The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1949-02-03

alone as compared to the aver
age state. That means that
Montana must spend 5000 per
child to furnish the same kind
of educational facilities and
program as the average state
can get for $134. That means
that we spent $14 in Montana
money equivalent to 1898 in
average school purchasing pow
er, more than the average state.
This is To more than the aver
age provided in the u. S.
What kind of services are
Montana children getting for
this expenditure? Let us look at
the record and we will find
that, in spite of an archaic sys-
tenn for both financing and or
ganization, we are doing pretty
! well, but we can do much bet
ter.
Teachers salaries in pre-war
days were about 1870 below the
national average and now are
slightly above. This accounts for
a $50 gain in salaries and is
an adjustment from %substand-
ard to average and not a bonus
over a normal situation.
Montana is 18th among the
states in the amount invested
in buildings and equipment per
child.
In the power to attract and
hold children, Montana ranks
high. In 1916, 26.7% Of all pu-
pills in our public schools were
in high school. We were 18th
in the nation on this point.
We find in holding power that
out of 1000 pupils in the 9Th
grade in 1889, 731 were in the
senior year of our high schools
in 1916. We lead the nation and
were ga above Wisconsin,
which was second with GIL.
1t is also worth pointing out
that, in spite of our large num-
Der of one-room rural schools
which rate much below our
larger schools, as a whole we
are placed among the upper ten
in the quality of our education
al program.
There are other factors that
should be considered in deter
mining costs, such as certifica-
ton standards for teachers,
special courses offered for
handicapped, health and phys
ical education, music, vocation
al education, etc. VIZ
From the above facts, YOU will
see that comparing costs of
education among states on the
one item of per pupil costs does
not give a true picture at al,
any more than does comparing
the. cost of a Model T Ford of
the 1920 vintage with a Dyno-
flow Buick Roadmaster of 1948.
Let us look at the effort that
we are putting forth to support
our schools. At the low point of
our income in 1882 we spent
1920 cut of our total income
for schools. We have contin-
ually reduced that. percentage,
so that in 1945-46, it was about
32%; in 1946-47 about $3.50; in
1947-48 about $50 and for
1948-49 it will be about 2.7%. It
is safe to predict that if our
income continues as at present
that the proposed program will
not exceed go of our income.
There also seems to be a fear
and intimation that the money
requested from the state is, an
additional amount for schools.
That is incorrect. The amount
spent for. schools will be de-
termined by the demands of the
people, regardless of from what
source the money comes
The Citizens Committee re-
commentators indicate that
the foundation program will re-
nuire z to 8 million more from
the state. It also indicates that
the local levy will be reduced
to about 90 mills, which is a
reduction of approximately IS
to Is mills or 6k to 7k mil
lions. 1t is chiefly a shift from
the local units to the state, SO
that equalization of effort and
educational opportunity are
made possible
Facts and figures have, from
time to time, beem made avail
able. All facts must be consid-
cred If we are to see the true
picture. It is just as incorrect
Ia niature the cost of educa-
tion on the per child expendi-
TIRES as it is to iudre the state
administration by the condition
IF HIGHWAY No. 10 from Toston
Ito Three Forks.