The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1891-12-18
The States Schools.
POINTS or SUPERINTENDENT wALLERs
ANNUAL REPORT ABOUT THEM.

| '''' " p'iSl, on pSlllltClltCul vi pun
lie instruction, says in his annual re
port that the total number of pupils ir
the public schools of the state is o6o,
500, an increase of 4,o62. There are
22,SS4 schools, an increase of $40, ant
the state has a4,o25 teachers, an in
crease of 432. The increase in the
salaries of male teachers average "a
cents per month female teachers, sc
cents.
| DIR. Waller recommends a longer
school term which he thinks the in
creased state appropriation warrants
closer supervision of schools; organiza-
tion of directors the better ventilation
of school buildings change in the
basis of distributing state aid, so that
the less favored districts may have
good schools; the introduction of man
ual training; free text books and com
pulsory education.
During the year the total expendi-
ture, including that upon buildings,
was $I3,sIS,7oS.oS, an increase of
| POVSsooo %. liz SStiiiIdtCb NdiuC vi
school property is $35,S37,S94 81,
The increase In the number CT grad
ed schools is noted, and the tendency
to consolidation in the rural districts
is discussed. The superintendent de-
plo' es the failure of the Legislature to
pass the bill for the closer supervision
of the schools. and says that our sys-
tenn at present is far from perfect. He
recommends the organization of the
county school directors associatiors S
tending to promote economy and TO
greatly increase the efficiency of the
schools.
The ventilation of school buildings
Is referred to and DR.. Waller hints that
II mines and factories can be inspected
to secure perfect ventilation he should
think the same could be done in the
public schools. The appropriation of
$4,000, 900 per annum for the schools
is mentioned as affording an opportu-
nifty for long desired improvements
The changing of the minimum school
term from six to nine months is recon-
mended, Attention is called to the
great revival Of interest in the county
Institutes and to the excellent condi-
ton of the state normal schools.
The establishment of school libraries
Is recommended. Dr. Waller insists
that manual training should find a
| place in the schools of Pennsylvania.
Speaking of the basis of the distribu-
ton of aid, he says:
"If any feels that even the increase
! in the appropriation does not enable
them to lengthen the term and at the
same time to improve the schools in
other respects as they desire, they will
do well to consider the proprietv of
securing a change in the basis of the
distribution of the appropriation. The
appropriation is made to secure the
well-being of the state, and to meet
the claim that every child has upon
her to be fitted for citizenship. AS long
as majorities rule, the common welfare
will depend upon the instruction and
training of the coming rulers All parts
of the state are not equally able to ed
ucate the children The present basis
yields so much in the wealthy and pop
ulous districts that the tax rate is often
but two mills, while in the sparsely
settled districts, where schools must
be kept open for few children widely
scattered, the state aid IS so small that
even with the maximum tax rate Of
thirteen mills it is difficult to maintain
the schools six months. These chill
dren upon every principle underlying
public instruction, are entitled to as
good teachers, and as long term as
are those in the cities. The basis
should therefore be so modified as to
enable the less favored districts to have
good schools, at least when they COL
lect the highest tax permitted by law.
More liberal provision may be
made by approprlating to each district
laying tax OF at least ten mills for
school purposes, fixed sum, $Ioo for
instance, for each teacher employed
for not less than six months, at not less
than $25 per month, and distributing
the balance upon the present basis.
Thus Cameron county having 1900
pupils and sixty-three teachers with a
cost per pupil per month of $I.ao an
average term of six and a quarter
months and an average rate Of eleven
mills for running expenses and five
for building purposes, and an aggre-
gate appropriation for next year Of
about $5,355 would upon the basis
suggested, receive $7,3S4 which with
their present tax rate and rate of ex-
penditure, would support the schools
for eight months. While this is not
too liberal to the sparsely settled, it
works no hardship to the populous dis
trict.
ALLEGHENY county having 42,5oo
pupils, LOCO teachers, the cost per
month per pupil is $I.oS; IL cents less
| than IN Cameron, an average term OF