Cavalier County farmers press. (Langdon, N.D.) 1920-1921, 1921-03-24

ANS" SVIISStSdItStto VtbISI0tgtClk 10 SV-
clared the Most important School
Measure Adopted Since State Was
Admitted to the Unlon-Statewide
Minimum Salary of $1,000 a Year
Is Made Observation-Disclosures
Schools Become Part of State Sys-
tern.
The voters of California on Novem-
Der 2, by a majority Of more than 2O0,-
600, adopted a constitutional amend
ment containing some Of the most for
wardllooking educational provisions
e put into a state constitution. The
amendment provides that hereafter
California shall contribute, out of its
treasury, toward the support of the
public schools an amount which shall
be not less than $50 per pupil per year
in average daily attendance in the
elementary and high schools, and that
the counties must raise, in addition
at least $50 per pupil in average daily
attendance in the elemer ,ry schools
and at least $50 per pupil in average
daily attendance in the high schools.
It is also provided by the amend
ment that all Of the school moneys
contributed by the state and 60 per
ent Of the sums raised by the coun-
ties must be used for the payment Of
teachers' salaries. California will thus
e able to establish a statewide min
ssnnm salary of fully $1,000 a year.
The amendment makes the kinder
garten schools a part Of the state
school system, and provides for nor
NAL schools and teachers colleges.
Proposed by Teachers.
The amendment "a proposed by
the California Teachers association,
and the campaign for it's adoption
was under the direction of a commit
tee of the association, of which County
Superintendent Mark Keppel of Los
Angeles was chairman. The commit
tee drafted the amendment, submitted
it by initiative petition and procured
its approval by the voters. The
amendment was placed on the ballot
through thousands of signatures in eX-
cess of the 55,007 that were needed.
Into every city, town and school dis
tr1ct in the state the fight for the
amendment was carried. A Primer
Of Education and School Finance" was
printed in The Sierra Educational
News, the official organ of the asso-
citation, and was distributed through
out the state. Nearly two million
campaign cards with the slogan, ga
Square Deal for Every Child" were
sent to the voters. Hundreds Of
amendment meetings were held and
thousands Of automobiles carried the
amendment appeal.
The teachers obtained generous
support from the press. Through
funds raised by teachers, display ads,
giving all the facts, were run in the
principal newspapers throughout the
state. The movies took a prominent
part in the campaign. Many clubs
and fraternal orders co-operated.
Will c. Wood, superintendent of
public instruction, il a statement to
the voters Of California preceding the
election, said:
"The proposed constitutional amend
ment relating to the public schools is
the most important school measure
submitted to the people of California
since the first constitution was adopt
ed in 1S49. 1t is the Magma Charta
Of education in California.
"It establishes definitely in the con-
stitution the towns under which state,
county and school districts become
pronounced in the report OF the pub
lie school.
Fixes State Contribution.
ut fixes the annual state contribu-
ton for elementary achools at $50 per
pupil, which is an increase of approx
mately so per cent. 1t also makes it
impossible to reduce this amount ex-
cept by vote Of the people.
at fixes the annual state contribu-
ton for high school purposes at $50
per pupil, which is an increase of 100
per cent.
at writes into the constitution the
provisions of the county high school
fund bill, which more than any other
law has promoted the development Of
high schools in California. This bill
is subject to repeal at any time by the
legislature. Amendment 16 makes it's
repeal impossible except by vote of
fhe people.
"It writes into the constitution the
provisions Of the county elementary
school tax law, making it's repeal i'm
Feossible except by vote Of the people.
lit applies the principle that money
f"r school purposes should be raised
] v taxes levied according to ability to
!, ay, and that funds thus raised should
lie distributed to school districts ac-
t.ording to the needs Of the children
- be educated.
1T viii reopen the hundreds Of
schools now closed for lack of teach
ers because Of Inadequate salaries.
j. will encourage young people to en-
r orr normal schools to prepare for
1aaching. 1t will enable us to restore
the efficiency of the schools.
1T guarantees that all the money
raised by the state and 60 per cent