The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1877-03-23

date 10; Grammar so; and High
School %. You employ a superb.
tendent at a salary of--say $1,000
2 primary teachers $500 each 1000
| intermediate teacher $500 700
l grammar teacher. ...... 1000
high school teacher. ----- 1900
For inciden,als add. ...... GOO
$4,000
Making the average cost of pupil the
entire scholastic yesr $40.
Now put the average rate of tui>
ton on the present Independent sys-
tenn at $50 per pupil and you have
a saving eff $4,000 per annum. But
the average rate of tuition on the
independent plan is near $40 than
$30-hence the saving amounts to
one halt, or Sc, 900!
This scheme has been happily il
Illustrated at Augusta, Ga. In 1873,
Board of Education was organized
under a local law for the city and
county; tax for school purposes
of 81 900 was levied; $4,000 OBJ
tanned from the Peabody fund, and
about $1,000 from the State appro-
priation, which latter comes from
half the rental of the Western and
Atlantic Railroad, tax on liquors,
shows, etc and poll tax.
Up to November of 1875, the
Board contented itself with the or,
ganization and management of what
are termed elementary schools
That month a committee on High
Schools was appointed and their in
quiries and recommendations result
ed in the absorption of the Richmond
Academy (highest in the city, and
Neely's Girls High School The
Board thus awaited itself of the best
teaching talent in the country and
relieved the parents of $50 High
School pupils of all tuition .teeS.-
From February to June 30, ult.,
these $50 were paid for by the board
at the rate of $40 per year. This
was saving of Sl000--an amount
more than sufficient to meet the sup
erintendent's salary. This step
operated in this way. A. had been
paying $50 school tax, and $50 tut
ton for his daughter. The board
relieved him of his tuition bills. -
This made the people see at once
that the plan was indeed to cheaper
education to all. Aud the schools
stood intact both as to teachers and
pupils. BY the May meetings of the
board, the principal of every indie
pendent school of any consequence
at all in the city and county had filed
formal application to be incorpora
ted in the system. Other notable
instances might be mentioned, but
let this suffice.
The graded school system was in
tended to extirpate-to pull up BY
the roots-the old system which re-
quired man to declare himself a
pauper before be could avail himself
of the advantages of free public
schools for the education of his chill
dren. The system herein advoca-
ted aims not only at cheapening ed
ucation to all, but to elevate the
schools to so high a standard that
they shall command the patronage
of the entire community. The
course of study in the high schools
contemplates thorough preparation
for college, and for business.
Agsin-there ia no cause for a
conflict between the private and
public schools of the country. II,
in town or city, the graded system
is inaugurated and is properly man
aged and wisely supervised it may,
by aud by, absorb the Independent!
schools by making their teachers its
teachers: as, in the case of Angus
Ia. 1t will accomplish this work
just at the time the community at
large discovers its'real genius. And
up to this point the independent
schools can live in perfect harmony
with the schools operating under the
graded system. There is no reason
why, ceteris paribas, graded schools
thus organized should not be made,
and recognized to be tributary to
the highest college in the South.
Let the people and teachers view
the subject from the right stands
point, and there will be no clashing
between those who have none +; nor
yet between those who conduct pri
waite schools and academies-to
which we are all SO largely indebted.
'The greatest good to the largest