Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-10-30
SCHOOL. REPORT.
Abstract OF Annual Report OF State
Superjntendent Of Schools.

Abstract OF Annual Report OF State
superintendent Of Schools.
The biennial report Of state School
Superintendent e. r.. Collins, which
will soon come from the press, sets
forth some facts that are OF interest to
the people of the state.
In general Ii may be said that there
has been a decided forward movement
In all lines OF school work during the
last two years. Twenty-eight villages
and cities built new school houses dur
ing the biennial period and these school
houses contain ninety-one school rooms,
or an average OF over three rooms to
the building. In the country, 129 new
school houses were built. Charles Mix
and Gregory counties lead I'm the num-
Der Of new school buildings, having
thirteen and nine respectively.
Several counties have fewer schools
than previously, which is accounted for
by the fact that some of the small
schools have been closed and the pupils
have been transported to neighboring
schools In the same or In adjoining
districts. This Is the result of persist
ent agitation for consolidation of the
rural schools" One beneficial effect OF
this consolidation has been better
wages for the rural teacher, and there
fore the frat class teachers have re-
manned In the school room. Wages OF
men increased during the period $500
and OF 32.o6. Even with this
increase in wages the male teaching
force continues to grow smaller.
There are 1921 children of school
age in the state, and los, 691 OF these
rrtAka A~rlIlm1 a., 49, -16n11a lao1 x,aor
In tbs rural schools alone there were
4,39s pupils pursuing the eighth grade
work last year. The writer believes
that the aex legislature should pass a
law which will insure free high school
privileges to all OF the graduates from
the common schools. High school work
should always precede a normal school.
college or university course, n our
public schools should be free from the
primary grade through h senior year
In the state university.
The library item OF the report should
give great satisfaction TO all who be-
ieve in the good effect OF wholesome
literature upon the young mind. Every
school in the state now has a library,
though many of them contain but few
books as yet. Teachers and county su-
perintendents uniformly praise the IL
brary law, passed by the last legisla-
ture, which brings a few books into
every school library annually.
Indebtedness.
The net indebtedness on the rural
districts was reduced from s267, S92.S1
In 1901 to s114,1S5. 10 in 1902. Another
debt paying year like the last will wipe
~,4 Az. ~~A4~~ AM IM UElIacac ard ottina
do not make so good a showing. for
many have bonded to build new school
houses. The interest rate on school
bonds has been dropping for several
years, and now averageG but slightly
above 6 per cent. Rate of district tax
in rural districts was 3 mills, and In
villages and cities 1874 mills.
Expenditures.
The largest single item OF school ex-
pene is that for the teachers wages,
which amounts to 81. 129. 1920. Others
are for new school houses, $121 ,923.2S,
for furniture $sT, / 81, for school off,
GERS salaries, s57, s1a.24. for redemption
of bonds, $143, 1Ss. 81, for interest on
bonds. SEQ, 711.07, for other purposes,
$379, 1888. Total expenditure for tie
last school year was 81, sos. 42S.21, the
most liberal amount in the history OF
our state.
In addition 10 the statistical matter
the biennial contains recommendations
OF State superintendent Collins regard
ing educational needs, reports of the
presidents of the state educational in
situations, reports OF school progress In
the various counties, Many circulars
SarR ou@ hv fha denarfmant of pubiic
instruction and other matters of In
terest to educators n those who have
to do with our public schools.