The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1890-06-22
THENEWSCHOOLLAW
rolitics Should be Kept Out OF
the School Room.
suPT. STEWART GIVES HIS VIEWS
some Defects of the Law Pointed Out-What
the City Council Must Do-The
New Circular.

AS the time approaches when the provis
ions OF tho new school law will go into eff
1ect great interest is taken in the law and
tierc is some diversity of opinion as to
whether it will result beneficially or not.
knowing that William M. Stewart, the su-
perintendent of schools for this county, had
given the subject q great deal of thought, a
HERALD reporter called upon him yester-
DAY to get his views. When asked
wnat he thought of the school
law generally, Mr.. Stewart replied:
Il think the new school law an improve
ment over the old law, vet it is somewhat
INDEFINITE and confused in its requirements
ana has very poorly provided for the transi-
tlon from the old conditions TO the new.
The exact fitness of the law and its defects
can be determined only after it has been in
operation few years.
do YOU think the trustees have the |
rig ht to deed over property in the city dis |
trlcts to the board of edut ation!' asked the |
reporter.
Il think there may arise legal question
as to the right of the trustees TO turn over
the school property without first calling a
meeting Of the taxpayers and obtaining
their consent TO the transfer answered |
Mr.. Stewart
What is your opinion as to the workings
OF the law!'
Il believe the school law will improve
the condition of our schools, yet think
there will be difficulty in carrying cut some
of its provisions. l have no doubt that the
next legislature will be asked to make
number of amendments TO it. If politics
enter into the matter and are taken into
the school room, | don't think the bill will
DO much good'
(which political party will control in this
city!n
The law requires that the board of edu-
cation in each city of the first class shall
consist of the mayor and TWO trustees, to
be elected by and from each municipal
ward. This will make for our city the
board of education TO be eleven. The Lib
erals would probably carry three wards,
CRYING them, with the mayor, seven men,
bers, while the Peoples party would
have four. Politics should be kept out of
the school room. The success of our new
school law will depend much upon how
closely this is followed. would suggest
that the leaders of the two parties give
this fact their candid consideration. 1t
would be much better to place but enc
ticket In the field, each party being
equally represented on the ticket, and that
ticket to be ma!eup Of good, conservative
educational men. If this policy is not fol
lowed have little faith in the educational
growth of our city. While the Liberals
may cast a majority vote in the whole city,
they only represent about 35 per cent. of
the school children. These political leaders
may satisfy their partizan spirit but it will
be at immense cost to the children of our
city. If the plan indicated should be pur-
sued, the Liberals would still control, the
may Or oeii of tteir party"
Are there not some facts in the new
law which should be made clear!'
Eyer. First, the trustees should hold
their regular annual meetings in July, and
report to the superintendent as usual
! The trustees still remain IN Office until the
, board of education is elected and qualified.
Second preparation for the election on the
second Monday in July should be made at
once. The law requires that fifteen days
before the election of trustees the city
councils of the several cities shall appoint
, from each municipal ward three judges of
such election. Third. notice of the time
and place of holding said election and the
time during which the polls will remain
open, which shall not be less than eight
,, hours, shall be given by the may or
!, of said city for six consecutive
days and within ten days previous thereto
by publishing such notice in newspaper
published in said city"
; when will the first meeting of the new
, board be held and what will be the first
+, step in the matter.''
1.-THE board shall organize before the last
day of July. The mayor shall be presi-
e dent and the board shall elect vice presi-
e dent from its members and clerk who
z shall hold their offices for the term of one
year and until their successors are elected
/. and qualified, and shall also elect a city SD
o perintendent of schools, who shall have
charge of all OF the schools of the city, and
: who shall hold his office for the term OF
J. two years. ! have already receiveda mum
d Der of applications for The position of city
e superintendent of schools. a city system
|. of schools must be built from the very
foundation up, and | am Of the opinion that
h an educator of experience and nationa
Il reputation should be employed by the board
for this position, l think such a mar
d could be easily obtained. One of the
e greatest needs at present is proper schoo
a accommodation. The public school build
L ings of this city will not accommodate
n one-third OF the school children"
= q How will the law operate as between
q the city and country"
d THE new school law improves but very
It little the condition of the schools outside
G the cities. / am favorable to the county
2. system, which would make the county ;
e unit and thus provide for the grad;.tion OF
" the country schools. The new school Law
!, separates the county from tie city
II ihecounty superintendent having 10 man
n agemcnt OF the schools in the city. Tn,
: county superintendent is elected by til,
4 voters of the county, outside of the city,
4 Mir. Stewart will at once send all the city
% trustees copies OF the following circular:
10 You arc aware, no doubt, OF the chang,
made in tho school districts of Salt Lake
T city by the provisions Of the new schoo
;. law.
q On the nth of July next, board of edu
# cation viii be elected 10 manage the school
IS OF the city. his board shall organize be
Is fore the last day Of july.
= / desire to inform you that you remain
!, district school trustees until the organiza
n ton OF said board, and You are expected t
ID perform your duties as such. make GU
your usual reports to me and hold your an
nual meeting, at which you will lransac
the usual business, except the election o
trustees.
| lpclose a copy of the new school Law
and blanks for the annual financial, Stats
~ tiual, and CENSUS reports. 1t is desire,
= that great care be exercised in filling tn,
= blanks so as to insure full and correct re
ports.
| shall be at my Office between tn
twenty seventh and thirty-iirst days O
July to receive your reports and 10 audi
your accounts.
See that your accounts are properly en-
tered and balanced, and thai you hay
e vouchers for all your expenditures. Th
records of your ofbcial acts should accom-
pany your accounts and vouchers.
S! You are respectfully reminded that te
davs notice ot the annual meeting must b
"a given by posting notices in at least thrs
If public and convenient places in the district
u Iuclosc three blanks for the purpose.
might also be well to advertise the meetin
in some public newspaper: r specially
WM. II. STEWART,
4 County Superintendent.