Cañon City record., 1910-01-27

regarding the schools of East Canon,
signed by "a Parent" and purporting
to have been written by one of the
plies some rather serious charges
against the school authorities of Dis
trict No. /. and hence in justice to all
concerned 1t is appropriate that the
public, and especially the patrons of
the East Canon schools, should know
both sides of the case.
The text of the article referred to is
as follows:
Children are being barred from
the public schools OF East Canon. East
Canon belongs to School District No.
l, with Canon City. and they are be-
ing Disseminated against on school
privileges. One of the school build
ings is unsightly and unsanitary and
the buildings are not large enough to
accommodate the pupils who should
attend. Several children of school
age have been turned away and not
allowed to attend. One boy years
old has been excluded for two years
by the district principal because he
did not know as much as the principal
thought he should"
Children. who can in any way ad-
formed are not being barred from the
public schools OF East Canon. The
trouble comes In entering beginners
In the middle OF the school year. or
several months after the beginning OF
school in the fall. and after the first
grade children have learned 10 read
The teachers have every minute OF
their time occupied with classes al
ready formed. and It would be n rank
injustice to the other pupils for the
teacher to form a new class for every
beginner that entered during the year.
Hence. II Is the policy OF our schools
to form new classes for beginners
only at the opening of school In the
fall. and pupils who do not enter dur
ing the first two months can not do
the work unless they receive a little
private instruction at home or else
where.
As To the schools OF East Canon be-
ing Disseminated against. will say
that the present board OF education
has neither been unaware nor un-
mindful of the fact that the people OF
East Canon were entitled TO better
privileges In the way of school build
ings and equipment; and II has for
long time been the expressed inten-
ton OF the board TO relieve this con-
dltion Just as soon as the finances Of
the district would permit In this
statement am sure that DR.. o. b.
Waite. our valued member OF the
board from East Canon. will bear me
ont
II Is evident, that with an Indebted
ness of over $4,000. with an annual
expense for maintenance OF something
like $40 1000. and with the tax levy al
most at the breaking point. that We
have had to make haste slowly In the
construction of new buildings. as we
have been trying in every way to keep
down the districts Indebtedness.
However. long before the complain
ing article appeared. the board had
taken up the East Canon matter, or
dered plans of buildings drawn. and
the writer. In company with DR..
Waite and Prof Shultis. visited the
premises and went over the condi-
tions very carefully. and while I have
no authority 10 speak definitely at
this time. feel safe in saying that
the very best things possible will be
done to improve the physical condi-
tions surrounding the East Canon
schools.
Aside from the buildings. the pa
irons of those schools evidently have
every reason to feel proud OF their
schools. From reports that / have
heard, supplemented by personal OBJ
servation. the pupils are making ex-
cellent progress In their studies. the
school spirit and discipline are good.
and the teachers apparently splendid
ly qualified for their work.
Regarding the last statement con-
cerning the S-year-old boy being ex-
cluded because he didn't know as
much as the principal thought he
should. will say. that after careful
investigation OF the matter. the facts
seem to be about as follows: The
boy entered last year and was regis
tered as six years OF age. He came
about six weeks. and being unable to
do the work was taken out. He re-
entered on the 7th OF last September
and again registered as six years old.
He came one afternoon and did not
annnnr npnin until Tho fourth Anrdn,.