The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1917-02-17
THE STATE SUPERINTENDENT
AND BOARD OF EDUCATION

AND BOARD OF EDUCATION
We confess that we are liable to un-
derstand the logic Of the bill lntroduc-
ed by Senator o'Neill, providing for
the reorganization OF the state board
Of education and eliminating the state
superintendent as a member OF II. un-
der our constitution the state superin-
tendeut is the head OF the state school
system and as such is chairman Of the
board OF education. The latter board
is charged with the administration Of
the affairs OF our higher institutions
OF learning which constitute an impor-
tant part OF our general educational
system and to leave the state superin-
tendent out Of 1t would be to deprive
the board OF the services Of the Off
Ger who is in position to direct the
educaticnal affairs OF the state better
than any other man can be.
II this bill were enacted into law, Il
would Leave the superintendent in
charge OF only the primary and second.
AIRY schools and thus the coordination
between these schools and the higher
institutions, 10 essential TO the sue
cess Of the entire SYSTEM would be
lacking. We can see no way whatever
in which the educational interests OF
the state would be advanced by substi-
tuting such dual system OF control
for the existing plan under which,
with an elected official as director gen
eral OF our school affairs, there is uni
ty Of purpose and policies
When thu Oklahoma government was
originally organized, we had separate
boards in charge Of the various state
Institutions. Under tie administra-
tion OF Gov. Cruce the present state
beard Of education was created There
was opposition to this plan at the time
bat subsequent developments have
shown that il was distinct advance
in our system OF school administration
and the results have more than justi-
fled the wisdom and statesmanship
of those who devised the scheme. Ac.
cording TO the testimony OF those who
have kept in close touch with our edu-
cational affairs, during the past six
years. Oklahoma has made amazing
in education, this statement
applying with equal force to our pri-
mary schools and our higher institu-
tions.
During this period State Supt VIII
son has been the guiding spirit and
to him must be given large share Of
the credit for the accomplishments
which have attracted nationwide at
tention from educators. Our state uni.
versity, the College for Women and
the normal schools have grown in en-
rollment and efficiency and they are
still going forward. The record that
has been made certainly suggests no
for a change in the system Of
control under which they have done so
well. Mr. Wilson has more knowledge
Of the needs of our schools and the
necessary for their contin.
ued development than any other man
in the state and 1t would certainly be
a great loss to the state to be depriy-
ed Of his services in the management
0 four higher institutions.
II any change is TO be made in the
state board of education, our idea is
that it should be made a bipartisan /
body with six appointiye members, Sc
ected for twelve years, two being
named every four years. This plan
would go far toward eliminating from
he board the danger OF politics which
< apt to develop with every change in
state administration aud at the same
lime ensure continuity OF policies and
action upon the part Of the governing
body.