The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-12-22
CoT7eepondence Baltimore Cougty Union.
THE CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOLS.

-neccfss ENeeOfo'-aS Oilc lIyCcutL III CWCCb OH
debated on last Saturday evening the question
of consolidating the schools of that section and
decided in favor of consolidation, 1 think this
would be an opportune time for me to give to
the readers of THE UNION some facts regarding
the consolidated schools of Ohio. the Parent
State" of this system. was publishedas one of
the speakers for last Saturday night and regret
ted my inability to be there, but am glad strong
argument was brought out in favor of the con-
solidated schools.
About ten to twelve years ago Kingsville
township townships in Ohio are what We know
as districts in Maryland of Ashtabula county,
consolidated part of their schools as an expert
ment. The result was that at this central school
several teachers were employed so that the
scholars could be given better service than at
the various small schools where only one or two
teachers are employed, for no one teacher can
properly instruct nine grades and do Justice to
the scholars. This central school was termed
high school, the scholars were advanced further
than the small school could take them so that
they were prepared for colleges or seminaries.
The scholars were brought together in wagons,
which enabled them to go each day, thus very
much increasing the average attendance. 1t
brought more scholars together SO that there
were enough of the larger boys to form band.
it improved the community. The city man, who
came that way in summer when he found his
children could get as fine instruction as in the
city, remained during the year. This tended to
increase the demand for property and things
went better all around. This first centralized
school, although opposed at first by some, was
such success that it became the talk of the
State" and out of the State until it is known as
the "Oho system of consolidated schools"
Seven years ago the school board of Gustavus
township, Trumbull county o., sent commit
tee to investigate the Kiugsville township CEN
tralized school and they were SO well impressed
with its advantages that they recommended the
same for their township. 1t was submitted to
the voters of the township, the first vote result
ing in tie and the seconda majority of II in its
favor. A $1,000 school building was erected.
After it was in operation year Green township
centralized and others Of the same county fol-
lowed year after year until now eight town
ships have the one central school only. Each
township erected substantial brick high school
building, costing from $4,000 to $4,000.
A few comparisons will show the facts favor
able to the plan. The attendance increased from
so to so per cent and teachers salaries increased
over Is per cent. yet the cost of the entire sys-
tenn for the year was not increased over $500.
The townships have located the schools as near
the centre as possible. The children are convey
ed in wagons built especially for the purpose.
and in cold weather some are heated and all have
wraps for the comfort of the children. The
routes are laid off 30 as to go to the homes of the
scholars and as many as nine wagons are en-
ployed for each school. The compensation va
ries from S1.20 to $2.40 per day, varying accord
ing to the distance covered and the scholars on
the route. The average price is about $lSO to
$l.40 per day.
The system is such great step in advance of
the old way of conducting the "little red school
house, that the Ohio FdTmdr devoted much
space to full account of the schools in Trum-
bull county, printing pictures of the buildings.
wagons and maps of the townships, showing the
location of the old school buildings and the
routes taken by the wagons. The distance COW
cred by each route varies from about six to nine
miles. They go to the homes of the scholars to
and from the school. By Capitalization it brings
the children in closer touch with others from all
over the township, broadens their acquaintance
ship and the influence of the larger and more re-
fined scholars has very beneficial effect.
On recent trip through the Eastern Shore Of
Virginia found that in Northampton county
they are consolidating the schools of the coun-
ty. Three high schools have been built and two
others are under construction. The faculty of
the Franktown school includes professor of
high standing. Latin, German and other Ian
guages as well as vocal and instrumental music,
are taught and graduates can enter from these
schools the highest and best educational insti-
buttons of the State.
Surely Virginia should not be ahead of Balti-
more county along educational lines. My motto
is a high school for each outlying dstrictof Bal
timore county, and give us the equal facil-
tiles to those in the districts around the
city. The 18th district is an ideal place for the
first one to be centralized and Fork 8 - lan21
ton. Nine wagons can bring all the
the school from all points between the Big and
Little Gunpowder falls. The School Board
should send committee Of its members to Ohio
to inspect the system. AS the School Board has
the power to consolidate and the expense is not
very great over the present way, it is high time
that we have the best system of education for
our children and not stay back in the old way of
a single teacher school, system that has been
fine in its day but which is destined to be reega-
ted 10 the rear in the near future.
VIII RIDDLE
Court of Appeals Again Rules in Mr..
Bowen's Favor-In the Court of Appeals on
Thursday argument was heard by the full
bench on motion to reopen the case OF Car
mine against Bowen, appealed from Baltimore
county, and which had previously been de-
cided in Mr.. Bowen's favor The court unan-
imously decided against the motion. Messrs.
Yellott and Mitnick appeared for Mr.. Carmine.
Circuit Court.-George Whiteock w. Helen
A. w. Cowen ct AL decree signed for sale OF
property.
divorce held sub curia.
Hintz vs.. Hintz, continued.
The petit jury will not reasonable until
Monday. January 7th, 1907.