The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-12-23
mr.. THOMAS ON SCHOOL NEEDS.

mr.. THOMAS ON SCHOOL NEEDS.
In a most interesting address. DIT.
George Thomas Of the Utah Teachers
association. outlined what he regards
as the needs of the public school sys-
TEN in Utah. Most Of his recommended
tons are sound some are debatable,
and one. the suggested consolidation of
The system to conform to county lines.
is premature. il not altogether Objec-
tionable.
Briefly stated DR. Thomas would
abolish politics from school boards. and
to this end he would have school funds
placed with responsible banks Offering
the best terms. This is entirely possi-
bic and desirable The use of school
funds as a political asset and without
payment of interest by the bank bene-
fitted is a disgrace, an injury to the
public and the means of petty political
corruption in the manipulation of
school elections. II should be abolished.
Tie union of teachers TO look out for
needed legislation and reforms could
be used legitimately and profitably or
Il could be made an instrument of
harm. introducing political methods
into school administration. as has been
done in Chicago. and working injury 10
the morale of the teaching STAFF. Ev-
erything would depend upon the plan
OF organization. the officers chosen to
administer the unions affairs and its
attitude toward the public Until the
scheme is more thoroughly outlined
and understood. it is open to debate.
with the chances against its approval.
The abolition of salaries of boards Of
education is one OF the perennial pro-
ter service would result is yet to be es-
taplished; probably il would be found
that the honorary Office would bring
about the same grade of board men,
bers as the nominal salary now maid.
Petty graft is temptation TO the I'M
Paid board quite as much as TO the sal
aried; and in the long run that COM
munity will be best served which de-
votes most attention to its school af-
fairs. whether the board is paid OF un-
paid.
Theoretically. DR. Thomas demand
for larger unit Of school government.
the consolidation of the districts. is
sound. but it should he modified by con-
ditions as they exist. For instance.
il is well TO consolidate the districts in
Salt Lake county outside the city. but
II would be almost criminal to. include
the city and county under one board.
Politics. the doctors aversion. would
inevitably be encouraged To seize with
she large patronage that could bc had
from such an opportunity; the city.
which is suffering now from Imposition
of unjust taxes from which il receives
no direct benefit. would he burdened
stin further by unfair idmfnistrat.on.
The methods and conditions III instruc-
ton. the term OF the school year. the
class of pupils and the immediate par
pose OF the schools vary so much as
between city and country that ahan-
taseous uniformity would be imp0ssi-
bic. The conflict between city and
rural governors would be inevitable
with corresponding injury to the iuser-
ests OF all the schools.
The longer normal torn. the obsec-
ton 10 children as teachers. the pro-
posal to pension faithful service. are
al admirable suggestions. There can
be no debate az to the assertion that /
the teaching profession suffers by lea
son of inadequate compensation and /
conditions. The Herald /
has often said. and repeats nov. that
no profession of such exalted standards
and rigid requirements is 50 poorly I
paid. Few men OF such ability as is
needed in the schools osn afford to 4
teach: many OF them icave the profes-
sion because they can make mere I
Money elsewhere. Those who remain /
often sacrifice worldly advantage TO an /
unselfish enjoyment of their work.
What Is true Of them ia also true OF 4
the women who devote their lives TO /
school work Conditions are wrong. all !
wrong. when the best teachers lind 1
themselves crippled financially after
long years OF devoted pablie service.
and this state cnuia well afford Il lead 1
the way in recognition CT the fact. The