Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1902-10-17
From the Viewpoint of the
School Board.
BY F. G. NC KINNEY.


four persons writing upon it to
cover the entire field.
"A a school district is deemed organ
lied when the members of the board
have been elected and qualified, it is
plain that the first requisite of a
school is a school board and the first
requisite of "good school, is good
school board. Such school board
must be composed of intelligent, fair
minded persons who have a full real
ization of the value of a good school
to the community and the state, and
who are willing to devote sufficient
time and attention to its needs to-
promote its best interests.
The school board is the representa-
tive of the district and transacts all
business for the district. The board
provides the school building and
furniture, hires the teacher and super
vises the work of the school. The
board that provides substatial, COM
Portable and attractive school build
ings, we'll supplied with furniture and
apparatus and fuel (not forgetting the
3 kindling) has furnished the second
requisite of good school.
Not much evidence is necessary to
prove this statement, especially to
teachers or pupils who have had the
misfortune to work in some cold,
leaky old school house with dingy
walls and rafting windows and bleak
surroundings. Beautiful and COM
Portable buildings and grounds have
8 an elevating and refining influence
upon the pupils and puts their minds
in. that cheerful, hopeful attitude
which is conducive to good work.
A home does not look home-like to
me unless the grounds are dotted
with trees, and nothing wonld add so
much to the appearance of school
yards as beautiful trees.
But planting and growing the trees
ON large majority of the school sites
of Barton county is different ques-
ton. 1t requires more care and cul-
tivation and moisture than can be
obtained in very large number of
. our isolated school districts.
If schools were consolidated it
would be necessary to build more
permanent and attractive buildings
and to employ janitor to care for
them. 1t could be made the duty of
the janitor to plant and care for trees
that would in time add greatly to the
g appearance and comfort of the school
yard. In this connection 1 might
say that isolation is one of the chief
causes of poor schools, and 1 believe
that consolidation of schools would
bring about great changes for the
better.
A workman requires good tools to
turn out good work. Books and ap-
paratus are the tools used in the
schools. Unless they are accurate,
thorough, and up-to-date the results
can not be satisfactory.
. A we'll arranged course of study is
one. of the requisites of a good school.
1t gives direction to the work and
furnishes an incentive for the student.
Instead of working aimlessly he will
strive to complete his course. With
a course of study the superintendent
IDS OCttSi opportunity loi effective
supervision. Changes of books and
change of teachers cause less hind
rance to progress than when course
of study is not in force.
Schools are organized and main
tanned for the benefit of the pupils
and incidentally to furnish pleasant
and lucrative employment to enter
prising young men and young women.
9 A good school is composed of good
pupils.
Good pupils are clean. kind, indus
trious, obedient and prompt and reg
ular in attendance.
> DR.. Strong says it is more neces-
sary to teach man morality than to
educate him. The school that fails
to cultivate in the pupils good morals
and good manners and habits is not
a good school, even though the prog
ress made in the course of study is
entirely satisfactory. Self-denial and
self-control are also essential qualities
of good pupil. He must learn to
sacrifice many of his minor rights and