Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-07-30
REPORT OF COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT,
For School year ending juno, 1862.

School Houses-W thin the year, for which
this report is made, three new houses were
built in Beccaria, one in Boggs, one in Gov
ington, two in Decatur, one in Girard, one in
Huston, three in Lawrence, and two in Pike.
The Directors of Curwensvile purchased a
second hand Methodist meeting house, had
II fitted up, making two frst.class school
rooms they however failed to properly seat
them, (tbat this was judiCiOus investment
Of funds is very problematical, inasmuch as
they owned at the time first class building
lott. max ing 4 total of l6 new houses built
within tho year. Those built in Covington,
Decatur, Huston and, one In Pike, first
ekss. Most Of the other new houses built this
year are at best but second class. If an addi-
tfonal fifty or one hundred dollars had been
expended or each house, they would be first
cIsss for our county and as in other things,
Tire best article in the end is the cheapest-to
hsve done so would be economy. We have
yet too many cold, uncomfortable houses,
though some boards Of Directors deserve great
credit for the improvements they have made.
The aversge length of III houses is % 81 feet,
longest 36 feet, shortest IL feet; average
width of III houses, II feet widest 80,
nsrrowcst "a /; average heighth of III houses,
- 4Gl feet. highest IA, lowest Z. Wood is used
In 20 houses, coal in SO.
FuYnifnrc.-Nost of the new houses have
sufficient and desirable furniture, though in
few instances Directors have failed in this re-
spcct. Nearly all our old houses are but
poorly supplied with furniture; improve
mcDt in this respect is now being made in
some districts.
.sppai aus. Eight houses have no appara
tus OF any kind. In forty the black boards are
entirely too small to answer a valuable pur-
pose. The others have sufficient black sur
face to answer all desirable purposes. The
two new houses in Decatur have a black sur
face different from any thing of the kind in
the county and should il not crack and scale
off, will answer the purpose intended better
than any thing have seen. In several schools
found maps of the United States, and few
charts and globe each in two schools, belong
ing to the teachers. The Houses in Boggs,
Morris and Graham are furnished with Or
rens' school cards.
Graded Schools.-We have no graded schools
except in Clearfield and Curwensville, and in
them it is not very strictly adhered to. Clas-
sfcation is observed among us when suffi-
cheney of books are on hand.
Teachers profession, and age.-The whole
number Of applicants for the teachers profes-
sion examined in the county, during the year,
was barely Notwithstanding twelve hold
ing county certificates, and excluding six to
whom certificates were denied-to supply the
schools of the county. No teachers found
qualified in every respect to entitle them to
full professional standing. The average age
OF l25 teachers employed during the year is
Z4.eS years, the young est IL, the Oldest 6I
OF whom 81 were females and II males all
with the exception of 6 were born in Penn
sylvania, but not much over half Of them born
IN our own county. Citizens of Cieariield
county.we should grow more teachers, and de-
pend less upon foreign market for supply.
For advocating this measure, | have, by some,
been called selfish.
pisitatiOns-I visited every school that was
IN session IN the county once, with one single
exception 70 twice, and a few third time
average duration of visits q hours. Deliver
rd short address in 104 schools; spent 232
days, and travelled 1912 miles on official busi-
ness. In many districts one more of the
teachers dismissed their schools and accom-
panied me to the next, taking, in some in
stances, portion of their scholars with them
lhls had salntary effect on all parties. In
many instances one or more Directors accom-
panied me at visitations. These visits have
been made means to find out teachers quail
fcatons to mpart instructions to others ex-
amnations can do but little more than ascer-
tam their literary requirements. OF the fire.
quency of visits by Directors. citizens and
teachers to the schools, can give no reliable
account, though / have notes of numerous
visits by these personages.
Secretaries.-I do not know what campensa-
non Secretaries receive, either as recorders of
minutes or as District Superintendent; the
aiter office, with the duties properly perform
ea,is of lasting benefit to the schools.
lnsftutes.-Where Institutes are organized
~ Districts, they hold two meetings permonth,
either central or circular they are attended
" all the teachers of the district by some
rom adjoining districts, when the distance is
sOt TOO great, and by the county Superinten-
'eht when practicable. The good effect Of