Evening journal., 1919-01-15
CHANGES PROPOSED
{ in School FINANCE
Charles Warner Explains
Bill to be introduced
in Legislature
WOULD GIVE BOARD
CONTROL OVER FUNDS

Radical changes in the financing oil
ihe city schools and in the size
Df the Board. of Public Education
and its powers as regard funds
were advocated last night by
Charles Warner, chairman OF the re-
Gently organized City Committee on
Public Education. Mr. Warner spoke
on the subject at a meeting OF the So
eial Service Club. at the Hotel Nobis,
and later, at Joint meeting Of the Ro-
taryl Club and st. Andrews Mems Club,
held in st. Andrews parish house.
At the request OF the committee, the
Board Of Education has instructed SUI
perintendent Clifford ]. Scott TO give the
committee data regarding the city
school system With these as a basis,
the city committee intends TO bring a
bin before the present session Of the
state LEGISLATURE, designed TO increase
the efficiency Of the city school. by pro-
viding them with money TO carry out
educational measures and TO give the
pupils sanitary buildings. The city com
mittee will hold a second conference
with the Board Of Education tonight,
upon the subject Of improvements In
the schools and desirable changes in
Z the school laws. which shall give the
Board Of Education control over the
raising Of money by bonds for the
schools.
Mr.. Warner stated that the report OF
Superintendent Clifford ]. Scott 10 the
executive committee OF the old commit
tee told graphically OF the needs. Of
local schools at the present time, as
serting that the needs now are even
greater than they were then.
Quoting Mr.. Scotts report, Mr.. War
ner read:
Our schools have many shortcom-
ings which make them inadequate for
the service which a school system
should render it's community
1. 500 children are now on part time
owing 10 limited capacity Of school
buildings.
2. More than 40 pupils per teacher
are enrolled.
3. The buildings have no facilities for
9ndergartens, directed education rec
ieatioin, manual training shops, as
sembly rooms or special classes.
1. The schools are without the prop
or number or the right kind Of sani-
tary cenveniences.
). They lack necessary repairing,
painting and replacement OF wornout
and unsanitary desks, etc.
8. All the schools do not have full
time janitor service, nor sufficient sup
ples for cleanliness.
n Effective medical inspection Is
needed, for all the schools. Open air
schools for tubercular and anemio chill
drsn are not provided.
s. The school program does not in
ccde physical education.
I9 The course Of study under pres
mt conditions cannot be adapted TO diff
5erences in children.
10. Special classes for retarded, sub
normal and motor-minded children are
needed
ii. There Is an inadequate supply
y textbooks, and Illustrative classroom
material
-. Extension OF home economics and
Industrial courses Is an urgent need
Of the school program.
i3. No attendance officer, home visit
or. no continuous school census is pro-
vided.
"a. Beginning salaries in elementary
schools and all maximum salaries are
TOO low.
Nearly all other cities maintaining
good school systems consider these
needs essential and among the mini
mum requisites OF a school system.
All our needs are not listed, but those
that are presented are the outstand-
in cones BECAUSE Of their general ap-
plication to all The schools OF the city
'This Is o pretty serious situation"
said Mr.. Warner Our boys and gi-ls,
growing up under such educational
conditions, will not be able to compete
with children from other sections OF
the county Wilmington ranks next
10 the last among the cities OF the
United Sates when the amount the city
spends IN each child per annum is
considered Trenton ~ j., is the only
city in the country whose average Is
below Wilmington" he asserted. The
average spent on each child per an
mum mall the cities OF America Is be-
tween SIS and $50 a year; the best cit
les spend between $50 and SO; VIII
mingOn spends between S35 tand $40.
we have assumed the problem 20
be a state ISSUE" continued Mr.. War
ner "The old system Of making the
Bosd Of Public Education a city de-
parment, whose finances are under
drict control OF City Council, is out
ofldate. It was once a good system,
bit 1t is no good now. We urge great
et freedom and responsibility for the
Wilmington Board Of Education in de-
trimming the expenditures for public
iducation for the following reasons:
The principal is fundamental in in
'fuensing the operation Of The boards
Of public education as corporations.
Public education has been deemed CT