The Placer herald., 1858-11-20
Annual Report of the Superintendent Of
Public Schools of Placer County.
To Hon. ANDREW j. MoULDER.

superintendent " UOttC luStTUCttOU
SIR have the honor to submit, in compliance
with instructions from your department. my an
nua report of the condition of the common
schools in this county for the year ending October
3lst, A. D., lS5S-presenting Herewith such state
ments, recommendations, and suggestions, as
deem of Importance to the welfare and prosperity
of the common schools of this county
AS there is no data to report on the condition
of the schools for the year ending October 1856,
will merely state from personal knowledge, that
the number of schools then were only S-the
number of teachers Z. Subsequent to that period
| the funds accrued have been apportioned and dis
bursed as follows For the year ending October
3ist, 1851 to ii schools l3 teachers 62S children
reported by census, So, 3,lS7,74. The average num-
Der of months that the schools in session be-
ing five per annum, which would average to each
teacher, S245.2l-average per month to teacher,
S49,Ol. For the year ending October 31st, 1858,
to l5 schools, teachers, S54 children So 259 67.
Average number of months that the schools were
in session being five and half per annum which
to each teacher would average 1922 S3-average
per month to teacher S42 ,33.
The number of children reported by census for
the ensuing school year exclusive of Illinoistown
which has made no reporH is as follows: Between
the ages of four and eighteen years, $50; under
four years. 600: under eighteen years. 1863: born
in California. 1928. Another school has been ad-
mitted during the past year at Forest Hill, but
has received no apportionment of the public mo-
|
public schools in this county, and probably
more will be added by the next year. 1t may be
seen by this exhibit that the number of children
has increased in two years from 62S to 900. of
those between the ages of four and eighteen
years-being 53 per cent. The number of teach
ers have increased from to IGNORE tknn two
fold. The whole amount raised by subscription
or otherwise III the county, and paid teachers. du
ring the past school year, is S2,S02, A. which
being added to the public funds make S6,O6l,Sl.
Total average to each teacher S4O4 12-total
average per month to teacher S73,4S.
The sources from which the public money is
derived for school purposes, are as follows: First
the State apportonment, second, seven cents on
| each one hundred dollars of valuation in the
county. This tax, trihing as it is may or may
not be levied by the Supervisors. Third, seventy
five per cent. of one additional dollar charged on
poll-tax, which may be paid after the first day of
August. Should it so happen that all the poll
tax be paid and collected previous to the said
day of August, not one dollar would accrue to the
school fund from that source. Fourth and last
the so-caled school t. Y of 1858, intended for ru-
raj districts. If threc-tenths of the electors of
this county having families, could possibly sue
ceed in passing it into a law despite the seven
tenhs having no families, and consequently no
interest in schools nevertheless. after deductng
theretrom the expenses OF advertising Of an elec-
tion Assessors and Collectors fees etc. the
amount realized would be comparatively small.
and ultimately would be bill of expense, and
onerous to the people. On the whole it is we'll
calculated to bring the school system into dista-
vor and prejudice the of education. | there
fore recommend that the latter well as the form
cr named sources except the irs) be totally abso
lutely. and Immediately repealed. In lieu there
OF | would most respectfully suggest that tax of
3-l0hs of one per cent. be imposed on all the
real and personal property in the county accord |
ing to the assessed valuation thereof, for school |
purposes; and that said tax be incorporated en- |
ia1 nd ft,,t, tl,.,.. I
ty tax; and that the ll0th Of said school tax be
exclusively appropriated towards the purchase of
library: and that the State Superintendent be
the authorized agent to purchase said library. and
apportion them to the several school districts ac-
cording TO the number of children reported by
census between the ages of four and eighteen
years; and that said school districts shall raise by
subscription CT otherwise a sum of money equal
to onc-hat the actual cost of their apportonment
of said library, the same to be deposited with the
COUNTY Treasurer to their credit respectively for
the purposes above specified. And it is further
recommended, that no school district hereafter
shall receive any part or apportionment of the
public funds for school purposes, unless school
shall be taught and maintained in said district or
districts, for and during the term of at least six
months previous to the 3lst day Of October. an
nually. 1t is time to do away with the three
month system. There was time in the history
of California when it was a virtue-to continue
it any longer would be an incalculable evil |
am we'll satisfied that the new system recommend
ed will not only be popular with men of every
creed and denomination. but will also impart
vigor. tone and vitality to the common school
system The children never could be prepared
for the great battle of life by the three month
system The new system will support all the
common schools in the county comfortably for
and during the term of six months per annum. 1t
will lessen fifty per cent. Of all the crimes and
troubles with which this county in common with
many others, is afflicted; will enhance the value
of all species of property, by encouraging emf
grafton. to our shores; and will prove to be
great national blessing, not only to the rising
generation, but to posterity. 1t will engender
thought and knowledge; animate virtue and good
resolutions; soothe and allay the passions. and
give employment to all the vacant hours of life.
can say from personal examination of the
most favored schools and institutions not only in
Europe, but in the United States, and must con-
fess that for capacity and facility to learn, and q
comprehensive range OF thought, that the Ameri-
can children of California may be equalled but
cannot be surpassed in the known world. Shall
such talent this be permitted to languish and
die?
wish to say few words in relation to the du-
ties of scheol marshals in this county. The COM
pensation allowed them heretofore for taking the
census of each school district, be the same large
or small, was SlO in county scrip. There seems
te be some dissatisfaction on both sides would
therefore recommend that it be made the duty of
all male teachers hereafter, to take the of
the children in their respective districts and that
their compensation for so doing shall be fixed by
the school trustees and that the same be paid ny
rate-blll made out against those sending to
school, according to section 81 of the old school
law. This mode believe will be satisfactory,
and afford considerable relief to the county.
Your communication to this Department, in re-
ference to the per centage of County Treasurers
on school funds, has been laid before the Board of
Supervisors of this county, but that body rejected
it, and would not act upon it.
| PUBLIC LANDS - SIXTEENTH AND THIRTY-SIXTH
SECTIONS.
| Township numher | | north RANCE number <