The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-02-10
The Public Free Schools.

Mr.. w. H. Ruffner, State Superintendent
of Education, has published his tenth annual
report, which contains many interesting facts
and statistics in reference to the Public Free
schools of Virginia. He regards the year which
closed on the 31st of last July as the best year
in all respects. The number of schools was
about double, the school attendance was more
than double what it was last year. and about
$1,000 larger than any preceding year. An
increased amount of State school money was
turned over. And whilst of course there was
larger outlay for teachers and school house
expenses, there was almost no increase in the
cost of administration, and there was de-
cided reduction per pupil. There was a slight
falling off in the regularity of attendance, and
slight increase in the length of the school term.
Over 200 new school houses were built during
the year, and nearly 100000 added to the
value of school property. The Superintendent
thinks there is reason to believe that there was
better teaching than ever BEFORE judging from
the interest manifested in the institutes In
connection with the report a number of inter-
esting statistics are given from which we &C..
lect the following
The entire school population between the
ages of five and twenty-one, is 555 ,sO7, of
whom S14 1927 are white and 240,98O are col
ored The percentage of population enrolled
is 1917, and the average cost of education per
month per pupil in attendance is $1,16. There
are 4,e73 teachers in the State; white 2,47S
males, 1910 females. Colored, 531 males, 254
females. The average monthly salary of the
males is 5000, females &9465. During the
year there was collected from all State sources
$685., 12O.17 and 5000 received from the Pea
body fund.- o.
In Augusta county the school population is
10,423, of whom 1898 are white males, 1911
white females 1,429 colored males and 1900
colored females. Etaunton has GA of school
population. The total number of children en-
rolled in the county is 5,168, in the city S1S
The average daily attendance in the county is
1858, and in thecity 800. Augusta has 40
schools, 1i6 white and "a colored Staunton
has II white public schools and colored.
Twelve of the county schools are graded, and
two of the city. The total amount received
by the county was $3s, 73s.47 of which $11,-
29S.0O came from the State, and $1OO33. 10
from the county The city received $6494.35
of which $s,23OsO came from the State and
81 1913 from the city.
There are many other items of interest in
this report but for the present this must suffice
Mr.. Ruffner In closing gives expression to
his fears that the efficacy of the system may be
greatly endangered ifnot destroyed BY political
aspiIants and demagogues Says he: Some
ambitious men belonging to different parties
in Virginia have proposed from the beginning
either to destroy or to profit by our public
school system The numerous schemes to
destroy having failed, the schemes to utilize for
personal and party purposes have become
formidable danger" From this point he dis
cusses the question freely and at considerable
length, and in closing makes this appeal
Now before the evil day has actually come,
may not appeal to leaders of all parties, and
to all citizens OF Virginia. to save the school
work from party invasion. Let the idea be
sharply apprehended and universally proclaim.
ed that those who help to preserve the purity
OF the school system are its best friends, and
those who would bring party politics into the
school system are its worst enemies