The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1901-04-26
EDUCATIONAL COLUMN,
By County Supt. L. r. Clark.
Our Rural School System.
Its Present and Future.


All Improvements in social condi-
tions, if they are TO be at all effective
and permanent, must be brought about
by demand of public sentiment. His
tory records many great and noble
plans to benefit mankind which failed
thr ough the Indifference of the people.
Laws distasteful to public sentiment
are farces, but laws upheld by this
mighty force are binding and salu-
tary.
Throughout these articles the writer
has tried to show that the changes GO
ing on in the rural schools are due to
demand of the people for something
better. In communities where the
changed conditions were first noticed,
the remedies were first applied.
A description of the plans adopted
will be given as An answer to the
question, How can the graded school
be taken to the country.
In township in Trumbull county,
Ohio, ''the Board divided the town
ship into eight routes, which were let
to the lowest bidder, the successful one
being required to give bond for the
fulfilling of the contract and also for
good conduct of himself and of the pu-
pills carried, and further to provide
good. comfortable, well covered vans
in which to carry the children. Also to
furnish blankets and robes for the
same.
age about twenty pupils each. The
side and are set down upon the school
ground.
''There is no tramping through snow
and mud. The average cost per van
per day is $1.09. The carriers are re-
ouired to have the children Oh the
school ground by S:45 a. M, which
does away with tardiness, and to leave
for home about 3:45 p. m.
"Our school has now been in session
several months, and we are able to
make fair and close estimate OF the
years expenses.
Taking last year for comparison
we find: Number of school age in the
township, 235; number enrolled in
school. 1874; average daily attendance,
12o; cost per pupil Tor the year 1892.
Under the new way: Number of school
age 241; number enrolled in central
school, 100; average daily attendance,
loo: cost per pupil for the year, Sl5.'
In kingsville township, Ashtabula
county, the cost per pupil per year
W ith central graded school aud pu-
pills conveyed a. public expense the
cost pr pupil per year has been re-
duced TO Sl2.25.
| The following is an account of a
| system in Portage county. Ohio: The
i schoolnouse is centrally located in the
township. With mile radius and the
schOolhOuse as center a circle is
drawn. All scholars who live within
this circle attend school at their own
expense. A second circle is drawn,
with mile and three-fourths radius.
All scholars who live in the belt be-
tween the two circles receive 81. W each
per month to pay for their transpor-
tation. Each family provides for it's
own transportation in its Own way.
/ way. Under this system the township
attendance rose from sixty five attend
ance ON eight schools To ninety
| attendance ON the single central
school. The township has one Of the
best high schools in the state. After
Ipayinx for the new central building,
| in the fifth year there was an actual
! saving TO the township of more than
| $75O.UO.
Such schools are in successful oper-
ation ia Massachusetts, New Jersey.