The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-04-07
TALK ABOUT SCHOOLS.
DIR. Sisson and County Supt. Wilson
Discuss Important Questions
With Meridian People.

the state commissioner of education,
and Miss Ivy Wilson, county superin-
tendent of schools, paid a visit to
Meridian. They spoke informally at
gathering of people at the Grade
school buildingIt 1t was at first de-
signed that the officials should meet
the members of the two school
boards only, and try to work out
more satisfactory plan for the con-
duct of the schools, but the interest
was sufficient to cause many to at
tend, although there was no advance
publicity given the event.
First, County Supt. Wilson gave a |
blackboard summary showing the |
tax valuations and rates for the var
ious years. She explained that the
excessive high rural school tax last
year of mills was to create fund
to pay off outstanding Indebtedness
and that only about half will be used
for current expenses. This debt was
incurred at the time the neighbor-
hood rural high schools pulled out,
The levy of the high school district
had already been made,so the def
cheney created debt that has been
carried from year to year.
She advised that as 3-mill levy
(half as much as before) would be
sufficient hereafter, it would not be
we'll to do away with the rural or
ganization, as we would then lose the
rural aid, amounting to several
thousand dollars.
DR.. Sisson in a very able i'm
promptu talk, discussed the prob
lens of our district and while he ad-
vised continuing the rural organiza-
ton, he favored getting together"
of the two boards in the employ
ment of teachers.
It was suggested, for instance, more
teachers could be employed on the
half and half plan now so satis-
factorily carried out with the music
teacher, each district paying one-half
the salary.
In this way, Dr. Sisson said, one or
more teachers could be dispensed
with and have more efficiency by
having one superintendent for all
the schools. He advised placing the
7th and 8th grades in the high
school building.
His remarks and suggestions las
were also Miss Wilson's) were evil
Identity received with favor by all
present and every friend of the
schools has the feeling that a way
has been found out of our difficult
ties.
| One might suggest that enough
emphasis was not placed on the need
of campaign for more high school
scholars, but this important phase
can be taken up at later date by
the people of the community.
There were over-zealous people
present who expected DR.. Sisson to
emphasize their side of the contro-
versy (if there is any controversy
DR.. Sisson, however, is diplomatic
and thoroughly posted on human
i nature,as we'll as the needs of the
schools, and while in one sentence
would endorse partizan on one side
: of the argument, would, the next
moment pat the other fellow on the
/ back.
i 1t was a good meeting, everybody
went away happy, and it is said that
one neighbor who had not spoken tc
: another for a week on account of g
school argument, actually acknow.
lodged that "the matter is going to
be Strengthened out all right any
| way and / learned several things al
the meeting / did not know before.
DR.. Sisson said he had horror Of
being misquoted and this is one re
2 ason why we are not giving muct
, space to his able and sensible ad
dress. DR.. Sisson is not the only
one who is misquoted however. We
all have our remarks sometimes mis-
: quoted and misjudged. Don't we?