Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1920-12-24
SUGGESTED CHANGES
IN SCHOOL LAWS

The report of the commission APP
pointed by Governor Hart to. revise
the school code recommends the fol-
lowing important changes:
First-That the county and dis
trict school administration be reor-
ganized so as to make the county
the unit for educational organization
and administration instead of the
present district system.
l. Under this reorganization
scheme each county outside of dis
tricts containing cities with a popu-
lation of $500 or more to be organ
lied for educational purposes as a
school district.
2. That districts containing cities
with a population of $500 or more
be first class districts with the OPP
ton OF becoming part of the county
school district.
3. That in each county a county
board of education consisting of five
members be elected from as many
sections Of the county with the power
to appoint a county superintendent of
schools, who shall be superintendent
OF the county school district, also
aside from the above designated pow
err of the county board of education,
all business management of the
county school district will come un-
der it's supervision.
4. That all present school dis
tricts that do not contain cities with
a population of $500 or more shall
become sub-districts with one elect
ed trustee with certain well-defined
powers and duties.
3. That the county board of edu-
cation provide, perfectly at the
county seat, adequate office room,
clerical and supervisory help.
d-Readjustment of the fl
nancial support of the schools.
1. That a larger per cent of the
cost of common school education be
raised by a statewide tax.
,. That the state school funds
and the county school funds be ap-
portioned one-third on the basis of
teachers and two-thirds on the basis
Of attendance, the attendance of all
pupils in high schools to be counted
as one and one-half times the actual
attendance. AS authorized under
the present law the state school
fund is apportioned on the basis of
attendance and the county school
fund on the basis of one-third to
teachers and two-thirds to attend
ance.
3. That all the school districts in
each county, except those in cities
OF the first class and other cities
containing population of $500 or
more be administered as one county
school district, and the funds for the
operation of all the schools in this
county district to be levied equally
upon all the property within the
county district.
4. That school districts be al
lowed to levy to 10 mills of the as
sessed valuation of the property
within the district for current ex-
penses instead of up to 10 mills as
now authorized. A part of the extra
five mills to be used in capital out
lay, etc.
Third-A reorganization of the
state department of education in the
following manner:
j /. A state board of education of
seven lay members to be appointed
by the governor for terms of seven
years, said board to have legislative
and judicial powers in educational
matters within the state.
2. A state superintendent of pub
lie instruction appointed by the
state board of education without re-
striction as to place of residence or
political affiliations and for such
term and at such salary as the
board may determine. (This will
require constitutional amend
ment.)
3. A state department with ade-
quate supervisory divisions to COM
pletely cover the field of educa-
tional effort