Litchfield enquirer., 1881-09-29
The New School System.

What do you think of it? This is a ques. tion often asked me of late Two years ago l wasl opposed to it, and. after the vote was passed. so stated through your columns Now I am in favor of it, ana why? Because after careful examination from the place I have occupied, now think the new plan the better way, better for the schools, better for the tax payers. ae~".' 7.e.fa.,.- @
 But why better? Before proceeding, how, ever. let us say word in explanation, not for the Board. or through the Board but of my | individual views. It'was perhaps unfortunate for the new plan that it was called up and acted upon apparently so suddenly and with out better understanding by the voters of it's nature and operations. The old Board was and has been severely censured for this seem- | ingly nasty action. But can candidly say that after careful examination of ther exertions and their records for few proceed ing years, and of the situation and the facts rel ative to the schools at that time, can see no reason for their action but the good of the schools.
 But the subject was not then understood, and fear it is not now. The most erroneous ideas come to me daily in regard toit. The object and the only object was, and is-better schools for the money. The greatest good of the greatest number-a better application of the money.
 But are the schools better Twill they be better? Here we we might say, let their true situation at the present time in comparison with that of two years ago, answer. More interest by both parents and children, better attendance, and a better average of attendance much better standing in scholarship, more interest shown by teachers an advance in their qualifications and attainments, and as we believe, at least our step taken in the path of progress even in the short time of two years. But how about the cost ? The State law has been altered, requiring school year of 36 weeks instead of 30, in the larger districts. | This has added about one fifth to the appropri | ation. I have not the old reports at hand, but I think the average cost per scholar for the same time, has not exceeded that under the l old method. The expenses of the Board have been but little if any increased. Their addi- tional duties, those of the old district commit ties, are mostly performed at their regular sessions and do not necessarily but slightly increase the cost.
 And here let me digress a moment. The first idea with many of the objectors to the new plan seems to be that the committee, or kol selfish motives, that the position is one that is to line somebody's pockets with money, | ''little work and big pay" To all those who have got any such idea I would say, let | them serve few terms, either under the old | way orthe new, and they will soon find 'big | work and little pay" more courses than cop- | pers," after the most faithful and pains. taking discharge of duties Selfish motives are usu- 1 ally as discernable in public trusts as in pri. l yate transactions, and usually soon meet their reward
 But to return, was speaking of the transfer of the duties of the old district committees. | And cannot these duties be better performed, | more for the real interests of the schools. uh-
 
 at first Let each district manage it's own af. | fairs, was the first thought. But would not this | be more reasonable did each district pay it's own | bills? Does not the town furnish the money for school purposes? Then why not let the | town, through it's agents, see to it's proper expenditure? We formerly repaired our roads | under the old district plan. We now leave | thelr care in the bands of the Selectmen. Has | not the latter proved the better method | Do we wish to go back to the old district | plan ~rt
 But how about the repairs of school houses | Who does not know how difficult, now almost 1 impossible it was under the old method to | secure proper, suitable, and even comfortable | rooms and appliances for school pur poses. | How strangely indifferent were districts and | even parents to these requirements. And if | efforts were made to obtain them how often | were they voted down. And then, the econo- | my in point of expense of the new plan-no | laying and collecting a tax, which often costs more than the repairs and always seemed | money wasted.
 "OubA hAO SO oPCon OA buO hu nuIo6Co HI | the employment of teachers and in many | other respects but cannot. in a newspaper | article, already too long, nor speak of the | many evils that have grown up, or grown into | the old system. One instance and there are | many akin to it, must answer A district | committee hired himself, at his own price. for the winter term. hired his wife for the summer | term, furnished the wood at his own price, | and took the towns money. all according to law. | 'Tis true in this case the committee was an | honest man and perhaps the town did not | suffer, but IS this the proper way, the better | way, of doing business? But is the new sys- tenn perfect By no means There will be errors in judgment, errors in action, but a less liability, think, with committee ofsix than with one of twenty three or four.
 But one word as to the ''high school" or ''graded school" or some sort of school on Litchfield Hill. This seems to be the "hydra- headed monster" with many. We must fight that, say they Our taxes will be more, we shall all come to ruin But wait minute What has been the condition of things in that district for the last ten years or more under the old method money wasted, worse than vast ed, say many of it's patrons the schools (with but few exceptions) aud their management, an open disgrace. And yet we are all of us paying the taxes. Where is the economy in wasting $500 or properly using thousand Was it not time for change a little higher? And what is the school now? Let it speak | for itself! And the other schools. As atown | we may not boast, but as a town we are not ashamed We are not now reported by the | State figures as below the average. For one | say then let us have thigh school' or a ''graded school" or at least good sctooI-I | care not what you call it-a school open to all. |