The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-08-20
SCHOOL MANAGEMENT AND POLITICS.

~ NUM- uucatlOna UtnOfnlpS anu tchcnefS III new M
= = the present foolish constitutional limitations as to terms Of
office of the county and state school superintendent. AS the con
sttution now stands these officers may be elected butt twice in sue
.ccsshon, limiting the term of office to two years under any election
and the term of service to four years If the officer is successful in
being reelected. The salaries paid both county and state superin-
tendcnts are SC meager as to make it surprising that men and women
are willing to stand for reelection. Where competent officers are
secured who are willing to continue to serve, they should certainly
be retained, for two years is about the period required to "break in
a school superintendent to real efficiency.
Take the case of our own county schools, as an instance. Atanaso
Montoya, a superintendent of unusual ability, made such progress
with the rural schools of this county that it won him national promin-
ence. He was forced out of the office by this constitutional limita-
ton of two successive terms. He was succeeded by Mrs. John w.
Wilson. Mrs. Wilson has proved an efficient superintendent. Under
her administration progress has been steady. Teachers salaries
have been advanced 33 per cent and the grade of teachers employed
Sanitary conditions in the schools have been bettered. A school
nursing system has been Installed under a competent school nurse
Heating systems have been improved. The work in the school rooms
is excellent. Mrs. Wilson is just becoming thoroughly acquainted
with the duties of a big job. She is just reaching full efficiency
in the position. She must nov consent to stand for reelection and
undergo the %hardships of a political campaign If she is to round out
her public service. Certainly it will be lost efficiency, lost motion,
bad economy for the county to change superintendent Mrs. VII
son should be reelected not only because she merits reelection
but as a matter OF good school management. Moreover, II she con
tinues to give good service and sound administration and to get re-
suits in the county schools it should be possible to continue her in
the office indefinitely. But the constitution saws that next election,
having served four years, she must go out.
Suppose we had to change the Albuquerque school supcrintend-
ent every four years does any one suppose the splendid advance
ment achieved under John Mines continued direction would have
The same is true of the state school superintendent. ]. H.
Wagner cannot stand for reelection because of this constitutional
prohibition. lie is a better school superintendent now than he was
when first elected, and he was a efficient man in the job from the
start. The state must lose the four years of experience he now has
1t would be a good thing if the school office elections could be
separated from the general elections. This is probably not prachca
this prohibition against reelection. to lengthen the term to fonl
years and to open the way thus to the development OF efficient
We should like to see both political party platforms on RECORD
for this practical reform in school management. Also we SHOULD
like to see those platforms declare not only for, adequate pay TO
school teachers, but in favor Of salaries for school superintendent
s~ponsibilty, training and hard work those positions demand. :