The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-12-21
TO SHIFT EXPENSE.

| TO SHIFT EXPENSE.
superintendent Halland Has q Plan
| Anent the North DAkots Normals.
The state educational association and
, the state department of public instruc-
ton will appear by committees before
the legislative assembly this winter
and make requests for some legislation
of radical nature and general inter-
est. State Superintendent Halland, at
the close of four years experience in
educational work, makes some recon-
mendations that will be indorsed by
the educational association and favor
able consideration asked from the leg
| islature. Perhaps the most important
Of these recommendations will be that
the maintenance Of the two normal
schools of the state, at Mayville and
Valley City, and the state department
of public instruction, be placed upon
the interest and income fund of the
permanent school fund endowment OF
the state, and the weight of these ex-
penses taken from the state general
fund. This scheme is recommended as
just and practicable, and as one that
would relieve the overburdened general
fund until it has an opportunity to
make good the deficiencies that will
face 1t the first of the year.
The normal schools are held by the
state department of public instruction
to be the heads of the common school
system, and as such are entitled to- be
maintained by the common school fund.
The department of public instruction.
is also maintained for the benefit of
the common schools, and it is held to
be no more than fair that the common
school fund should bear the expenses
The income from the permanent schooT
fund of nearly 81, 900 900, all invested III
Understanding securities, and from
the fines and taxes which are all paid
into the school fund, will be about
$4,000 for the next two years. The
expenses of maintaining the two nor
NAL schools for the biennial period and
of supporting the state department of
public instruction, it is estimated.
would be about $65, 900. This would
leave 100000 to be apportioned among
the school children of the state, or
loss to them of about fifty cents per
capita for the two years. This loss
would not be noticeable, and the gain
to the state general fund would be of
great advantage. 1t is not definitely
settled whether this change could be
accomplished by a simple law, or
whether it would require a constitu-
tional amendment, but bills will be pre-
sented to accomplish the desired end.
A request will be made by the state
| department for an appropriation of S.
! 900 annually to enable the department
to classify and aid all high schools that
may apply. An appropriation for this
purpose was made two years ago, and
there are now thirty-one high schools
that have been classified and aided. 1t
is hoped, with the additional appropria-
ton, to increase this number to forty
five. This will be of material advan-
tage in bringing all the high schools of
the state up to the same standard.
The question of standards for COM
mon school teachers in the state is an
other that has been before several SEES
sions of the legislature and will come
up again this winter. At present the
examination of teachers for certificate
is in the hands of county superinten-
dents The standard that is suggested
by the state department contemplates
| uniform examinations by the state de-
partment of public instruction. This
would remove all local or personal in
fluences from the examinations and
| would result in better grading of teach
erS.
| Perhaps the most radical matter sug-
gested to the legislature by the state
superintendent is the feasibility of the
abolition of all politics in the Office of
county superintendent of schools, by
abolishing the Office altogether as an
elective Office and substituting therefor
superintendent appointed by a state
! board, to supervise schools in local SUI
peryisory districts. The scheme of the
suggestion is this: A state board nav-
ing general control and supervision Of
the common schools of the state; this
board to divide the state into districts.
making one district of ordinary coun-
ties and two or more of the larger
counties; the board then to appoint
especially qualified persons as super
visors of the districts. these officers to
serve during good behavior and while
qualified under civil service rules: This
would remove the Office of county SUI
perintendent altogether from politics.
| Already there are plans suggested to
take the elective Office out OF politics
by having special educational election
days. The objection urged to this is
that, having only one officer to vote for
the rural vote would not be gotten out
and the cities and towns would dictate
the election of superintendent. Mr..
Halland does not make the suggested
abolition of county superintendent q
recommendation, but merely presents
| it to the legislature. There will prop
ably be plenty of POLITICAL opposition to
the plan, for the reason that cutting
down the list, of Offices does not meet
with favor from politicians. either of
the Office disbursing or Office receiving
kind.
i POLLOCK, j.. AFFIRMED.