Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1919-01-16

underlying idea of this commission is
correct in principle Nevertheless, the
practical working out of this principle
has proven unduly expensive. This has
been largely due without doubt, to the
fact that since its inception two years
ago, there have been four sets of com
missioners and that each change has
been accompanied by changes in plans
and an abandonment of work started
by the previous commissioners. Such
would of necessity be accom-
panied by heavy waste Of money and
a sacrifice Of efficiency.
In addition to this, the commission of
state institutions has been burdened
with responsibilities that could be bet
ter handled through other instrument
talities. The state highway department
should never have been subjected to the
control of the commission. By its very
nature, the work of the state engineer
warrants its being maintained in a sep
aTate department. The direction and
control of the various educational instl-
tutions are worthy of individual atten-
ton and should be held bv a commits
sion specializing in school problems.
I have elsewhere presented sugges-
tons that would relieve the commission
of state institutions from these respon-
sibilities. There can be no doubt but
that properly managed commission
offers the best and most economical
method of directing the other institu-
tons of the state both in the way of
advantageous purchasing of supplies
and in the elimination of waste. II
also makes possible q comprehensive
understanding of the needs and activ-
tiles of the various institutions and an
effectiveness of management such as
could be secured in no other way
When relieved of responsibility for
the state highway department and the
various educational institutions, the
commission of state institutions will be
able to greatly simplify its methods of
bookkeeping with a consequent reduc-
ton Of its present extensive and eX-
pensiVe office force.
| would recommend that, when the
change | have suggested have been
made, your honorable body take steps
to abolish all continuing appropriations
and, with the cooperation of the COM
mission of state institutions, decide
upon and fix some definite appropri-
alton for its maintenance. This. am
satisfied, need not be in excess of 500
600 annually ! would earnestly advise
el-oiitSl Il telulu " lilt Olu ~ Sit4l W
which the governor and auditor both of
whom are already overburdened with
detail work, were expected to share in
/ the responsibility of the Immediate
management of the various institutions
It would be equally unwise and i'm
! proper TO put the direction of these in
situations. for which the governor must
| of necessity be responsible, in the
| hands of board or commission not d.
rectly answerable TO the chief exec
utive
Betterment of the Public Schools
Experience has proven the existin:
methods of directing the public school,
of our state to be wasteful and ineffi
cient Many small abuses have devel
oped and political interference has pre-
vented the possibility of securing tn
best res Its for both pupils and tax
payers.
The third state legislature author
lied the creation of a commission 70
the revision and compilation of schoo
laws of the state. In accordance wit
its instructions, I appointed a commits
! sion of men eminentiy fitted for tn
important work imposed upon them
They promptly entered upon the dis
| charge of their duties, and as a resul
of their labors a report was prepare
in which was recommended certain
amendments to the constitution and t
the civil code.
1t is worthy of comment that tn
! commission, in its report. followe
closely the recommendations made b
the United States board of education
after an exhaustive survey of Arizona
schools had been completed If thei
suggestions are followed, the directio
of Arizona's schools will be absolutel
freed from political control.
They recommend an amendment t
the constitution by which the state su
perintendent of schools will be elimin
ted as an executive officer. The direc
ton of the school affairs will be trans
ferTed to a state board of education {
seven. The term of office is fixed 6
seven years, one member of the boar
retiring each year. In this way tn
permanency of any policy that may b
fixed upon is assured, since no newl
elected governor can introduce enoug
new members to effect a change in Ii
control. Not more than four can !
; of one party nor more than one frol
the same county of the state. This il
sureS freedom from politics. At lea!
four must have been actively engage
in school work and three must be bus
ness men. This increases practical &C
| ministration and freedom from fad
, The state board of education appoin
, the state superintendent. This pre-
, vides 4 special guarantee of speci
ability on the part of the superinter
dent as an educator and makes the pt
, sition particularly desirable, since Il
: incumbent will not be put to the nece:
sity of fighting for his job in a gener
election every two years. The men
: bers of the board of education SER
without salary, so that the cost of sta
/ supervision will not be materially il
| creased.
, The commission further recommen,
| ed changes that would centralize Il
, management of the schools in the di
!, ferent counties. 1t would divide Il
= school districts of each county into tv
classes. The first class would be ma,
f up of districts containing 500 pupils
: more. Each district of the first ella
o would have its individual board
= trustees. The second class would be
: districts containing less than 500 D
). pills These would be directed by
: county board of education of fl
d members elected for six-year ter
j no more than two of whom are replac
d at any election. The board of educ
= ton appoints the county superinte
= dent and fixes his salary. appoints
. trustee for each school district, selec
L teachers, fixes wages. and. with t
= assistance of the county superinte
dent, performs the services now il
: posed upon the district trustees. II
e county board of education is to be pa
= 5000 per day when employed.
= These changes insure a stability
Y policy and a desirable permanency I
= the county superintendent, whose te
: ure of office will depend upon his {
= ficiency and not upOn his vote-eetti