The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1906-06-02
CLOSING OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

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school system Of Lexington, and In
deed in tine state, entered upon a
period Of development which has
eoualed in rapidity OF advancement
and surpassed in Importance Of con-
sequences any other movement that
has engaged the energies Of the
people. Then it vas that the public
school system began to be a system.
Then for the first time courses Of
instruction began to be made uniform
and the local schools began to con-
meet themsel YES with the state uni
verslty, the head of the system. 1t
was then that throughout the state
public sentiment demanded the pro-
provision of adequate physical equip
ment, and a career Of grade school and
high school building was begun.
During that time 10 this city, count.
ing the buildings now in process Of
erection, more than s75, 600 has been
expended in providing suitable quar-
ters for the work. The attendance
has been largely increased-far be.
yond the rate OF increase Of popula.
ton; the teaching force has been
considerably augmented, but net as
much as should be done; apparatus
for scientific work provided; and a
library Of nearly 5000 volumes COL
lected.
But the most important evolution
that has gone on In the public school
sYstem is to be found IN the courses
Of instruction. During the process
Of this evolution sometimes for the
moment and la some single particular
at q time the motion has been back
ward; but on the whole the advance.
ment has been beyond that Of any
other object Of nnhlic interest and
endeavor. The public school courses,
like the public school workers, have
become thoroughly organized. All
courses lead up to something; and II
any pupil develops Unexpectedly to
himself or to his parents ambitiO0
and talent for further education, he
will find that whatever faithful work
he has done links on without loss OF
time to courses which will carry him
through some Of the graduate schools
OF the state university.
The organization of the public
school teachers has been an accom-
plishment OF ~far-reaching and benef-
cent consequences. They have their
local organization for study Of local
problems as well as the fundamental
theorems OF the science OF education.
They have county, district. state and
national organization, by which
enthusiasm and inspiration are en-
kindled. These organizations have
served wonderfully In promoting the
spirit of professionalism, In adding
dignity to the occupation in the eyes
Of the public and 10 lending to the
teachers courage for the arduous
difficulties Of their work.
BUILDING PLANS.
At a recent election the people
voted bonds to the amount Of SIS 900
for building purposes. After canvass
Ing various plans the board decided
to expend the money in making an
annex to the High School building
and 10 erecting a ward school for the
colored children at the corner Of
23rd aud franklin avenue The High
school annex is we'll under way, and
both buildings are expected to be
ready for occupancy by the first Of
September The annex is being built
in a style Of architecture consonant
with the main building, which was
originally planned so as to admit Of
extension.
The annex will contain a large
study hall which may be used as an
assembly hall, and is planned to seat
three hundred. The second floor will
contain three recitation rooms. The
first floor will contain a large labora-
tory for science instruction. This
department will be moved from the
main building, and the place made
vacant, it is hoped, will in ayear or
two be occupied by a manual training
department.
The new Fourth ward school for
colored children will be a single room,
built of brick, and SO arranged as to
provide for future additions.