The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-12-23

had a neat little history OF the school
work of the county for the past four
years.
He then discussed some needed
changes in the school laws. After
making a number Of recommenda-
lions, lie said: "Another change
that is needed, is in relation to the I'M
equal distribution Of the school ap-
poltionment money. Where districts
hold an equal number of months OF
school In a year and incur like ex-
penses, they must have like amounts
with which to defraY them. At
present each district draws public
money on the basis Of the nnmper of
children Of school age resident there
in. On this basis, at the last APP
p%orsionu ent, made July 2, Of the
present year, Perry township drew
Sl77.30 while Prosper township, be-
cause she had more children OF
school age, drew 1926 %. The SUBJ
divided district OF Beulah No. 5, re-
ceived S16. so while a similar dis
trict, Tobin No. is, received s1l3.4S.
To overcome this difference, Beu!ah
No s, pays school taxes to the
amount of IA mills on the dollar Of her
assessed valuation, while Tobin No.
Is pays but 5 mills. Is this justice?
Surely if discrimination is to be
made it should be in favor Of the
thinly settled districts and not the
rich densely populated ones. The
fact is the person or persons who
wrote Sec. 3, Art. S of the State
Constitution, erred in judgement,
and established d faulty basis which
must of necessity bear faulty conse-
quences. Who is there among US so
stupid that he or she cannot see that
the only logical and legitimate basis
upon which it a be distributed is
to divide it equally among all the
schools according to the number of
months school which they hold in a
year? Like expenses can only be met
by like dividends. Most Of the
schools average six months. This
would be a good basis. Those that
hold mvre should be paid accordingly.
This would Stimulate boards to in
crease the length of their terms-a
thing vastly needed when we pause to
think Of the mighty men Of brains
who have come from the farm. Those
schools that remain closed and send
their children to adjoining districts
could draw public money on the basis
of the number Of months which they
sent them away. This is the only
logical basis Of which | can conceive.
Some have suggested the assessed
valuation. This would leave condi-
tions Just as they are or even make
them more unequal where a line of
railroad happened to cross Il district.
For instance: Mitchell No. 81, has
three lines Of railroad crossing it.
With a taxation Of only 4 mills on
the dollar and with expenses by no
means small, they had on band June
80, 1904. $500 resulting from this
railroad tax.
Another feature that needs rem
edying is the salary Of all school
officers, especially school clerks. They
do five times as much work as school
treasurers, but receive the same pay.
The fact that the treasurer assumes
the responsibility for the school
money, is of little Importance when
comparing their salaries. Again
chairmen are required to act as
judges Of school elections, but are
not entitled to any pay for their
services. Judges of all civil cleo
lions are we'll paid; why this dis
elimination against judges Of a
school election?"
The new library law and the pro-
vision for converting the schools to-
gelher once a year for instruction
were held by the speaker to be wise.
He mentioned the annual letters
which he has sent to school officers
and thanked the latter for the cor
dial manner in which they bad re-
ceived his suggestions. He said: