Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1906-12-21

cious nature of school interests causes
the lesser evils to do more harm than
they would In other places, and my
caution is to be careful of the poll
tician of higher rank at the state capt.
tai, as well as of the local politician
on a school board.
'In order that the schools may be sup
piled with properly qualified teachers
there must be method of appointment
and promotion by which the teachers
feel they are not Inundated by having
infuences-social, political or church.
exerted in their behalf. We cannot at
tract ladies and gentlemen of culture
and refinement to the teaching profess
sion if they are compelled to beg favors
OF politicians for positions. Teachers
must have courage, and teach by ex-
ample as well as precept. They must
not despise themselves, but be molders
of public opinion and leaders of good
movement in the community Let free
dom be maintained, and the children
receive opportunities for life, liberty
and the pursuit of happiness.
I'VE had supposed that our state
schools had little or no connection with
the United States government, not even
with the bureau of education, but the
recent action in our sister city of San
Francisco causes us to question our
position concerning this.
Must Be Free from Politics
Schools must be kept free from poll
ticians or tools of politicians, for If
they look upon the janitorship only as
means of maintaining political sup
port the schools must necessarily suffer.
By politicians l mean-in the words of
another-persons without visible means
of adequate support, who nevertheless,
manage to keep their families in the
necessities and often the comforts. even
the luXuries of life. The politician is
usually Self-interested and looks out for
his own welfare. His influence upon
the board is not good: he is apt to con-
slider every move in relation to the adj
yancement of his own party. There
may be what is termed the patriotic
politician on the board of education who
may also be styled the disinterested
politician, so far as his party is con-
cerned, and no doubt there are men
who have been elected to office and
who have certain views of matters con-
cerning the state, who also believe that
the children belong to the state and
would relieve the parents of all matters
the education of children.
THE state is certainly largely re-
sponsible for the school, for state legis"
lature and legal decisions determine in
a very large degree the demands and
conditions of the schools; as in our own
state much financial support comes
from state funds or taxes. We have,
however, yet to regret that the office
of state superintendent of public in
struction is not upon a basis broad
enough to more definitely shape the
educational policy of the schools, and to
do something more for us than collect
ffe,fsA ~
ance.
I'VE now agree that it is the bushes
of the board of education to operate
the schools for the good of the children
There are various methods of selecting
a board of education. In some places
what is known as the bipartisan system
seems to work admirably; that is, GER
tain ones are nominated on the Demo-
cratic ticket and others on the Repub-
lican ticket, but doubt if this method
could be made general This, however,
is not important if honest and capable
men are selested who realize the i'm
portance of their position by keeping in
mind the interests of the children, and
who proceed to conscientiously carry
out the duties of their office. But I be-
lieve the method adopted in Los An
geles city is the best. l only regret
that the charter provisions of our city
are not such as to make a part of the
board hold over each election.
Members elected at large are usually
superior people, who serve for the pur-
pose of doing good for their city or dis
trict. 7 believe they should always be
voted for directly by the people, as the
connection between home and school is
becoming closer and closer each year
They should be elected as non-parti-
sans, because political issues have abso-
lutely no relation to school questions.
1t is also advisable that this election
should be held separate from any other
election, thereby avoiding alliance which
might possibly otherwise be looked upon
with favor.
Members of the board should be per-
sons who feel that the office is a most
important factor in the school system.
They should also feel that the school
should reach out to the intelligent
parents and endeavor to enlist them in
the educational welfare of the children.
Much good can be done by members of
the board of education who work intel
ligently and faithfully, and inspire pub
lie interest and confidence in the school
system.
Non-Partisan Is the Best
"The man less likely to be influenced
except for the good of the schools, is
the non-partisan, provided he be a
genuine non-partisan. There is no
doubt in my mind but that, in another
respect, the condition existing in Los
Angeles today is the best, so far as it
goes, that is the election of the board Of
education at large instead OF by wards
or by appointment by the mayor. The
reasons for this L believe, are patent
without argument. Under these condi-
lions every member represents the en-
tire city, and the number on the board
may be kept small. 1t is not wise to
have "A large board, even for a large
city. In this manner better people will
be willing to accept the Office of the
board. because/the honor of election by
the city is greater than that of the
ward. BY keeping the ! 0ard small
there is much less opportunity for
political influences to be felt. The
superintendent Of schools may be kept
in closer touch with the small board,
and the members, in turn, will soon be
come interested in the different lines
of work connected with their adminis-
tration and will be more ready to ac-
eept the responsibilities. They will
further gain the confidence of the citl-
zens If the business of the board be
open to the public, instead of being at