The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-08-12

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDS.

The conference Of municipal bodies was
presenting IT, condition and inviting sug-
sessions for rssrenohment The figures
Submitted by the board show that more
has already beer accomplished than they
have been given credit for. With an tn
crsAsins demand for school facilities, and
= tardinsss In paying taxes 20 grant con-
csssions 10 that demand more dificut. ~
II not an easy matter 10 make ends meet.
There seems TO be no immediate fear
Of the schools being closed: ane II wise
counsels prsvsgi In this state this fall the
school term need not be shortened nor the
teachers salaries reduced. But Il II Just
a. well TO prepare for emer ssnelsa. and II
the revenue IL not likely TO be enough
to meet the years expenses one Of three
courses must be adopted.
The extreme resort would be that schools
must be closed entirely. which would not
only disrupt q very excellent body Of
teachers. bat would work rnoastrons IN
justice to the children Of the poorest
parents whose school term IL shortest.
This would strike at the very root OF the
public school principle. which originally
was not to afford advanced education 20
the children OF the middle class whose
parents were fortunate enough 10 be able
10 pay for IL. but to insure that every
child IN the land. no matter how poor,
should have the advantage of a rudi-
mentary education. IL the Idea OF the
sbare-footed schooiboy" had entered into
our system instead OF into foolish iegls-
Iasion II would have been better all
around. II would not have iesssnsd the
number OF teachers and would have re-
euitsd In a more equitable system-
Another course would be to temporarily
contract the curriculum 70 primary and
secondary teaching. 90 that II necessary
the school hours be shortened and teach
ers take different pupils morning and
afternoon This. surely. while not by
long way an ideal system. and only the
less OF two evils. would certainly be bet
ter than closing the schools entirely.
turning the children into the street and
breaking entirely the continuity OF their
Instruction
The third course would be TO cut down thu
teachers salaries TO so low point as TO
drive away all but those who were COM
PEELED TO stay. breaking down their spirit.
and possibly depriving them OF adequate
noursshmsns This alternative seems 10 be
almost as bad as the frat A parent would
much prefer that his child were well
taught rudments by competent teachers,
than be dragged over the surface Of adj
vanoed studies by incompetent or over
worked teachers.
Another point brought to the attention
of the school board was the defect In the
warrant system. IL that must be rssorted
to. When teachers are paid the FUN
amount OF months salary la one war
rant. necessity drives them to the war
rant broker. IL instead OF one warrant
they received several OF smaller ceaoml-
nations. they need only eaah one or more
and could save or trade or to better adj
vantage the others from time 20 time Part
cash and part warrant would be sim
better method.
All these sxpeiients. n must De remsm-
bsred. are only temporary provisions for
an emergency and not 90 be accepted as
laying the foundation OF reform In th@
system. No one OF them Is best: Il Is only
better than sbe worst.