The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1929-07-04
School Costs and the Public

ten does the greatest harm in COM
munities which most need to spend
more rather than less upon their
schools.
The Conspiracy in North Carolina
An example of what selfish inter
ests can do by taking advantage of
local conditions is the socalled Han
cock law, recently enacted by the
North Carolina General Assembly.
This law was not drafted by the re-
sponsible school people of the state.
1t is confusing that no one knows
what it means. Among pernicious
features of this bill are provisions
which give to the state board of equa-
lization powers which belong to the
state board of education and to the
local authorities; which weaken the
leadership of county superintendent
by lowering salaries and standards;
and which seek to keep down salaries
in communities that are able and will
ing to pay the maximum salaries to
their teachers. Perhaps the attorney
general and the equalization board
may be able to save a bad situation
by generous Interpretation.
The Ability of North Carolina to Sup
port Schools
1t is obvious that there is in North
Carolina enough wealth and income
to guarantee to each child reason
able school opportunity. In 1926 this
state paid in federal taxes more than
S194,000,O0O; for life insurance more
than $35,000,000; and had accumulat-
ed in savings banks more than 1885,,
100000. In 1927 it paid more than
S197,0O0,0O0 for automobiles. Teach
els salaries in North Carolina are
relativel low-an average of $781 as
compared with $1277 for teachers
throughout the country and $201O for
all gainfully occupied persons.
How inexpensive Good Schools Are.
1t is one of the tricks of the re-
trenchment propagandists to set
forth increases in school costs with
out taking into account the large eX-
pansion in other phases of our life.
School costs have increased remark
ably, but not so rapidly as have the
demands which the public has made
upon the schools. The standard Of
living has gone up and education is
an essential element of that standard.
How inexpensive schools are! Accord
ing to Bureau figures the total ex
penditure per capita of population
for education was only S16.25 in 1924;
/ $1715 in 1925; and $3.50 in 1926.
! Divide S17.50 by 365 and the quotient
is less than five cents day per CAPT
/ ia for the cost of educating the ma
TONS children-the most important
single activity of organized society.
The United States is saving about
! fifteen percent of its income. Ger
tainly a nation which can show such a
record need have no fears over the
expenditure of 268 percent of it's in
come for education. The health, skill,
and purpose of the people constitute
the wealth Of the nation. To deny
youth the adjustment which schools
can give is virtually to deny life itself
and to destroy the security of this
basic human wealth.
What Teachers Can do to Save The
Schools
The public schools are the public's
schools. Let parents and citizens
once appreciate their real significance
and they will suppore them generous
ly. Among things which teachers
may do to fortify the schools against
unreasonable attacks are the follow
ing:
Let every teacher and school officer
make sure that the schools are doing
the best work that can be done with
available resources.
Let every child understand the i'm
portance of the schools in his life and
his obligation as a citizen to protect
and support them.
Encourage influential citizens to
acknowledge their debt to the schools.
Did you ever stop to think what
the school has meant in your life?
Make the birthday of Horace Mann,
May 4, an occasion for a study Of his
contribution to American life. Civics
classes, school assemblies, and news
papers may feature the work of this
great educator and statesman.
In every promotion and commence
ment ceremony, call attention to the
schools Importance and its large con-
tribution to the life of the community
along lines indicated by each of the
seven cardinal detectives.
J Let American Education Week each
year be time of educational revival
when parents, teachers, and citizens
will unite in appreciation of the
school and its service to the COM
munity.