The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1902-08-01
9tood River Glacier
FRIpAY. AUGUST /. 1eO2.
Something on the school Question.


The taxpayers Of Hood River meet
Saturday afternoon, August s, 40 vote
on the question OF maintaining courses
in the public school above the eighth
grade. According to an act of the last
legislature, in those towns not maintain
ing regular high school, in order that
braches above the Sth grade be Taught
in the public school it is necessary for
the voters Of the district to determine
by a majority vote at a special meeting
that this be DONE 1t is,hoped that the
Hood River voters will take sufficient
time from their work on Saturday next
to go to this meeting at the school house
and to vote for the teaching of high
school branches in our school for the
coming school year. Don't let each one
leave this work for his neighhor, but let
him 90 in person and fulfil his duties as
a citizen having an interest in the edu-
cational welfare of the community.
The question OF high school is just
now vital issue with the people OF
Hood River. Those living in the valley
are also interest in the matter. OF late,
the proposition has been brought forth
that there should be high school that
would meet the needs Of both town and
valley. The country schools are increas-
ing in number at more rapid rate than
the town school, and the country dis
tricts are also finding it necessary to do
high school work. This is contrary to
the principle advocating conservation Of
energy. In each district there are but
half dozen pupils ready to take up the
advanced courses. But the demand of
these few must be met and the distr ct
decides that 9th grade studies shall be
taught. This means from six to dozen
additional classes for the teacher and
he must have more pay for the work.
Another teacher can not be thought Of,
but nevertheless with the work Of the
advanced grades less of the teachers
time can be spent upon the pupils Of
the lower grades. Here then is direct
loss to the school. A higher salary is
paid the teacher yet the work Of the
schools is poorer.
The teaching OF high school branches
in the country districts is therefore q
waste Of time and money. The town
district itself is not of sufficient size to
warrant a high school independent OF
the grammar school. Then why not
have a high school supported by both
the town and the country? Most OF the
country districts are near enough to
town to admit of the students attending
high school in town. Such high
school would prove source Of economy
to all concerned.
"What's your idea about the high
school question:" inquired Glacier
representative, one day last week, OF
County School Superintendent c. L.
Gilbert.
Perhaps as long ago as thirteen
years." replied Mr.. Gilbert, "the ad-
visibility of uniting the school districts
of Hood River valley for the support Of
central high school was discussed. So
far, it has ended in discussion. A law
was introduced at the last session of the
legislature with view to grouping three
or more school districts under one man.
agement. The bill failed to pass. 1t has
been proposed along this line by friends Of
education in Hood River valley to have q
special act OF the legislature empowering
the school districts of the valley to levy
uniform special school tax for the pur.
pose Of supporting high school depart,
ment, and making eligible to such high
school department all pupils who have
completed the Sth grade course, without
payment Of tuition.
"Several taxpayers and school patrons
have expressed themselves as favorable
to this plan, continued Superintendent
Gilbert. "There might, though, be an
objection entered against such a plan
inasmuch as the students in attendance
from certain localities might be greatly
out Of proportion to the amount Of taxes
contributed to the support Of the school
THAT the maintaining Of 9th grade
or a 10th grade, or both, in any district
in the valley for as few as four or five
students is expensive, all will admit
This year, the Hood River schoo
district had seven graduates from tn,
Sth grade; Barrett district, nine; Odell
two; Crapper, one; Pine Grove, two
Last year Frankton had nine and Bar
rett, Is.
"There being no present law to aid il
this matter, as county superintendent
suggested TO the Hood River board o
directors that~they offer an inducemen
to graduates in the Sth grade from
the rural districts to attend the higl
school here in Hood River. The board
has taken favorable action in the mat
ter and has already authorized the
principal of the school to invite patron
age at the low rate of 81 per month
This is about actual cost Of maintaining
any grade in the high school.
Al IL. = =.
osition for all the districts concerned
and that it will give the best results t.
all at a minimum cost. There is Law
authorizing the board of one school die
trict to transfer public school funds t.
another district for the support of {
pupil who desires to attend school il
another district. am Of the opinion
that the outlying districts of the val
ley already spoken of would be justified
under this law in transferring funds fol
the support OF graduates OF their schoo
who desire to attend the high school il