The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1907-07-05
TO HAVE GOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School Supt. Riste Tells the People of Che
Ian How to Improve Their Schools.

wholesome advice in regard to the con-
duct OF puphc schools. The following
is taken from last weeks Leader:
AS county we have but few poor
teachers, and hope they will not find
employment in our schools next year.
Better no school than a poor teacher.
Directors can not be too careful in the
selection of a teacher. If you have
a good teacher, keep him, pay the
salary that will keep him.
I regret that Chelan again changes
almost the entire corps. I suppose
the board is carrying out the wishes of
the people in paying salaries so low
that every year an entire new corps
must be selected. Such a teacher as
Mrs Huston is worth twenty-five dol
lars a month more than the average
new teacher who could be secured at
$50 to fill her place. Good teachers
the second year are worth twice per
month what they were worth the first.
OF course l do not expect the boards
to pay that, but SIS a month is too low.
The argument is used that wages must
be paid in accordance with the money
at hand. Chelan has built good
school house; one that is credit to
the town. In building that house,
more money was paid for each days
work in laying the brick than is paid
for one days work in teaching the
children. That is you pay more far
laying so many brick per day, than
you will pay teacher for teaching
from thirty to forty children. So that
when you say you are paying all to
your teachers that you can, know
better. I know Chelan can pay enough
to secure and retain good teachers, if
she SO desires. While the past year
has been a good year for her schools,
the best perhaps in her history, yet /
know that the constant changing OF
teachers has retarded the advancement
Of her pupils to such degree that
the children are permanently injured.
There is another policy Of the
board that l very strongly protest
against. Again I say that l doubt not
but that the board are carrying out the
wishes of the people, and | am not
making a personal attack on the board.
1t seems to be the determined policy
to compel every student in the high
school to take Latin. This I believe
to be wrong, decidedly wrong, and
not for the best interest of the young
people of the community. Students
should have the privilege of attending
and getting the benefit OF the school
without taking Latin. Latin is the
least useful OF all the studies in the
curriculum. You can graduate from
any good high school, college or uni
versity and take no Latin. AS a study
Latin has its value, but its value is not
such that il should be compulsory
study.
Another point l might as well men
ton is, that l believe this school
should give its own entrance exami-
nations to the high school, and not
make the state eigth grade exami-
nation the basis of promotion. Chelan
has a good principal and his judgde-
ment in these matters can be safely
followed. The board should act in
accordance with his recommendations
and avail themselves OF his knowledge
and experience in such matters as the
selection of teachers and the general
management OF the schools.
A number OF new laws have recently
gone into effect. The compulsory
school law is more stringent. Union
high school districts may now bond
and directors may now levy ten mill
tax without the vote Of the people, and
boards OF union high schools may levy
five mills.
have been asked a number of time:
about the teachers institute for mex
year. Mr.. Bowersox will assume hi'
duties as superintendent in Septem
Der and will have charge OF the mex
institute.
/ would advise boards to have
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