Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-26

pIopooeu Dy tHe superintendent u
neighboring county and other educators
suggests few words of explanation
as to the attitude of teachers and sup
erintendents in general toward existing
laws.
Perhaps no body of educators in the
state has more influence than the
county school superintendents, for the
reason that they meet annually in con-
vention where matters affecting school
administration are thoroughly discussed.
Further than this, county superintend-
ents are accustomed to political meth
ods and know how to make their in
fluence felt.
At the last annual convention held
in Walla Walla, May /, 2 and 8, 'O6,
the following resolutions were adopted:
Resolved, That the county super
intendents in this convention favor the
nomination of all state, county and
municipal officers by direct primary
method.
ment to the law requiring all plans for
school buildings in districts of less
than 10000 population to be approved
as to proportion of light, ventilation,
and sanitation by the county superin-
tendent before they are accepted by
the school board.
hot nd
ment to the law requiring that school
district having fewer than five school
children shall lose it's organization un-
less the county superintendent order its
continuance.
( Resolved, That we most heartily ap-
prove the proposition of Governor
Mead, that a state reformatory be
built for those who are not confirmed
criminals, and further that we will in
every way possible support the gov
ernor in educating the people as to the
need of such an institution.
Resolved, That the Superintendent
of Public Instruction be requested to
arrange for at least two conferences
of high school instructors during the
next school year.
Resolved, That we favor an amend
ment to the constitution removing the
restriction as to number of terms a
county officer, except treasurer, may
serve.
In the biennial report of the Super
intendent of Public Instructions, just
off the press. the following paragraph
appears:
The State of Washington has as good
system of school laws as the average
state in the union, especially when the
age of the state is taken into consid-
GRAFTON, and for this reason | am not
disposed to suggest numerous changes
until such time as an entire recodifi-
cation and more systematic and consis-
tent arrangement can be accomplished.
1t will be seen from the foregoing
statements that very little Legislation
is desired by the superintendents of
the state. The decisions of the courts
and opinions rendered by the Attorney
General suggest a few changes in
phraseology, etc., of certain laws nec-
essary to render them effective. But
no very radical changes are requested
or desired.
The suggestions cited that an act be
passed fixing the salaries of county
superintendents upon the basis of the
number of schools districts merits con-
sideration, for the reason that the
superintendent is man of whom Spec
ial qualifications are required and his
salary is about the lowest paid to any
county officer. Yet other methods
have been proposed and are now
being investigated which if adopted
may prove more satisfactory than the
one here suggested. The county sup
erintendents have not yet been able to
agree among themselves as to the best
and most equitable solution of the
difficulty.
A committee has been appointed by
the state superintendent, who will pre-
pare list of such changes as are de-
sired in the laws, for the consideration
of the next legislature. Personally
hold the opinion expressed by the state
superintendent that Washington now
has good system of schools, consid-
ering the age of the state, and that
only such changes are necessary in our
laws as will render them operative in
cases where some defect has been dis
covered.
The present school code contains
many obsolete or amended provisions,
making it difficult to understand the ex-
act provisions of the law, and as soon
as possible the legislature should pro-
vide for recodifcation.
Yours very respectfully,
W. J. Lansing.