Baxter Springs news., 1919-01-24
STUDY NEEDS Of
KANSAS SCHOOLS
Plan for an Educational Com
mission Proposed to the
Legislature

| 1Opekn, jan. ZV.-Au cuuCeshOno
commission to study the needs oi
Kansas schools will be provided for II
a measure 10 be submitted TO thu
the state legislature with the backing
of the educational council Of the Kan
sas State Teachers association. Thu
measure is an important one from the
viewpoint Of the educators, who held
their final session at the Chamber od
Commerce yesterday.
This commission would be appoint
ed by the governor, II was said, and
would be composed Of one superin-
tendent of a first class city, one from
a second class city, q principal Of
high school in cities Of more than
5000 population, q principal from q
high school in a city of less than 5000
population, a county superintendent
and one representative Of the college
of the state.
Plan Big Convention
The council went on record as BE-
ing in favor of paying teachers sal
aries on a twelve-month basis, the
separation of normal training and do
mestic science departments in the
schools operating under the Barnes
high school law, so that the school
may maintain one without the other
and still receive state aid.
All meetings Of directors in Topeka
were concluded Saturday. At q ses-
sion of the board of directors Of the
Kansas State Teachers association, 1t
was decided that the meetings Of the
four divisions of the state association
will be held on November 6, z and 3
with Topeka, Salina, Wichita and
Pittsburg as the places. These were
the same cities selected for the meet
ings last year. These meetings were
called off because of the influenza.
Small Towns Aroused
Another element Of the Kansas
teachers has organized for Legislative
purposes.
The latest branch is made up Of
superintendents of cities of the third
class who assert the Legislative pro-
gram of the Kansas State Teachers
association does not represent them.
1--WE are not opposed to the general
program, but we want some things
ourselves" said Supt. c. /. Vinson-
haler, of Peabody. Mr.. VinsOnhaler is
chairman of the new Legislative COM
mittee.
The real object Of the small city
educators is to secure more independ-
ence from the control Of county sup
erintendents. Under present law,
third class cities, those with popula-
ton under 1000, are part Of the coun-
ty educational system.
Would Lengthen Tenure
"While in practice, county superin-
tendents do not disturb the plans Of
superintendents Of small towns, the
schools are classified as county
schools" said Supt. C. E. LuncefOrd,
of Florence. 1--WE want some special
legislation. If the cities Of the hrst
and second class are to be authorized
to allow tenure of offices greater than
one year, third class cities should be
included"
"Under present law" said Supt.
Harry Mcclure, Of Kiowa, "cities Of
the third class are not allowed to elect
superintendents for the next school
year until April"
Segregation Is Asked
Segregation Of white and colOred
school children in cities Of the second
class was favored by the educational
council.
Bills giving cities Of the second
class this right, now held only by
cities of the first class, are now before
the legislature, with the particular
support of Cherokee county repre-
sentatives. In the 1917 session sim
iliar measure passed the house, but
died in the senate. A strong fight
was made against the bill.
Backing from the teachers for Sc
gregation in all cities with 1000 or
more population was a surprise. There
was discussion on the measure and
then a motion was passed with no Op-
position, placing the council on re
cord.
Chairmen Are Chosen
The following section chairmen
were selected at meetings yesterday:
D. W. B. Kurtz, president Mcpherson
college; A. F. Senter, Ottawa, super
intendents first and second class
cities; w. R. Thompson, Halstead,
superintendents cities third class; 0.
Lane, Lawrence, county supeFinten-
danbs. w pa;iax Ronoaa Cifv