Yerington times. [volume] (Yerington, Nev.) 1907-1932, 1918-10-26
CHANGE IS NEEDED IN STATE
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.
Letter Written by One of Nevada's
Foremost Educators.


will have to make choice OF man
for the important Office OF state sup
erintendent of pubic instruction.
The voters should seriously consider
the principles involved in this elect
ion for there is no institution OF
greater importance than the educa-
tional system.
The school administrative system OF
Nevada is that of state superntend-
ent and FIVE deputies. These depu-
ties are the nominees OF the state
superintendent. This is the partic-
ular system that was so bitterly at
tackled by the last Nevada legislature
and which has met serious distavor
from schoolmen in all parts of the
state. I his opposition is not merely
accidental 1t has arisen because the
present state educational scheme rep
resents a very out OF date and I'M
American piece of political machinery
There are three definite points i'll this
connection which should have the
careful attention OF every voter.
/. Deputy System is Autocratic.
1t is a well defined principle OF
American government that public OFF,
Gals shall be responsible directly to
the people whom they serve. In the
absence OF this principle, public SER
wants cease to be servants and become
dictators. Here i'll Nevada the state
educational system is fragrant vio-
lation OF this American principle.
The deputies dictate very largely the
educational policies OF the entire
state. while, at the same time they
are not in the least responsible to the
citizens OF their districts. 1t makes
no difference what local opinion may
or may not be about the manner in
which the schools are administered
by these deputies for the local con-
stituency has no voice i'll the matter,
the deputies are responsible to the
state superintendent only. This
scheme has resulted. on many occa-
sions. in the ignoring of both the
voice of the people and the protests
OF the heads OF local school systems
Rebellion such as was voiced by the
last legislature and by many school
men is the inevitable result OF an
hutocratic system in democratic
country. And. too, this scheme OF
things has long been out OF fashion in
other states. In all the most highly
developed states educationally, all
school officials, as all public servants,
are held directly responsible TO the
people In a nation where the soy
reignty OF the people is recognized,
such a system as Nevada has should
not be allowed to continue.
2. Decentralizing the State
Educational System.
The present state educational de-
partment has taken fright at the sug-
gestion OF he opponents OF the sys-
tenn that the deputies should be chos-
en- by local boards in the same manner
in which city superintendent and high
school principals are chosen. 1t is
commended that such system of local
responsibility will destroy state super
vision and disorganize the schools.
Such conclusion, however does not
follow: such has not proved true IN
other states. There is no reason why
the schools OF the state cannot be CON
Quoted under state law and generally
supervised by the state department
while at the same time the local adj
ministrators are subject to the will OF
the people. The hitch is not that the
school laws and the schools will not
be as well administered under one
system as under another. The quarrel
is that under the uresent system Of
responsibility, powers are assumed
by the deputies, and autocratic rulings
established thai were never intended
under the law Autocracy is always
the result the world around, where
powers are delegated without the
proper establishment of balances and
checks TO prevent the improper eXten