The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1903-10-10
SUPERINTEND ALLIE.
MANS REPORT.
Fine Showing of the Work
Done by the Parish School
Authorities.

Only few days ago l had the pleasure
of representing Lafayette parish in the
Superintendent Convention held in New
Orleans. In this convention Lafayette
parish presented good report showing
more progress shan any other parish.
However, this does not mean that the
school system of parish is perfect nor
that it is even as good some of the lead
ing parishes of the State. We have made
great strides in our school system and it
should be the aim of every good citizen to see
to it that the parish makes no backward step
in school matters from now on. 1t is graft
flying to that the whole state is awake
to the necessity of better school facilities
and the people of Louisiana have made it
distinctly understood in the present cam
paign that education is the most important
issue at stake. Nothing be OF more
importance to us than the proper education
of our chiliren. The m,st sacred duty of
the State is to provide adequate education
for all its children. Education is the birth
right of every American born child.
1t is with great satisfaction that submit
the following report of progress made dur
ing the past two years, together with the
recomme nd atoms for needed improvements.
less than 1000; last session it was
1000. Next session it will be not less than
e5oo. Here is an increase of over 100 per
cent. in two years.
THE SCHOOL FUND.
Our school fund has necessarily increased,
but It has not kept pace with the increased
demands made upon it. Two year ago we
employed 40 teachers at average salary
of $50 90; only were trained for the work.
This session have IS teachers at an aver
age salary of $46.6,. This increase in the
salary has enabled the board to employ 81
trained teachers for the coming session. The
trained teachers have done excellent work
wherever sent, and the communities have
been quick to appreciate their superior
work. a healthy sentiment exists through
out the parish in favor of good teachers.
There are nearly eooo school children to
educate in Lafayette parish. Up to the
present session the taxpayers of the parish
have been contributing directly $4,000 per
year, or a. cents per child for one year of
education. This is less than cents per
month. The available school fund from all
sources is as follows: from the State,
$4,000; parish 10000; poll tax $4,000; school
lands, $4,000; town of Lafayette $4,000;
total $40, 900.
To maintcin the schools of the parish
calendar months for the present session, 1t
will require s2o, 100. There is n deficit OF
So, 100 which should be supplied by the par
sh and town of Lafayette, and would
therefore u1ge upon you the necessity for
laying this matter before the police jury OF
the parish and the town council of Lafayette,
calling upon them to do all in their power
for the child, en- who must be educated.
1t will be noticed that no mention has
been made of the special tax recently voted
by the people of the parish. The reason is
that the tax will be collected only in the fall
of next year and will therefore not be avail
able for the present session. Besides we
are in absolute need of thrty-four school
houses the construction of which will absorb
every cent of the special tax money. What
we need now is money with which to run
the schools.
The capacity of our school houses is about
500. Last year we tried 10 accommodate
1000 children and this session the average
school house of the parish will have three
times more children than it can comfortably
seat The demand from all parts of the
parish is for more space in the school house.
The school board is now preparing to
build four comfortable school houses. Last
year one school house was built, and one
thoroughly Repaired. In short time the
parish will have six comfortable school
houses.
THE SIXTEENTH SECTION, OR SCHOOL
LANDS.
There are three sections of school land in
the parish. Two and half sections are
at prices ranging from IS cents to
$3.50. Two years ago the same land was
rented at ten cents and 50 cents. AS nearly
all the land is rented there is no possibility
of there being any squattels on the land.
COST OF EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN.
Last session the school board expended
about $4,000 on 1000 children for 9 months,
making the cost of educating I child So. 90
per pear $I.oo per month. Instead of
being extravagant expenditure it will be
seen the board had not an adequate fund.
The parish of Lafayette paid 81 out of every
So spent. The other 81 spent on each child
was derived from other sources, principally
from the State. Our system of education
will never be adequate until We can spend
more than 81 per month on each child. 1t
costs the parish not less than So per month
to keep a criminal.
PUBLIC ROADS.
1t is with pleasure that I can report 4
steady impr ovement in the public roads of