The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1914-03-21
STATE SUPT. HARRIS
URGES CHANGES IN
EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

Radical changes in the administra-
ton and organization Of the educa-
tional system of the state are recon-
mended by Superintendent of Educa-
ton T. H. Harris in his biennial report
to the governor and general assembly.
Mr.. Harris says that there is too
much instability in the state system Of
schools, too much division of authori-
ty, too much duplication of work, and
lack of proper supervision. To rem
edy this situation he urges:
The adjustment of the boards of d.
rectors of the various state institu-
tons, turning the whole school system,
so far as the state is concerned, over
to the state board of education.
An overlapping state board of educa-
ton, this board to be elected by the
people, one from each congressional
district, with the power to select its
own chairman, and the state superin-
tendent to serve as its secretary.
The setting aside by the general as
sembly of definite percentage of all
state revenues for educational pur-
poses; these funds to be turned over
to the state board of education for
distribution among the different edu-
cational interests, providing that GER
tain minimum go to the elementary
high schools.
The authorization of the state board
of education to employ a sufficient
force of competent men to inspect prop
erly the elementary schools, both white
and negro; the high schools, and the
state institutions.
Abolish State Institute Conductors.
That the office of the state institute
conductor be abolished, because the
reasons for the creation of the Office
have largely ceased to exist.
The selection of the state superin-
tendent Of education by a small COM
mittee, rather than by popular election.
In case an elective state board of edu-
cation is established, this board to be
empowered to select the state superin-
tendent, to serve at the will Of the
board.
One of the biggest proposals sub
mitted for the consideration Of the
general assembly is in the matter Of
economical administration, having in
view the saving of interest on bonds
issued by school districts. APPROX
mately $1,000,000 school district bonds
are issued annually to construct and
equip school houses. The bonds bear
from to per cent interest, and are
usually discounted from to per
cent. AS the state can borrow money
at very much lower interest rate,
Mr. Harris recommends that con-
stitutional amendment be submitted to
the voters of the state authorizing the
state board of education to issue some
$10,00O0OO worth of bonds, and pro-
Viding that when school district votes
in favor of bond issue these bonds
shall be deposited with the state board
of education, which board shall sell
state bonds to the amount of the school
district issue. AS the taxes in the
school district are collected, they will
be deposited with the state board of
education and used to retire the state
bonds. Mr.. Harris believes that these
state bonds could be sold at par at an
interest rate not exceeding Az per
cent and that from 100000 to 100000
would be saved in interest to the state
every year.
In order to supply the demand for
JuS IlOlG ludl l,UUU WIN al z
annually added to the teaching forces
of the state, Mr. Harris suggests that
practice schools for the benefit of stu
dents who wish to prepare for teaching
be maintained at the industrial insti-
tutes at Ruston and Lafayette, and, in
addition to this, the establishment Of
at least two more normal schools, one
possibly in the central or western por-
ton of the state, and the other posi-.
bly, in the Florida parishes. Mr. Harris
doubts the wisdom of attempting to
provide for large student body at the
Louisiana State Normal school, which
now accommodates approximately 1000
students annually.
Negro Schools.
The negro school situation is found
to be in a deplorable condition. The
schools are usually taught in churches
g.