The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-03-30
SEEK CAUSE
RISE.IN COST
OF EDUCATION
Initial Steps Toward Putting
Into. Effect Legislative
Resolution Taken

Initial steps toward carrying out
the purpose of the resolution of the
recent legislature in providing for Il
nOn-paid commission to study in
creasing cost Of education in the
state have been taken by Governor
II. 4. NestOs. As a basis Of action
for the commission, the chief ex-
ecntive has directed Uscstionnairc
to scores Of county and city super
intendentS Of schools. and to many
school board members, to obtain
data on the subject to lay before
the commission to be named later.
The following questions or re-
quests arc made:
Make a careful analysis Of the
growth i'm the cost Of maintaining
the schools now under your juris-
diction. for the past fifteen years.
under the. subdivisions: salaries.
transportation, bond interest and
sinking funds apd other items.
Then make such comments rs you
may think warranted as to the time,
'placc and reasons for the main in
crcaSes in the cost of the educa-
tional program. -.
/ What may he done to reduce the
cost of maintaining our rural and
. graded schools?
How would you suggest that the
increased cost of transportation bc
reduced without doing anyone an
injustice?
i Make any other, suggestions that
may occur to you as TO the best
methods of improving the service
and reducing the cost of maintain
ing our rural and graded schools.
- What would YOU suggest as the
best way of reducing the cost Of
maintainingrour high schools with
out curtailing the efficiency of these
institutions.
Effect Of Eliminated Courses.
In some of our high schools they
have eliminated the courses in
manual training, domestic science.
agriculture and commerce, i'm order
to curtail the cost Of running the
schools. DO you believe these de-
partments have warranted the faith
that caused them to- be established,
and justified the money. expended
for them?
!. What other changes, if any, do
you believe ought to be made in the
course Of study or,in the require
lnents for our high schools?
*, The questionable states the pur-
pose Of the legislative action, which
is said TO- have been. ITO see what
could he done toward eliminating a
part Of the rapidly mounting cost
of maintaining our educational
program without injury TO the
cause of education aud without sac
fihcing anything that is vital in the
educational program of our state"
Since the commission will have
no funds, the information will have
to be gathered largely through other
agencies or state departments, and
the questionable from the govern
aOFs Office marks the first step to
assemble needed detailed infOrma-
ton.
-. Many For Il.
The governor has found. it is
stated, that while there are few
who cOntedned that the legislature
was merely playing politics in
adopting the resolution, and that
there is no need Of such action, yet
the great majority Of educators and
board members show n dccD inter-
est in it. They realize, it is said,
that the tax burden is becoming too
heavy to bear and that way Of re-
ducing it must be found, and that
unless a careful study is made and
wise curtailmcnt results, there may
be demand for a reduction of school
taxes which will lead to unwise
slashing of costs in q manner that
would cause the loss Of many vital
matters in the development of edu-
cation.