Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-13
I6R4l --A-,S0' *ooNf-
TobuFf The asyEbe changed in accord

ance with the Recommendation Oh 10Y
crfbrs Hill. and the State funds DIS
trIbuted according to the average at
tendance of scholars rather than by the
whole number belonging to the towns,
il would affect certain communities to
a marked degree. 1t is believed, now
ever. that the change would have a
tendency to increase the attendance TO
a considerable extent
For the school year ending April 1,
1902. there were 213.526 children in the
State between the ages of 4 and Il, but
the whole number Of different scholars
registered was only 1883. The aver
age attendance in the spring schools
was 9S,752, and il the fall and winter
terms 99,083. an average attendance OF
aS,91S. The towns having the best
average attendance would proht by the
change. The towns which would lose
by this innovation would soon increase
their vigilance in compelling Their
scholars to attend school,
Governor Hills recommendation was
as follows:
II recomm end that the State school
funds be apDortioned on the basis OF
average attendance, instead of on the
basis of the number of persons between
four and twenty-one years of age, IN
the different towns and cities. 1t is
only right that the State should so dis
tribute these funds as to make the
wisest use of them. and in way that
will accomplish the largest possible
measure of practical good For this
reason the allotment should be based
not upon the number of persons OF
school age, but rather upon the num-
Der actually attending our public
schools and receiving instruction there
in. / believe that such change in the
law would work to the benefit of our
common schools, and | trust this mat
ter will receive your early and careful
consideration.
Thirty-six academies, seminariea
and institutes received aid from the
State under the general law for the
year 1902 to the extent of $20,5S5. The
number of pupils enrolled was 1861, and
the average attendance was 2471. The
total cost of conducting these institu-
tons was $106,7S4, of which $72,140 was
for teachers salaries.
unorganized townships are of con-
siderable interest. The number OF
townships reporting is Al, the tota
population therein being 1902, and the
number of children 591. Schools were
maintained in SO townships, and the
total attendance w@s- 442, the average
daily attendance being 5S1. The total
amount paid for instruction was $5'09,
and the total expenditures amounted
to $705S OF this sum the State paid
$4752, the per capita tax amounted to
$500. and the amount paid from inter-
est on reserve lands was $1906.
Hon. N A Luce of Vassalboro, for
mer State superintendent of common
schools. has had charge of this branch
of the public school service, and has
devoted much time to the work. In his
report he says:
THE State should provide literally
for the maintenance of these schools
ard for making them increasingly
efficient. For the next two years, and
probably permanently, there will be
required for their maintenance an
nualy at least $500. A somewhat
larger sum than this should be made
available to meet the expenses OF
possible increase in the number OF
townships which may avail themselves
of these benefits. Such sum will in
clude the following items.
THE per capita sums contributed by
the townships, increased as suggested
can be depended upon to furnish $500.
The interest on lands reserved be
longing to the townships in Which
schools are maintained the current
year will furnish a fund of about $1,000
"A special State appropriation OF
$4,000 per year will be required to make
up the estimated sum.
THE mill-taX annually assessed FOL
the support of common schools will be
increased during the next two year;
$4,000 by reason of increase in the
valuation of wild lands. The $500,
special State appropriation needec
should be taken from the annual mill
tax. These schools are a part of oul
common school system and should
share in the States. provisions for tht
maintenance of that system. In these
townships are located the wild lands
which are taxed for the support of the
common schools. and it would seen
especially fair and just, that the major
part of the increase should be devoted
10 tho ,ca ap1 hapafit of these schools >