The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-07-21
CONSOLIDATED
SCHOOL TALK
STRONG ARGUMENT FOR THE
soLIDATEp SCHOOLS
PLAN TO CREATE A SOCIAL
CENTER FOR EACH TOWNSHIP
some or THE ADVANTAGES.

Bantry, N. D., July 1S.-To The Fo-
rum: Once more we beg leave to pres
ent thought This time it is con-
corning the consolidated country dis
trict schools. In various places in the
state we are getting fairly familiar
with the consolidated urban district,
where a town reaches out to the fam
lies Of the farmers who are tributary
to 1t. and invites them to attend the
graded school. Then bye and bye the
bright boys or the brighter girls, climb
UP through the high school.
In the earlier attempts at CONSOLE
dalton in a purely country district,
there were some efforts which did not
make for betterment.
The argument dwelt on was the
greater economy of consolidation; its
cheapness maybe. But when a district
within my knowledge, not in the coun-
ty, united two schools, and hauled the
children in, 1t brought only such chill
dren from the north and the south as
two farmers living on these routes
could easily reach. dumped them into
one Of the old buildings, now too well
fitted to begin with, dismissed one
Of the two capable women whom 1t
had formerly employed. and left the
other to struggle on as best she could
with doubled numbers.
This is not consolidation that counts
What we hope to see is a congressional
township, thirty-six miles square, six
miles each way. with its beautiful
farm homes, it's growing groves its
wells, its good roads, four running
north and south and four intersecting
these east and west with one good
central school.
Such a school set within it's own
school grounds of five acres. having
a good we'll, fenced, fine hedge of will
lows on the north and west, poplars,
lombardy and Norway both, sheltering
hardwood elm and ash, and in the fore
ground a nice looking schoolhouse
with lawn and flower beds; behind
1t coal sheds. ETC., well screened with
lilacs and some of our hardy native
brush-these we hope to see and soon.
Layton district. No. 2S, in McHenry
has been thinking and planning just
such conditions. All winter the folks
talked by their firesides. In March
they voted for country consolidation.
Then they voted bonds and a suitable
site. In June they set off the site, and
as the acres had been farmed, they set
out trees. They planned a building
and advertised
But the present outlook of the crops
has dampened their courage a little,
and the high price of living made the
bids more than was thought wise, and
halt has been called.
This is only temporary, it is hoped.
For Layton township is filled with
shrewd, thoughtful farmers, who have
made a success of their fields and
they earnestly desire the best for their
children.
Yes, there are some who oppose
some who dislike debt so much that
they fear bonds worse than disease,
and a mortgage worse than hard win
ters.
But surely a benefit that is to last
for twenty years ought to be paid for
by same twenty years. And the
security is gilt edged.
Others oppose, because it is feared
the expense will be greater. The strug
gle OF an urban community nearby has
cost a great deal, but they have done
well by the children, even IL they
unwisely overstepped the law, and
expensive law was invoked. But it is
only the first cost. They will soon have
things set in order, and the expense
will become steady which is always
less than the irregular cost.
A careful study Of consolidation, as
1t has been worked all over the state,
convinces me that, at the end of five
years, the net cost is less than in
running three or four small schools in
a township.
True, stable is needed for teams.
But the law allows that now, and
many schools have it.
A boarding place for the teachers is
an ever present difficulty But some
districts have solved that by hauling
the old schoolhouses to the new site.
One is made over into a roomy, we'll
lighted stable-the other into an
airy dwelling house for the teachers.
Why not married man there? and
the social center that is surely coming
will mean we'll broken roads leading
to it, a library. literary nights, lee
lures, daily mail and the telephone.
Why the storekeeper in the little
towns will double discount, the big
department stores by getting the
farmers wives orders over the teIe-