Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-01-04
Report of the School Superintendent.
To the people of Thurston county
the following brief report is respect
fully submitted:

To the people of Thurston county
The following brief report is respect
fully submitted:
Amt. of money apportoned for year
ending Aug. 81, 1888. ..... .... ...... $5,7l9 SO
Number children OF school age from4
to 81 years .-....--.... .-.-.--......-. 1,2t5
Number children of school age from4
to II years residing in Olympia .... 500
Number children of school age from
to Il years residing in other districts 7o6
Amt. of money apportoned for year
ending Aug. 81, 1884 ...-. ....-: 800. $7,O3S 10
Number children of school age from4
to p years .---...... ........... 49,. 1884
Number children of school age from
to 81 years residing in Olympia .....: $50
children of school age from
to u years residing in other districts Ise
Amt. of money appOrtioncd for year
ending June 80, 1855 :...-..-.. 81, 9O3 90
Number children of school age from
to 81 years ....- ..... --....-..-. .-. l,iO
Number children Of school age from
to II years residing in Olympia .--- CAS-
Number children of school age from
to q years residing in other districts s31
Amt of money apportioned for year
ending June 20, 1886. ......: ...... N,O65 %
Number children of school age from 4
Number children of school age from4
to q years residing in Olympia ... 57s
NUMBER cnll0ren OF school dec from
to p years residing in other districts 1888
Amt of money apportioned for year -.
ending June 30, 1887 .-.-.. ..-.- $9,29l w
Number children of school age from D
to u years ............--.... l'4S4
Number children OF school age frOm5
to 81 years residing in Olympia. t3J
Number children OF school age from o
TO 81 years residing in other districts $40
Amt of money apportioned for year an ECO 40
ending June 80, 1855 --.......-. 49,: Ss,ooo W
Number children of school age from 5 ,,o
Number children of school age from5
to q years residing in Olympia 5oi
Number children OF school age from 49,
to p years residing in other districts so'
Number children of school age, July
census, 1883 ................~...... LIS
Number children of school age from5
to 81 years residing in Olympia 623
Number children OF school age from5
to p years residing in other districts LOO
SCHOOLS.
We cannot review the past without
being impressed with the improve
ments made both in our city and coun-
try schools. The past year has -furn-
ished abundant evidence of the
growth of our city schools both in
number of pupils attending and the
efficiency of the teachers. Every room
is full to overlooking, and the demand
is urgent for larger buildings. City
Superintendent and Principal, Brint-
nall, assisted by his efficient wife and
able corps of teachers are doing good
work. In addition to the thorough
ness in teaching the common branches
prescribed by law, special attention
has been paid to free handwriting,
rapid business hand penmanship and
map drawing. We urge patrons and
friends of education to visit the school
and lend encouragement to pupils and
teachers. The rural districts can be
made to rival those in cities and VIII
lagos, but this can only be done by the
expenditure Of more money than is
now annually appropriated. Success
full efforts may be made to raise the
scholastic qualifications of teachers,
but they cannot be forced to accept
starvation rates for services rendered,
q frequent change of boarding place,
and be obliged to walk miles, over bad
roads to and from school.
A marked degree OF success has fol-
lowed the efforts made within the
past few years by our leading educa-
tors and legislators to improve the
teaching force throughout the Terrific
ry, but we regret to state that better
remuneration is offered teachers of
ability and reputation in other coun-
ties than in Thurston, and as Il natural
result we suffer in consequence. SYM
pathy only is extended to those living
in the sparsely settled districts of our
county. They have labored with good
success considering the obstacles in
the way. Many OF the districts are
too poor to pay competent teachers
and are waiting until more money
will come into the treasury, but the
ready answer to all such questions is
that to have good schools in the coun-
try is the best invitation to settlement
and investment. With population
comes wealth, the enhancement of
property and the development of re-
sources. Let it be remembered that
if any county, even the remotest and
least developed has superior schools it
will give a great immigration thither.
And now, that the wave of prosperity
has reached our borders, the utmost
limit of its westward march. it can but
leave its richest treasures upon our
shores. The swelling tide will bring
us tatehOod, population and wealth.
Our school fund will be largely in
creased and the attention of our leg
islators will be invited to the import
ance of appropriating more money to
sparsely settled districts SO that good
teachers may be secured in the cOun-
try as well rs in towns and cities; and
also to notice that a great defect in
the system of our public schools is the
fact that county school superintend-
ents are SO poorly paid. That officer
should be able to give, and should be
required to give the whole of his time
to the duties Of his Office.
Retiring from the position, held
with pride and satisfaction, ! extend
most heartfelt thanks to the teachers,
school officers, parents and friends who
have during three terms OF office sup.
ported me by kindly forbearance, SYM
pathy and cooperation; and with
lively hopes for the future of oul
schools, l bespeak for my successor
support and encouragement.
Respectfully,
~