The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-01
Miami Chamber OF
Commerce Pleased with
Credit Rating System
PROVISIONS OF NEW LAW
ARE CLEARLY TOLD.

Although the people generally
are interested in the proposed
change in the school law, as sug-
gested in bill drawn by l., ID.
Childs yet there has never yet
been prepared statement of the
facts relative thereto. The au-
thor of the bill was actuated in
preparing it because he felt that
educational advantages. were in
a way, hampered by the present
state law. His statement, re-
quired by the bill as drawn is as
follows:
Possibly it would be easier to
state the provisions in the pres
ent school law which impede in
educational progress. and to
state that these are the portions
OF the present school law, which
the proposed law will change.
"One vcrv dangerous provis-
ion or lack of provision, in the
present law is, that Their is no
system for the distribution OF
school funds. the County B GARD
being left to apportion the school
fund as its judgment dictates.
The proposed law provides that
the distribution must be made
according to school enrolment.
thereby dedicating to each child
his pro rata share Of public
school funds.
"The propoed law provides
against neopotism. the lack OF
which is serious omission in
the present law.
THE present law gives to the
people only shadow and no
substance in the management OF
their schools. The special school
district which votes bonds for
school buildings has no authori-
tv in the sale of those bonds. It
has no authority. except by SUI
ferance of the County Board, in
and contract excluding school
funds. z
While the law provides a
semblance of responsibility; the
district trustees have absolutely
no authority in the selection Of
teachers for children, whose pa
rents they represent.
u am told that this is felt in
all the larger cities and towns of
the state, but in St. Petersburg
it has amounted to actual disas-
ter as evidenced by change OF
principals, or city superinten :
dents each year for the past ten
years; and today not a teacher in
the St. Petersburg schools has
reason to feel any security OF
confidence in the future.
+, under the present law there
is no public accounting to the
F., people of the school funds. Ever
, the boards of trustees receiving
only general and meagre state
ments of the receipts. and expen
ditures of special tax funds
Publicity undoubtedly tends to
ward economy and efficiency ant
the proposed law provides for ;
detailed accounting by the trus
tees of all school funds, by re
quiring an annual report to thu
circuit court. the same to be re
ceived by the grand jury ant
filed with the clerk of the cour
for public inspection.
The act does not affect tn,
vision by the County Board ant
County Superintendent of Pub
lie Instruction, but rather EN-
phasizes that function for whicl
and only which they should ex
list.
| Relieving in government b,
the people this act provides for
referendum, and must be vote,
upon bv every community affect
ed by its provision before be
coming effective. 1t is believe
that the legislature will fall i
line with other progressiv
states and enact this law so vita
to the democracy of government
and the advancement of educa
ton"
Exchange.