Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1913-05-02

In introduction | wish to direct
the particular attention of every
school director to the fact that In
the last Is months in this state
there has been a notable and en-
phatic demand Tor the utm ost econ
omy in connection with the expendl-
tuer of all public money. There is
no question the tax burden is now
unreasonably high. Washington has
always been and always will be in
the forefront in liberal expenditures
In the cause of education but school
directors are not doing credit to them
selves nor justice to their constit-
uents when they authorize or permit
expenditures beyond the actual needs
and necessities. The time has passed
in this state when the lavish and
eXtravagant spender of the taxpay-
ers' money wins popular acclaim.
Investigation by the state exam
liners have disclosed hundreds of
cases throughout the state where
school directors have subjected
themselves to criminal prosecutions.
Instances are multiplied where al
though no specific law has been vio
lated, the directors have been guilty
of such gross extravaganza as to be
crime. For example--In one Cow
litz county district a school house
was built at an expense of $4,000
with seating capacity for 100 In the
grades and 200 in the high school.
Yet this district had at the time
total school population of but 40 in
the grades and an average attending
of but % while in the high school
with an enrolment of IL and an av-
erage attendance of eight two teach
ers were employed. In one year this
district spent $6,S37. All over the
state are other school houses built
and equipped far in excess of any
possible need for the next ten years
to come and each of these is a mon
ument to the incompetency of the
directors responsible.
Instances of maladministration at
the expense of the taxpayers and
without benefit to the cause of edu-
cation in many other lines might be
related. Space precludes further de-
tails but here are some suggestions
it will be well to follow:
Don't spend more in one year
than the estimated revenues. Re-
member your levy is limited to 10
mills, unless with majority vote of
district, plus your state and county
apportionments.
Don't build, furnish and equip a
school house far in excess of the
needs for years to come.
Don't expend more than the
amount authorized for the purchase
of sites building, furnishings and
equipment.
Don't buy supplies from or engage
the services of relatives. The law
prohibits your being interested in
any way in any expenditures of the
district.
Don't spend general fund money
for building sites, buildings, furni-
ture, fixtures or apparatus.
Don't purchase apparatus without
the consent of the county superin-
tendent.
Don't build until your plans have
been approved by the county super
intendent.
Don't give your last months war
rant to the teacher for salary until
the teachers report has been filed
with the superintendent.
Don't waste the taxpayers money.
Equally important almost are the
following:
Do attend all board meetings and
keep posted on your duties and the
laws.
Do see that your report for the
year and your estimates for the en-
suing year reach the superintendent
early.
Do try to see how much efficiency
can be accomplished at the least ex-
penditure of public money
Order to Show Cause Whv Dacrea of