Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-02-27
THE BRATTLEBOR0 SCHOOLS.


The past year has been marked by an up
usual number of changes. While most of
these changes have been in the direction of
progress aud greater efficiency in the future,
the immediate result has worked unfayora-
bly,. In the large majority of cases the
change in the teaching force, and the change
from the old to the new order Of things WAS
unavoidable, and good results will ultimately
appear. After all this has been granted.
however, 1t still remains true that the school
authorities under our present system do not
appreciate the advantage Of permanence in
the teachers position, when good work has
been done. In general it may be said that
all the work done by the older teachers has
been good, and some of the work done by
the new. As a rule the better class of schools
has grown better, and the poorer has grown
poorer.
The new text book law has been carried in.
to effect and there is to day an almost entire
uniformity in the books in use Progress in
this direction was made during the last five
years. The new law has completed the
work commenced The last of the Green
leafs arithmetios have recently disappeared
in favor of the authorized book.
The law requiring temperance instruction
in the ungraded districts has thus far remain
ed dead letter, as have the laws recurring
special instruction in morals and in the his.
tory and government of Vermont. The text
books recommended have been little
used, aud that little only by a few of the
largest scholars. The only practicable way
of carrying these laws into effect appears 10
lie in the direction of general exercises
This will necessitate the employment of
teachers who are competent to give general
exercises in these topics, and possibly the
furnishing OF charts by the school authorities
The more etheent teachers now in employ
could readily fit themselves for the work If
they were called upon for it. Unfortunately
no penalty is attached to the neglect of apy
OF these laws, and advice in school matters il
is very hard to follow, even when it comes
from the legislative authority.
The legislature of last fall has however.
laid upon us some new commands 10 which
1t is essential that the attention of all inter
ested in school matters be directed
Voters at The district meetings, it district
meetings are held this year, will take notice
that "a weeks instead of 20 will henceforth
be required before public money can be
drawn, unless the district tax has amounted
to 10 per cent on the grand list (Sec. %. In
the division Of the public money no district
can receive more than the actual cash ex
penditure in any one year (Seo 35.) The lat.
ter law applies to the past year; the former
does not
At the coming town meeting vote by bal
lot must be taken upon the question of adopt
ing the town system of schools. Regarding
the general question of the relative merits Of
the town and district systems, there is little
doubt that judgment must be given in favor
OF the former. 1t is the coming reform.
The arguments used by the leading educators
In the state are valid, and they need not here
be repeated. 1t only remains to be seen how
1t will affect this particular town. As the law
now stands that is a very difficult thing to
find out. few facts are clear, however.
The graded district is now Incorporated. A
vote next Tuesday in favor OF the town sys.
tenn will be binding only on that part of the
town which lies outside OF district No. 2-the
East village corporation. II might be said
then that the voters of district No. 9 ought
not TO ballot upon matter which does moi