The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1916-02-26
REVISION OF SCHOOL LAWS.
Important Changes in Educational
Legislation Proposed.

Of bill which will be introduced at
the fJfthcoming session Of the general
assembly, proposing number ct
changes in some of the school laws OF
Louisiana The revision is neces-
sary," writes Supt. Harris, ito clear
up certain sections of the law the
meaning Of which is not clear, to elm
mate contradictions that now exist,
and to provide for needed additions
TO meet the conditions Of a rapidly
developing school system. The pro
posed revision touches no questions
that would require constitutional
changes. Such questions can best be
settled IN a constitutional convention
when ore shall be held.
The following outline Indicates the
more important changes and addi-
tions provided for in the proposed
educational bill:
1. A state board of education Of
FIVE members, appointed at large by
the governor, with overlapping terms
Of five years, and the state superin-
tendent Of education. The purpose Of
the change is to provide for perna-
nency in the board and to divorce it
from the political administration Of
the state The present state board Of
education is a most excellent one, but
is soon as its members are becoming
accustomed to their duties a new adj
ninistration takes charge and a new
board will probably be appointed.
This is not healthy state Of affairs,
and the organization of the board
should be such that It will be pre-
vented.
2. The limitation upon the number
Of textbooks that can be changed at
an adoption is removed. There are
two reasons for this: (al the board
should be in position at all times to
approve the best books for the chill
aren even should it be found neees-
sary to adopt new list, and ~
publishers will offer their lowest
prices when there is competition on
all books submitted.
5. One school board member is
provided for. each police jury ward
instead Of a member for each police
Juror. This is to avoid large, un-
Wleldy boards. such as that of St.
Landry.
4. Parish school boards are au-
salaorized to elect executive commit
tees of threeeand to pay them for at.
tending committee meetings, proyid.
ed the committees meet not oftenel
than once a month. An executive
committee is essential to approve
bills, the appointment Of teachers
and to attend to numerous other de
tails requiring attention between
board meetings.
81 A clear statement that super
intendents otherwise qualified shal
not be required to be voters or resi-
dents of the parish.
g.. The Importance Of practical in
dustriaf and commercial courses i
emphasized, and state and parisl
school officials are urged to fostei
such courses.
I. Parish. school boards are re
auired to use the general state ant
parish school funds to provide equa
sessions for all schools. The objec
Of this section Is to protect the coun
Try schools, especially those in sparse
iy settled communities.
8. Abolition Of the fifty cents in
eidental fee. The Incidental fee give
trouble every session from two stand
points: (a@ many patrons refuse tt
pay the fee, and the dissensions re
sulting therefrom rebound upon tn,
Innocent heads Of the teachers: ib1
many communities use the fifty cent
fee as authority to charge tuition
fees, some as high as five dollars ;
session. The purpose Of the fee j
to purchase fuel. floor oil, and othe
supplies. The school boards shoult
furnish these things just#as they fur
nish houses and teachers.
8. The parish school board j
given authority to appoint loca
boards Of from one to three members
and TO prescribe their duties. Loca
boards should be in sympathy witt
the parish boards and should perform
such acts as the parish boards ma.
prescribe. The surest way to- guar
antee such amicable relations is t,
leave the matter entirely in the hand
of the parish board, the supreme
school authority of the parish.
10. A minimum salary of $12Ol
year and expenses is prescribed TO
1 parish superintendent. A com
oetent man cannot afford to work fo
less, and none but competent me-
should be employed.
II. Parish school boards are give
authority to employ such assistan
a1perintendents, supervisors an
bookkeepers as may be needed.
II. The parish school officials ar
given authority to organize and op
crate such teachers Institutes as the.
| Iesire. The parishes now have com
oetent superintendents who are full
able to handle the institute question
/ The old inspirational plan served
rood purpose, but we have outgroW1
1t.
la. Teachers cannot be dismlssel
| except for cause. The justice of thi
provision is patent.
ia. Teachers may be employed TO
i i term Of years. This is to encoH1
! age, long tenure of service IN the sam
! positions.
Is. Graduates Of standard col
Ileges and normal schools are exempt
/ ed from the examinations required 6
i teachers. a standard college IS d.
) fined as a college having four-yes
i courses in advance Of Louisian
] high schools, and normal schools mu'
| have at least tWo-year courses IN al
ua,,ao If + a1IisiaYaa hiuI1 schools ar