The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1922-03-17

opportunities for them. Two dis
! tricts, for example, may each support
one-teacher school. Because Dis
trict A has 40 census children it re-
ceived 240 from the state, but District
b receives only $50 for its 10 census
! children: The difference of $3.50 places
heavier burden on the district with
few children. This extra burden often
means shorter terms and poorer teach
ers for the unfortunate children.
Under the present provision of the
laws for apportioning state and county
school funds money does not go to
schools where the need is greatest.
The reason for this is the UNEQUAL
wealth and school population in the
various counties and school districts of
the state.
A method should be sought by which
financial support and therefore, edu
cational opportunities would be equal
lied. County Unit in three counties
affords a large measure of relief to
the poorer districts within the coun-
ties.
The third source of school funds is
the special tax levied on the district.
Montana has made beginning within
the biennium toward saner system of
school taxation for it's third class dis
tricts.
The district system of taxation in
Montana was used by our fore-fathers
in colonial days. In it's efficiency, it
may be compared with the pack horse
and the fail.
The Valley County district levies
vary from 0 to 25 3-4 mills, 1922. Our
system of taxation for educational
purposes does not provide even fairly
equal financial burdens for all patrons
and tax payers or equalized education
al opportunities for ALL children of
u ALL the, people. From q financial
standpoint our school business is one
OF our biggest enterprises. But in no
other form of big business are there
to be found such tax methods of col
lecting and disbursing funds. There
is no semblance of good business meth
ods in connection with the financial
operations of the district system.
! The optional county unit law pro-
vides for the organization Of third
class districts into one district by vote
Of the qualified electors. Montana's
county unit law differs from such laws
in many states in that it leaves vari-
Gus administrative powers in the hands
OF the local trustees of the district,
such as electing of teachers, purchas-
ing of supplies and equipment and the
issuing Of all warrants on district
funds. The Montana law is strictly
financial in it's provisions and aims to
provide needed funds both for MAIN
tenance and buildings for the school,
ing of all children in the county. It
provides for the determination by a
county board Of five members of the
uniform county unit levy necessary to
raise the funds required in the budget
of the several districts.
Many rural districts are saved from
high special levy or a short term
OF school because railroad right-of-
way happens to be located within it's
boundaries. The taxpayers living in
such districts have taken this advan-
tage as a matter of course.
The school tax paid by the railroad
help only those districts through which
its tracks are laid This visits an in.
justice upon the children of other dis
tricts. Naturally the land along the
railroad line is developed first. Thus
the man living in the older and bet
ter developed section near the rail-
road who is we'll able to pay high
special school tax escapes it because
the railroad pays it for him. On the
other hand he who lives in a less
favored spot often struggles under an
exorbitant levy and must be content
with an inferior and short term of
school. Does it seem unfair to divide
the railroad tax per capita among the
have a uniform special levy, as County
census chiudren of the county or to
Unit provides? Is it not right to try
and provide an eighth grade educa-
ton for all the children of the county?
State Superintendent Wood of Califor-
mia says, "1n the sight of God and the
State of California, all children are
created equal-all are entitled to equal
education opportunities.
ROBBERS ENTER BUSINESS
PLACE AT MALTA FRIDAY
Last Friday night there was some
excitement for a few minutes in the
Malta Mercantile store. Sid David
son who has been sleeping there for
some time past was awakened by
someone prowling around in the build
ing and about the first .hing he did
was to take shot to get rid of his
midnight visitor. 1t is reported that
the would-be robber returned fire and
that Sid took a second shot when the
fellow made clean get away through
the back dor. Nothing was missing
from the stock and no place found to
show where he had gained an entrance.
Enterprise.