The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1904-03-02
SCHOOL DIRECTORS MEET.
First Annual Convention Held last Tues.
day Under the New Law.
EARNEST BODY OF OFFICERS.
A Synopsis Of the Various Discussions, that
will Interest Patrons, Pupils, and
the General Public


| IOOrer TOWNSHIPS De aOle TO Con-
form to the Thirty-tive dollar
Minimum Salary Law" Mr.. Ran
dolph Palmer responded by say
ing that he had not yet solved the
problem satisfactory to himself.
Mr.. Malachi Litton of Thomp-
son thought it might be done by
consolidation Of schools IN some
districts; out was not sure the
plan would apply to all. Having
no figures at hand he, too, plead
ed ignorance of the probable cost
of conveying pupils to and from
school-the most considerable
item of expense under the sug.
gested plan.
Many questions were asked as
to the distance allowed by law
over which pupils would be trans
ported, showing that Fulton coun-
ty directors are preparing for
the changes to be wrought in the
near future in many districts
through rural consolidation, and
will not be caught mapping when
the time arrives to choose better
teachers for smaller number of
schools.
They recognize the fact that the
law is the result of experiments
and Investigations of educators
who make school reform a study,
and that the final result will be
that the rural schools of the
twentieth century will be far IN
advance of those of the nlne-
teenth.
Ex.Supt. Potts of Bedford
county, who has tried the new
plan of centralization, spoke frank
ly and uonvincingly of lis advan-
tages, chief of which were: Bet
ter teachers, better classification,
larger enrolment, larger daily at
tendance, far greater punctuali-
ty, larger classes, more competi-
tion, and greater interest and en-
thuslasm among the pupils. The
money-no matter how great the
sum that is devoted to the educa.
ton of our boys and girls-ls
wisely expended. At present,
the amount expended for one pu-
pill in Fulton county is less than
that paid by the Southern States
for the education of one negro
child.
Mr.. Jacob Lamberson of Tay-
lor, reported the fact that in his
township the compulsory law was
unpopular with the majority of
the board of directors; the law
had not been enforced, and asked
what cause was open for him to
pursue as secretary of the board.
The answer elected was: No
state appropriation to any dis,
trict where pupils of a school age
who are physically and mentally
elegible are not having school ad-
vantages.
Before adjournment the Coun.
ty Superintendent talked most
seriously to the directors, advis.
ing them to visit the schools
more frequently in order to bet
ter acquaint themselves with the
qualifications and general fitness
of the teachers in their employ,
assuring them that there are now
a few teachers in service who are
not worthy of increased salary
many others of our best and most
progressive teachers will go else
where to engage in more advane
ed work or be allured by more
tempting salaries while at pres
ent we have a very limited sur
plusage over the quota needed tc
supply the schools. 1t is evident
under such circu stances thai
the wlsest judgment should be
, employed IN order that ou,
schools should exemplify the
Survival of the tittest." "
! The presence of such a large
numo Der of representative men
, who were willing in extreme
weather to brave the long trip Il
the County Seat over roads il
many places almost impassabl'
from ice, is very gratifying II
the friends of education, and au
!. gurs favorably for the future in
fiuence and strength of the Asso