The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1901-12-14
nENEvOLENT ASSOCIATIONS
ApPORTIONNENZ OF SCHOOL
FUNDS.

APPOR72ONAlENT OF SCHOOL
FUNDS.
The money allotted by the State
for school purposes is aPPortioned
to the various parishes. The as
SCISSORS returns, giving the number
Of educable children in each parish,
are used as the basis upon which
the apportionment is made. Hence
it is important that the assessors
returns shonld be as accurate as
possible. AN incompetent: or un-
truthful assessor has it in his power
to do incalculablc injury to the
children of his parish or to those of
the other parishes.
The gross inequalities resulting
from incorrect returns have been
commented upon by the press
throughout the State. The Florida
Pari shes, published at Amite City,
states that the recent apportlon-
ment ofEers fresh evidence Of the
palpabie zunreliab,lity of the as
SCISSORS figures. The parish of
Tanglpahoa,s says the Parishes. is one
of the chief sufferers from the in
accuracies Of the assessors.
The Gazette does not believe
that there was any official dishon-
esty IN making up the returns of the
parishes, but to put it mildly, there
mas been inexcusable laundering on
the part of some assessors.
The apportionment of State
school funds should be made upon
an equitable and uniform basis.
The unequal distribution of the
money should not be tolerated,
whether it results from official in
competency or from the abnormal
eagerness of certain parishes to
gobble up more than they are en-
titled to.
Approaching the injustice done
to some of the parishes the Daily
States suggests that a change be
made in the methods employed.
Judging from the experience of the
past years it is clearly evident that
the returns of the assessors are not
to be relied upon and we agree with
The States that change seems
necessary. A more reliable source
of information is needed. Speaking
of the unreliable character of the
present figures and of the proposed
change The States we'll says:
We have not the exact statistics before us,
but the Florida Parishes. of Amite City,
calls forcible attention to the inj Justice done
to that parish by palpable padding of the
lists in other parishes. In the instances
cited the ratio Of children of school age tc
the total population is from one child &c
every I-2 inhabitants in some parishes, &c
one in every 4 I-I3 in others. 1t is apparent
that so much difference is indicated by
these figures cannot exist. There par
ishes where the relative number of children
to the total population is greater than II
Others, but the difference cannot 10y any
possibility be legitimately great that te
School Board will doubtless be called uPor
to look into these matters and to make al
effort to bring about some system of equalit!
whereby justice will be done to ALL
In view OF the apparent mpossibility O
arriving at correct count of the educabl'
children in all the parishes The State
- would suggest that the School Board adop
an official ratio, based upon the total popu
lation as given in the United States censu
reports, and that this ratio be made to ap
ply to all parishes alike. 1t may be tina
the Board does not possess the authority t
do this, but if it does not it should frame
bill to be presented to the next Legislator
giving it authority to do This is tn
only plan by which the abuse growing on
of the disposition to pad the school report
can be overcome, and in the interest of jus
tice it ought to be done.