Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1868-01-03
For the Bulletin.
The Schools Of Byron Tswnship.

FRrESD LooxIs.-While you. in common
with the friends Of education throughout the
county, are rejoicing over the completion Of
your beautiful school building, the grading
Of your schools and the bri lightning educa.
tional prospects Of Independence; let ne
give you q lew Of the many indications Of
progress in the country districts.
l commence with Byron because I have
reason to think that Byron is the banner
township OF the county educationally. Other
districts have lone and are doing mach to
improve the condition oftheir schools-are
building large and convenient school houses,
furnishing them with suitable apparatus,
paying liberal wages to teachers, and, in
some instances, placing their schools under
the supervision OF visiting committees, who
are doing . noble work in awakening an in
terest on the part Of teachers, pupils and par.
ents ; but Byron is entitled to the credit Of
having led off in these progressive move
ments, and the condition Of her schools, the
intelligence and enterprise Of her citizens,
give assurance that she viii not soon nor
willingly relinquish her position.
This township was organized in the spring
of 1856 and the first school house was built
in tub-district No. ], during the summer fol.
lowing. The township is nov divided into
nine sub.districts, eight Of which have good
school buildings, and a tax las been levied
to build . house in No. 9. Most Of these
houses we're well built and with the except>
ion Of the old house in No. L., are well sup
piled with blackboards, and all are fur
nished with outline maps. Schools are now
in session in all of the sub-districts,-six
rcnto arI tb~r~ c.-~1o x.~nk.~, kn, AGO.
p'oyed. Eight Of these teachers are holding
First Grade Certificates, one q second grade
on account of ~inexperience. Byron was the
first township in the county to grade teach>
ers wages according to the grade of their
certificates. Result of the experiment.
schools are better taught and teachers better
paid. This is a women's rights township +;
at least TIE present board Of directors re-
cognize the principles that Like service
should receive like compensation, whether
received by male or female, " and all First
grade teachers receive $35 per month.
At the last meeting Of the board, DR..
Chamberlain, Capt. Miller and Mr.. Mills
we're appointed q visiting committee, and
instructed to visit and examine each school
during the frs. and last week Of the present
term, and report to the board at the next
meeting.
With more public spirit than most school
officers possess, two of this Com. Mr.. Mills
and Capt. Miller, have devoted a week to
this examination; and from the thorough
manner in which they are doing their work,
we may confidently expect good results to
follow. This committee are taking note Of
the standing, classification and government
of the schools, the condition ofschool houses,
yards and out buildings,an stimulating both
teachers and pupils.
Teachers are thus made to feel that somes
thing is expected Of them that they are
watched, but are assured at the same time
of the sympathy and support Of the board
and while they realize that If they fail, then
failure will be known; they have the pleas
ing assurance that if they succeed their eff
forts will be appreciated.
At the close Of the winter term we expect
to have q township examination and anoth>
er contest for the Prize Banner. Each sub,
district has resolved 10 win it.