El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-06-10

CTAIE school funds whether the regular annual appro
pation OF the proposed emergency appropriation Of
several Millions ought be sPporoned "on the basis Of
scholastic population with conditions attached This
plan unjust to the progressive counties and independent
school districts which tax themselves to the limit; at the
ame time results IN unprogesve counties and districts
still further negecng their schools refusing to tax them
selves for schools, and relying the small state fund
alone. In many counties no money is spent on schools
except what cones from the state treasury
is to the interest Of the entire state and all the people
hat there be good schools in every community The state
snnot afford to neglect those counties and comuui
les that neglect themselves But experience has proved
that The distribution Of money from the state treasury
per capita basis does not achieve the object aimed at
namely, the bstermsnt Of all schools On the contrary,
the state fund accepted aims by counties which
limit their school expenditures to the amount Of the state
ptance and do not tax themselves; from this practice
suits the miserable condition Of short terms and large pro-
portion Of uon-sttendance in many Counties.
The distribution basis Of population Of school age
with conditions attached bad. There is need Of
prhenslve survey Of school conditions throughout the state
and state funds should be app0roned with regard
for the varying needs Of the respective counties Backward
counties should be assisted But this should be done with
intelligent discrimination, and not the basis Of the
census
At least three elements be taken into If
the distribution is to be both fair and wise First account
should be taken Of the rate Of local taxation for schools;
communities, however poor low in assessable valuation
at least impose rate IN accord with the usage Of the
progressive communities Second, account should be taken
Of the average length Of the school tenn it is fair that
counties which content themselves with thres months
school should the per capita distribution as
those which support school term Of SIX to nine months.
Third, account should be taken Of average attendance;
counties which make effort keep their children in
school and which have percentage Of truancy Of 20 to 90
percent do not deserve the state aid counties which
enforce school attendance and earnestly endeavor to pro
vide school buildings and teachers for their entire school
population.
Distribution millions Of dollars from the state treas
uTy for public schools should be carefully supervised BY
authorities the end that effective cooperation from
the counties and rural communities shall be required in
all 10 the limit Of their respective ability to pay
Backward counties and unprogressVe communities must be
stirred 10 greater activity IN their behalf and the dis
TO this end II not used it takes the immoral and
uneoo1omic quality Of iHdiseriminate aims giving.
Fl Paso city and county are among the communities
which do tax themselves to the limit do support their
schools, and do deserve the maximum state cooperation
The word has evidently gone out that FL Psso schools
good schools to work cT II spite Of the universal
plant Of insufficient salaries and bad working conditions,
the E Paso shcal board has received applications from
more than twice many teachers there positions
nj This fortunate Of applications makes it possible
for FL Paso TO pick the best It well Illustrates how
community benefits directly from having liberal policy Of
school facilities and working conditions We take the
pick Of the offerings, and force Of teachers ought
be the best.
For the first time in e Pasos history the schedule Of
teachers salaries has at last been systemzed eliminate
far possible the element Of favosm and the element
Of chance The school board has adopted the schedule
recommended BY the special committee composed Of Charles
5. Ward and Herman Andrsas This schedule provides
and minimum salaries IN each class with pro
vision for regular annual advances based on length Of
service, personal self improvement and proved efficiency
5ood teachers VIII receive due recognition and poor teach
ITS VII be eliminated.
Certificates Of certain grade viii be required Of all
teachers Teachers Who Voluntarily improve their grade
through study in sumner schools and teachers COLLEGES viii
receive reward increased salary. Experience IN 81 Paso
schools VII be given money value and experience IN