Omaha daily bee., 1883-03-09
OUR sCHooL,sYsTEK,
A Correspondent Wants to Know
Some T~hings-rhe New York Sys-
tem-The superintendent
Salary.

BY annual report Of superintendent
of public instruction to the New York
legislature, "just presented" the
same Gratifying results' have pro-
duced the same fruits In Council
Bluffs' schools. The average daily at.
tendance of pupils had increased,
which was Every gratifying "Total
number Of children reported as regis
tered for attendance in 1882 was l..
681, 161, while the average daily at
tendance was 566, AL" Less than
one third of enrolment who draw
public money we're having the benefits
from tina admirable" New York sys-
tenn. The progressive system OF pub
lie instruction ss formerly taught In
our city schools, was very encouraging
as compared with the present system.
In theory o ar system Of public In
struction Is admirable; some of Its
results, however; are OF a nature cal.
culated to distress, although not alto
getber to discourage, those who have
watched It's growth and development
and who have been most anxious for
Its success.
To say the New York system of
public instruction Is a failure. or that
the large sums of money annually ex.
pended to obtain 1t are wasted, would
DO untrue; but that 1t falls to accom-.
plish some things which are ~eminently
desirable, and that q portion at least
Of the funds devoted to Its support are
injudiciously expended, even If not
absolutely wasted, Is as 1 believe a
fact.
The school system Of the state Of
New York is comprehensive In plan,
If defective in matters of detail. The
reason may be traced inmost instances
to inadequate appropriations.
Three good school houses cannot be
built and maintained, o experienced
teachers employed without q liberal
expenditure Of money.
Tet the funds be forthcoming and
the schools may be vastly improved.
The school system of Colorado, be-.
Ing purely western and progressive,
shows an increase In enrolment of
$3.50, increase In average daily attend.
anoe, $3.50. How does this compare
with the New York system, as taught
In our city schoolA2
The proposition to be submitted at
the annual school election, II carried,
will amount in taxes to exceed $780,
600. Add to this $25, 900 recon-
mended by the school board as treas.
urer's fund, sl5, 600 contingent fund,
(which Is less than was expended
within the last school year by annual
report VIZ have the snug little sum
of $780, 900. We Judge from estimates
In the annual report that it will re-
quire less money for public instruc-
ton the coming year han the one
lust closed. The fact that the In.
o of enrolment Of children within
school age being nearly 20 per cent
greater than the proceeding year, does
not argue in favor of decreased ex-
peDSe and the report designated in
this estimate of S25, 900 not to include
the superintendent's salary.
II the present enrolment of chill.
dren in the district of school age Is
1000 end scholars in attendance less
than $500, the question arises are we
progressing or retrogrsding. The cost
of educating every child in attendance
the last year, based upon the superin.
dent's salary and teschers' wages oil
$26 .652 % Ia over $40 for each child
instructed in our public schools.
If money expended for school
houses, lots, fixtures and disburse-
ments were included, the sum reaches
$780, 81 83 and the cost per capita
would be largely in excess OF any
school west of New York.
With less than one-third OF enroll.
ment in attendance In our schools, why
are we expanding upwards of $46, 00e
per annum, not including superinten.
dents salary or teachers wages.
An itemized statement probably
might have enlightened us. Our In
dependent city schools are the pride
and admiration" OF every citizen.
and that they may occupy that high
standard Of excellence that the OK
penditure Of the peoples money war
rant, Is the best wish of every tru,
friend OF education. Do We meet
reform, or q high standard of sbilit!
with the directing power.