The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-01-08
THE SCHOOL BILL.

We have referred to the excellent recon-
mendation Of the Commissioners appointed to
revise the School Laws. This is the most i'm
portant subject before the neral.AssembIy.
The plan of making each civil township in the
State School District, appears to us judici-
Gus, for the reasons given in the Report. viz:
1. 1t facilitates and greatly simplifes the Or
ganization of districts.
2. IL gives much fewer occasions for con-
troversies relative to boundaries.
3. IL greatly dimnishes the number Of dis
trict boards Of directors, and consequently
limits the expenses attending these boards.
A. 1t diminishes very much the number OF
presidents of.these boards. and thus renders the
annual meetings of the county board Of exam
iners and presidents Of the district boards far
less numerous in attendance, better calculated
for business purposes, and less expensive.
5. II renders the position Of president IT the
board more honorable, makes it higher mark
of distinction, gives larger scope for choice,
and win tend to secure for it a higher grade Of
talent and attainment.
9. 1t equalizes among large community the
burdens imposed in the erection, repairs, and
outfit of school houses; offers much greater fa-
cilites and inducements to establish district IL
braries and to sustain and increase them.
Z. Ittends to more equal participation in
the benefit Of the common school fund.
8. It annihilates, and forever, the possibility
Of cutting up population into small Districts,
to which the district system 50 frequently leads.
.. 1t gives TO each family in the district the
choice Of schools to which TO send, and some-
times Of districts, after the location OF school
houses is decided upon.
10. II tends to the creation Of more commo-
dious school houses, with larger Accommodations
and means Of instruction.
IL. Il tends to secure the services Of more
accomplished teachers, the accomodations
being batter, and the choice Of schools fur
nishing the strongest motives to keep them in
tie best manner.
| II. 1t offers facilities for classifying those
of different ages and attainments, and of en-
ploy ment of different grades of teachers in their
! instruction.
The Bill also provides for the Office Of Coun-
ty Superintendent who shares many of the re-
sponsibilities now belonging to the State Super
intendent. and which have, from the beginning
of the State, been either neglected or shock
ingly abused by that officer. It also provides
for scbool-examinations, teachers Institutes.
and conventions OF school officers in each coun-
ty, and for State Convention Of the several
County Snperinterdents each year, to be pre-
sided over by the Superintendent. Of Public In.
straction.
This system only needsto be carried out by
faithful and public spirited men to give to the
cause Of Education in our State its just pro-
minence, and to secure, in due time higher and
more general degree Of intelligence among our
whole population than any State in the world
has before gained. Let US try to realize it,
Let Excelsior be the watchword. Our own
city greatly needs better School System. A
Hish-School is Indispensable Provision mus
be made for greatly Increasing the wages Of
Teachers, FIVE would command the services
Of those who are best qualified Hawk-eye