New Mexico state record. (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1914-19??, 1916-10-13
PAYMENT OF EDUCATORS
EXPENSES TO N. M. E. A.

The expenses of teachers in at
tending the annual meetings OF the
New Mexico Educational association
are proper charges to be included
in the estimates of yearly expenses
by boards of education, according to
Attorney General Frank w. Clancy,
who has written an opinion on the
matter for Miss Grace Goebel, SUI
perintendent Of schools of Luna
county. He holds, that the ex-
penses OF school superindents in at
tending meetings of the national as
we'll as the state association may
be properly paid from school funds,
In his opinion he says:
81 have today received your letter
OF the 18th instant, asking whether
a board of education can legally
make an allowance in the estimate
Of expenses for attendance of the
city superintendent of schools at
the National and New Mexico Edu-
cational associations, and also whe-
Their it is within the power and
duties Of boards of education and
! directors to allow for expenses, or
partial expenses Of teachers while
attending the New Mexico Educa-
tional association.
"The state superintendent OF. public
instruction is by law the adviser of
all school officers and | find that
some time last fall he sen a circular
to boards of regents, boards of edu-
cation and boards of school direc-
tors on the subject covered by your
cocorI r.aetoo 90, x.h,ch ttara sc
to be found the following language:
"Wherever the funds of the dis
trict permit, the expenses of the
teachers should be paid wholly or in
part from such funds. I recommend
ed the payment of at least the rail-
road fare. 1t is a Legitimate and
proper expenditure-really an in
vestment-as your teachers will thus
be able to gain inspiration and prac-
teal suggestions for their work in
your schools. 1t is largely due to the
fact that so many teachers and
school officers have met in these an
nual gatherings, that New Mexico is
making such rapid strides educa-
.tionally in every part of the state
my impression Is that this circu-
lar was issued only after c%onsulta-
ton with my office and that we all
agreed that such payments would be
proper. If they are proper, as | be-
they are, it would also be prop
err to include such matters in the es-
innate of expenses which the statute
of 1915 requires to be submitted to
you, and through you, to the county
commissioners. You will find in the
second paragraph Of Section, 3 at
Chapter 70 of the Laws of 1915. that
school directors and boards Of edit
cation are required to provide school
houses, furniture and fuel, teachers
wages and interest on school bonds,
and to defray all other expenses con-
nected with the proper conduct OF
the public. or common schools 1t ap-
pears to me, as it evidently did to
the state superintendent last year,
such expenses as your letter
asks about are expenses conneced
with the proper conduct OF schools.
There seems to be no doubt of the
great benefit to be derived from at
tendance upon such educational as
5ociations. and it is clear. when we
consider the meager salaries paid to
school teachers, that a large portion
Of them cannot possibly bear the
burden of travel and other expenses
n attending the meetings without
assistance from the public funds.
81 think the same reasoning
would apply to the expenses of at
enhance of city superintendent at
both the National and New Mexico
educational associations. I can see,
however, that there might be great
of some abuse in the way of
expenses for attendance on the Ma
ional association. but the remedy
or that is to be found in the power I,
If the county superintendent and of
he county commissioners to limit
estimates of expenses for this
purpose or for any other purpose.
81 am informed that as a practical
several county superintend-
have attended meetings of the
National Educational association at
he public expense and I believe that
ONE city superintendent also have
so"