, 1892-10-18
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Many Interesting and Important
Facts Concerning Them.

state superintendent bryan Has
Prepared Figures with Gratify-
Ing COntrasts-HowS school Prop
erty Has Increased.
State Superintendent Bryan is preparing
his biennial report to the legislature in
which he presents many facts, not only of
interest to the teacher and pupil, but also
to the taxpayer and citizen. His figures
on the financial matters in relation TO the
public schools clearly indicate the rapid
growth of the state, and the general in
crease in values. The amount Of money
on hand at the beginning of the school
year was $461 ,802.22. an increase over 1890
of S21s ,596.53. The amount apportioned
by the county superintendent was S6O4,- :
s5l.9O; received from special taxes, $780,
131. 70; received from sale Of bonds, 81 ,0ls,-
1896; received from all other sources, S31, :
S08.S5. In each of these items there has
been a notable increase over the year 1890,
so that the total receipts from all sources
amounted to $3.50, ,54s.84, as compared
with 81 ,235.7l7.79 in 1890, showing an in
crease of 81, ,634 ,s30.55.
The disbursements are equally interest
ing and amount to 81, ,402 ,277. .25, an increase
over 1890, of 81 ,453, ,s79.3S, leaving balance
TO the credit of public schools, of S468 271. 90
The disbursements are detailed as follows
Teachers wages, $8S2, ,450.1S: rents, repairs
fuel and incidentals, S377 9SS.S2; school
sites, buildings, furniture, apparatus and
Libraries, Sl.006, 1888 interest on bonds,
$l24 ,30l redemption ofbonds, S11 1880.
The most gratifying figures are shown in
a. H.. r.
buildings, and in the past two years this
alone has placed 81, ,S45, ,30l.55 to the credit
of the state, the value of all sites and build
ings this year being So 669, ,44l.O0, as COM
pared with 81 ,S24, l30.45 in the year 1890.
School furniture is valued at $3l5, ,ll7.70,
school apparatus at y92 ,358.75; libraries at
$11, ,727 25; making in the total estimate of
the value of school property in,lS92 "a ,05S,-
64470, an increase over 1890, of ,088, ,285.59.
There are many other matters detailed
which are worthy of mention.
The amount Of insurance on school prop
erty is 81. .404, 1877.
School district bonds are outstanding in
the amount of 81, lO9,372, at an average rate
of interest of g. 06 per cent.
There are 1,720 school districts in the
state 1853 Of which have a bonded indebted
ness.
Since 1890 there have been built l26 new
school houses, making a total number to
date of ,5l5, with $50 graded schools.
The numberOf children between the ages
of and p years in this state is 106 1870, of
which 1888 are enrolled in public schools.
The average daily attendance has been
So 716.
The average monthly salary paid to male
teachers was 1929, and to female teach
ers. $42.16.
Twenty-four Of the thirty-four counties
have held teachers institutes since 1890.
There are ll2 defective youth in the state,
2S more than in 1890.
One matter which receives particular
mention from the state superintendent is
averaged but 5-12 months, or 106 days.
Inere are but twelve states and territories
having lower average year, ten of which
are among the old slave states where the
free school was exceedingly unpopular un-
til several years after the close of the civil
war. Mr.. Bryan says: ITO admit that
the declining sun Of the nineteenth cent
ury must witness this condition in the
most favored state in the union. is humili-
ating The means Of maintaining long
terms of school are present and a majority
of the people are wiling to supply the
necessary funds. The legislature will
possess full information on this matter in
my report, and / earnestly hope a remedy
will be applied In the cities and towns,
the terms are long, and much above the
average for the state; hence, in the country
schools, the average length is relatively
shorter than the average for the state. An
extended investigation cOnvinces me that
the principal cause in most localities is the
lack of the necessary funds with which TO
maintain anything more than short terms.
This evil can be remedied to great extent
by the enactment Of wholesome laws, pro-
viding for the support Of schools"