Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-01-17
The Township System.

A law was passed by the legislature
OF 1898, iGstructing the superintendent
of public instruction to codify the school
laws OF the state and prepare bill for
presentation to the legislature of this
year. accompanied by report setting
forth the reason for any proposed
changes Ex-Supt. Wells has finished
this work, and the bill is now in The
hands of the printer and will probably
be introduced during the present week
The township system of school gov
eminent is the one provided for in the
bill which will be- iu'r ,duced 1t means
The substitution of the town for the ter
ritory known as the school district hs
the unit of the system, This proposed
change has received the approval OF
every state superintendent for thirty
years. The bill also provides for
changes in the laws relating to county
superintendents, examinations and GER
dictates, aud free high schools. 1t is a
matter of great interest 10 educators
and those interested in educational mat
tiers 81 over the state, and one of the
most important pieces of legislation
with which the legislature will have to
deal this winter
ADVANTAGES TO BE GAINED
Mote effective admins tration of school
affairs would be secured hy reducing
the number of officers and increasing
their authority aid responsibility. The
average numher I districts 10 the town
throughout the state is about six, nj.
Though in certain eases the number in q
single town exceeds twelve. II is USE
less 10 expect eighteen men in each
town to give careful attention 10 district
aff airs. here is not enough IN IL.
Divided among so many it IS petty
business. But if all the business of al
he districts in the own were placed in
the hands of single board. consisting
of five To seven members, there would
be enough business tf importance 10
command their time and consideration.
BETTER SCHOOLS THE STANDARD.
1t is believed ihst the adoption Of
the township system would make the
schools Of the most Intelligent and pro-
gresaive districts the standard A town
having practically paid for y school
houses and being respot BILE for tie
construction of nee ded ones, the de-
mand from any sub district would he
for a schoolhouse equal TO the best in
he town. The clam for it would be
based upon The justice OF their having
equal accommodations. since they pay
the same r, to IT taxation upon their
property. They would further demand
an equal equipment and as good a
teacher as any district had. with as long
term. The result would be that ali
sub districts would have good school
houses, we'll equipped, with longer terms
of schooling AMI under more competent
teachers.
The natural tendency of contracting
with the same board would De to con-
tract for an entire year, and TINS the
term of employment OF individual
teachers would general be increased
The schools being better equipped and
better taught would attract and hold
the pupils, and their attendance in
suitable buildings. properly ventilated
and kept. with suitable surroundings,
would result in more manly and orderly
pupils. Thus school advantages and
expenses would be- equalized. A more
equitable spportio 1ment Of public funds
would be secured under our laws, the
distribution of local taxation being
equalized. There would also be create
disinterestedness and impartiality in The
employment of teachers. competency
not kinship or fsvoritism becoming tie
The basis Of selection.
For Sale