The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1921-12-06
VII Washington's Schools.


Commissioners, to the schools. the Commits
sioners under the present system can dictate The
Commissioners hold the purscstrings and dole out
the: money. Nothing can be bought and money
spcht for the schools without their approval In
fact they do the spending and the buying So
they not only spend the school funds, but can
spend them in their way. They can both buy
and buy what in their judgment is best though this
may be not at all the judgment Of the board. That
thete is comparatively little friction between them
docs not speak for the quantity of satisfaction this
system affords.
It must be forgotten that there is not an item
nor detail, element function of education which
docs not have to be expressed sooner later in
terms OF money Whoever holds the purse controls
the whole educational system of any city. 1t is
mere common sense then that whoever is respon-
sibe for the schools, must control the school funds
the responsibility is a farce. A school board
that does not have authority tax levies and
expenditures, is but fence back of which hides
the real authority controlling the school system.
The board OF education for Washington, ap-
pointed directly by the President and responsible
only to him and to Congress- would attract the very
best ability in this city. No man woman refuses
appointment to Presidential office of dignity and
trsst. Such office would be all the more readily
accepted because it would pay no salary 1t would
be strictly public service taking a good deal OF
time and much ability and study but requiring
the surrender OF mans private business, nor its
sighting. 1t would be service of the highest or
der which appeals to civic pride and to citizenship
To this board the fiscal affairs of the schools
could be safely trusted. There would be at least
one hnancier Of high standing; there would be at
least one lawyer Of local prominence; there would
be business and builders. Every item OF the
fiscal matters connected with the schools would
10 he with he A.
soon refuse to serve. They would not consent to
be "cuckoos" nor have but the appearance of au-
thonty, while accepting full responsibility
Under limit to tax rate, they would be
FULLY qualified to fix the school tax levy. They
would have that standing and influence with the
taxpayers which would make their judgment largely
accepted They would represent only the schools
and both could and would explain to the people
every element OF the expense. Nothing could be
passed along No taxpayer, parent no citizen
would have to 20 elsewhere than to the board for
information to place responsibility 1t wouId
be straight square showdown; a meeting of the
two interests and only two, that were concerned
This is the only way in which public affairs can be
rightly, efficiently and satisfactorily administered
1t is the only way Washington can ever get such
schools as will satisfy the people and be worthy
of the nations Capital.
OOAN'
from Congressional control save as to fiscal re-
quirements and accounting. The Congressional
committee should have its own means of keeping in
touch with the board and its activities If shoud
have It's own means OF estimating results. But it
should not retain iota OF educational control not
evea to the extent OF fixing salaries of teachers
Held within tax rate limit having to answer both
to the local taxpayers and 20 the committees audit
there is not the slightest danger that the board
k1,-o AZ
the members should be held personally liable for
any ,overdraft or deficiency.
administrative agencies must be trusted under
democratic form OF government or that govern
ment is confessed failure and sure to be one
1t is proved that the complete this trust tho
greater and better the results 1t is evident that
Congress cannot lcgislatc educational methods
courses OF study, school management, or control
Ihc5committee can strike what 1t will from appro-
Prahons 1t can sit-in with the board and make
all sorts OF educational decisions 1t can advise and
ultimately control, but this is outside the actual
letter OF the law and also with full opportunity for
discussion and demonstration 1t would be seldom
any committee would deny to Washington what
Washington through its board of education. showed
a decided and intelligent desire to have in ts
schools.
The committee, also, would have the same nride
as would Washington in having here the one model
school system of this country covering an entire
city. There could be but difference of opinion az
10 how to reach this result. The board being on
the Job, having the experience familiar with all
conditions directly responsible for results naturally
should have the deciding voice and this would
practically never be denied. Especially would this
Be 50 with the kind of men and women who would
be selected by the President 10 produce this model
American city school system. 1t would be one of
the rountrys big jobs and those entrusted with it.
must be entrusted to accomplish it Theirs would
be the job; theirs must be the authority to match