Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1905-11-15

day.
The aggregate number in at
tendance was one hundred seventy
eight. The following topics were
presented, and ably discussed by
board members:
Lighting, Heating and Ventilat-
ing of School Houses: G. L. Harper,
chief clerk of state department..
Good Teachers, how secured;
qualifications; wages; contract; term
of service; special duties, ETC.: Q j.
Schuster, institute conductor Of
Platteville Normal.
The Necessary Working Tools of
District SCHOOL, Superintendent
Nye. Some of the Special duties of
the District Board as required by
law. This topic was presented at
Fennimore by A. E. Brainerd, clerk
Of Boscobel schools, at other places
it was discussed freely by board
members. Closer relation and
greater confidence between school
boards and county superintendent.
General discussion.
The readiness with which those
in attendance entered into discus
sion. the questions asked, and sug-
gestions made, are conclusive evil
dence of the interest felt by board
members in these subjects, and in
dicates that future meetings will
be productive of excellent results.
In the discussion of Teachers
Contracts much interest was shown,
and many clerks bore evidence OF
much inconvenience and loss oc-
casioned by breach of contract, or
designations offered just before the
opening Of school, no other reasons
being given than that higher wages
are offered elsewhere. Several
corrective remedies were suggested,
such as giving the state superin-
tendent power to annul the certif-
cate Of the offender; requiring the
teacher to give sufficient bonds for
faithful performance of contract, etc.
No definite conclusion was reached,
but it is likely that bill to correct
this species of dishonesty will be
presented to the next legislature.
Under the head of Lighting.
Heating and Vent1lat1ng School
Houses, the building of school houses
was discussed. Reference was made
4 to the book of ''Plans for County
School Houses" sent out from the
state department several years ago.
These plans provide that, instead of
placing windows on opposite sides
of the school room, light be adj
mitted from the rear and one side,
preferable the left, thus avoiding
cross lights, which make it difficult
to use the eyes without straining
them.
The schoolhouses in District No
5 of Fennimore. and in District it.
l of Woodman are lighted in this
manner. This leaves blank wall
on the side opposite the windows,
which may be covered by a slate
blackboard, extending the entire
length of the room, without a break.
An ample surface of good black
board is not only the most neces-
sary piece OF apparatus In a school
room, but it is the most useful, be-
ing available for use in nearly
every exercise of school work.
District No. -, of North Lancas-
ter, was the first in the county to
build, following literally the plans
above referred to. District No. IA
of South Lancaster soon after built,
following the same plans. District
No. 2, of Ellenboro, and it. No. 4,
of Liberty, built on the same plans.
Several of these buildings, incIud-
ing No. IL of North Lancaster, and
Joint of Liberty, are warmed by
furnaces, and ale among the best
lighted, heated and ventilated
houses in the county.
Should any district contemplate
building a school house, they are
earnestly advised to visit one of the
above named school houses while
school is in session, as the advant-
ages are much more apparent in the
real building than in the plans.
Objections have been made to the
outside appearance of one side with
out windows. While this is easil,
remedied by putting in false win
dows on the outside, it should be re-
membered that a school house
should be constructed, not so much
for its outside appearance, as for the
convenience and comfort of the
pupils within.
A good school house, well lighted.
warm, and ventilated, furnished
with a good blackboard, and other