The Bismarck tribune., 1933-01-05
ND.E.A. PROPOSES
REORCAMZAT|ON0F
EDUCATION SYSTEM
Would SuppIant Elective Super.
intendent and Establish
School Fund

Far-reaching reorganization of edu-
cational supervision and financing in
North Dakota will be proposed before
the present legislature by the state
education association.
A three-point program prepared by
the legislative committee of the aSso-
citation calls for appointment Of a
non-Salaried board OF education and
appointment Of competent commits
sioner Of education to replace the
present superintendent system; crea-
ton OF . state equalization fund for
education, with view to greater than
less state aid for schools: and diver
sion of truck and auto license fees
from highway funds to the educa-
tional fund.
Two fundamental detectives Of the
program are "a good elementary
school for every child in the state
and free high schools open to every
rural child"
Pointing out that restrictions placed
on local school boards by the so per
cent valuation measure are impairing
the efficiency Of and even necessitat-
Ing closing Of some schools, the edu-
Gators call on the legislature to pro-
vide equality in educational oppor-
tunity for every child, as guaranteed
by the constitution.
state Should Fill Gap
Where local funds do not provide
a decent elementary school, the
educators say, funds for that purpose
should be advanced by the state gov
ernment.'
Steps must be taken further, they
continue, to remove restrictions which
now are preventing many rural boys
and girls from getting high school
education. This committee had be-
fore It," the educators say, evidence
to show that in many communities
rural school boards are bringing pres
sure to bear OH parents Of high school
children not to send such children to
school because the district is finan-
cially unable to pay for the high
school tuition. This is an intolerable
situation"
The proposed commissioner Of edu-
cation would be appointed by the pro-
posed board of education. which would
000uAllC AulA NOAlGk VI dAlu OukCA tAolOlA Va
the schools OF the state.
The educators condemn system
which demands that the state super
intendent first get endorsement of
political faction and then must con-
duct an average Of two political cam
paigns every two years. No argument
is needed to show the folly of such a
system from the standpoint of eff
cient service" the committee charges
Elementary schools now closing for
want Of funds would be aided through
the proposed equalization fund and all
high school tuition for rural children
likewise could be paidjffrom such a
fund, according to the plan. relieving
hard-pressed rural districts of the
burden.
Million Dollar Fund
Diversion of truck and auto license
fees would provide smillion-dollar
fund for schools and still leave all
gasoline taxes for road-building pur-
poses, the educators charge. This
would protect the right OF the farmers
child and at the same time reduce
his taxes" is the claim.
"Over one-half of all state income
Is derived from sources other than a
tax on property. Thus every school
dollar received from the state repre-
sents less than SO cents in property
taxes. On the other hand, every
school dollar raised locally represents
4 hundred per cent III such taxes. For
this reason, any reduction in state
support Of schools at the expense of
the local taxpayer simply is tax shift
ing. It serves to increase taxes on gen.
eral property-taxeS which already are
too high. Moreover, the state has ac-
cess to taxes on Intangible sources
which the local taxing unit cannot
reach. Hence, the only logical move
would be one looking towards greater,
not less, state support
Members of the N. D. E. A. legis-
1ative committee are Superintendent
II. o. Saxvik. Bismarck: Superintend-
ent John Urness. Williston: County
superintendent H. K. Jensen, Man.
dan: Superintendent Harold Wake
field. LaMoure; and Superintendent.
w Till0 Yarim0ro