Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1900-11-14
State supsrtntsndsn Issues Cirsulari
Dssling With sSltdation ef
< Country Schools.
Favors che Transportation Of Pupils
to q Central or Township
School.
Ten Arguments in Favor 81 the
Plan Text Of the
Circular.
Special to es-Republican.


portation OF pupils. increased educa-
tional facilities for advanced pupils and
township graded schools for all pupils.
It is known az Circular No. 2. The
Twenty eighth general assembly recog-
nized the disadvantages Of small schools
and encouraged their closing and the
consolidation Of districts by providing
that boards Of directors might each year
levy. in addition to the amount re-
CURED for the contingent fund. such
sum as might be necessary, not exceed
ing IS for each person of school age, for
transporting children to and from
school.
The circular contains the names Of
districts in which pupils have ben con-
sveyed to and from school. The system
has been tried in twenty-five counties in
Iowa. In thirteen counties township
high schools have been established. and
the list OF these schools is given. AT
Buffalo Center. Winnebago county, a
graded union school has been main.
tanned for four years. A report on this
school 10 appended. The circular also
sets forth Governor Shaw's views on
graded schools as given in his
last biennial message.
Superintendent Barrett gives the fol-
lowing arguments in favor OF CONSOLE
dation and transportation:
I. 1t permits of better grading Of the
schools and classification of pupils. Con-
solidation allows pupils to be placed
where they can work to the best advan-i
itage. the various subjects of study to
be wisely selected and correlated. and
more time to be given to recitation.
q. 1t affords an opportunity for thor
.ough work in special branches, such as
drawing, music and nature study. 1t
also allows an enrichment in other
lines.
"3. 1t opens the doors to more weeks
of schooling and to schools Of higher
grade. The people in villages almost in
variably lengthen the school year and
support high school for advanced pu-
pills.
~. It insures the employment and
retention Of better teachers. Teachers in
small, graded schools are usually Of
limited education, training or expert
ence. or are past the age OF competition.
The salaries paid in cities and villages
allow wide range In the selection OF
teachers.
IS. 1t makes the work Of the special-
list and supervisor far more effective.
Their plans and efforts can all be con-
centrated into something tangible.
8. It adds the stimulating influence
Of large classes, with the resulting en-
thusiaarn and generous rivalry The
discipline and training obtained are in
valuable.
II. IT affords the broader companion
ship and culture that come from assoc
citation.
.s. 1t results in better attendance
of pupils, as proved by experience in
towns where the plan has been thor
oughly tried.
10. IT leads to better school build
ings, better equipment, q larger sup
ply OF books. charts. maps and appa-i
ratus. All these naturally follow a
concentration Of people, wealth and eff
fort. and aid in making good schools.
The large expenditure implied in these
better appointments liz wise economy,
for the cost per pupil is really much
less than the cost in small and widely
separated schools.
interest in the schools. Pride in the
quality OF the work done secures a
greater sympathy and better fellow
ship turnout the town"
AS to changes In school townships
Superintendent Barrett says:
frequently the question is asked:
May schools be closed and children
conveyed to a central graded school in
a school township There is no stat
utory reason why this may not be done
A school township. because it Is such
need not be cut into little tracts of ter
ritory called 'sub-districts. The pres
ent law makes 1t possible for the school
township to embrace all OF the territory
in q single district. When the school
township is not divided into sub-dis-
tricts board of three directors shall
be elected at large on the second Mon
day in March, by all the voters of the
township See sections 2,752 and 2,SO1.
Since the board now determines
where each pupil shall attend school,
regardless of sub-district boundaries,
there Is no longer the necessity for sub
districts. There is nothing to prevent
the board of any school township from
reducing the number Of sub-districts at
any special meeting called for that pur-
pose. It may likewise provide q graded
township school and transport children
to the same whenever there will be a
saving Of expense and pupils will SEE
cure Increased educational advantages.
The plan OF having the entire civil
township included in single district
and governed by board OF three or
five members elected from the town
ship at large is one Of the best yet de-
vised. This plan affords the best means
thru which we may hope to reach town;
ship high schools and centralized town
ship graded schools. If the rural school
is to be lifted UP some important
changes must be made.
S The lethargy which prevails in
reference to the Improvement OF these
schools Must be overcome. Small