Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-03-25
REVISION OF SCHOOL
LAWS URGENT
Pending Governors Appoint
ment of Committee, Educa-
tors Are at Work ia ImpOr-
tant Task.

Especial Telegram 90 sweating Heraldl
Santa Fe, ~ A., March 25.-After
a full weeks session, tho state board
Of education adjourned last Saturday
afternoon. but will likely meet again
al an early date to consider further
the subject Of school Legislation and
other important educational matters
not yet fully decided upon.
Undoubtedly the most important
action OF the board was taken shortly
prior to adjournment. IN the resolu-
ton requesting the president of the
board TO appoint d committee upon
revision OF the present compilation
of school laws Pursuant % such
resolution, Governor Mcdonald as
president OF the board Immediately
took up the matter with number OF
the leading educators and II Is likely
/ he VIII announce his appointments
within day or So In the meantime
Dr, NJ ID. Taylor. of the educational
hoard, Or. NJ r. Desmaraia, RuEerin.
/ tendent OF schools of San Miguel
county and Superintendent White
are working upon the matter of a
complete revision OF the now exist
ing laws. AS Is well known, there
nave been many amendments to the
original school law by the successive
sessions Of the legislature. many OF
which were Inconsistent with other
provisions OF the law. until Il Is now
almost impossiblo for the school dis
tfict officers TO ascertain easily and
definitely their duties. Many of the
provisions fitted territorial condi-
tons bat do not now conform TO the
constitution and are not suited TO a
rapidly growing state. and State Su.
Iperintendent Avian s. White has ad-
vocaied al along that o complete re-
vision was needed and In this CON
tention The state board agreed with
! am. Il Ia expected the work OF the
committee viii result In systematic
code of laws, which Il is believed the
legislature VIII at once pass. as the
entire code viii be founded closely
upon existing laws. with such new
amendments and laws as appoar wise
to Incorporate along with the revl-
sion. The present tumble Of laws are
ont OF date as e compilation and "a
working code. for the district officers
and as q result the department OF
education Is kept busy giving opin-
IONS, being unable many times TO IN.
terprel the meaning OF the various
conflicting statutes. The report OF
The committee VIII be submitted at
an early date TO the state board OF
education and the house and senate
committees on education.
Dr NJ. +. Desmarals. of Las Vegas.
delivered q very able address before
the board Saturday morning, npon
school conditions IN San Miguel
county. He is an advocate OF placing
moro power In the hands OF the VA
rlous county superntendents aud
made many other helpful suggestions
TO the board.
The board passed n resolution rec.
ommonding The passage OF bin by
the legislature fixing holidays, pro.
gram days and memorial days for the
public schools, On order to clear up
the existing doubts on the subject;
also. a resolution for the passage Of
bills regulating business colleges.
regulating special instruction as TO to
the teaching of the effects OF nara.
cotics and alcoholic drinks upon the
human system. the United States
statute heretofore applying to the
territory on this subject not now be-
ing effective In the state; also. en-.
dorslng the teaching OF Industrial
education In the public schools. also,
endorsing the Page bill now pending
Ia congress and requesting Joint
memorial by the legislature: also.
recommending a bin having for H.
object the prevention of the exhibit
tion Of vice by enloining the property
whore same Is located No definite
action was taken upon the so.calied
County Unit" bill having for les OBJ
iect the abolition of the district unit
basis and establishing the county as
The unit with q board of five Instead
OF the district directors. A free text
books hill was recommended 10 be
optional Ia the various districts or
counties upon % petition or vote OF q
majority of the people.
An opinion was requested of the
attorney general upon the subject Ol
the authority of the board 10 adopt
uniform system OF text books for tho
high schools of the state. the oonstl
tuition apparently giving This authurl-
~ A decision IS expected from the
attorney general today.