Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-11-25
SOME COUNTY EDUCATIONAL TIPS
Pickings From Superintendent G dner's
Annual Report

| Superintendent Gardner's annual re-
port to the board of supervisors tou .hes
very specifically upon nearly every
phase of education as it affects the
school life and interests in Vernon
county. Although a panic passed over
/ the country it had little or no effect up
on education work. Only one of the
| l56 districts in the county failed to
maintain the required months school
as the law directs. The loss to district
No. 8, town of Christiana, of its build
| ing by fire last spring, has been re-
placed by good brick veneered build
| ing. Nos. 10 of Viroqua and joint No.
/ 3 and of Genoa have also constructed
new frame houses. Eighty-four dis
tricts made application for the special
aid offered by the state for improved
heat and ventilation in rural schools of
the first grade, and as a result the su-
perintendent expresses the belief that
they viii be able to work effectively
than heretofore He thinks because of
too numerous grades our rural schools
are overworked with classes. affording
the teacher little opportunity to do in
dividual work with pupils.
| Mr.. Gardner says in one portion of
his report: For years the state has
provided literally to promote better
conditions in our high and state graded
schools, but nothing was done to stim-
ulate better conditions in the rural
schools. 1t is gratifying, therefore, TO
note that the first step has been taken
by the state to encourage better equip-
ment in our common schools.
The superintendent says the schools
are all well provided with libraries. and
during the past year 1916 have been in
vested in the purchase of 1913 books,
making with those already on hand eX-
cellent material for reading and refer
ence work. The reading of good books,
| he is satisfied, stimulates boys and
girls to desire for better education.
Institute work, with assistance of an
efficient corps of instructors, was
strengthening to general school work
the past year. The enrolment was 1870.
y an average attendance of l73.
n the matter of attendance and
punctuality the superintendent pro-
claims that there are both encouraging
and dscouraging conditions. For in
stance, there is a decrease cf children
of school age by % as compared with
his last aenual report, the whole num-
ber being 9,537. OF this number Z, 100
enrolled, an increase of 13S. The total
days attendance was 626, 137 as against
500, 493 in 1861 Mr.. Gardner attrib-
utes the increased attendance to our
cumpulsory law. If, however, we com
pare the total children between the
ages of 7 and IA years, which is 4,484,
and find that only 1881 of this number
attended school twenty-four weeks or
more, as the law requires, the condi-
! tions are not so encouraging. These
! facts show that great many children
are deprived of the benefits Of COM
mon school education, which the peo-
pie so munificently tax themselves to
| furnish
The report shows that thsre were two
school board conventions and four
teachers meetings held during the yoaT
Ninety-eix applicants for common
school diplomas were successful, and
nineteen secured diplomas who wrote
on the graded school examinations.
Most of these graduates are now at
tending some high school or normal
county training school.
Financially, the county showing is
ample and makes a fine record. The
amount on hand at last annual meeting
| and that since received makes total
! in district treasures for the year of
S113, O88. rs, or an increase of $13, 443 80.
There was expended $40, 1864 fJr
buildings and repairs, S4, 653.l8 for APP
paratIs, $40, 557. 90 for serS ices of male
teochers, $48, 800 81 for ferlale tea :hers,
for furniture 81, ga 80, salaries of dist
rict clerks 81, 489 IS, for old indebted
ness 81, ,090. 2l, and all other purposes
S13, sol, AZ, leaving a balance in treasu-
ries of Sl9. .355. 5S.