The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-01-14

OF the Esst quarters WORK endlng Dec 81, iSr4:
when came into ONCE found IL schools in
operation. with go pupils in attendance. and 20
teachers employed At present we have % schools
in operation. with an attendance of 1874 pupils.
and IS teachers employed The difference ! pre-
sumo is due in large measure to the seasons. this
being o more suitable time for schools in the
rural districts than In the early fall. We could
have in school to-day more than $500 pupils II we
could supply the demand for teachers. but have
exhausted all of our home resources. and 80 far
have failed to induce teachers from other sections
to come and teach for us.
The educational interest manifested by both
teachers and pupils is fairly good but In some
districts there is seemingly lack OF interest on
the part OF the people to patronse the schools as
well as we should like to have them.
have visited all the schools Of the parish from
one to three times while school was In session
with the exception OF one, and visited that one,
but school had been dismissed for the holidays
nave remained In the schools from one hour to
two days. / was pressed for time could not
not remain longer. Some Of the schools are sup
piled with experienced teachers. and some have
had professional training. but in someschools we
have inexperienced teachers. Some are In need
Of help. some one to stay with them for several
days and assist them In their work. In fact, they
appreciate help and are asking for It,
We have held two Parish Teachers Associa-
tions for white teachers, and have issued a call
for the third one for the benefit of the colored
teachers next Saturday. In each of these Asso-
atoms most all OF the teachers were present, and
manifested much interest in the discussions had
We are sure Of accomplishing great good In these
teachers meetings. and In the school for teachers
we contemplate having some time this year. and
ask your cooperation along these lines.
We have in all 81 established schools. IS white
and 8 eolored Some Of them are taught In
church houses, which as you know cannot prop
erly be arranged for school purposes. We have
some school buildings In towns and In the rural
districts that we are and should be justly proud
of. yet they are not well furnished with equip
ments Many Of our houses are not suitable for
winter schools. while Others should be condemned
| altogether and new buildings erected instead.
| The lack Of educational interest prevailing in
some places may be attributed to poor equip
| ments. nothing Of an inviting nature to stimu-
late the people and the children.
| The school buildings and school property rep
resent an estimated valuation OF $27 900 90.
| AS school officials you should congratulate
lie school funds of our parish. and by jrdicious
management on your part, which you VIII make
Of the funds entrusted to your care. there is no
reason why we should not build more school
houses. and better equip those we have, thereby
offering more and better Inducements to enroll
| in our schools the 1000 boys and girls Of public
school age By reference to the parish treasurer's
last report you will see the contingent fund ID
overdrawn 81 ,2S9 0s. 1 suggest some action on
your part to relieve the situation. You win also
note tine fact that some Of the school districts
have not much funds to their credit. while few
are in debt. This Is an index as to what the peo
pie doing for the cause Of education in thost
districts. In other districts seemingly the funds
are not being used. which is also an index as to
what the people are doing. I would suggest that
| you take this matter up and assist me in trying
to Grouse better educational interest in sait
Districts and in the event Of failure to have thu
funds properly used for educational purposes and
that you make such disposition Of the funds az II
your Judgment will be to the best interest Of th.
boys and girls entrusted to your care.
Your attention is called to the question Of con
soldating the schools In the rural Districts whicl
means better schools, longer terms better teach
ers, and better pay for teachers. While unde
this head invite your special attention to tn
condition of affairs that prevail in Brster dstric
No. IS. As a solution to the problem would sug
gest, II it can be done, that you annex to dis
tricts IL and IL that part Of Brister district
of the Iatt. and thatxhey be given their pro rati
OF funds belonging to Brister district; that par
Of said district west OF Iatt be annexed to Coles
Hin district 81. 1t to have it's pro rata Of funds
and the children east Of Iatt to have school ad
vantages in districts II and IS and that a schoo
house be built at some central point for the chill
dren OF Iatt school and those Of Brister distric
, west OF Iatt. I futher suggest that you take nj
the question of consolidation Of schools in Roc
Hill, Big Creek. Mill Creek. Sand Spur, FRIENDSHIP
st. Andre. Dunn and Tison districts.
ask your cooperation in trying to raise tn
standard Of our teachers. placing higher pr
MUM on the profession Of teaching than there
now. Your attention Is called to the fact tina
some Of our teachers are not being paid as niue
as they should be, but circumstances are sue
that think it would be unwise in me to recon
mend an increase In salaries OF all teachers, an
furthermore think 1t would be unwise In you t
do such thing. but 1t seems necessary that 70
take some action In the matter, as this has pr
vented me from employing teachers for some {
our schools. must frankly confess to you. ger
tlemen that l am opposed to paying teacher
large salaries for teaching a few pupils. wan
to pay teachers for what they do as well as fc
, what they know. Would advise that the dan
average attendance Of 10. present prerequisite 70
salary. be increased to Is in schools where thel
are so pupils to 20 where there are 40 pupils, an
and before any principal shall have an assistan
he or she must make daily average attendant
, Of IS pupils.
9 member Of the board, or some one appointed
the member. making an enumeration of the chi
dren of each school district in his ward, and n
port same to this body at it's next meeting, an
that the district apportionment OF funds be mad
I according to said enumeration.
l should like to have your influence In gettin
e the people to vote the special school tar In di
tricts where there Ia a lack Of funds to properl
sustain the schools and to make the repairs meet
ed on buildings.
In conclusion wish to say, that with but litt
exception the parish has had the benefit of all m
: time and what little talent have to better b.
condition educationally, and with what succes
my efforts have been crowned, you are In a pos
ton to know. and not myself l avail myself
. this golden opportunity OF thanking you cole
: lively and Individually for your hospitality an
/ many courtesies extended to me while visiting Il
q various schools Of the parish. and at some futu
. time hope to show my appreciation OF yO'
Kindness in some more substantial way than
: | mere words.
Wishing for you all the SUCCESS in yout educ
!. tional work would have myself. am,
Respectfully yours, j. N. WARNER.
' Parish Superintendent.
Collar, La. Jan. Q. 1906.