Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-30
SCHOOL CONSIDERATION.
Superintendent Barrett Discusses the
Subject in His Report.

Superintendent Barrett Discusses the
Subject in His Report.
Des Moines, Sept 3O.-Seventy-five
pages of the Forthcoming biennial re-
port of Superintendent r. G. Barrett of
the department of public instruction
will be given over to consideration OF
the questions OF consolidation of rural
independent districts and the transpor-
tation of pupils.
Superintendent Barrett intends to
make the treatise on these subjects in
his report valuable one that VIII be
replete with information on those I'M
portant questions of school policy. He
will present letters from county super
,intendents in many parts of the state
and from teachers and others interested
in educational matters in Iowa, showing
their views On consolidation and trans
portation. He believes the testimony
and opinions of these persons will be OF
much more value and interest than
discussion of these matters by himself
only would be. The report will make an
Interesting showing as to the growth q
the movement for consolidation and
Transportation in Iowa. Two years ago
pupils were being transported In twen-
ty-five counties of the state and to
forty-eight schools. Since that time the
plan has been tried in number Of ad-
ditional counties and districts. 1T is
not yet ascertained just what the in
crease is but Mr.. Barrett says 1t will be
considerable.
One of the most interesting phases
of the extension of the system of trans
portation of pupils is that 1T is being
taken up in some of the city districts.
Mr. Barrett has letter from Superin-
tendent Clifford of the Council Bluffs
city schools, in which the latter tells
how transportation was successfully
utilized there. Lying at the outskirts
of the independent district Of Council
Bluffs was the Woodbury. school. The
attendance was not large and the pro-
gress of the pupils was not satisfactory,
Jinasmuch as the teacher had the time to
give but few minutes to each Of her
classes. The cost of the school TO the
district was $50 per month. 1t was de-
cided to abandon the Woodbury. school
and transport the pupils to the most
convenient ward schools. The district
has been able to do this satisfactorily
at cost of $40 month, thus emecting
a saving of $50 per month by the change
and giving the pupils much better ed
ucational advantages. Mr.. Barrett Will
quote part of Mr.. Clifford's letter IN
his report as he believes boards else
where may find in it valuable sugges-
tion. 1t is considered by Mr.. Barrett a
striking testimonial to the economy OF
the tra ransportation system.
Another Letter is from Superintendent
n. C.. Bateman, of Forest City. He
tells how consolidation and transporta-
ton has worked successfully there.
The cost for each school district he
says does not exceed s165 year under
the consolidated system, as 1t is being
followed out in that locality.
In the consolidated district, Mr.. Bate
man ruenticns; two outside districts are
now seeking to enter under mr. agree
ment to pay tuition of pupils and ex-
pense of transportation.
The different phases Of consolidation
and transportation will be considered in
Mr.. Barrett's report, from the view
point of the country, the city and the
effect on the educational work of the
county. Statistics will be given to
show what is being accomplished in
other states as we'll as Iowa.
Superintendent Barrett received yes
terday the preliminary announcement
of the eighth annual meeting of the
Northeastern Iowa Teachers associa-
ton at Cedar Rapids, october IL, IS
and 10. The announcements are sent
out by ]. e. Scott, of Grundy Center,
chairman of the executive committee
of the association. The executive COM
mittee promises rarely good program.
The schools of Cedar Rapids will be
open one day of the session and Sup
erintendent Mcconnell and his teachers
extend an invitation to the teachers of
northeast Iowa to visit the schools and
inspect the work.
Speakers from abroad of national
reputation have been secured. Among
these are Rev. j. NJ. Cleary, of Mime
apolis. W.. /. Crane. of Dayton, Ohio.
and at least one other speaker Of known
ability will appear on the program.
Messages From Iowa Notables" will
be one Of the special features of the
program. Among those who will take
part are Henry Sabin. Superintendent
George z. MacLean, Homer II. Seerly,
Guy P. Benton and other college and
public school men who need no intro
duction to Iowa teachers.