The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-12-29
What we are Coming to rs Respects
Schools

mously approved and adopted in the publi'
meetings Of our citizens was that Of on'
large central building for advanced scho
lars, and smaller buildings in the severa
wards Of the city for beginners: that is, OF
the phrase is understood, for small children
-"the little ones"
Some Of the advantages Of this plan wcr
supposed to be as follows: First, convc
niencc OF access FOR the younger children
comb'ned with superior advantages for tn
more advanced. Parents know that tn
first is indispensable young children cal
not be sent great distance to school. As t
the second item, that Of advantage to tn
pupil, abetter teacher could be secured,
more perfect system of instruction, bette
arranged classes, and lastly, far better an,
more thorough instruction, by reason of tn
Allowance of more time and attention iron
he teacher; for the fewer the classes Il
hear, the more time for recitation and illus
tration. Thus much with reference to tn
pupils. The second great benefit of thi
system was supposed to be its economy
Instead of three, four, five, CT more schoo
houses, costing nine or ten thousand dollars
each, small, neat, convenient, and tasteful
house, costing q few hundred dollars, fo
the several districts Of the city, or, If nect
be, including grounds and improvements
$4,000 each; anda large central building
costing ten or twelve thousand dollars
Taking a moderate estimate for five distric
schools, 81 500 each, We should need 80,
600; add to this for the central building 81,
$1,000, maxim, 100000 for cdificcs Il
was supposed that these schools could be
kept in efficient operation for three years for
$4,000. 1t was believed that the city could
be provided with all these buildings, and
schools Of a iirst-ratc character kept in
them, for three entire years, and the whole
expense to the city MT exceed $4,000.
What the system inaugurated by the board
Of education will cost when it is completed,
can only be conjcctured from what is now
apparent. The two school houses, with the
expenses of the first year, all told, will pro-
badly exceed $50, 600. To build five of such
houses for the city, providing the grounds,
and maintaining the schools in them for
three years, cannot cost less than $50, 900
making, in the calculation of the cost, a
difference Of just $4,000.
Are the tax payers of Ottawa willing to
pay S35, 900 in taxes to carry out plan
which they did not adopt? Are we so flush
of money that we are ready to pay 100000
for system which, modified, would better
meet the wants OF the people for $s5, 600.
The mere interest on this unnecessary $685.
600 at present legal rates, would support all
primary schools in Ottawa for q long term Of
years to come.
To meet this $4,000, to carry out the
plan which our citizens adopted, and to &C.
complish which they appointed these gentle.
men board Of education, they determined
to levy on themselves an additional tax of
one per cent. for three years. 1t was a
most generous spirit which was manifested
in this matter. Great as the tax would be,
it was chcerfully welcomed II seemed to
be the opinion that it could be tolerated for
three years, in the hope Of accomplishing SO
great work for this city and for this coun.
ty.
by careful estimates, it was made to APP
pear that that amount of taxation for that
period of time would pay all the cost, (esti-
mating it at $25,O0O,) and then leave the
system for the city to reap the benefits Of for
q long time to come.
The great economy Of this plan, as com.
pared with any other suggested, was further
shown in this, viz: This plan would require
but a few eminently qualified and high
priced instructors. The ward schools could
be taught by well educated females, for $3.50
to $500 year each.
One male superintendent could have the
charge Of the whole, and hear from one to
four Rotations day in the central school,
Some assistants, at comparatively small
salary, would be requisite. Suppose, then,
The male superintendent receives. 81 900
Male assistant, 800
Female assistant, .................. 400
4 hree ward school teachers, ......... 900
..... 100
The whole system would require, as sa-
laries for teachers, less yearly than $4,000.
On the present system, five large buildings
would require teachers Of nearly the same
ability, hired at the same rate Of pay, or the
system must work unequally. One part Of
the city would not have as good facilities as
another. Providing for the same grade Of
instruction would then be an impossible
thing, unless the expenses of the system
should be very largely increased.
For five male uperintendcnts, $1,000
each, $50. 3d. 600
For five female assistants, say ....... 100
We then have for an item over $4,000.
Not prcsuming that this matter can be set
for with perfect correctness Of calculation,
is it not apparent from these figures, that the
expense of instruction annually incurred
will be one.fourth to one half greater than on
that plan which was adopted? If the
schools are to be kept free by taxation, then
the more expensive the system the heavier
the tax, Of course. If this plan were now
in operation, would it not require pcrma-
nent tax of nearly one-half per cent. annu.
ally to support it?
Laying figures aside, is it not apparent
that the system which has been departed
from would have been far better-chcapcr
at the outset, and less expensive in its
maintenance? %. l r.,
In our next VIC propose to inquire how the
other school houses are to be built, where
the money will come from, and whether
there is need Of buildings Of such style and
&c.