River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-10-01


the meeting was unanimous. II also
appeared that the course Of study
marked out by the State Superinteud-
eut, to be used under the high school
law is approved as adapted to our
wants, as far as they reach from the
more advanced portion of the school
toward the primary scholars. This
meeting also elected the fact that the
friends of the appropriation, we're not,
in their zeal for high school, iorgetful
of the wants Of the lower department,
but were earnest for grading that, re-
garding the so-called, high school. as
part Of system, which should COM
mence its work with the child on his
entrance TO school.
One other happy result of the agIta-
ton is that il has incidentally evoked
from the President of the Normal
School, on expression of hearty SYN.
pathy 10 this movement that looks
toward improving our public school.
So then it appears that the patient
labor necessary to grading and organ
lzing our present mass Of confusion, that
we call school, will meet with earnest
approval and sympathy from all quar-
tiers.
One point more claims our attention
now. How do We stand legally in re-
latlOn TO the high school law, and what
are our chances of yet obtaining the state
aids Let this fact be remembered
At the first special meeting, two ques-
tioDs were acted upon. First: the es-
tabliskiug free high school, aud
second: the appropriating one thousand
dollars Tor maintaining the same. On
the first question the meeting was uufn-
inous. Aud as it voted 10 establish
Tree high school in this district that
vote hes never been rescinded 80 we are
to-day high school district as well as
common school district. Now what
else must be done to eutitle rs to the
state aid2 Let US repeat the words OF
the law. Section IL says:
when any free high school shall
have beeu established aud maintained
as provided by this act, Tor at least
thirteen weeks in any one year, such
high school district, on complying with
the conditions herein set forth, shall be
entitled To receive from the state one.
half the amount actually expended for
instruction in said school "
Now as has been noticed. free high
school has been established 10 this dis
trict according to law What is it, to
maintain that school "as has been pro-
vided in this acly" Section 8 makes
the State Superintendent the authority
to decide The course OF study and mini
mum standard Of scholarship. He has
already officially published his decision
on these points. His prescribed courses
Of study embrace the subjects that vii!
be pursued in the upper department of
our school in any event, graded or I'M
graded. The test examination for
entering a high school. covers only the
simplest parts Of Arithmetic, Grammar
and Geography, with Reading, Writing
aud Spelling. To reeapitulate briefly,
four essential conditions must be COM
piled with 10 order to obtain the state
all.
First. A high school must be es.
tablished. That has already been
done.
Second II must be maintained at
least thirteen weeks in year That
Is likely to he done.
Third. IL must receive no scholars
that do not pass the requisite examine
ton. Our scholars are 10 take care Of
that part.
Fourth. Some money must be ex-
peuded. That will be done At any rate
as it is already contracted. II will be
observed that the law does not declare
in what manner the money shall be
raised. Il only insists on the way q
expanding il. So that the money al.
ready raised when expended for de-
par'ment Of school Of the proper char
acier will satisfy the fourth condition,
Ali other conditions are mere formall
ties, such as reporting 80,
The "hnal conclusion Of the whole
matter" is that We are likely 20 make ,