The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-14
Member Of Audit Bureau Of
Circula ton
(Official City, State and County
Newspaper
Foreign Representatives
SMALL. SPENCER, BREWER
Uncorporated)
CHICAGO NEW YORK BOSTON
The School Problem

1t would appear at first blush that
the state budget board hit upon a
quick and easy solution of the states
financial problems when 1t decided
to lop more than 100000 off the
amount heretofore appropriated for
state aid to common schools.
Common school operation is not or
dinarily construed as a function OF
the state government and elimination
Of this item did much to aid in the
proposed balancing of the expenses
and income for the next biennium.
One wonders, however, II this ac-
ton does not represent refusal to
recognize the problems of the state
as whole and tendency toward
selfishness on the part Of the state
government.
If what one hears Of the financial
condition Of many school districts is
correct, the proposed elimination is
unworthy Of public support, for this
reduction in these times assaults the
very foundations of democratic gov
eminent, not only for the present but
for the future.
It does seem. however, that the
system for distributing state aid
should be sharply revised and the
money distributed in accordance with
the need.
AS originally designed, state aid
was an incentive to the construction
of better school buildings and the
development Of better school systems
1t was offered in increasing amounts
to those schools which met the high
est standards as a sort Of prize for
their development.
Schools In the more financially able
districts were most likely to meet
these standards and the result was
that those areas which needed it
least received the most in state aid.
At the time it was devised that
probably was good system. No
school district was so poor but that
1t could get by and it placed a
premium upon higher standards.
But that time has passed. Failure
to collect taxes and the reduction in
the taxable valuation of property
have struck vital blow to the fl
nances of many school districts. In
some OF them the teachers are un-
paid, warrants are being registered
and the schools are threatened with
closing unless aid is forthcoming
soon.
That is situation which must be
met. North Dakota, with fewer illit-
crates than any other state, must
hold to a reasonable standard of ed
ucation for its children. From the
standpoint OF Importance, both to the
present and the future, this should
be the last thing to go.
But it is beginning to vanish now
and the debacle will be a reality un-
less the state, sorely pressed as it is,
comes to the rescue.
The one workable method seems to
be to distribute state school aid on
the basis of need. 1t may be unfair
to those districts which contribute
their full share to the fund and who
would receive nothing, but that can
hardly be helped. 1t may be putting
premium on inefficient and extra
VACANT school operation in some dis
tricts in the past, but the children
who otherwise would receive no edu-
cation cannot be blamed for that.
The sins Of the parents should not
be visited upon the children in an
educational sense II such visitation
can be avoided.
To continue the state aid to schools
but revise the laws governing its dis
tributi0n seems to be one feasible
way out OF a distressing dilemma
even though it forces the state ia
make further economies elsewhere.