The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-04-28

general supervision and administra-
ton of all state, penal, charitable and
educational institutions and the gen.
elal supervision of the public schools
of the state. l am glad to submit
herewith my opinion with regard to
this statute after having given it most
careful consideration.
L. The law, as enacted, violates the
most fundamental principle of educa-
tional administration, that of differ
rentiation between the law control of
public education and the professional
administration of our schools. Any
board of control which is placed on a
salary basis and that is required by
law to supervise the schools interferes
in the ordinary conduct of its bust
ness with the professional administra:
ton of schools, which should be, and
usually is, placed in the hands of,ea
state superintendent of schools or: a
commissioners of education together
with staff working with this officer.
2. Section of the law, makes it
possible for the board of administra-
ton to employ secretary whose sal
ary should not exceed three thousand
dollars per annum, and such admins
trative assistants, officers, directors
of vocational training and such school
inspectors, accountants and employees
as may be; necessary. Under the pre-
visions of this section, there will in
evitably grow up question of author
ity as between the state superintendent
of public education and the other Off
GERS employed by this board. 1t is
noteworthy that the secretary may re-
ceive salary equal to that paid to the
state superintendent.
8. In section z it is provided that
there shall be appointed an educa-
tional commission and that, subject to
the direction and a general approval OF
the board, this commission is to have
charge and supervision of the certifi.
cation of teachers, Standardization OF
schools, examinations for eighth
grade and high school, preparation
of courses of study for the several
classes of public schools and such 9th
er work as may be assigned to then,
by the board. This section provides
for further confusion in the admin
istration and supervision of state s
! SCllOlS. QUILL 0SolSVS14ISS AS IAeJ w ~
quired, in addition to the staff EN-.
ployed in the state superintendent
office, should be left entirely to the
Judgment of this officer. The enact
ment of law taking from the state
superintendent office the right ant
obligation to carry on such investiga
tions and to secure such assistance as
may make for the development Of pub
lie school systems, can operate only tt
hinder the state superintendent in the
exercise of functions of that office
and to create situation in which ID
will and confusion will take the place
Iof an orderly and cooperative devel
|opments of the states educational pro
gram.
d. The opinion expressed abov,
will, l am confident, be varied b!
those most competent to pass upo,
the current practice in state schoo
administration. l shoul dixie to refe
your committee in particular to a,
authoritative statement on state AM
county school administration, viz
Cubberly's Estate and County Schoo
Administration" In it you will flint
not only the judgment of the author
but the practice of those states tina
have achieved most in the develop
ment of state school system.
; Yours sincerely,
GEORGE D. STRAYER,
President of National Education As
ISOLATION, Professor of Educationa
Administration, Teachers College, Co
lumbia University, New York City.
The resolutions to be prepared b.
the special resolution committee, .
well as the resolutions to be prepare
by the regular resolution committee
will be presented at today's session
Today's session will also be feature
by addresses by Major Crane, presi
dent Of Minot Normal, and ]. F.
O'Connor Of Grand Forks. The lat
!. ter will talk on 1.-The League of M
tions." Today's meeting will conclud
with the election of officers.