Arizona republican., 1914-08-18
Business Management of Schools

 the county or unit plan for the management school affairs, The Republican believes that the district plan should be abolished or radically re- formed in the interest economy as well as eff cency. The county plan involves the placing of the affairs all the schools the county into the hands of manager who shall be appointed by objection may be made to this that the people of the district would be deprived of the privilege of managing it's own affairs. and there may be the further objection that the manager might engage Tn grating. As to the latter objection grating by one man could be more easily prevented detected than grating by each of large number of district boards The manager would be chosen with refer ence not only to his business ability but also with reference to his integrity Boards of supervisors a rule like to make a good showing of economy and they would select man who would assist them in making such a showing
 People generally take an interest in their schools They want them to be good and do not care for the expense But they seldom take an interest in the choice of district trustees School elections usually bring only very small fraction of the voters. unless there happens to be a neighborhood row. They pay no attention expenditures They are satisfied if nothing is left at the end of the year, Of the apportionment for their district.
 The schools of every county cost far more than any other item of county government; We believe they cost more in this county than all other items We do not say that they should cost any less, but if they should not it is because of the good judg- ment of our trustees and not because any the restrictions usually thrown about public officials are imposed upon them.
 The school fund in Arizona the most generous of all, is the only that is not safeguarded It is collected and apportioned with expectation that it will all be expended-all dissipated, now Since eVerybody's doing it. the school tees of any district feel that it is their duty away with as much of it possible There is credit for economy in saving any part of it. The district is not credited with any balance that may remain.
 We do not recall that any grating scandal has ever attached to any school board. Nobody ever inqures if there has been grating, and it seldom that inquiries regarding extravaganza are made A couple of years ago, however the county superin- tendent of Cochse county uncovered gross extrava- Various school boards imposed upon by agents of supply houses had bought high prices many things that of possible use and for articles in common they had paid three four times much local merchants would have charged
 Whether the same thing had been going on in other counties, the school superinendents have inquired We think that in this county we fairly free from such extravaganza There have been frequent meetings of school board representa- tives, and this matter has always been discussed. believe, with advantage to the taxpayer. If the school funds of this county are well and wisely spent, is because the school trustees choose to spend them that way and not because they are compelled by law do
 We are apt to regard school money as We do missionary money, voted to good cause a sacred fund, which trust will be well spent. We think it should be regarded business fund to be dis posed of in business way