The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1914-12-01
ANNUAL CONVENTION
City and County School Superintend-
ents Meet in Boise.

ents Meet in Boise.
The third annual convention of city
and county school superintendent met
In Boise, November 10, 20 and 81. The
superintendent of public instruction
called the meeting early this year SO
that the legislative matters might be
discussed and conclusions presented
to the state board of education for
their recommendation to the legisla-
ture. In numbers attending, in in
terest and enthusiasm, the meeting
was record breaker All save five
county superintendent (who were
detained by illness), a large number Of
city superintendent, and a number of
county superintendent elect and rep
resentatives Of the state educational
institutions were present.
Some weeks previous to the meet
ing, committees had been appointed to
present important matters Of legisla-
ton and circular letter had been
sent to all education supervisors of
the state, presenting these points and
asking for suggestions and criticisms.
In a state 50 widely diversified as
Idaho, most careful consideration by
those Immediately in touch with the
school work must be given to deter
mine what Is best for the schools of
the state. The convention acted as
a clearing house for problems toward
which the state should work in the
future, and recommended a number of
changes in school law that are needed
for the present.
The important subjects We're: High
School Problems. presented by Supt.
Crandall of Idaho Falls; "Certification
of Teachers" by Supt. Neal, of Adams
county; County Unit" by Supt. Ethel
Redfield, of Nez Perez county; school
Revenue" by Supt. Siders of Pocatel-
10; Course of Study" by Supt Cath
crime Dryden, of Latah county.
The convention recommended that
some plan of county organization of
schools in place of district organiza-
ton be drawn up and be made optional
with counties. They also recommend
ed that all details of the certifica-
ton of teachers be referred to the
state board of education, acting on
recommendation of an advisory board
composed of teachers. This would re-
lieve the statute book of nine or ten
pages of technical details and save
much time of the Legislators.
The convention emphasized the need
of state aid and direction in high
school work, they requested the state
board of education to plan for high
school director or visitor.
Much interest was aroused by COM
munity high school bill, prepared as a
substitute and extension of the pres
ent rural high school law. No fina4
action was taken on this.
Endorse State Board of Education
The convention went ON record by
unanimous vote in the following reso-
luton: Resolved, by this convention
that we commend State Commissioner
DR.. e. o. Sosson and members of the
state board of education for their eff
forts to raise the status of education
in Idaho and that we pledge them our
support"
In appreciation of the efforts of the
retiring superintendent of public in
strnction they also passed the follow
ing:
Whereas: this is the last meeting of
this body in it's official capacity with
our esteemed state superintendent,
Miss Grace NJ Shepherd, who has de-
voted her entire energies to the better
and has taken large part in the edu-
cational affairs of the nation, therefore
be it resolved that we express to her
our appreciation of her services by
rising vote"
Many OF those attending declared
this the best convention held. Idaho
is to be congratulated on having a
body of men and women who are Civ
ing such careful study to the educa-
tional needs of the state.
Recommend Small State Tax
Much attention was paid to school
revenue and expenditure. At present
the great bulk of the cost of schools
in Idaho is borne by the individual
district. The state contribution tin
terest on the permanent school fund.-
covers about 8 per cent of the total
cost, the county levies cover u per
cent and the district special levies 65
per cent Figures for 1879 and this
works a hardship for the poorer coun-
ties and the poorer districts.
Districts vary enormously in their
ability to support schools. Data gath
cred by the state board of education
and the commissioner Of education,
shows as an illustration that school
district in one county in Idaho has
only an assessed valuation for every
child In that district of $1261. while
another district in the same county
has an assessed valuation for every