Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1899-04-26
adR HoME scHoota.

Not sptsmodic or ill-digested effort
but quiet confidence In our ability, as q
to master the situation and
grim and unwaveiing determination,
from now on, to work unitedly and nm
tiringly to place our schools upon the
highest pinnacle OF attainable efficiency,
is the immediate and pressing duty OF
every citizen OF Viroqua. elimination
and recrimination should be avoided.
1t would be most unfair and unjust to
hold the present school board, alone and
above their official predecessors, respon-
sible for existing conditions eliminating
in the recsnt removal of our high school,
by the authorities of our state univer.
sity, from its accredited list. Have We
not, as community and as individuals,
failed to rellize our duty and response
bility in the premises? Has our inter-
est kept pace with the ever grow
ing demands upon pupils, teachers
and school board in order that our
children might hs so equipped, through
educational agencies, as to best fit them
.or life's battle which is daily becoming
SO fierce that in the unavoidable con
fiict and competition the imperfectly
equipped, mentally and physically, must
fall by the wayside? We are credibly
informed that, annually, for ten years
the university has threatened to do what
it has now done; thus affording con-
elusive proof that We can solve the
problem, only by rebuilding from the
ground up-from the kindergarten to
the graduating class. Since 1881 seven
81 principals have presided over the
destinies of our childr an. Whah sane bust
ness man, with interests SO vital as our
schools at stake would, il preventible,
suffer such interests to be the sport and
plaything of disjointed and ever vary
ing responsibility and supervision such
as thisY In this connection it would be
interesting and of value to know how
many subordinate teachers in the grades
and high school have served during the
same period.
What "a to be done? The CENSOR
suggests: Call special meeting Of the
voters of the joint school district at
once. Five signatures, only, are neces.
sary. (Ssc. 427 Revised Statutes. The
call must specify the questions upon
which action is desired though, of
course, specific and general discussion
between voters and school board Ia per-
mlssible and desirable. Az such meet
ing, appoint committee best represent
ing the cider and younger divisions of
our population and with practical edu-
Gators and the county superintendent
as members thereof Give said commit.
tee power to call to their assistance such
man as Professor Hutton of White
water, than whom few il any better know
our needs and possibilities and the most
effective and economical way of provid-
ing for those needs. Professor Hutton
is full of common sense and has no
patience with frills and furbelows nor
with the modern tendency, in educational
matters, to burn the candle al both an Is.
The committee should have specific in
structions, though sufficiently elastic,
as guide to the lines upon which they
should work and report to the annual
meeting. 1t seems to us that this step
is indispenssbly necessary. II we wait
until the annual meeting, immature and
insufficient because I'M or i'll informed
action will inevitably result and the
final outcome be merely substitution of
one person for another in the member
ship Of our school board. Does the
physician rest satisfied with applying q
porous plaster to cancer? Constitu-
tional, not local treatment alone, is
requisite in the present crisis. The
CENSOR would submit as points which
might be proftably included in the
scope of the committees enquiry.
l. The educational qualifications and
practical experience to be required OF
Bill teachers, principal and subordinate?
2. The minimum and maximum sal
aries which must be paid to secure eff
,ient teachers?
=. How can the tendency to fro
1uent change of teachers be redu ,ed to
The minimum and the prompt removal
If inefficient teachers be best securely
4. In order to justly hold the prin-
,ipal directly responsible for results
should he, subject to the veto of the
Ichool board in case of abuse Of that |
,ower-have the authority to appoint |
md remove subordinate teachers for
,ause assigned and recorded?
5. Is the restoration of the school to
he accredited list of the State Univer.
Iity desirable-if desirable how is it to
% attained and maintained?
6. Is the teaching staff sufficient?
Il not, what is required? Should adj
litional male teachers be employed?
7. Does the course OF study need re- |
7ision-if SO in what respect?
8. Is preparatory class, intermedi- |
ste between the grades and the High
school necessary and advisable? Owe
Clerk Butt has long urged
,he latter step and that, in much mod
fed form, it is now in practice.
8. At the close of the school year
should examinations be conducted by |
IN Independent body?
10. The committee to freely confer
with the school board throughout the
,uq uHTs
The CENSOR has been the recipient of
numerous verbal and written communi- |
cations on the subject OF the Viroqua
schools during the last three weeks. All
Indicate intense interest and vigorous
The tine is ripe and
the opportunity for uLited and effective |
effort for our schools and children pre-
sents itself. Shs], we deal WITH the ait |
l8tion as il deserves wisely and effect
Ively? We believe it will be done. 1t
10 the plain unvsrnished truth that no
in America gives money |
more ungrudgingly for school purposes
than Viroqua. 1t is necessary that we
DO more than provide money, we must
share, actively, in the upbuilding and
of our educational forces |
by constant personal service. Our
schools are the very heart and likelihood
IF the community and the future we'll
'are of our children is inseparsble there
rom.
The following parties bought OF
Chas. s. Slack & Co. the past week:
Paul Hansen, Thompson wheelbsarow