The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1895-10-03
a Law OPENLY VIOLATED.
The Compulsory School Law Not
Effective In Redwood
County.
Supt. Race Makes an Exhautive
! Criticism of the District
Schools.
SUpT. w. w. PENDERGAsr, ST. PAUL,

SCPT. w. w. PENDERGAST, ST. PAUL,
MINI.
My DEAR S1R:-Some days ago I
transmitted by Am. Express the an
nual statistical report of this county.
| now hand to you the written report
on the several headings desired by
you. "What is the condition of the
schoolhouses and grounds?" The av-
erage schoolhouse is in good condi
ton. Here and there are to be found
poor schoolhouses, poorly lighted, with
low ceilings, small windows, shadeless
and blindless, but only few. What
new buildings have been built are
roomier, higher ceilings, larger win
dows, all properly curtained. On out
buildings, privies and closets, I can't
report much improvement. School
officers have not yet felt the deep in
terest in such matters. The condition
in some instances is abominable, out
ragsous and barbarous. lam pleased
to say that all new buildings have
good separate outbuildings for each
sex, | have tried in many ways to
impress upon school boards the needs
of separate we'll built water closets for
each sex. School house grounds are
as rule in poor condition. So few
are fenced that cattle roam at will and
tranple into shapeless mass the labor
of teacher and pupils.
DRINKING WATER.
There are few wells that are really
fit for use on the school grounds. In
two instances now in mind school
trustees have had cisterns dug on
the north side of schoolhouses. The
rain water from the roof has been
conducted in by the usual manner /
am not sure that the water has been
properly filtered, but still no sickness
has resulted from the use of the water.
1 am inclined to believe that if good
we'll filtered rain water could be fur
nished our children it would be much
cheaper, more healthful and less
trouble to our school officers. I know
of soma instances where the health of
several families has been improved by
the use Of filtered rain water. Care
however must be used in building the
cistern. So much of our we'll water is
totally unfit for use.
READING CIRCLE AND TEACHERS MEETING.
Both are maintained. We have be-
gun our sixth year. Last year we had
so members, and we hope to reach an
even 100 this yaar. The interest seems
excellent. We are obliged to maintain
two sections of the teachers organiza-
ton, known as the North and South
Side Teachers Association. We meet
the first and second Saturdays of each
month. 1t means good deal for a
lone girl to come II and Is miles on a
cold day to be inspired, helped and
encouraged by her laborers. They
come for polish and sometimes they
give polish by their originality.
FREE TEXT BOOKS.
This is one of the most interesting
phases of school work. Last year we
had As districts using free text books,
this year we start with 81. Does it
work we'll? do not know of a single
district that is dissatisfied and wishes
to go back to the old plan. "Does it
help to increase the efficiency of teach
ing?" Yes, very greatly. No waiting
for books. The right book always
ready for the pupil. "Are the books
misused?' A personal investigation
of the text books has convinced me
that the books are in excellent condi-
ton better upon an average than
when personal ownership prevailed.
TEACHERS WAGES AND CERTIFICATES.
Some $4,000 we're paid to the teach
ers last year for teaching our boys
and girls. The males received $35
per month, and the females received
$32 per month. Twenty were gradu-
ates of Normal schools, 80 of High
schools, SO have attended q Normal
school and rs have attended q High
school. It will be seen that High
schools give very largely the training
to the rural school teacher. All but
eleven Of the teachers have first and