The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-08-31
Co. superintendents Report of Schools
in Columbia County.

Motto, l.. b. Sperry and J. P. Welsh,
Profs. l.. A. Z. Crouter, c. NJ. Parker,
VIA. Noetling, !: II. Albert, and
Henry r. Russell, Miss Ella Richard.
son, and Mrs. Ella Greene. Evening
entertainments were lectures by DR..
Denote, Levin Irwin Handy, Col.
Balm, and the Ollie Torbett Concert
Co. gave concert. Local Institutes
as usual were held during the year,
and brief accounts of them were given
at the time.
The directors, as rule, are doing
commendable work. Seven substantial
school houses with modern improve
ments were erected. One each in
Benton, Briarcreek, Fishingcreek,
Greenwood, Hemlock, Locust, and
Pine. Berwick built a substantial ad-
dition to the Market street building at
a cost OF $40, 900. Many houses were
repaired and better furniture and more
apparatus were put into several. Some
districts were unable to comply fully
with the law regarding out buildings,
yet this receives closer attention and
all desire to comply with the law.
Berwick, Bloom, Catawissa borough,
Centralia, and Conyngham each had
nine month term of school; Mifflin,
Montour, Millville, and Scott each
had an eight month term Fishing
creek, Benton, Briarcreek, Catawissa
township, and Orange each had
seven month term; the other fourteen
districts had the minimum term of six
months. Every district did something
70 advance the schools, and a stronger
and better educational sentiment
everywhere prevails
An examination OF the secretaries
annual reports shows that the amount
OF money expended in Columbia
county last year for free text books
was SI2, ,28S,o7, for teachers wages
Soo,o74.Io, for all school expenses
SII7,82I.24. The estimated value
OF school property in the county is
Sao4, 10000. From these annual re-
ports we find that the daily attendance
OF pupils in 20 districts was greater
than during the previous year, in five
districts the daily attendance was less.
The state appropriation for I districts
was greater than the preceding year,
and Tor ~ districts it was less, due to
the trlennial change of base for dis
trlbution. In 10 districts the average
salary of male teachers was increased
IN districts it was decreased, and in
the remaining districts twas the same
as last year. The average salary paid
lady teachers was increased in II dis
tricts, and was decreased in bat
district, being the same as last year in
the remaining districts. In 10 districts
the cost per month of educating each
pupil was increased, in districts it
was decreased. The highest amount
paid per month for each pupil was
S5.S5-the amount paid in Berwick
the lowest per month was Sc cts.
The tax rate for school purposes in
S districts was greater than the preced
ing year, in 10 districts it was less,
and In the remaining districts it was
the same as the year before. The
highest rate levied was I3 mills in but
one district the lowest rate was
mill and this in but one district.
| have always urged directors to
abolish having principals and assistants
IN lower grades in graded schools
Berwick, Bloom and Centralia recent
ly did so and better work is accom-.
plishel The majority of our teachers
are faithful, conscientious and pro.
gressive. A few, still hoping to con
tlnue teaching by the eternal efficiency
ofhigher grade certificates, are neither
progressive, qualified, nor disposed to
qualify themselves. Directors, how
ever, as a rule, more carefully select
teachers and ability and skill more
generally prevail. Hereafter teachers
with provisional certificates will be
marked in the practice of teaching as
In the subjects. This was the year to
renew professional certificates. 1t was
necessary to refuse to endorse several.
One teacher refused to be examined
and had to resign his position. Proper
and legal objections were made to his
application for state certificate. These
objections stand against him and for
the good of the schools and for the
information Of school officers and
teachers l have asked the Department
OF Public Instruction for a decision in
the case.
Directors will please see that all
teachers employed have proper and
legal certificates. Free textbooks give
general satisfaction, and it is fitting
thing to introduce graded course of
study into the ungraded schools of the
county and we hope to have such
course ready by the beginning of the
coming term. 1t should be said here
that in some of the teachers old report
books may be seen pasted on the in