The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-02-16
of all choice in the selection of the
teachers who are to instruct and care
for their loved ones?
Objections to Proposed School Law.

objections to Proposed School Law.
Odebolt Chronicle: The bill pro-
vides for state board of education
which shall inspect and classify all
public schools as to courses of study,
teaching force, equipment" and SO on.
This board shall consist of the state
superintendent, the presidents of the
state university, state college OF agri-
culture and state normal school, and
three other professional educators ap-
pointed by the governor.
Business men and taxpayers are de-
MED membership on board which is
to be invested with almost unlimited
authority; board which is to say
what shall be taught, what salaries
shall be paid and have the right to
order expenditures of all kinds.
The presidents of the colleges are
not proper persons to serve on such
board. They are constantly working
to increase the enrolment of the insti-
tutions which they head and will natur.
ally endeavor to turn every school into
college preparatory. There has been
reason why they should have anything
to do with the public school system
of the state. Moreover, professional
school men are VIGOROUSLY lacking In
financial wisdom, as every one who
comes in contact with them is aware.
Few of them know the value Of money
or how to expend it judiciously. What
noted educator would be entrusted
with the financial management of
wholesale or retail business? His
training has been along other lines.
Section 80 denies a certificate to
one under nineteen years of age.
Where are teachers to be secured
| in sufficient number under this re-
striction?
Section 81 compels all who expect
7 to secure any grade of certificate to
attend normal school, college, uni
versity or training school approved by
! the state board"
Same objection. Moreover, it shows
that the purpose of the bill is to In
crease the attendance at higher insti
tuptions and belittle the graduates Of
common and high schools. This sec
tion prohibits high school graduate
from teaching unless he or she has
the money to pay for an additional
course at a school controlled by some
member of the board of education.
Section IS abolishes the township
district and makes the county the dis
trict, and section 70 provides for a
county board of education of three
members.
J This county board is unsalaried. The
members are to receive only their
travelling expenses. Yet an enormous
amount of work and tremendous re-
sponsibility are to be their portion
2 They are to employ county superin'
tendent and fix his compensation; en-
ploy all teachers in the rural schools
. and fix their salaries. and have com
rlete and absolute authority over all
schools outside of independent dis
tric's, including the levying of taxes
1 disbursement of money, etc.
3 This county board may establish
I and maintain county high school,
: 1t may establish night school In any
e independent district when petitionec
e for by twenty or more inhabitants o.
the district; and all persons between
the ages of fourteen and thirty en-
d gagged in business or labor during the
t day shall be permitted to attend sucf
n night school.
s. Are the farmers of any county will
= ing to be taxed to support count.
e high school? Is it not cheaper TO
d them to send their children to tn
high school in the nearest town AM
pay the small tuition fee required?
e And how about the taxpayers in tn
r. independent districts? Their schoo
taxes are now three-flfths of all tn
g taxes they pay-state. county. tow
r and school-and the faddists who ar
, nernitted to shape the course G
study in the town schoo-s are steadil
I Increasing expenses. Yet this bill wi
n. enable twenty citizens of Odebolt VIII
4 nay only few dollars of the taxes t
compel the establishment OF nigh
Il school which will cost several tho,
,r sand dollars annually.
,e We might fiji columns with SCUM
ar objections to this absurd measure
Why, should this bill be enacted int
law no county would comply with II
provisions The taxpayers would r.
20 volt.
- In our Judgment, 1t is the most ridi
ulous proposition that has been ser
. ously advanced in many years.