The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-10-31
STATE SUPERINTENDENT
TO Be ABOLISHED

That the third constitutional amend
ment, abolishing the office of state super
intendent of schools, should be adopted
next Tuesday is the opinion of the state
board of education, which has issued the
following statement to the voters of
Idaho.
A constitutional amendment looking to
the establishment of a new and more
thorough organization of the educational
system of the state was submitted to
the qualified voters of the state on No
vember 5, 1912, and by them adopted,
becoming effective November 5, 1912.
Pursuant to this amendment the legis-
lature of 1913 (tenth SESSION. enacted
a new and somewhat radical school law
organizing a system SO unique that it
has been spoken of far and wide as
The Idaho System"
Duplication, rivalry and lack of eff
cheney among the several educational in
stitutions and organizations was the
cause of the desire throughout the state
to establish a new system. Each of the
higher educational institutions had a
separate board, and however highminded
and devoted the members of these boards
might be. it was inevitable that through
lack of knowledge of the other ~institu-
tons. through loyalty to the one for
which they were responsible, and through
ambition for its development and local
pride, the several institutions became
competitive in character in the getting of
money and students, and legislative halls
became the scene of lobbying and log
un%becoming to the institutions
and injurious to the welfare of the state.
1t was therefore determined to abolish
the several boards of regents and create
a single board of education charged with
the administration of all the educational
agencies, including those educational in
stitutions usually considered as eleemosy-
nary, to-wit, the schools for the deaf and
blind and delinquent. A lay board with
broad powers was established and au-
to employ educational experts
for the several departments of the work,
including a chief executive officer styled
by the law Commissioner of Education.
The board of Education was empowered,
the employment of such educational
experts, to proceed much upon the same
principle as a city board in the employ
1lent of a city superintendent or a board
If regents in the employment Of a u1ll-
president.
It soon became apparent that there
night arise a duplication of work and re-
possibilities in the offices of Commits
;ioner of Education and Superintendent
Public Instruction, an office estab-
ished under the constitution but whose
1uties were to be determined by law.
Fortunately, the wisdom and loyalty OF
he several incumbents of the respective
up to the present time have pre-
7ented any conflict of authority, but this
situation is due rather to the good sense
If the persons than to the characteristics
# the. SYSTEM.
1t has generally been acknowledged
hat the completion of the reorganization
designed by the constitutional amend
nent and the laws made pursuant there
Q required that the office of state super
ntendent be abolished. To do this re-
a constitutional amendment.
It is a noteworthy fact that all three
# the sttae superintendent who have
erved under the existing system, IN
the present incumbent who IS the
ole candidate for the office, are on
ecord as favoring the completion OF the
by the adjustment Of the office
# state superintendent. 1t is due cherry
0 the fine cooperative spirit shown by
hese three women that the State De
Of Education has worked 50
moothly and efficiently.
The new system has been in operation
ow for a period of about five years. 1t
as shown characteristics that indicate
S excellence and its great possibilities
or good and its especial adaptation to
IDAHO conditions. The State Borad OF
,ducation, therefore, in pursuance OF
duty to give such advice from time to
me in educational matters as is calcu-
tied to promote the educational welfare
f the state by unanimous vote declare
the people of the state, that in its best
the adoption of the amend