The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-11-23
TO GET TOGETHER
Plan to Combine Schools for the
Benefit of Pupils
ON PRACTICAL BASIS
Association and Consolidation for
Teaching of Agriculture and
Kindred Subjects


During the week that n. E. Chap
man, expert from the State Agrlcul-
tural School, spent here talking the
doctrine of better farming, poultry
and stock raising. the idea of associa-
ted schools was laid before the aud
fences in the country districts by NJ.
d. Aygarn, superintendent of the
Sank Centre public schools. This
plan has been put in operation else
where and has been success. In
Cokato, Wright county, thirteen COM
mon school districts have been united
with the Cokato high school and the
experiment is considered success
from every viewpoint.
Under the agricultural high school
act of 1909 it is provided that schools
contiguous to high schools teaching
agriculture, manual training and do
nestle science, may associate with it.
The state gives $1,000 toward this
work, provided the high school dis
trict gives 81 $50 and for each associa-
ted district an additional $4,000 is
added, while the districts so associa-
ted are each given $4,000.
If association is desired, the way to
secure it is as follows:
Secure petition from the county
superintendent of schools. AT least
rs per cent of the resident freeholders
sign petition and forward it to the
county superintendent and he sends
out ten days notice for an election
to decide the matter by vote. The
ballots shall read ''For Association"
or against Association. A major
ity vote is required to carry the
measure.
On the first Monday in August the
associated rural school districts shall
meet and levy tax of at least two
mills upon the district for the pur-
pose of carrying on agriculture, and
other industrial work.
After years trial, if district is
not satisfied with the work it can
give years notice to the central
school and at the next annual meet
ing Withdraw by a two-thirds major
ity vote.
The rural sc hool VIII go on as be-
fore: but the superintendent of the
central school will have complete
supervision over the agricultural and
other Industrial work and help in the
matter of securing good teachers for
the rural schools.
Each district shall select one of it's
members to meet with the school
board of the central school to see
that this work is carried out and
spend the money, and also help to Sc
cure a good agricultural instructor.
Every school district that associates
gets 5000 extra from the state. Of this
$3.50 goes into the associated school
fund and the other $50 goes into the
school fund of the country school dis
trict, also $500 extra as provided UNI
der the Rutnam Act. So if ten
schools associate the state will give
them $4,000 for this work.
Consolidation of rural schools is al
so provided for by law. This is effec-
ted the same way as is association,
but under consolidation the country
school is discontinued and all the
pupils are ia ken to the central
school: that is. the country school be-
comes part of the central school and
has equal rights.
Consolidation provides for the trans
portation of pupils living more than
two miles away from the school or for
board and rooms. Association does
not provide for transportation OF
pupils.
Besides the regular state aid to
high schools of s1,75O, the consolidat-