Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1872-12-19
Tho Town Plan Of Supporting our Dis
trict Schools,

IN late issue OF tie American, the
school management Of Ellsworth was
discussed In the new relation which ne
sustain to the State. With the Mil School
Fund and the Savings Bank Tax We are
about to obtain In addition to our presen,
Revenue about one dollar and .Stay cents
for every scholar In the town.
We have under the present management,
twenty-one School Districts. In each
locality are schools, supported by District
Apportionment from the City Fund. The
plan. that on the whole. works well In
small agricultural towns. becomes very
unjust In place like Ellsworth. Al the
outlying districts even when the school
money is increased will receive small
benefit. while at the center. the schools will
have disproportionately large means OF
support.
This year In January, the distribution OF
State money will give to Districts No. 3,
and Is. about fourteen hundred dolIar..
there being therein according to enroll.
ment about eleven hundred scholars.
The nineteen remaining districts will each
receive less help than they need from the
bounty Of the State. While it actually
costs. In the outlying districts the same to
give the scholars thirty weeks Of school
Tor even more If male teacher Is EN-
ployedD as in the largest district the pres.
ent District Apportionment will only give
short terms.
In District No. 8, we shall. IL we expcnd
all the increase about to be made. be able
to continue the schools nearly If not quite
forty weeks. This lengthens The school
more than is really profitable to the
scholars. Three terms of ten weeks each
annually Will give excellent instruction to
all Of every grade below the High School
Is II not common justice and equity for the
City To control all Funds so as to give
schools of equal length in each district As
far AS practicable; We do not need so
much money TO provide thirty weeks OF
school in the years TO come IN the two
districts At the center. and. very much
more is needed. 10 give thirty weeks to
those districts that enroll only from thirty
to one hundred scholars.
II the City Government intend TO make
generous provision for free schools (and
no city in Maine omits TO do ,hl.) our frs,
duty is TO consolidate the districts and put
the schools into the hands OF a Board Of
Directors. II will be a most noble A. well
as jus, proceeding for the present City
Council to give the free schools now. 20
unequal, their hearty attention. II before
the spring election. or Of once the Council
uses the provision for consolidation In the
Statutes. We shall have smooth waters.
The School Committee and the active
friends of education without exception.
urge this measure after careful study. as
the most precious and vital reform. They
plead for a candid hearing. and trust to
the merits OF the proposed chang. for in
fiuence. and success with the CITY Govern
mcnt.
The appraisal of the present school
property in Ellsworth ard the adjustment
OF all questions with the several districts
make the real burden Of the proposed
change. But this in other places has not
prevented action. The City OF Calais two
or three years ago made the desired i'm
proyemcnt withou; raising the least diiil-
Guilty or dispute. That City to-day con-
ducts the free schools In manner that
gives the most impartial justice to schol-
ars and the only true economy in the dis
bursement Of the school Appropriation.
As soon As the School D,Atricts are
consolidated. the estimate OF the cost Of
maintaining the thirty or more schools
including our excellent High School can
be made, and presented TO the Council
each year. Whatever added to the State
distribution is essential TO give a fair
chance for education TO all the youth Of
the City will be gladly assessed and pro-
vided
The burden Of maintaining the School
Houses ought to fall upon the whole prop
erty of the town, 10 be in harmony with
the plsn OF Universal State Instruction.
IL agrees. thus, with the provision which
requires all towns TO raise money aud
annually expend the same as a torn.
We are glad To learn that al the late
monthly meeting OF the City Government
an order was passed fixing upon the first
"Wednesday Of January for action upon
the question OF the consolidation OF the
School Districts. There will be public
hearing Of the School Committee and all
others who have arguments To present, on
either side Ne en- rnesiiy hope this great
Improvement In the administration OF our
free schools will not be pushed aside from
the disposition 10 suffer the evil. We have
rather than take the responsibility Of
vaIuing and purchasing the school
Houses. SCHOOL COMMITTEE.