The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1905-12-22
School Notes
BY County Supt. F. M. Sherarts

Dy NOuHCy SupCe r. NJ. Sner8rcS =
sssssssssssssssssssssssees
The patrons of the public schools can
congratulate themselves upon the fact
that progress in school conditions has
been made all along the line during the
past year.
The two elements of success in school
administration are economy and efficien-
cy, efficiency should be our main obiec-
tive. as without efficiency economy is inn
possible.
The efficiency ola school depends on
lst percentage of children of school age
benefited; End, the duration of the train
ing; Bird, the quality of the instruction;
4th, the regularity of the attendance.
The results of an increased efficiency are
shown by, lst, higher attendance of
scholarship; End an increased education
al spirit.
The records of this office show that
larger percentage OF the children enumer-
ated have been enrolled this year than
last year, that the school terms have
been larger, that better trained teachers
have been employed at an increased SAL
ary. and that the attendance has been ISL
more regular then in the past. ~
The results have been what we could
expect. More schools have furnished pu.
pills who have completed part or ali of
the work outlined in the course of study.
and twenty-five per cent more pupils
have received diplomas this year than
during any preceding year.
The credit of this very commendable
pro:ress belongs to the local school
boards and the teachers. The writer is
powerless to do other than to suggest
and encourage, the actual work must b.
done in the individual communities,
While we have cause for congratula-
tions for the progress made during the
past year, there are many opportunities
for still greater improvement. With an
enumeration S, 1859, but 479 were enroll
ed at any time during the year. In short
almost ]. 900 children of school age, re-
ceived no benefit from our schools.
OF the 4,479 children enrolled, but
2. 81 were in daily attendance 1t cost
approximately ten cents day tor each
child OF school age in our county to
maintain our schools. Last year the to
tai absence and non-membership amount
ed to 24O,496 days, representing cost of
$24, ,O49.6O, for which there was not
cent OF benefit received. Absence and
non-attendanee are often unavoidable,
but united efforts of school officers, pa.
irons and teachers ought to reduce the
above waste at least twenty FIVE per cent,
which would represent saving of over
%, 600!
appeal to school boards and patrons.
in the interest Of economy and efficiency
of our scho 1ls, with all the immeasura.
BILE benefits that they imp'y, that every
effort be made to reduce this enormous
waste.
Last year eighty-two per cent Of our]
children were enrolled III our schools.
what per cent Of your children are en-
rolled this year? Last year the n,on-mem-
bership represented twenty-four per cent
Of the total days Of teaching. and the alb
sence fourteen per cent. In short eigh-.
teen per cent ofour children were not in
schoo at all, and the remaining eighty
two per cent were absent for thlrty-eight
per cent of the time.
Hereafter | shall notify each school
clerk monthly, ,softhe condition Of each
school, iu the matter Of attendance as
compared with last year. If Your school,
is making az poorer showing than last
year, enquire the reason and rsdoubleH
your efforts to remedy the difficulty. IfI
you are making a better showing than
last year hold fast TO ali you have gained.
The increased bensfts derived IN theI
form Of higher efficiency and greater eco.
norny viii more than repay the effort.