The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-11-06
The State Correspondence School

high school.
This legislation supported by the Farmers Union
membership the organization well aware OF the
educational facilities such it intended should
be provided under this law
addition providing educational means Tor students
rural districts would also provide courses whcn
would supplement those offered in the smaller hgh schools
the and for the exceptional Students would supply
need for rapid the completion of courses re-
CURED meet entrance requirements of higher institutions OF
learning.
passd provided for the setting aside OF
annually the public school general fund to meet
expenses of the state correspondence school, authorized
superintendent of public instruction to employ dec
tor work. the apparent intent of the legislature IN
simply and brief law that this director should
be charged with responsibility for the work OF the schoo ana
answerabe the superintendent of public instruction
the performance of his duty and the state
answerabe the state board of education Tor carrying
the provisions of the law
passage of the act the state superintendent OF
public Instruction. in organizing the school, undoubtedly maze
happy selection of competent director by the appointment
the position of Rex Hagh well known to the Farmers Union
and to the state whole not only competent educa-
but who for had been an advocate OF pro-
dng supervised correspondence study courses Tor cndren
who for another needed provision OF 1acle
of that character In this field, Mr. Haght mas naona
reputation and thesis written by him on
study by the office of education of the Department OF
the Interior authoritative work the subject and is
available reference nerbray loans from that OFFICE
appears however, to outside observer that political
injected into the administration OF the CORE
spondence school To what extent the superintendent OF
public instruction responsible that cannot be stated by
this what extent outside political pressure was
brought BEAR and what degree of yielding on the part OF
education made possible for these political con-
be PERMITTED to have bearing on the efficiency
administration of the correspondence school, The re-
sponsbty the that they have been permitted to in
the administration of the school, must however finally
rest with the board of education this not remarkable
playing politics in connection with its duties APP
pears be quite recognized failing of this agency OF the
and hardly avoidabe long the present governor
is at it's head.
With only $4,000 at it's disposal annually for the organ
zaton and carrying of its work. the superintendent OF pub
instruction appointed business manager or director OF
business at salary reported either 5000 $3.50 al
month this officer addition to the director authorized by
10 off of
ager hardly point great achievements as manager
any business but has long been active in the political field
and active worker in the party politics.
No department in the office of the superintendent
of public instruction special business manager The
and records of the departments OUTSIDE OF
the correspondence school cared for by the regularly en-
the correspondence school, with
its limited appropriation sadded with this extra officer
with salary out of proportion to the total money aaoe
the department This makes that the funds were
used provide job for supposed to be politically deserv
ing.
However shortly the appointment of this business
clouds must have gathered the business manager
resigned after resgnng rather venomous letter
people the state crczng the OF the
correspondence work This letter charged that while bust
the full responsibility OF business management
passed by the office of the superintendent of public
Instruction. the letter inferred that if the business
ager absolutely without authority there was at
of authority detrimental to efficient administration
adjustment of the difficulties must have been made
the business manager reappoined and now hold
ing that position However, division of authority has
been With the final authority resting in
the hands of the superintendent public instruction. and final
accounting carried in her office in the state capitol the
business manager has her offices in Mssoua And there
gain authorized by the act is obviously hand
capped he has consult the business in Mis-
soula and also the state superintendent matters OF admin
of educational features of the work and get their
approval of his plans and work
Heaping Ossa upon Peon, insofar duplication of
hory concerned entered into by the
of public instruction with the educational dv
Works Progress Administration whereby the state
correspondence school became to all nten and
project Just how the state superintendent OF public
instruction the board of education justified that
what authority for such action was found in the act
creating correspondence school is not known They
the provisions of the act through the often
times distorting vision of the politician At rate the
agreement entered into with the WPA officials and
hat is the manner in which it is functioning q
have business in the office of the
uperntendent public instruction and also supervision and
direction the educational work Then in Mssoua the state III
las an educational director business There OF
supervision educational director and business
cement by employees the Works Progress Amnsra
And the reu division and conflict of authority there OK