The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-05-14
The Free School System.
IT,

AHe Free ScnoO1 system.
For the Dispatch.
MARION, VA. May 7, 1870.
In your issue Of 9th instant appeared an
article signed "Rugby," entitled "The
School Question:" proposing plan for les
SEEMING the expense of organizing the free
school system in Virginia.
realizing the full importance Of the sub
lect discussed by your correspondent, I
have deemed it not improper for me to of.
fer something by way of suggestion, giving,
at the same time. my views as to the best
manner of introducing the new school sys-
tenn into our State.
/ have heretofore given some thought to
the subject of free schools, and have some
knowledge as to the practical workings of
the system, and from what my own expert
ence in the past has taught me, together
with what information [ have been able to
gather by observation and the experience
of others, I am satisfied that the plan sus-
gested by Rugby" so far as it relates to
the employment Of one teacher to serve in
two school districts alternately, would he
less beneficial than any other plan which
could by any possibility be devised. In
fact, more Objectionable feature than this
could not, in my opinion, be incorporated
in the plan which is to be adopted for the
establishment of free schools.
But fail to see the necessity of such Il
plan ms Rugby's," even though it were
less Objectionable in itself.
The principal reason why it should be
adopted which he gives is the great tax
upon the people to pay separate teachers
for each school. He says that $4,000 or
S250'' is The lowest amount which, in his
opinion, should be the annual pay of teach
ers; and, calculating sixteen schools to Il
county of 5000 inhabitants, this will make
the cost of teachers alone some $4,000.
Now, if $500 or $3.50 per year is the lowest
sum for which qualified teachers can be OBJ
tanned, then it is also my opinion that the
to be paid otherwise, not.
But I contend that good teachers may be
secured at an average rate of $40 or S25 per
month, and if so, it is our duty to engage
them rather than higher-priced teachers,
who are, perhaps, no better qualified to in
struct than they are.
In hiring teachers we should ask our
selves not how much ought we TO pay
Them" but what is the lowest possible price
we can get good ones, amply qualified, for.
We are all more or less generous at heart,
and would like to pay good salaries, but let
us be just ourselves before we attempt TO
be generous to others. Justice wrongs no
man.
My familiarity with the organization and
workings of public free schools in tie
North, especially in New York, warrants
me in saying that the cost of teachers in
counties of 5000 inhabitants and sixteen
schools, as estimated by "Rugby,' will not
begin to. reach $1,000, providing proper
economy is practiced in supplying the diff
ferent schools.
Were to suggest plan for Introducing
the public school system it would be this !:
Have two sessions in every school each
ycar-one commencing the latter part of
tember; the other beginning in November
and ending in February or March. Ar
range the terms in country districts at least
so that the intervals between them would
occur at the time when farmers are en-
gagged in the spring or autumn work.
Let there be one weeks vacation during
Christmas and Ncw-Year's, and three
weeks vacation in harveSt-time, say Ill July
and August.
Have not less than seven months actual
schooling each year.
Hire teachers by the month. Regulate
the qualifications required of the teachers
by the status of the children to be taught.
In schools where the children are mostly
cheaper than males.
when it is practicable, as then the schools
are generally smaller and attended only by
small scholars and young ladies.
In schools where the scholars are we'll
advanced, engage tirst-claSs teachers, pay
ing say thirtY-tiye dollars per month. In
more backward schools, less.
Some may say that thirty-five dollars is
not enough. 1t would not be in cities or
large towns, but in country districts, where
teachers can get board for from eight to ten
dollars per month, it is pretty fair compen-
sation. In cities, where there is more money
and larger number of people to sustain
schools, higher salaries can be easily paid.
In summer time in most country districts
teachers students or scholars who attend
schools only during winter terms perhaps
may be obtained readily for from $40 to SIS
per month. These figures, for ladies',
would be considered good wages. Men
could work at something else to better adj
vantage, perhaps.
Even in winter time there are many
small schools which could be easily sup
piled with teachers ut from Sl5 to $40 per
month, leaving more to be paid to teachers
where better ones are required.
In organizing school districts " Rugby'S"
plan is very good. / agree with him in all
he says upon that subject, except a. to the
number of schools probably required as
stated in his supposed county oil s,0Ou in.
habitantS.
[ do not think sixteen schools would,
upon the average, be necessary or eXpe.
dient in the beginning ten or twelve III
many counties would be sufficient.
1t cannot be expected that in the infancy
of the free-school system in our State Il
sehool-honse can be built at every ones
door, or evan always within easy reach,
Evan In States where the system has been
Under way for years thiA is not tie ease'
Persons having children to send to school,
and who are unable to avail themselves OF
the privileges extended, must be the suta
ferers until steps. Gun be taken to relieve
them: but in case there are several families,
but not sufficient number to authorize the
establishment of district, they might be
permitted to draw the public money to
which they would be entitled to aid in pay
ing teacher engaged among themselves.
There is much more that might be said
upon the subject Of free schools, but fear
l have already gone too far.
I will say, in closing, that SO far as the
hire of teachers is concerned believe (and
my belief is founded upon actual expert
ence) that good teachers, thoroughly quail
fed every way to teach, may be had, save
in cities and large towns, for an average OF
fifteen dollars per month in summer and
twenty-five dollars in winter. This would
make the cost of teachers for sixteen schools
81, $50, session of eight months, or 1880 for
one of seven months.
Some may think my ideas with reference
to the pay of teachers are parsimoniouS,
but, rs I have previously stated, when we
are rich then it is time enough to be gene
rous. Teaching is business the same as
any other, and we should be as economical
and circumspect in hiring those who make
it their profession as we would in other
matters, and, if two persons are equally