The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1904-03-10
TO BOARDS OF EDUCATION.
State Superintendent Riggs Out
lines His Policy as to Iowa
Schools.

state superintendent riggs Uut-
lines His Policy as to Iowa
Schools.
State Superintendent Of Public In
struction ]. r. Riggs, in addition to
sending out circulars to the school di-
rectors of the state.calling their atten-
tion to new sections of law relating to
the annual meetings, has issued another
circular to boards of education in which
he takes occasion to outline some of the
topics he considers most important at
this time and to indicate what should
be done by the school boards looking to
the betterment of Iowa schools. This is
important as being the first official an
nouncement of the policy and purposes
of the new state superintendent. His
remarks to the boards of directors in
part are as follows:
"There should be practical uniformity
throughout the state Q) in the length of
the school year; (2) in the Intelligent
supervision of all school buildings, and
| (3) in the care and Judgment exercised
in the selection of teachers.
81. The length of the school year.
In this state the prevailing school year
is nine, months, usually divided into
three terms-fall, winter and spring,
the terms not necessarily Of equal
length. The fact that the average time
the schools Of Iowa were in session last
year was eight months, indicates that
many schools were in session an UNI
reasonably short period. beg to urge
upon your attention the ACCESSIBILITY OF
making your school year nine months if
possible or at least eight months.
Gin districts having but few children
of school age, it will often be advisable
for the board, with the consent of the
county superintendent, to temporarily
close the school and transport the chill
dren to an adjoining district.
"2. Supervision Of school buildings
The school board should provide for the
employment of a competent person tt
put the school grounds and outbuildings
in proper condition, and to thoroughly
clean the floors, walls and desks Of the
school room a few days before the open
ing of each term of school, and should
pay for this service from the contingent
fund.
'The board should, where practicable
employ teachers for the full school year
beginning with the fall term. While
the contract should be made for the full
year, it is advisable for boards, in the
case of untried and inexperienced
teachers, to reserve the right to term
mate the contract at the close OF the
first term if the teachers service has
not proved satisfactory to the board
ut is quite customary to pay SIS o.
$40 per month more to a teacher hold
ing a two years certificate than to one
holding low grade certificate. This
policy is heartily recommended.
Library. Your attention is called tx
the provisions of the library law. This
law is mandatory. Your school treas
urer is required to withhold for the
purchase Of library books 5 cents fol
each person of school age in your schoo
corporation, and larger amount (up tx
the limit of Is cents if directed by the
board.
"Arbor day, Friday, April 20, will b.
observed throughout the state as Arbo
day. In this connection your attention
is called to section 1887 of the schoo
laws. If the provisions Of this statute
are not already met in your distric
April 20 will be an excellent time t.
give it effect"