The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1891-02-21
PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF WHITE PINE.
Superintendent freezes Re port Of
Their Condition.

WHICH contains much valuable 1nfOf-
nation in regard to school matters.
Following is the report of Superin-
tendent Treece of White Pine to the
School Master General. Though brief,
it explains the situation in this county
exactly as it stands:
Pursuant to recent instruction from
you. office, | have the honor to report
as follows:
First The general condition of the
public schools in this county is only
fair, or hardly fair, owing to limited
amount of funds which are totally in
sufficient to keep the schools running
any great portion of the year except
in the larger districts.
Second-The general condition of
the school houses is comparatively
good, but it might be said that the
furniture is totally wanting, or at least
of mere nominal value, and that LIBRA
ries are hardly known in any of the
public schools in the county. Most
of the schools. however, are supplied
with geographical maps. but in many
instances | doubt if the teachers
usually employed know how to in-
struct by their use to any material ad-
vantage.
Third = But few districts in the
county have sufficient funds to keep
school more than three or four months
in each year. If it were possible,
legislative Act should be passed sup
plying more funds for school purposes
or for the blotting out of small dis
tricts and the building of union school
houses and general consolidation of
districts. The school law, at present,
provides that school district may be
formed where there are but five chill
dren of lawful school age.
In district where there are but
five children there will not be suffi-
cient funds to keep school running
two months in the year, yet the law
provides that it must be kept running
six months in each year, and in case
there are not sufficient funds therefor
the Trustees shall levy special tax
against the property OF the district,
aud sum sufficient shall be raised
to keep the school open the other four
months. Now it may be possible,
aud II is the case in this county, that
but two families reside in the district.
neither OF which possess much OF this
worlds goods. ln such a case they
must be taxed tn run "A school for four
or nearly four full months at their
own expense, which would cost them
very nearly as much Ms it would 10
send their children out of the State to
he educated, where il costs but little
compared 10 what il does in this State.
1t would seem from the foregoing
that the law permitting the establish
ment, or permitting after being estab-
lished, districts with less than twelve
children OF proper school age is both
imprudent and unwise.
Fourth-The teachers employed are
reasonably well qualified from an edu-
cational standpoint, but some are
wanting in needful command.
Fifth-The methods of instruction
used are uniform and reasonably fair
and such as are commonly used in the
well regulated schools of the country.
Sixth = Examinations of teachers,
by all means, should be uniform
throughout the State.
Seventh-The law compelling the
District Attorney to discharge the du-
ties OF Superintendent of Public
Schools should be so amended as ter
pay at least a living compensation to
the incumbent. The law now COM
pels the Superintendent to visit all
the schools in theJ county at least
once year. In this county all the
schools are not open at one and the
same time, SO that to comply with the
provisions of the law at least two trips
for the purpose of visiting all the
schools of the county are necessary.
This being very large county, it will
take at least ten days each time, with
a team at cost of hire and other ne
cessary expenses of SO per day, maxi
ing for the two trips twenty days,
amounting to $500. In this county
he get but 5000 for discharging
the duties of the office of District At
torney and that of Superintendent of
Schools, per annum. After paying
the expense of travel, etc, as stated,
of 5000, he has then left but $400. 1t
costs him $50 per month for board,
or $500 per year, this sum from $500
leaves but $40. lie must pay in this