The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-03-01
MICHIGAN SCHOOL
SYSTEM DEFECTIVE
Twentieth Century Club, of Detroit,
Urges Legislature To Pass Bill
Providing Small Boards.

LANSING, Mich. March 1.-The
Twentieth Century club, OF Detroit, Is
urging the members OF the Legislature
to pass the bill which provides fol
small boards OF education for cities
to consist OF Ave or seven members
TO be elected by the people at large
Mrs. George Johnston, president OF
the club, Mrs. ii. A. Lockwood. chair
man OF the legislative com
mittee, and Mrs. #. c. Osborn, chair
man OF the educational committee
have sent each member OF the legis
lature the following letter, impressing
upon them the necessity for the enact
ment into law of this bill:
Members State Legislature. LANSING
Dear sir--As you are undoubtedly
aware. the Michigan school laws relat-
ing TO city school districts are In
somewhat unsatisfactory condition. "A
number OF the cities OF the state have
special school charters, while others
are operating under the general district
school law. In this respect Michigan
Is behind the nearby educationally pro-
gressNe states Indiana , ana T 0,v
laws provide for small boards OF edu-
cation elected by the people at large
The trend OF school administration
ward the small board OF equation
elected by the people at large: Boston
has a board Of fve members, Indian
apolis has five. Denver i've. Cleveland
etc. Expressions OF entire satisfaction
with this system come from the many
cities interrogated concerning this mat
ter. such a method OF eiecting city
tages the following:
II secures n higher class OF citizens
upon school boards.
II enables responsibility to be more
IL aids In the enforcement of the
state school laws.
IL removes the public schools from
the Sinss tss s 81 ren aoee
educational affairs In the case OF
Detroit. where the antiquated ward
system is In vogue. the citizen plays
man out OF eighteen. once in four
years. The ward system In practice
represents neither the city nor the
ward Education should not be looked
upon as ward matter, but as mat
ter of the highest moment TO the entire
city and state. II involves the most
solemn function of forming the charac-
ter OF the states future citizens ,n,s ana ana
the expenditure OF enormous sums or
The twentieth Century Club of De-
troit an oTgani,stion Of, Of more ams 1hs IN
the city at recent meeting passed
the following resolutions:
WHEREAS. The Twentieth Gen.
worked toward securing a smaller
board OF education elected by the
people at large. and
WHEREAS. A bill entitled
Bill to Organize school Districts
In the Several Cities OF the State
has been proposed and sanctioned
by the Michigan City Superinten-
dents association. and the Mienl-
and this bill Is receiving the en-
dorsement and support or many
other ORGANIZATIONS, and
WHEREAS. II IL desirable In
order TO secure this needed legtsla-
ton that a united EFFORT be made
upon one bfll. and
WHEREAS. The proposed bin
appears to embody In general the
provisions favored by the Twen-
tieth Century Club in Its previous
actions upon this matter: therefore
BE 1T RESOLVED; That the
the bill of the Michigan city
Superintendents' Association. and
the Michigan State Teachers Assoc
boards % educstion OF five or
seven members elected by the peo-
pie at large; and that letter to
this effect. signed by the president
OF the club. and the chairman OF
the Legislative Committee, and OF
the Educational Committee. be sent
to Governor Osborn and to the
members of the Michigan Legisla-
ture asking for the passage OF
such q bill
we respectfully ask for the passage
of such a bill In favor OF the many
thousands OF city school children whose
characters are being formed in our
public schools.
Very respectfully.
CARRIE III. JOHNSTON (Mrs. Geo.
President of the Twentieth Cen
fury Club OF Detroit.
| HELEN s. LOCKWOOD MRS. III. A.
Chairsan OF Legislative Commit
LAURA F. OSBORN (Mrs. r. CO
Chairman OF Educational Commit