Raleigh, Aug. 7—That the question of an eight-months school term is getting more and more likely to be one of unusual interest and one that is likely to be productive of considerable fireworks at the next session of the legislature is evident in the recent appointment of Dr. Fred Morrison as assistant executive secretary of the state educational commission. The commission, consisting of 12 members, of which J. C. Carr of Wilmington is chairman and J. Y. Joyner, executive secretary, was appointed by Governor A. W. McLean, in accordance with an act by the last legislature to make a study of the educational system in the state, and any possible ways and means for improving it. The report of the commission is to be made to the governor who may then transmit whatever recommendations he sees fit to the legislature with his personal recommendations for needed legislation, remedial or otherwise.
The discovery that Dr. Morrison had been made assistant executive secretary has just been made, although he was tendered this office on July 22nd when the commission held its first meeting, and has been busy since then in collecting data dn doing the necessary research work necessary in assembling the material with which the commission will busy itself. A large part of the research work will naturally fall upon Dr. Morrison, although from the material he assemblies the commission will make its recommendations to the governor. And although no indication has been given by any members of the commission, judging from the general makeup of the commission, it is thought extremely likely that the eight-months school term will be among its recommendations, for the members of the commission for the most part are considered progressive. The chairman of the commission, J. C. Carr, is from New Hanover county, where at present the county schools all have a nine-months term. Though no statement could be obtained form Mr. Joyner, it is believe that in view of his former services of State superintendent of public instruction, that he will favor the eight-months term.
The employment of Dr. Morrison as assistant executive secretary is believed important, in view of the fact that he is admitted to be one of the leaders in modern educational thought in the state. A graduate of the State university, he was for several years on the faculty of North Carolina College for Women in Greensboro. Just last year he received his degree of doctor of philosophy at Columbia University, with a thesis based on the subject of the operation of the equalization fund in the financing of the State school system in North Carolina. Thus Dr. Morrison is well equipped to enter upon his duties as the research secretary of the commission.
Thus is appears not all unlikely that the recommendations of the commission will be progressive in nature, looking toward the building up of a stronger and more efficient system of State education, than otherwise, which naturally would include the question of an eight-months school term. The eight-months school term, however, cannot be legislated by the general assembly, but must be submitted to a popular vote of the people in the form of an amendment to the constitution, before it could become law. Hence it can only become a reality when a majority of the people of the state desire it and so vote at the polls. It is also pointed out that the eight-months term could not even be authorized before 1929.
From the front page of The Concord Daily Tribune, Aug. 7, 1926
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn92073201/1926-08-07/ed-1/seq-1/
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