Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1903-10-30
GRAnOT MILL HAVE
A COUNTY NORMAL
The Board Of Supervisors Recon-
sidered the Rejection Of the
Plan and Passed the
Resolution.
STATE STANDS FOR A PORTION
Of THE EXPENSE.
Indications are that Arrangements Will
be Made to Establish the Class
at Ithaca.

County normal training classes may
be established in Michigan, similar to
those OF many of our sister states. The
Legislature Of 1908 provided that ten OF
these might be established in as many
different counties in any one year. The
law provides that the school district de.
string TO establish one of these classes
must vote for it at regularly called
school meeting, and that the board Of
supervisors must also vote in favor Of
it. The school boards of these districts
must furnish the building, provide for
its heating. for apparatus and all con.
tingent expenses, while the state pays
the principal share Of the cost for in
struction.
The superintendent OF public instruc.
ton, the commissioner Of schools and
city superintendent. where school is 10.
Gated, shall form the county normal
board, and have control Of the affairs Of
the school, but the city superintendent
shall be in direct charge of the work in
behalf of the normal BARD. This board
will fix the entrance requirements,
standard for graduation and rules for
governing the same, as well as grant
certificates of graduation to those COM
pleting the courses.
The law provides for oneyear course
o. nd txun frhn xri III
admit students from any high school
having at least ten grades, any holder
of a second grade certificate, any one
who can pass second grade ex-
animation, or any person who has had
two years experience in the school
room. The person who completes this
course will be given a three year certifi-
cate TO teach in any school employing
not more than two teachers, valid
throughout the state. The latter course
admits those who have completed the
one year course or who are graduates Of
a twelve grade school, or holders Of a
first grade certificate, and upon the
completion of the course they are Civ en-
certificates qualifying them to teach in
any school of the state below the tenth
grade for period of five years. Both Of
these certificates are subject to renewal
Tuition to all students to be free.
Instructions will be given in reviews
Of the common branches, botany school
management, psychology, music, draw.
ing sciences, elementary manual train
ing and agriculture, besides special work
in observation work and teaching. This
work to be under the instruction Of
teachers hired especially for the work.
The work Is to be Of professional
character, that teachers may be fitted for
practical school work.
The auditor general draws an order
on the state treasurer for $500 per year
for each Of two teachers employed, the
money to be paid in two equal payments
on or before the fourth Thursday of
January and June of each year. What
ever balance for cost Of instruction there
may be is to be borne equally by the
county and the district where such
school is located, provided, however, in
no case shall the county be compelled
to pay more than one-half as much as
the state.
Gratiot county bids fair to have one
of these schools at Ithaca this year.
Surely we will next year. The board of
supervisors have acted fsvorably on the
proposition, as also has the Ithaca school
district. The only question is whether
we get in as one of the first ten tn is
year, owing to the delay caused by the
board of supervisors in not passing the
resolution until Friday of last week.
Teachers and students should begin
to make preparations to attend this
school. 1t is golden opportunity. The
normal is brought to the very doors of
their homes. Their neglect is their loss.
Such school will go a great ways to.
wards relieving the scarcity of teachers
which confronts school officers in three.
fourtha ~ the ron mites of tho atata