The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-01-01

Sept. u, 1898, found the schools of
this city entering upon the ninth year
of their existence as a system The
progress during these years has been
rapid and thorough, and in the estl-
mation of some of the noted educators
OF the country, few cities can boast OF
more substantial advancement, more
intelligent supervision, or a more en-
thusiastic teaching corps. This enVl-
able condition of the schools is due to
the broad-minded policy of the sue
cessive boards of education, and the
public spirit manifested by the great
body of our citizens, and if the present
high standard is maintained, continued
progress is treasured.
The school census of 1898 showed
registration of Il, 200 pupils. an increase
of 243 over that of the preceding year.
The number of original entries for
1878 was i, 1929, an increase of 61S over
the preceding year, and an increase of
5,5Si over the school year 1901, the
year that the new system went into
effect The average number of pupils
belonging for the year 1873 was 1919;
the per cent Of attendance. 93.1, and Of
pGnctuality, 49,. The number enrolled
up to Jan. l, 1899, has been 1873.
The number of teachers employed
was 254, as against 101 in 1901; the
cost OF books per pupil was $1.27 during
the past year, and the cost of inSJruc-
tior, exclusive of superintendence,
SEQ per Capitd, based on enrolment.
The attendance at the High school
during the past year was 562. OF this
number, forty-six were graduated. AT
the opening Of the present school year.
80 pupils entered, mostly from the
eighth grades, SO that the board OF
education estimated that there should
be room provided in the new quarters
for 675. The opening of the ninth year
found the High school occupying new
and commodious quarters on Pierpont
street, for which q lease has been OBJ
tanned for a period of ten years. Teach
ers and students unite in expressions
OF cOngratulatiOn that the board was
enabled to provide such suitable ac-
commodations, and according to its
own plans and appointments. A few
weeks afterward the new Riverside
building of eight rooms was opened, as
well as the new Davis school west of
the Jordan. A new building is now
much needed in the Eighteenth ward
TO relieve the over-crowded condition
of the Lowell school, and also a new
one in the southeastern part of the
city, to relieve the Emerson. These
urgent demands will confront the new
board upon its organization.
There were, at the opening of the
school year of 1878, tWenty-nine
buildings used for school purposes,
twenty-three of which were owned by
rented. AT the opening of the Webster
school in January, 1898, two of the
rented buildings were closed, and the
district boundaries somewhat changed
in that part of the city.
The value OF the grounds at present
owned by the board is $3.50, 312.0S; of
buildings and improvements, $725, 476.02,
making the total valuation of grounds,
buildings and improvements, 1885. 7S9.
The reports Of the various super
viSOrS and the principal of the High
school TO the superintendent for the
year closing June 60 1898; of the latter
- the board of education. and of COM
mittees and of the president of the
board, show a healthful condition of
the schools, and a record for which any
city whose educational system has
been of long duration, might well be
proud.
The health of pupils and teachers
has been exceptionally good, and the
rate of mortality unusually high. Two
Deaths of school principals have oc-
CURED since September, 1897. being
those of A. E. Knuckey and II. C.
Bradford, both of whom had been
faithful in their attendance upon duty,
and the departure of both of whom
caused deep sorrow and regret.
The close of the year 1898 ends the
incumbency of Superintendent Mills
paugh in the position which he has so
long held, and for which he was so
well equipped. His connection with
the schools has been a tremendous up
lift to the cause of education, and his
departure IS greatly regretted. The re-
ception rendered him on the eve of his
departure for his new field, and the
many expressions of esteem, show in
a marked degree the estimation in
which he was held, and he has gone
with the hearty God-speed of a CRATE
full community.