The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-08-16
Public Schools.

1t is well known that the public school
system has been introduced IN Salt Lake
only one year ago ending July 10th. In so
short q time it is impossible to perfect
system equal to that obtaining in eastern
cities, yet a vast amount of work has been
done and the progress is phenomenal
Superintendent Millspaugh says in his an
nual report of July 10th TO the board of
education:
One year ago there were twenty-five school
districts in this city. each maintaining its own
separate school organization independent of
and dis tinct from every other in plan control
and scope of effort
The task proposed for you was to combine
into one harmonious system these incoherent
constituents and make it efficient in the benif-
cent work of education.
Under more favorable conditions this would
have been an hercuean task; but added to the
ordinary difficulties TO be expected in the &C
complishment OF such a purpose, were others of
a most serious nature.
At the outset the board was confronted by
the fact that with population of SSlS youth OF
school age, the utmost capacity OF its school
buildings was limited TO :. S2S sJtings, And
greatly inadequate as its school accommoda-
tons were they were still more unsuitable for
school purposes, in construction, arrangement
and sanitary condition. Altogether ii is doubt
full If upon any board OF education were ever
imposed duties involving in their accomplish
ment more serious difficulties. In spite of
these, however, the schools have been con
Quoted through the first year OF their new ex-
lstence with gratifying success, and the out
look for the ensuing year.
At the same meeting Mayor Scott, presi-
dent of the board Of education, said;
In spite of all drawbacks, favorable begin
ming has been made, and the work consolidated
so t. the future VIII be easier. The course
OF study have been established the grading OF
pupils made and large and gratifying measure
of success has attended the work
There has been less friction than might have
been expected IN the welding of twenty-five
districts into one. All have labored for mar
mouy and efficiency, and l have reason to be
lieve that your Efforts toward the betternent
OF our schools have had and now possess the
full support and approval Of the people.
We give some facts concerning the or.
ganization of the new school system, anC
the officials. BY the legislative act Of
March 3, 1891, the twenty-one ward dis
tricts were made one district, called the
'Salt Lake School District under the
management of a board of ten members
two chosen from each of the five precincts
The mayor is ex-officio president of the
board, and the agty treasurer is ex -officiC
treasurer. 4 Superintendent and clerk art
appointed by the members of the board o.
education, which, together, with tht
superintendent, comprise board of thre,
Tor the examination of applicants for tn:
position of teachers.
BY the same act of March Sd all tn,
school property belonging TO the seyera
ward districts of the city was turned owe,
to the board of education.
Thus the schools of Salt Lake began tn
year OF 1890 under new auspices. The new
school board found the school property il
bad condition and the accommodations poo
sud insufficient. They at once proceeded
as far as the funds at their disposal Woult
permit, to better the condition. The seat
ing capacity was doubled, improvement
were made on the buildings, more build
ings were erected, the Fourteenth schoc
house was finished and various other i'm
provements were made; SO much so, in
deed, that the annual report of the cler
showed a deficiency n the treasury c
SIC, 300. 06.
Thus burdened, the board commence
another years work, but confident tina
with improved school service the peopl
viii be stimulated 70 increase the schoC
appropriations and taxes until the finance
are put on solid footing. *
The enrolment of pupils and the averag
attendance of the schools, within the city
were as follows for the past year and tn
year previous:
1920 1891 In
Total enrolment. 1926 6,S6S L9
Average attendance 35l5 q
This is a gratifying showing, but it
reasonable to expect yet better result
with the erection of new school building
those ow in use.
The new board does not designate IL
schools by wards as did the old metho
but by numbers-at present from one
twenty -one inclusive--the numbers beir
the same as the numbers of the wards.
Very little new work can be undertake
this coming year 10y the school board b
cause Of the limited funds at their dispos
and the present Indebtedness. The gel
eral work of the schools viii be conductt
nearly the same as last year.
A normal school is to be organized by Il
board in connection with the Deseret un
versity. The teachers will be furnish,
by the public board and the rooms al
equipments by the university. The wol