Arizona republican., 1914-12-29

PNiA oNNOuItdil 70 see IL, lDdI WfIllt
our school system in many ways is a
good one, in some ways it is not al
together perfect; and that quite ap-
parent among its imperfections is
Its system COR rather its lack of sys-
tenn OF accounting. In the business
management of our school affairs, We
need without doubt a more simplified
and uniform system of accounting,
and then We need too, a little addi-
tional executive authority to enforce
the system. The system might be
secured by various means. One way
would be to make it the special duty
of the state accountant to prepare
the plan; another way, and a very
good one perhaps, to secure it would
be through school accounting COM
mission created by an act of the leg
islature. This commission. serving
without pay, might consist of the
state accountant, the state superin-
tendent of public instruction. and the
secretary of the State Tax Payers
Association.
AS regards the operation of the
system, it is evident that any scheme
of uniform accounting or anything
else for that matter Undertaken in
the interest of the schools of this
state, to be a real success, must have
real executive force behind it. The
scepter of authority in the hands of
the educational executives of the
state. should never be in any sense
a swOrd-on the other hand it should
never be quite a broken reed
Then again, we do not have to go
very far, or look around very much
| that we have in school accounting
obtains in other things Take the
Interpretation and observance of our
school laws for instance There are
in this state many men of many le-
gal minds. These men are all able
men, and it is the legal duty of each
when called upon to interpret the
the school law, and render an
opinion, but unfortunately owing to
differences in opinion, the effect on
our schools is that they are constant
| ly being supplied with new and diff
| ferent laws.
| To give some life tenure, some val
dity, some identity TO our laws-to
make it appear at least that they
have all been manufactured in Ari-
iona by an Arizona Legislature. we
are convinced that it should become
| the sol duty of some single official
Ito interpret our school laws and rem
der opinions, and that these should
have the force of law until annulled
| by the courts or repealed by the leg
islature. To this end we submit for
your consideration the following sug-
gested amendment
The state superintendent shall ad
wise a counsel with the school of
ficers of the counties, cities and
towns and school districts as to the
best method of conducting the pub
lie schools, and shall be empowered
| to issue instructions and regulations,
binding for observances on all Off
GERS and teachers. in all cases where
in the provisions of the sch oil law
may require Interpretation in order
to carry out the design expressed
| therein; also in cases that may arise
in which the law has made no pro-
Vision. and where necessity requires
some rule in order that there may be
no hardships to individuals. and nc
delays or inconvenience in the man
agement of school affair These
Iopinions and instructions when given
until set aside by a court of compe-
tent jurisdiction or by subsequent
Legislation
Probably no one plan is being dis
cussed more widely today than the
county unit plan. And since thirteen
states have adopted it, and since il
is reported that the legislatures of ter
other states (Arizona's legislature in
cluded) will be asked to adopt it al
their next sessions, we believe the
ipublic is sufficiently interested tC
warrant us in preparing and circu-
lating a bulletin containing the es-
sentials, and a certain extent, the
details and various notifications Of
the system, together with arguments
for or Against the ACCESSIBILITY of re-
organizing the management of the
StHoolS VI AflLOnd, uSl1lR the county
unit plan as a basis for such reor-
ganization. As to our own ideas, W,
can not do better perhaps than Il
repeat that which we have airead,
given out in circulars in the recen
political campaign
The plan was first adopted il
Maryland in 1865. and is now bein;
advocated ir Arizona and in man!
other states. 1t means Capitalization
1t may be used for good, it may b,
easily used for the worst politics ant
abuse of power. If | favor it at al
for Arizona, / shall favor a loca
option law, giving the people of TIL
various districts in any.ecounty
chance to study the proposition an,
decided for them selves what the,
want. In no event will I favor an,
legislative measure forcing upon tn
people of Arizona a state wide adop
ton of this plan.
Prof. Case also expressed himself il
favor of courses of reading for teachers
more and better library facilities TO
children, and the improvement and en-
largement of school library district:
| He spoke in favor of the Dlau for Great