The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1916-03-17
TO WHOM is THE BOARD
OF EDUCATION RESPONSIBLE?

| shiA-t1t NllnOul tANCHtAOI oO idA 90 VI
observation has gone boards of edu-
cation often try to find ways and
means TO prevent teachers from get
ting influence that might increase
their salaries. This is not due to a
lack of sympathy with underpaid
teachers but is due entirely to the
inherited tradition that it is the first
duty OF these boards of education to
prevent increase Of taxes for school
! purposes.
Unless this attitude can be changed
! 1t makes no appreciable difference
whom we elect to boards Of education,
men or women, experts or philanthro-
| pists. This is borne out by the fact
that an ex-teacher or teacher resi-
dent In a city where he does not teach
is often the narrowest minded man or
woman, financially, that can be Sc
lected. Tradition is stronger than
habit or experience.
The board of education is elected
by the people to look after the inter-
ests Of the children and to that alone
No educational appropriation win
ever be made that Is not opposed by
men employed or elected for the sole
purpose Of preventing appropriations.
1t is the business of the board of edu-
cation to think only Of the child (
is the business of the board of edu-
cation to get as large appropriations
as can be wisely used for the good of
the children, for school houses, for
equipment for text books, for teach
ers. Boards OF education are expect
ed, are required By common sense and
conscience to get as adequate and as
modern buildings and equipment as
money can buy, as they can get the
money to buy.
True. the boards are elected by the
tax payers, but not to save money
Every law providing for the election
Of such boards specifics that they
are elected to provide school priyi-
leges for "all the children of all the
people" No law was ever passed
that stated that these boards are
elected to prevent the use OF money
TO put on the brakes, financially.
Whoever is elected on ticket thai
virtually pledges a candidate to serve
in the interest of the tax payer in
stead of in the interest of children
Is virtually doing an unlawful act,
is trying to thwart the purpose OF
the law.
1t ought to be possible TO indict such
man for contempt Of legislation, at
least for conspiracy to defeat the ends
OF the law. Any party or organiza-
tion or group of citizens who should
run a candidate on the issue Of sery-
Ing the interests of the tax payer
should be indictable for conspiracy to
defeat the purposes of the law.
The mayor and the city council are
expected. officially and traditionally
to guard the treasury; but the board
or education is expected by specific
law to get all the money that can be
used aGvantageously for the good OF
the children.
IT is not alone the cheapness-cry
~ the voter that is traditionally vic
ious. The nti-chiId-welfare phase oil
the voters tyranny has many features
that are sometimes more seductive
and more malicious and all unlawful
II is not at ali uncommon for board
members to be elected to locate q
school house in a given section out oi
srite against some other section Of
the district, or to oust superintend-
ent who has said or done something
with no relation to education tha,
arouses prejudices OF a given set OF
people. or to depose principal who
has offended some influence or sect,
or organization.
ANY such campaign. any such pledg-
ing OF n candidate, any action based
| On such prediction pledge is de-
quietly, deliberately. emphaticaliy
unlawful and should be indicative.
Members OF boards Of education are
responsible first, last and always
everywhere, at all times to the chill
dren and to them, alone. Locating
planning and contracting for school
house is for the children and is no;
Cor the advantage of any architect or
contractor, local or non-local. All ar
rangements of seating, equipping ano
amounting a school building from law
atories and laboratories to libraries
are for the advantage Of children and
for them alone.
The selection and retention OF su
nerintendent and teachers are solely
gor the best good Of the children no'
| ta.,l,,o;,,f of the pXDprt but