The Stroller's weekly and Douglas Island news., 1921-11-19
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
 ARE HANDICAPPED Red Tape and Politics Responsible for Much nedicienoy Existing
 ir Schools in States

Ono Alaska School Bulletin. which isI Issued monthly by Che Commissioner Of Education for Alaska:
 After au exhaustive study of lho| schools ol tbc uluon with special attention lo efficiency I'm manage mont and iu tho character Of the| product che United States Chamber of Commerce. bas arrived at Che con- cluaou tba. rcd tape and politics. arc Che two ercat malcnctou which are responsible for largo part oi such ncmcIucy as c2ats Admit ting Che truth Of this conclusion for thc nation as a whole. let us deter mine whether or not Alaska schools are handicapped by either
 Approximately onc-half Che pupils
 u Ahsso arc m schools which are supported entirely by appropriations ru thc Territorial treasury and by a refund to the Territory Of federal licenses collected In Aasko n dis tnct of t1s class thc contribution which residents mako toward Che ~a.utcnancc of One schools Is limited t1 Che annual school tax of 5000 which s collected from cach able beIIcd man between the ages Of 21 and 5o
 Tho remaining pupils arc enrolled iu schools situated iu incorporated towns soycuu-Gyc per cent of Che cost of such schools Is borne by Che rcrturv The remainder twenty ago per cout Is raised by local ax- alton. An annual school tax of 5000 is also pmd by oble-bodIed molc. between Che ages of 2l and 5o.
 Under such conditions. it is but natural chat considerable authority should bc centralized m Che Terri .o-aI Department of Education. and uat school boards should be require of to submit budgets which must bo
 approved. mako annual reports. and u general conform to such rcsulo- IoHs m may be prescribed Rcd ten. results only when unnecessary requirements must bc mot There is uo. wc believe. amy feeling ou Che pant ol school hoarls. executives or teachers. chat tbcy arc handicapped in hc.r work through interference ot Territorial boards or o0icals
 School boards arc mou and rc therefore. mot handicapped by mui- umct, o0 committee. Tho major . Ity or schools. also. arc malL priu- inus and upe.utcHdcns wc clothed vih 70 large measure Of ou- no.ty by school boards. The bus uca relations existing between
 .hooi boards and city councils are. by uo moan. complicated Rcd tape therefore doe. not Hure to any opp a-c.able oNteut n thc conduct of| tasbu schools
 As regards Che other national post politics which makes for incf- aarncy tn Che uauou'a schools. wc| eau likewise sutc Cha. up to thc| present umc It has not nteriorcd with Che progress of Ono Alaska .hoois Membership on Che Terri touu Board ol Education is cN- oFi.io and. although Che members have political affiliations mo mem bar Of che threo boards which have exietod since Che inauguration of a definite system of education. has. boon influenced by political cons.d- erauous In auy oGlc.aI aot. In fact Che generally expressed sentiment ofI members of Ono Board of Education. both past and present is to Che ef-| tec. hat politics has and should bel given mo place m Che Alaska schools
 Tnc Comm toner of Education is| mot political apno.utoe uc has not been serving 70 Democratic ad ! muetmum during Che past four ran and hc s not at present scry- me Republican administration l The only type or service demanded ! .s service to Che schools and people ! or Alaska.
 It s scarcely possible to el.m.natc| entirely local politics from thcI .hoou as represented by dlnsrcD- ! morts among residents ot communi- ! ties OF Che striving of certain indi-I Hdms to raIsc themselves Go pos.- ! uora of leadership Tho present ! umc is however am opportmc oc-| .as.ou In which to make survey ofI Nam schools in tb's particular nI Che majority 0I school districts thcroI Is harmony among tbe residents on ! Che subject ol schools Such under ! currents of d.scord as do prevail arc| but indications of thc onward stream ! Of progress toward a time when mol one win atompt Go rraufy personal ! ambitions or aaUsu either ancient ! or now eruleos at Che expense of school cG.oeDoy
 FORMER JUNEAUITE IlARRES l
 Mrs. J. ]. sureua and Mr. Dm|