The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1902-10-31
SCHOOL REPORT.
Abstract Of Annual Report Of State
Superintendent Of Schools.

superintendent OF Schools.
The biennial report Of State School
Superintendent E. E.. Collins, which
will soon come from the press, sets
forth some facts that are Of interest to
the people of the state.
In general it may be laid 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 n~inety-one school rooms,
or an average of over three rooms to
the building. In h country, 129 new
school ouses were built. Charlie Mix
and Gregory counties lead in 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 first class teachers have re-
NAMED in the school room. Wages Of
men increased during the period $3.06
and Of women $2.O6. Even with this
increase in wages the male teaching
force continues to grow smaller.
There are 1872, 176 children Of school
age In the state, and 105, 691 Of these
were enrolled in the schools last year.
In the rural schools alone there were
1888 pupils pursuing the eighth grade
work last yea The writer believes
that the next 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, and u
public schools should be free from tho
primary grade through the senior year
In the state university.
The library item Of the report should
give great satisfaction to all who be-
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 SUI
p~erintendents uniformly praise h IL
pIdIy law, pdSScO ny IL ldcI AC6iSid-
ture, which brings a few books into
every school library annually.
Indebtedness.
The net Indebtedness on the rural
districts was reduced from $267, 1881
in 1901 to STA, 1856. 10 in 1902. Another
debt paying year like the last will wipe
out the entire debt. Villages and cities
do not make sc 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 average but slightly
above 6 per cent. Rate of district tax
in rural districts was 9 mills, and in
villages and cities 15h mills.
Expenditures.
The largest single item Of school ex-
pene is that for the teachers wages,
which amounts to 81, 129, 439. 20. Others
are for new school houses, $121, 923.28,
for furniture ss7, 013.67, for school Off
GERS salaries, $57.613.24. for redemption
of bonds, s143, 1873. 81, for interest on
bonds, S62, I'll. OF, for other purposes,
s37s, 112. SO. Total expenditure for h
last school year was $2,503, 423.21, n
most liberal amount in the history OF
our state.
In addition to 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
sent by the department OF public
instruction and other matters of in
terest to educators and those who have
En- Al with our p,1hlic schools.