The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1908-04-04

Board Of Education, believe that
people of Lafayette county should |
adopt County Supervision of Schools.
BECAUSE 1t is a good thing, as is
attested by the fact that 4S states Of |
the Union have it as state system
and not a state has ever abolished
the plan.
BECAUSE it has been adopted BY
practically every one of the best
counties of Missouri among which are
jackson, Johnson, Saline and Ray
which entirely surround Lafayette
and because after from two to ten
years trial the annual reports of our
State Superintendent show that the
schools in every one of these counties
are better in every respect than our
own.
BECAUSE the children of Lafayette
connty-which ranks third in agricuI-
tural wealth--deserv all the atten-
tion that the children of other coun-
ties of the state and Of other states
enjoy.
BECAUSE if adopted the Office Of
County Commissioned and County
Board of Education will be abolished
and we will have in their stead an
experienced educat who will de-
vote ALL his time to the uplifting Of
our rural and Village schools.
BECAUSE the Superintendent win
devote his entire time to visiting the
schools; assisting and encouraging
the teachers and pupils; advising
with the school boards; rendering any
needed assistance and in case Of
difficulty win remain with the school
until the difficulty is adjusted.
BECAUSE allowing one half day for
each district. he will be able to make
at least two visits to every one Of
our 30 districts during the regular
school term, and three and four
where eur inexperienced boys and
lgirls--who always compose one-third
Of our teaching force-most need
his help.
BECAUSE 1t has been the exper-
Hence Of every state and county
where Supervision has been tried
that both teachers and pupils do bet.
ter work if they know an inspector is
coming to inspect, counsel, advise
anu criucise.
: BECAUSE the schoolswi be graded.
That is, the work will be divided into
eight so,called grades or years and
children beginning school in the
sixth year will complete the work in
the fourteenth and be given diplomas
which win admit them to any high
: school IN the state without examina-
ton. More than that At the be-
ginning of each school term the
Superintendent viii lay out course
I of study for each class or grade and
will require it to be followed. Every
child in the county in any one grade
= will be studying the same thing al
the same time and should pupil:
c move from one district to another a
any time during the year they would
7 take their places in their classes anC
take up the work where they left OF
|. without the loss of time. In shor'
e our children in the country SCHOOL,
6 will be given the same advantage:
that our children in the towns enjoy
t BECAUSE attendance will be in
+ creased. In Ray county two year
n ago, before supervision was adopted
e not one pupil completed the work 0
the country schools. This year
e after TWO years work under Sup per
|. intendent 0. L. .Klnkead, there vii
s be 215 who viii complete the work
/ BECAUSE the books Of the count
5 clerks Of the counties, where super
o vision has been tried, testify that
D has resulted in an actual saving. Il
e NOT A SINGLE ONE HAS THE IA,
RATE BEEN INCREASED BY II.
e BECAUSE If this were not true
l. since nothing but good can com
from supervision, the extra cos
r would be SO Insignificant as to be ur
ie worthy of consideration. The asses
ed valuation Of Lafayette county
,e sl2,50O,000, the salary of the superb
it tendent $500 which will amount t
ic but six ceuts and three mills on tn
$1,000 ASSESSED faluation or little lei
It than 10 cents on an average so acr
Is farm. If supervision is worth an,
thing it isworth that
BECAUSE the last leglslatur
IN created in each county the Office Q
- Road Commissioner at s9OOper year
- oversee the work Of the road owe
~ seers We believe that good schoo
a are more important than good road
n and that school supervisor is NOR
ID essential for good schools, than
road supervisor for good roads.
BncAUsE all leading men ever
where, openly, positively and hol
III