Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1888-02-11
4 LITTLE COMMON SENSE.

the Trustees are acting Tor the best.
They also believe that the teachers
are conscientious workers, and that
they earn every cent that they re-
ceive from the District. They know
that Professor Miner has generously
donated to the school library large
number of choice text books which
probably cost him $500. They also
know that Mrs. Stove has probably
done more to advance the interests of
the public schools here than any other
of the noble, self-sacriicing women
of HALEY; that the magnificent Ii
brary is largely the result of her
efforts. They also know that $50
month for half.a-day's teaching per
day, is small enough pay. They ad-
nit that the pupils whose school term
nears the end require great deal of
attention. They admit all this, and
applaud it. They do not wish to crit
;cise the management; nor to incite
any public or private controversies
regarding the school.
But, while admitting all this, the
facts remain. And these facts are
vel! known. Here are few: AT the
last examination several pupils in the
higher grades failed to pass, and were
SENT BACK to a lower grade. In con-
sequence thereof they left school.
This is unprecedented. In graded
schools pupils are not advanced until
they lave thoroughly mastered their
grade; and if they fail to pass an ex-
animation for higher grade they at
least HOLD THEIR GRADE. They never
retrograde.
Again: AT the same examination
20 of Miss Burke's scholars received
an average percentage of over rs in
all branches; only 70 per cent. being
required by the printed rules of the
school, the last one of those IS pupils
should be in Professor Miners de-
partment to-day. Yet there is not
one of them; about % of Miss Van
Hoesen's pupils likewise passed a
good examination.
Now, these children worked hard,
they studied diligently during the
past term, in order to deserve pro-
motion. And yet they do not get it.
Is this right? Is it fair? Is it
LAWFUL? Not by any manner of
means. Why, then, do the Trustees
wink at this gross injustice-an in
justice which, if anybody cared to
make trouble about it, might result in
the districts losing every cent of its
general fund proportion Of school
money?
Is il because the district cannot af-
ford to employ additional teachers
Yes; that is undoubtedly one Of the
reasons. Very we'll Why do not
the Trustees 60 to the parents of these
so pupils, explain the facts, and PRO
pose a way out Of the difficulty
One teacher is employed only half
the time. Let her be employed full
time. She is public spirited, aud a
typical American mother. Although,
under ordinary circumstances, she
would not teach for less than $50 to
800 per month, she will, if the dis
trict cannot afford to pay, teach for
nothing. But that is not necessary.
Let her get, say, so or s!5 per
month, aud let the parents Of the
children to be promoted make up the
difference between her present salary
Of $50 and the proposed one of s.5
per month. AS many pupils in Miss
Van Ucesen's room are entitled to
p-omotion. they could so to Miss
Burke's room, and the latter could, in
turn, be relieved of eS pupils that
would go into Mr.. Miner and Mrs
Stoves rooms. Probably 90 cents a
month from each pupil so advanced
you'd be enough.
in this way the pupils would be
more equally apportioned, and they
would all receive the attention and
tuition to which they are entitled.
1t is therefore not as critic that
the TINES appears to-day; but as a
suggester, and in the name of the 80
or more pupils that are "kept bach"
for the sake Of the 40 and - pupils
in the two higher grades.