Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-09-28
SCHOOL DEFECTS
WITH REMEDIES
POINTED OUT
Survey Made by Bureau of
Municipal Research Finds
Many Faults
WANTS ONE EXECUTIVE
Recommends One RESPONSE
BILE Head, and More Care
full Perusal of Reports

Pointing out many defects in the
methods of public school admins
tration in Harrisburg and prescrib-
ing the remedies therefore, the Bu-
reau of Municipal Research of New
York, the report which the Har-
risburg Chamber of Commerce nearly
u year ago engaged it to make fol-
lowing careful survey of the sit.
uation, was made public to-day.
The report, among other things,
recommends that one executive, pre-
ferably the city superintendent, be
made responsible for the initiation
and the execution of plans; that the
board should be responsible for the
critical review and appraisal of the
plans and work of the executive or
executives; and that the board be
accountable at all times to the cleo
torate, modify its procedure so as to
be able to consider only the essen
tlalS of the school administration
and that 1t give more attention to the
reports and recommendations OF
those in charge of the actual work.
The survey points out the defect
in the state school law, which does
not give the city superintendent the
authority he should have, and recon-
mends that this be recognized in
working out plans for betterment
until proper legislation can be pro-
| cured by virtue of which the super.
intendent of schools will become the
chief executive"
Finds Many Faults
The survey report finds many
faults with administration and make.
many recommendations.
Among the criticisms offered b,
the bureau report, comprising 22I
| typewriter pages and several tables
are the following: ,e
| Sinking funds not in good shape
deficit in such funds on January l
1917. being $S7,7S9.S1 and part o
the 1901 sinking funds earning onl.
2 per cent.
Lack of responsibility because o
the work being diffused among to,
many officials. The central executive
and administrative staff greatly over
L
operation aided greatly in compiling
report.
Too cheap school buildings. Lac
of proper fire protection in construc
ton of schools. Modern lighting
methods adopted only a few year
ago. Modern building program no
| followed. Too much haphazarC
building.
Financial program of school sys
tenn for building purposes not baseC
upon the financial resources and pos
sibilities of the district assessed.
Board should delegate most of it
activities to technically trained per
sons, who should be made respon
sible for efficient administration.
Budget system without prope
basis of information, leading to esti
mated deficit of operating expense
for year amounting to nearl!
$4,000.
Lack of proper fire protection IL
a number of the school buildings ant
defects pointed out in heating, Ven
tilating and electrical systems o
| some buildings.
Recommendations
Summed up, the general recon-
mendations include the followin!
high points.
| Mdhlll6 lllC City III
controlling factor of the school sys
tenn and suggesting system of dua
responsibility until law can be cor
rected in this respect.
Enlargement of central office fore
to meet needs, creation of office o
superintendent of grounds and build
ings to supervise repairs and change
and keep track of all school rea
estate, and revision of accounting
system.
Abolition of board committees will
administrative functions and transfe
of these duties to properly trained
experienced executives.
Employment of purchasing agen
and storekeeper, to buy all schoo
supplies and keep check of thei
| issue.
City superintendent to formulat,
budget of expenditures and outlining
school program in full.
Selection of an architect unde
conditions that will enable him. un
der the proper control of the board
to have sufficient freedom to design
buildings which will conform in al