Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-02-07
state suporintendsnt's Report.

our reputation as to who is right.
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State Supnrintende Tents Report
The Twelfth Annual Report on the
condition Of our Public Schools, BY State
Superintendent ]. i. Pickard, is printed
and will soon be distributed to the people
We are complimented with advance copies
/ by the Superintendent and members Of the
legislature. The Report most of which we
have read, is able and practical in its re-
concentrations. He says many Of the
schools keep no registers, and the reports
are consequently incomplete. He recon-
mends properly that registers be furnished
by the State for school districts, the cost
to be deducted from the school fund
4,21l districts reported; $50 districts
and parts of districts made no reports
Whole number of children reported, 1885,
984, of which 199,455 attended school
part of the year. The average number of
months schools have been taught in districts
is over months. Average wages paid
male teachers, $242O; female teachers,
$3.50. Total amount paid teachers
$367.481. Total paid for school houses
last year, $139.8S7. Amount of school
fund distributed by the State, $l7l. AGO.
Amount raised by tax S402.765-bcing
over twice what is raised in State tax. The
total valuation of school houses is $1.314.-
ZIG. Six thousand teachers have been
employed, the proportion Of females to
males being as to 2, and he recommends
that the ratio be increased, which is sensi-
bic, The highest average paid male teach
ers is in Douglas county, $4,000; Portage
county, the lowest, $l8.76; La Pointe
county pays the highest wages 10 female
teachers, s4l.5o; and Marquette the low
est, $10.78. We notice in value of school
houses, with other important matters,
Grant is long ways behind, compared
with many counties which Grant ought to
lead a long ways.
One Town opt Of I in the State reports
a High School; it is'estimated thai, owing to
the shifting and changing Of teachers, only
a third design making teaching a regular
business or life-work.
The State Superintendent recommends
transfer Of the duties Of Town Superin-
tendent SO far as regards examination Of
teachers and general supen ision Of schools,
to a county Superintendent, making the
Town Clerk ex-ofiicio Town Superintendent
for the distribution OF money and making
Of reports. This would abolish the Office
OF Town Superintendent and thus diminish
the number Of Town officers, but it would
create new couaty officer; the difference
in expense would not probably be much
either way. Were the most competent
men in Towns elected Superintendeats,
such change should be opposed, but often
very incompetent Superintendent are cho-
sen over competent persons. Such might
be the case in chosi@g County Supefinten-
dents, but We think i would not SO likely
occur. All considered, we offer no Office
ton to the change. One thing: the salary
Of such County Superintendent ought to
Is left at the discretion Of County Boards,
Tor the reason that the greater the area aud
number Of schools. the greater shosll be
the salary, and the smaller the area and
number az schools. the less should be tic
Salary. Wee the State to ordasa ]. uni
form salary, the expense aaigft be out Of
reason in counties having hut few sehools.
The present total cost of Town Superinten-
dents in Grant is 500 to $500; we think
this sum would be IA adequate salary, In
GLIDING travel expenses, for i comfy School
(. Superintendent. We recommend a pener-
al reading Of the Report Of Mr.. Pickard.