Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-12-18
SCHOOL INTERESTS NO. S.

SCHOOL INTERESTS NO. 5.
| now propose to suggest plan
to remove the existing defect spoken
of in my last communication as to
the relation between the Ward
Schools and the High School, "a state
of things that has often annoyed and
perplexed the superintendent.
propose that the status of the
present High School be so modified
as to make it purely High School,
by inaugurating and establishing an
intermediate department between
it aud the Ward Schools,-this de.
partment to be purely Grammar
School, which shall absorb the low
est grade of the one and the highest
grade of the other, forming two
grades and embracing a course of
two years, with one teacher for each
grade, and that material will numer.
ically require the occupancy Of two
rooms.
The question now arises, how is
this to be done? Where is there
room for the accommodation of such
a department This is a question
OF moment as it may involve consid-
cradle expense. This, | know, is
distasteful to taxpayers. | have no
right to dictate in this matter, nor
do ! propose to do so, but | merely
offer suggestions. hope | may be
pardoned for saying that from long
observation and experience in the
school-work of our city, l know what
is necessary to make them, as they
should be, first class schools. 1t
may not be expedient to carry out
any suggestions offered, at the pres,
ent time, but the time will come and
is not far distant when the necessity
becomes too great for the public TO
evade it.
One plan is to raise the standard
of the Ward Schools, and keep the
A classes one year longer in them,
but as there is no room in any of
them for their accommodation, it
would neCessitate the erection OF an
additional room, and the employ
ment of an additional teacher in
each Ward School for that grade.
This would incur an expense to
which the public would not be will
ing to submit; and hence, however
beneficial, would on that ground be
impracticable.
Another plan is, to enlarge the
present High School building so as
to accommodate the additional two
grades, absorbing thereby the pres
ent primary department of the High
and the higher grade of the Ward
Schools. This would require two ad-
dItional teachers, and reduce the
course in the High School proper
from five to four years. and also con-
fine the Principal to one grade, which
is amply enough work for him as
can testify. The present High
School should from first, have been
thus constructed, as L suggested
when plans were under considera.
ton. But the Board of Education
shrank from mourning the expense
such plan would involve. 1t is a
pity, however, that is was not done
then, for it will have to be done Ill
timately at any rate.
Another plan and a cheaper one.
would be to utilize the two vacant
rooms in the third ward building re.
modelling them and furnishing them
properly for that purpose.
BY thus organizing a Grammar
Department, intermediate between
the High and Ward Schools, the
course would be much better graded
and would embrace 10 years
namely, years in the Ward Schools
years in the Grammar School, and
4 years in the High School, and
would relieve three parties.-the
ward principals, and the primary
teacher and principal of the High
School, and by either of the last two
plans it would require only two adj
ditional teachers, and make the
present High School purely such.
In this connection / will state
what the law of our Independent
District says on this subject:
"The board shall have power to
establish one High School for the
district, in which shall be taught
such higher branches of learning as
the district superintendent, with the
approval of the Board of Education
may designate until said school
shall be established, such higher
branches shall be taught in the
grammar schools of the district"
Finally, desire to suggest a plan
by which this additional expense
could be met without regular taxa
ton.
do not think that the school law
contemplates paying for more than
common practical education excla
sive of the higher branches gener.
ally taught il High Schools. Would
it not be well then to require small
tuition fee for all pupils pursuing a
higher course! To some this may
seem to be an unjust measure, but
to me 1t seems that the advantages
thus extended and the benefits thus
enjoyed are well worth the tuition
thus required.
The above suggestions are the re-
suit of conviction arrived at by real,
otu.,I ri. and avnarionoo