The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1920-02-21

Journal, the taxpayers and great ma
jority of the school patrons will resent
and oppose him to the utmost.
PUBLIC SCHOOL FINANCES.
The finances Of Du1uth's school
board are in condition that sends
shivers up and down the spines Of over
burdened taxpayers.
Last month, it was imperative to
borrow 100000 to meet the payrolls.
More borrowing will be necessary be-
fore tax returns are available. Jug
Cling Of funds, overdrafts and possible
legal difficulties face each and every
member Of the board.
Now come the teachers, forced by
adverse conditions to demand higher
salaries or to take employment in a
field where salaries are higher. The
outlook is that the board Of education
may have to add to increases already
promised. A large number of resigna-
lions at the end of this year would Sc
riously handicap the schools.
Competent teachers are scarce and
at premium. Tried and proven teach
ers cannot be replaced with inexperi-
enced ones without grave injury to the
entire school system.
To date, the only relief proposed by
the school board is plan to increase
school funds by increasing school
taxes. Legislative authority is neces-
sary to do this and there is no guaran-
tee that the next legislature will raise
the limit Of school taxes.
ALI taxes in Minnesota, today, are
higher than ever before in the history
Of the state. The school tax is nearly
double Of what it was ten years ago.
The past year it was nearly 20 mills.
With legislative consent, that rate may
come close to Is mills this year. That
will mean about $40 additional for the
head Of every family in the city. It
is very doubtful If the common people,
a heavy majority, will stand for any
such increase.
One other source Of relief is issue
and sale of bonds, but tho limit Of
bonded Indebtedness is only something
like $25o, 1000 distant. No honest direc-
tor will 60 too closely to the danger
line.
The only relief, therefore, seems to
be a wise, careful. but close pruning in
expenditures. Fads, frills and fancies
should not be spared. Things merely
new, novel and shiny should be banned
except in exceptional cases.
The public school system in this city
is top-heavy with expensive supervis-
ors. A considerable number could. be
Topped off with real benefit to teach
ers, pupils and treasury. The outlay
for night schools is something enor-
nous. Night schools are imperative,
but within reasonable and practical
limits.
Alien adults, often in scanty num-
bers, are taught accomplishments. The
American school system primarily was
worked out for the particular benefit
Of those Of school age, from six to
twenty-one years Of age.
No educational luxury should be pur-
chased so long as one child is deprived
Of seat and q teacher in the kinder
garten. No alien adult should be taught
art jewelry work so long as there are
not schools, seats and teachers for
grade pupils. No wen-paid adult en-
ploye Of big corporation should be
given advanced technical training 80
long as high school pupil, under the
legal age, is unable to get the essen
tials Of higher studies, naturally, prop
erly and ordinarily belonging to high
school curriculum.
It Is high time that some Of the
members Of the school board came
down out Of the clouds and put their
itchy feet onto solid ground. Perhaps
a safe, sane and properly equipped su-
perintendent can and will help bring
that about. Extravaganza and all that
goes with it have run riot long enough.