Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1922-05-06
THE SCHOOLS AND TAXATION.

There influences in the state which are in
different to education. They would lower taxes at
whatever of efficiency to the schools. Such an
attitude is exceedingly selfish and reprehensibe.
Certainly the public will follow no such leadership
No state in the union needs good public schools
any than they are needed in New Mexico.
The future of the state depends largely upon pub
lie educational facilities The future of thousands
of children Is at stake.
1t is highly important that public sentiment be
kept squarely behind the schools In order to do
this the school teachers themselves have great
duty to perform. 1t is very desirable that people
should come to feel that the schools sacred
institution which must not be injured by the poll
tcians. But the foundation for such feeling must
be genuine. II money is in fact, being wasted and
the teachers generally condone that waste while
pleading for protection. there will be public reac-
/. tion which will hurt the schools.
Undoubtedly there are criticisms to be made Of
school management in many counties For poit-
cal efficient teachers denied positions
and the places are given to inefficient favorites
who draw higher salaries than the better teachers
would be willing to accept. As long as the teaching
profession condones such state of things 1t will
not be possible to keep public sentiment strongly
with the school system.
The State Teachers Association should have a
strong committee Complaints and Professional
Efficiency which would invite complaints from
school patrons in the state regarding this subject.
Such committee should ferret out all evidences
OF political manipulation of schools resulting in
lowered efficiency and should expose them to pub
lie gaze.
1t should be remembered that the state is poor
1t cannot afford school system luxury. It
must strain itself to keep up system which it re-
CARDS as prime necessity. But it is not neees-
sity when it is inefficient and exravagant. There
fore the teachers Of the state must see to it that
the system is functionng to fulfill to the maximum
the mission which it has to perform.
To the word schools" shibboleth to
raise money by taxation to be wasted by politicians,
will soon result in the word losing its charm to
draw money from the peoples pockets.
The Journal is without sympathy for those in
fluences which would cripple the schools merely
TO taxes Anyone who takes such attitude
is the enemy of progress. On the other hand 1t is
wrong to raise money through the generosity Of
progressive taxpayers who are willing to make
rfices to keep up the schools, il the money is not
expended for the maximum benefit of the schoof
pupils.
selfish attitude on the part of the teachers
to wiring every possible salary concession from the
public and let it end there will be suicidal ulti-
natey. The services must be worth the money OF
public sentiment will react
The journal is for the very best public school
system for which the people are able to pay. By
that do not mean the most efficient. Every dol
lar which be clipped off without lowering eff
cheney should be sheared. Then the people Will
support the schools wholeheartedly.
Our allusion is not to Albuquerque. The Journal
thinks that decrease in school costs in this city
would lower the standards We believe that Super
intendent Milne and the school board count the
costs with extreme We are fortunate.
We do not feel certain Of Bernalilo county.
We not convinced that politics are kept com
pletely out in the selection of teachers in this
county. We hope wrong In some counties
in this vicinity the conditions very bad in this
regard.
Can not the profession itself do more to help
the taxpayers solve this problem?