Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-06-01
To IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS.
DICKINsoNs FIRST ANNUAL
SCHooLBoARD CONVENTION.
Leading Citizens of the County Gath
er to Discuss Topics of Current
Interest - Original and Helpful
Ideas Advanced r. Full Proceed
ings,

Ideas Advanced r. Full Proceed
ings.
The first annual convention of dis
trct schoolboard members met in the
COURTROOM Saturday, May 81, at 10
a. IN.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
roads were still muddy from the recent
rains and a lowering sky threatened
more showers, at the time for opening
the convention there were representa-
tives from all parts of the county pres
emit, some having started at 8 a. m, in
order to be on time. There was an air
of business about them which gave
promise of lively meeting.
At 1890 the convention was called
to order by Supt. ID. +. Shirk who
was Immediately chosen chairman and
ID. A. Holmes of Wesley, assistant; j.
B, Meserye and David Goheen were
appointed secretaries.
Mr.. Shatto led in prayer. Then the
chairman in a few words explained the
object of the meeting,
DIRECTORS DUTIES,
Edwin Wilkins Of district AZ opened
the discussion on 1.-THE Duties of the
Director" lie said that the law can
not enumeIate all the duties Of an
officer. The director should see that
the school has all necessary supplies
aud apparatus; he should see that the
property is well cared for and use his
influence 10 securing long term and
good teacher. Mr. Huff agreed in
the main but thought that a term Of
six or seven months is long enough.
The discussion was lively and many
took part.
Supt. Shirk urged that the term be at
least seven months and eight If possible
in order TO give the country children
an equal chance with those In the city,
and because in childhood we learn
most readily. Mr.. Cogan called atten'
tion to the present unequal system OF
taxation.
| UNIFORMITY or TEXT BOOKS.
The next subject, County Uniform
ity of Text Books" was presented by
lC. q. Sherwood OF district 1902. lie
Opposed it because a change of books
would be necessary in most of the
schools, making heavy outlay for all
classes, while only the moving classeI
would be benefited in the end. Per
sons moving from one county TO an0the
would still have the expense of buying
new books. II would give some pub
fishing company monopoly which il
the end might work TO our disadyan
} tage,
G.. G.. Burton Of Topeka, who repre-
sents the American Book Co, wa
present and gave some statistics from
the State. Out Of the 1906 counties, 8
adopted county uniformity. OF thi
number II voted on readOptiOn at III
end of five years and In 8 II carried an,
) ~ failed to readopt, lie stated that
3 school district can contract for liy
D years and get their books just eS
D actly as cheap IA a county can
: That retail dealers make profit of
3 per cent and that the wholesale dealer
will sell as cheap to school board O
to a retail dealer.
8 Mr.. Springer said that the questiO
i should not be one Of expense but
II what is best for the schools. It va
IS argued that more uniform work coul
J. be done II we had uniformity. II
IT favored State uniformity.
Rev. A. Bollinger Of New Basel dl
II cussed the question in German for Il
II benefit OF those who did not unde
h stand the English language well. /
TO told what had been said by the spea
ar ers. After further discussion a vo
10 vas taken which resulted 80 for and
against county uniformity. A vote