St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-01-26

year, to be ISL pupils, and the total
average for the same period 81 time
(two months) to be $50 pupils,
making the average attendance for
each month about IS per cent. Of
the pupil, enrolled, which is fair
showing. But there il no reason
Why the average attendance should
not reach At least so per cent OF the
enrolment. It Is gratifying to me
to be able TO state, there vas : de-
cided increase in the average attend.
ance for the month OF December,
over that OF November. . fact that
leads me to believe the average At
tendance in the near future will be
: much larger ratio.
The progress Of the pupi!e con-
slider only fair. I can not at this
time make an extensive report upon
the progress made by the pupils, as
the time has been but short since
the present corps Of teachers have
been in charge. Justice demands
that special mention should be made
Of the splended progress made in
tome few schools, but justice equal
" demands I should refrain from
making any special mention ct any,
out Of respect to thoee earnest and
untiring teachers whose difficulties
and contentious have been many
and great-difiiculties veil under
stood and appreciated by me. lam
satisfied they have done and are
doing their utmost for the physical,
moral and intellectual advancement
OF the pupils under their charge.
For this reason I refrain, At this
time. from making special mention
Of tue progress made in any partlcu-
lar echool. But, wnen submit my
uext quarterly report to you. 1t is
my earnest hope and desire to be
able to report not only = larger in
crease ia attendance, but . marked
progress in the educational advance
ment Of the pupils.
It is with much pleasure l am
able to report 10 your honorable
body, that there are now in course
OF erection, throughout the Parish,
seven new public echool buildings,
which, when completed will belong
to the School Board These build
ings are being erected by and At the
expense OF the citizens of the various
localities In which they are situated.
It is with feelings Of much pride ]
can trutLfully say, wherever my
official duty as your Parish Super
in.endent Of Education has called
me, in every instance l have been
received with uniform courtesy, and
the citizens have cheerfullY and viii
lingly responded in rendering me
all assistance to advance the cause
OF education throughout the Parish.
In my opinion this is good omen,
It is an indication that the people Of
st. rammany have awakened to the
necessity of better and more
thorough educational system
TEN that will put within the gift oi
every child within our borders the
means OF acquiring = fair aud IN
average education.
Gentlemen. it Is my duty, as it is
each OF you. to respond to this up
peal OF the people for better educa.
ton. 1t becomes our duty to con-
summate this end. The question
then is, what is the best method a
adopt TO attain this end. 10 your
earnest consideration submit the
following:
The school fund 1t present, and
there is no reason why it should moi
remain so for the future, il in Z
good financial condition. We have,
say. up to date, in round figures,
Sc, 500 TO its credit.
Instead OF the system hitherto in
vogue OF scattering schools all over
each ward, giving . school Of two
aud three months out Of the year,
my plan is to consolidate the schools
more, decrease the number OF
schools wherever practical, and in
crease the length Of the session oi
each school tn six months. The
argument, gentlemen, that = child
can obtain u better education At
tending six months school than he
or she can obtain in attending J
three months school is 40 clear snd
self--vident il would be ludicrOus to
discuss 1t. The only question is can
the school fund MAINTAIN = public
school system throue llont the Parish
for period OF six months? l say
yes, it can, and in some localities il
can maintain nine months system.
have carefully canvassed the finan-
| cial aspect and condition OF the
school funG and It is my opinion,
| with ordinary circnmspection in the
use Of the school fund, this can b.
accomplished I submit the follow
ing table, which shows the number
Of schools in each ward, which car.
be maintained for period Of six
months or more.
Table No. 4.
First Ward
Amount of funds on hand $500 81