Weekly hawk-eye and telegraph. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1855-1857, 1855-10-03
HAwK.EYE AND TELEGRAPH.
school neetincs.

ocA0oi SlS6tiEGs.
The laws of Iowa provide for regular
meeting Of each school district in the State
on Monday, the hrst day of October. At
that meeting it is made the duty.of the board
OF directors by section l145 of the Code, to
present full statement of the receipts and
expenditures Of the district and any other
matters that may be deemed important. At
that meeting the qualified electors Of the dis
trict have power I. determine what schools
shall be established, what branches of lerrn-
ing taught, to lay tax for building and re-
pairing school houses, for procuring libra
ries, and for all othet contingent expenses OF
the district, and to transact generally such
business rs may tend to promote the cause OF
education in accordance with the statute.
1t isa happy feature of our government.
that calls the people twice year, to assem-
bic in their several districts, and deliberate
and act upon the great subject of education.
But we fear that this privilege is underual-
ued and neglected by many citizens. We
beg to urge upon every elector in the State
his duty to attend the next school meeting,
and every school meeting, in his district and
to give his influence and vote in favor Of
good school houses and of having the grounds
well fenced and ornamented with trees, and
in favor of employing only good teachers
and paying them good wages, and of having
a liberal and thorough course of study pur-
sued. Why should not the whole State Of
Iowa be furnished with good sckools3 We
have abundant resources. But schools will
flourish only as they receive The fostering
care and attention of every good citizen.
No one then should feel himself exempt from
responsibility in their behalf
In some districts, the Directors have been
dcrelct in not making their reports. Such
delinquinccs are objectionable. Every di
rector is solemnly sworn for the faithful per-
formance Of his duty. No district should
allow palpable violation of official trust.
In some districts the teachers fund has been
used to defray contingent expenses. This is
n gross perversi n, and is expressly forbid
den by law. Thatiund is limited, and is sa-
cred to the payment Of teachers wages, which
at the best are altogether too low. Let every
citizen see to it that all mistakes and abuses
which may have existed are corrected, and
that good schools are kept up and supported
for oil our rising youth.
The Keokuk public schools were opened on
the t ird of September the Wing Of that city
says of them. ..--.r
The Board of Directors are entitled to the
gratitude of the community for the prompt
ness energy and faithfulness manifested by
them in their efforts to complete the school
building, settle up the affairs Of the district,
and organize a competent corps OF teachers
for our public schools. The Directors have
performed their part, the building put in or
der, the affairs of the district put IN a fair
trim for settlement, teachers employed, and
every other necessary arrangement made for
opening the school under the most favorable
| auspices. 1t now only remains for the pa
| rents to do their part in order to have one
of the largest and best schools in the
State. a
We trust therefore that those who have
children to send to school will send them at
once, that our entire juvenile population may
| be classified and put to their studies in due
time, according to the grade of their severa
attuinments. In order to secure regularity
in attendance it will be seen from the care
issued ender the authority of the Directors
that absence two half days in any one weel
forfeita a pupils place in the school.
The Principal of the school, Mr.. Kimball
is very competent and successful teacher
and under his charge, we houbs not that tn,
youth of Keoknk may all obtain a first rat,
education in our public school, provide,
only that their parents will do their duty il
. sending them regularly and punctually.