The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1922-09-14

ESSARY TO MAINTENANCE
OF HIGH STANDARD OF
SCHOOLS.
Recognizing that it is possible to
maintain a high standard in the
schools of Kansas only my making the
profession attractive through the pay
ment of adequate salaries, we appeal
to the patrons and friends of the pub
lie schools to join with US in protest
ing against recent sporadic move
ments looking toward a reduction of
teachers salaries. In view of state
and nationwide tendency to raise the
qualifications of teachers, and in con-
sideration TO the necessity for attract
ing and holding the ablest and best
trained of our people in the profes-
sion, we believe any tendency to fur
Their reduce salaries will be extremely
unWiSe.
4. ANNUITY LAW.
vitality connected with the move
ment to hold efficient public workers
in a profession where the compensa-
ton can never be large is the pro-
posal to establish an annuity law for
teachers. We urge the coming Legis-
lature to consider carefully the merits
of such a law. The fact that twenty
four progressive states of the Union
have already enacted some form of
such measure, entities this proposal
to thoughtful consideration.
5. HEALTH PROGRAM.
Believing that physical fitness is
fundamental to right living and right
teaching, we urge the passage of a
law looking toward the establishing
of a thoroughgoing Health program
for the schools of Kansas.
6. THE SMITH-HUGHES LAW
AND CONTINUATION SCHOOL
PROVISIONS.
We recognize the Importance of the
Smith-Hughes Vocational Law and
urge that it be given the prominence
it deserves. We recommend to the
Legislature the passage of a law
which will enable such communities
as have need to participate in the
Federal provisions for part-time
schools.
z. LAW ENFORCEMENT.
To meet the evident present day
needs, we resolve to redouble our eff
forts, and to unite our forces for the
purpose of establishing in the life
of every pupil, whether native or for
eign born, American ideals, especially
such ideals as make for a wholesome
respect for law and law enforcement.
8. SIMPLIFICATION OF OR
GAiNIZATION.
Kansas has been and is now bur-
dened with numerous and various
types of school organization which
have rendered the control and admin
istratiOn of schools cumbersome and
unecQnomical. We favor educational
legislation which will remedy this
condition.
9. TAXATION.
The present system of raising
funds for the support of the public
schools so distributes the burden of
taxation that the owners of real
estate and other forms of tangible
property bear an undue proportion of
their cost. We ask that the Legisla-
ture adopt for Kansas a modern sys-
TEN of taxation which will serve to
cause all forms of wealth 10 yield a
Just proportion of income necessary
to the support of schools, and we urge
also, the adoption of system of dis
tribution which will give equal edu-
cational advantages to every child in
the state, whether this child resides
in a rural or an urban community,
and whether the community in which
the child resides is one of great or
small wealth.
MISSION.
Believing that the sixteen thousand
teachers who have charge of the half
million boys and girls in the Kansas
Schools are entitled to a voice in the
selection of the text books used in
the public schools, we urgently re-
quest a more adequate representa-
ton of the public schools on the State
School Book Commission.
II. STATE APPROVAL OF
BUILDING PLANS.
In order that full value may be re-
ceived for money invested in school
buildings, and that scientific educa-
tional principles may be adhered to in
the construction of these buildings,
We recommend that the Legislature
consider the enactment of legislation
providing that all building plans be
approved by the State Architect ac-
cording to principles formulated by
the State Board of Education.
u. SUPPORT OF THE NATION
AL EDUCATION ASSOCLA-
TION.
We desire to express our apprecia-
ton of the work of the National Edu-
cation Association, and to encourage
the active membership of Kansas
teachers in this great organization.
3. TOWNER-STERL1N BILL.
We approve of the provisions of
the Demonstrating Bill now pending
IN our national Congress, and we re-
quest our representatives and sena-
tors in Congress to support the enact
ment of this Bill into law.
IA. APPRECIATION OF THE
WORK OF THE STATE
SCHOOL CODE COMMISSION
Recognizing the eaynestness and