River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1908-07-02
The Annual School Meeting.


To Pierce County Electors:-
The annual school meeting will
be held next Monday evening, July
6. l hope that all of the voters,
both ladies and gentlemen, are suffi-
GENTLY interested in the education
of our children that they will be
present at the meeting and that as
a result of your deliberations and
votes you will have successful
school the ensuing school year.
The past year has been banner
year for the rural schools of Wis
consin and especially for the rural
schools of Pierce County, which &C
cording to the State Superintend-
ent's statement, takes first rank in
the matter of improvements. In
my circular letters issued before the
annual meetings in 1906 and 1907,
pleaded for adequate ventilation
and sufficient apparatus in our
schools. AS nearly ninety per cent
of our schools have taken advantage
of Chapter 600, Laws of 1907, by
the provisions of which schools that
installed satisfactory heating and
ventilating systems, supplied all
needful apparatus, and maintained
an efficient school slf91ld receive a
bonus of fifty dollars annually for
three years, it will not be necces-
sary for me to give much attention
to those subjects at this time. How
ever, hope to see the twelve schools
that were not in the first class column
last year, comply with requirements
and get into that column this year.
/ School boards that placed their
schools in the first class column
acted wisely and for the best inter
ests of both pupils and tax payers.
Not over one hundred twenty-five
dollars was expended in most of the
districts for all needed material and
every district that maintains an
efficient school during the three
years will certainly receive one
hundred fifty dollars extra from the
state; so don't come to the meeting
to criticise your board but rather to
commend them for acting in your
best interests.
In several counties nearly every
district has adopted free text books.
l believe that act to be wise one and
would recommend that in districts
where part of the text books must
be changed during the coming year
favorable action be taken on the
question of free text books. My
observation and use of the two sys'
TENS has proved to me that districts
having free text books spend about
half of what is spent in districts
where pupils purchase their own
books.
1 request every district to take
action on one thing that is being
ignored in many districts. That is
Chapter 70, Laws of 1905, which
provides for the appointment of
committee of three competent per.
sons to examine the books, vouchers
moneys and property of the district
and make report OF their findings
in writing at the next annual meet.
ing. Be sure to appoint this com.
mittee Monday night.
The wood sheds were built in
many districts last year, few are
still in need of them. Enough wood
has been wasted in some districts
to paw for two wood sheds and be-
sides they have been obliged to
burn wet or ice-covered wood half
of the time for thirty years or more.
| would suggest that in parts of the
country where coal must be used in
a short time small sheds that will
hold four or five cords of wood be
built this summer, to be used for
the storage of coal later on.
Many districts don't raise enough
money to maintain their school for
a wear or until the money is avail
able in the winter. Be sure to raise
an amount this year sufficient to
maintain your school till February
/, 1910. First class schools will re-
ceive fifty dollars in February of
each year for the next three years.
Again asking you to attend the
meeting and work for the best inter
ests of your school. am, Sincerely
Yours, G.. w. WELDON,
Co. Supt. of Schools.