The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-23
TRY A new PLAN
Proposed to Have Elective Board
of Education.
One Member From Each Con-
gresSiOnal District.
PLACE OF REGENTS.
Abolish All the Educational
Managing Boards.
Orr Resolution May Strike Snag
in Senate.

If the Anderson bill becomes a law
a score of men who hold positions as
members of the boards of regents of
the several state institutions and col
leges and are accused of lobbying in
the legislature to secure appropria-
tions, will lose their jobs and a state
department of education, elected by
the Kansas voters, will take their
places at the head of these instftu-
tons. The Anderson bill calls, for a
state board of education composed of
eight members-one elected from each
congressional distEiet-7and the ap-
polntment of temporary board to
serve until January. 1913
There has been much complaint
generally concerning the boards of re-
gents This trouble has been reflected
in the present session of the legisla-
ture. The members of the two houses
are besieged from many directions as
to appropriations and it is claimed the
regents of the colleges are either per-
sonally conducting the campaign or di-
recting the work. Members further
claim that where each state institu-
ton is equipped with a full fedged
board of regents, this board seems to
conduct a red hot rival campaign
against every other board in the mat
ter of improvements for the school and
funds for new departments. It is to
Anderson will this afternoon offer a
bill cutting off the regents jobs in
Kansas.
Anderson in his bill recites that evil
has grown up under the policy and
practice of distributing power in edu-
cational matters to numerous appoin-
tive boards and that under this policy
and practice special interests and
local interests are served at state ex-
pense before the public interests re
ceive a look-in.
The bill provides for the nominal
ton of members of the state board in
the same manner that candidates for
congress are nominated anC elected.
He provides that within thirty DAYS
after the passage of the bill the coun-
ty superintendent from the various
counties shall meet in Topeka and APP
point one member of the board frcm
each congressional district, who shall
serve until their successors are elected
and qualify. In the districts of odd
numbers one member shall be elected
in 1912 for periods of four years In
districts of even numbers the first
terms shall be two years At each
general election thereafter four mem
bers shall be elected for four year
terms.
Members of the board shall have
supervision over Kansas university the
State Agricultural college, state nor
NAL of Emporia: Normal of Fort
Gated in Fort Hays; the Manua
"'-aining school at Pittsburg: and an,
other schools which in the future
might be created by d legislative act
In this board will be vested power tc
make contracts. employ or discharge
teachers and instructors, to increase OF
diminish the number, and to conduc
~, business as the public interest may
s2m best fitted.
The Bourbon county senator further
provides that the board which h.
would create, shall not be divided int
committees. but each member shall
himself give full and careful consider
alton into every matter coming befor'
the board.
On November I. preceding the regu
lar session of the legislature. the stat
board shall file with the governor
report setting forth in brief the affair
of the several institutions. their condi
tons, 4 report as to receipts. expendi
lures and an estimate of the fund
necessary to carry on the work of tn
various schools. Provision is made Il
the bill that the members shall max
their residence in Topeka and tina
regular meetings must be held in tn
state house Tuesday of each week. Th
failure of a member to attend twl
regular meetings. except through sick
ness or like cause, shall be construe'
by the governor to signify resigna
ton: and he shall call upon the count
superintend dents of that district t
name q successor.
Each member of the board shall re
ceive an annual salary of $4,000; an
the bill especially provides that no 9th
err perquisites shall be received by an
member. The railroad expense p
visiting state institutions shall be al