The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-12-19
The Board submit their annual Statement

The Board submit their annual Statement
in pursuance of law.
1t will be seen from table A. that there were
3,S23 different pupils attended the Public
Schools during the year, showing an increase
over the previous year of 1868 This may be
partly attributable to As Public Schools being
open during the summer term. The Board
kept the Public Schools in operation three
full terms, and offered to pay half the Salary
of the Teachers, less the Book Fees, of any
School taught during the Summer Term
Forty-five School Districts awaited themselves
of this offer, and continued their Schools du-
ring the Summer. Many of the other School
Districts, by little effort on the part of trus-
tees and patrons, might have embraced the
offer of the Board, and kept the remaining 80
Schools in operation during the Summer, in
order to afford the opportunity to the small
children that cannot attend the Winter and
Spring Term in consequence of Indictment
weather. The average daily attendance, we
regret to say, falls far below what ought to
be expected. How to remedy the evil of il
regular attendance, or what remedy to sug-
gest, is difficult question. We regret to
say, we see no marked change for the better
in daily attendance but q lack of prompt
ness and regularity still exists. We may i'm
pute irregular attendance chiefly to the in
difference of some of the citizens to the edu-
cation of their children OF of those under
their care. We are not advocates for COM
pulsory attendance by law, but we believe
that universal suffrage without mental illumi-
nation and moral principle is powerful for
harm. an the uneducated ballot is found
the nations greatest danger but the cducat-
ed ballot is the nations main tower of
strength"
1t is evident from inspection that our in
debtedness has been incurred by building, pur-
chasing, repairing and furnishing School
Houses. There have been two New School
Houses erected in the First District-One at
Edgewood, the other at Magnolia. These
houses are 424 feet from outside to outside,
and furnished with patent desks. These
houses cost 81 200, and furniture $500. These
Schools are well attended. Magnolia has 81
and Edgewood 30 pupils in attendance. No
houses have been erected in the Second Dis
trict. In the 3D., two have been erected
Churchville and Falston School Houses !;
Churchville cost, including outbuildings, ST.
220, and Fallston 81 ,149, including outbuild-
ings; furniture $500. In the 4th District lat
Dayis's Corner a new house has been erect
ed which cost $61 1865, including outbuild.
ings; furniture $780, The lower hall at
JaTettsville was purchased from Bro. of the
Union Society for $500, who agreed to put,
and have put, q slate roof on it. This hall
has been fitted up at an expense of $3.50, and
furniture $3.50 In the 9TH District, there
have been two-No. 6, (Wilson's,) is built
of brick, but is not as large as the frame
school houses; cost $1,01G furniture $161 !;
No 3, near West Bangor, frame building
cost $964.Sl; furniture $173. The school
house at or near Stafford was occupied last
January; it COST including outbuildings $685.
furniture $3.50.
Repairing School Houses has also been a
source of Indebtedness. The Board has in pre-
vious statements given their opinion on the
subject of erecting comfortable and commo-
dious School Houses. Experience only
strengthens their convictions of duty on this
important subject. The fact is becoming
more and more apparent that, next to an
efficient and thoroughly qualified teacher, Il
suitable School House is the most essential
condition of success. An appropriate build
ing, furnished with proper School apparatus,
will be al attraction to induce the children