it, because it might prove UNI
popular and thereby weaken the strength OF
the party in the State; admit that such
law would at first provoke opposition in some
quarters; but that it would be widespread and
serious 1 am slow to believe. 1t would be local
and short-ived At all events, education,
whether compulsory or free, requires That
money be raised and expended in order to pro-
mote it, Under the original school law ample
provisions were made to raise funds sufficient
to sustain the school in all the counties for an
annual term of at least three months, ana IN
some from six to nine. Others, besides sup
porting the schools literally, have erected
comfortable school houses in nearly every
district.
funds are, first, by direct taxation; second,
from the general school fund Of the State;
third, from certain fines levied by the criminal
the original law, five mills In 1879 the Legis-
lature reduced this tax from five mills to two
and a half, and the succeeding, which assem-
bled in January last, raised it to four mills, as
it now stands. 1t will be observed that the
above have been the maximum rates, leaving
it optional with local boards of education to
levy a less rate if in their judgment less would
suffice for school purposes albeit making it
obligatory upon them to levy tax equal to
the minimum in the law specified. A grave
error was committed by the Legislature of
1879, by reducing the direct tax to two and
half mills Prompted by popular clamor for
a reduction of the taxes, it cut them down
where it could least afford to. Instead of curtail
ing the public expense, which could have been
done without any detriment to the public good,
the Legislature reduced the taxes in the only
instance where it returns to the people again
by educating their children. Prohting by the
ill-adYised action of the previous session, the
succeeding raised IL to four mills, which. if not
quite sufficient, will enable the boards of edu-
cation in the several counties to conduct the
schools more successfully.
1t is to be hoped that the next session will
raise it to five mills again, where it should
stand. There are wealthy counties where it
may be that from one to two mills may suffice;
in poorer counties nothing less than the half of
one per cont. would do much good. The law
provides that public school shall be conduct
ed in each district in every county for a term
of not less than three months; and Of course
this provision would be null and void without
allowing the counties the privilege Of levying
tax sufficient to sustain them. healthy
state of the finances is essential to the success
of the system. A great diversity of opinion
obtains both as to the best method of rails
ing funds and disbursing the same. 1t seems
to be conceded, and not without good reason,
that that plan which is the most general in its
application is the best. AS the rich and poor
are alike sharers in the benefits accruing from
the public school fund.- it is argued that each
should pay proportionate share of the taxes.
A large number of negroes and many white,
whose children reap the benefit of this fund,
INV rfry hat and
therefore, do not contribute anything. Such
children are beneficiaries. 1t has, therefore,
been recommended by some persons in high
authority that the school law be so changed as
to levy a per capita tax, and that the direct
tax upon property be reduced in proportion to
the amount raised by such capitat1on tax.
Such change is advisable. 1t would ehectu-
ally silence those who urge the popular oblec-
ton among the whites, that the negroes are
educated chiefly at the expense of the whites.
The whites do at present pay large proper
ton of the school tax, because they have the
balance of taxable property. The negroes
would pay this tax much more willingly than
they do now. They seem deeply concerned
about their public schools. and If they under
stood that they were paying their poll tax for
this purpose it would doubtless be much more
generally and cheerfully paid. The whites
would then feel that, inaSmuch as the ne
groes pay a just proportion Of the tax,
they should be allowed en- equabe share in the
distribution of the funds.
The school fund. when collected is disbursed
under the direction of the board of education
of the county in which it is raised. A great
deal of discretion is necessary to do this
profitably and justly There are now but few
absolute demands upon the board outside of
the teachers. How to regulate the salaries of
the district school teachers, so that each shall
have an equitable proportion of the public
funds, is a task which seems to be more diff
cult to perform than any other that comes
within the purview of their official position.
The law prescribes a rule to govern them
In this matter that seems to meet
the case more fully than any plan devised by
local boards. 1t is to the effect that teachers
shall be paid in proportion TO the average at
tendance of pupils upon the schools. There
are two objections that stand in the way of
the application of this rule. The first is that it
entious teachers to have their salaries cut
down, as is often the case, by the indifference
or negligence Of parents and guardians, who
will not send their children and wards regular
IL and promptly to school. Secondly: That the
best teachers, who, in consequence OF their
qualifications, should have the largest salaries,
not infrequently get into the smallest
schools, and by reason of which are
paid less than others who are not
so competent and efficient. Both these objec-
tions are plausible, and can only be obviated
by discriminating in favor of known compe
tency and efficiency. This could be done with
out any fragrant violation Of the law. The
course pursued by some school boards of pay
ing teachers a mere pittance for their services
thinking thereby to economic, Is a suicidal
policy. Men and women of character and
proper qualifications are thereby driven from
the field, and their places are supplied by nov
ices in the calling. A train of evil consequences
follOw-schools dwindle away, and confidence
int hal = Td =