The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-07-03
THE PUBLIC SCHOOL.

EDITOR PILoT:-The incidents and pre-
pe,ations attending the closing of the
school year, calls on. many pleasing re-
collections attached to the public school
IN district No. i, which cheer the student
as well as recall the youthful. school ex-
pe1enee Of the parent, creating new and
lasting impressions on the mind of the
one, renewing by gore and nearly forgot
ten memories OF the other. In the case
OF the present the misty memories of
youthful days are harshly grated upon
and the stern necessities of real and act
ual life are called out by The pres
ence OF the assessor who has but recently
made his presence known by the careful
listing OF even the last pig of the poor
man, for the purpose of taxation, and of
adding another yearly and heavy burthen
on those who having little are taxed heav-
lily, 10 pay which occasions 2luch labor,
care and forethought to prepare to meet.
Such calls naturally causes the mind
to resort to the heaviest sources of such
burthens, and rs one, I am led to think
OF our school and the ways and
means by which it is supported.
L 90 not purpose finding any fault
whatever, neither is it my purpose
to indirectly say ought that will
tend to censure our school boary, but be-
lieving that some beneficial changes
might be made, L most respectfully give
my ideas thereon through your valuable
paper.
All will admit, 1 trust, that great need
for economy exists in public as well as III
private life, but how and where to prune
Is the question, so submit the following:
1t would seem to one not well posted
that the retrenchmeLt in the cost Of
maintaining the public schools in our
district had not kept pace with the re-
trenchment met with in every other
branch Of business whether domestic or
private, and to enable the people to Judge
OF their wants better knowledge of the
application Of their money is needed by
the district.
Who, Of all the attendants ct the an
nnal school meetings is able to under
stand, much less repeat, one fourth part
Of the items of expenditure recited in
reports of clerk or treasurer? We have
good and true men doubtless now in
Office, but better and clearer source of
conveying such information to the public
should be adopted. Our county and city
expenditures are published in full in the
public journals, and why can not
accounts of orr school officers,
both debit and credit, be published
where the public may read and
digest the same at leisure, and thereby
know what has been done with the IL
money. Let full report be published,
showing clearly all expenditures for each
and every item, let it show the name Of
crcry teacher employed, the sum per
month paid each teacher, and the months
fought by each teacher during the school
gear. Let such report show amount paid
for wood, number Of cords and price per
cord; amount paid ianitor, repairs and
incidental expenses.
What improperly would there be in
having an auditing committee appointed,
say of three good and true men to whom
shall be submitted the full and final &C
count of the school board for the whole
year, whose duty it shall be 10 examine
such statement, compare same with
vouchers and report to the annual school
meeting their findings with such recon-
mendations regarding same as they shall
see fit or facts warrant. This will save
time, insure more careful attention 10
expenses and wants of the district and
besides harm none. 1t is done in other
cities, gives satisfaction and works well.
All wood and supplies should be bought,
only upon publication of wants of district,
scaled proposals and to lowest bidder
upon good bond for due performance of
contract.
Why can't lowest bidder for ''janiter
work, " with surety, be accepted? Again
it seems that at the end of school year
we usually have on hand in hands of
treasurer, about three thousand dollars,
which to your inquirer seems to be more
than needed, by near two thousand dol
lars, instance the commencement of
school year, docs not seem to call for
more than sufficient to pay teachers
wages for 60 to 90 days, other expenses
could be deferred in payment to annual
tax day, say December Goth, to meet
which it would seem that twelve
to fifteen hundred dollars would be sGifi-
cient. This would decrease the next tax
very near two thousand dollars. allowing
that the treasurer holds the same balance
usual at end of year. And while econo-
MIXING, why can't our district do rs Mil
Waukee does, !. e., loan its money on cal
to those paying the highest rate of inter-
est upon undoubted security. We can
save and why not? Economy is the
watch word and the first step towards
that reform which shall inaugurate the
much hoped for tide of prosperity, for
which SO many have deyoutIy prayed for
near five long years.
/ Very respectfully,
/ A. n. Y. Nous.
. JOHN LDIDwALD is diigent in furnish
/ ing matter for history. Lately, John