Norwich bulletin., 1911-10-02
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Opposed to School Consolidation.

Mr.. Editor: MANY of the disad-
vantages of our present system would
be overcome by consolidation and your
board are strongly in favor of the
same''
The above sentence, taken from the
report of the acting school visitor of
the town of Norwich and a few re-
cent letters to The Bulletin lead one
to ask what are the ADVANTAGES of
consolidation to the city and town as
a whole. 1t is easy to declare that
consolidation is desirable. but decla-
ration is no proof To the writer a
person greatly interested in the educa
tional welfare of the young people of
Norwich, it seems better that a por-
ton of the schools of our city should
maintain a standard of the highest
rank, rather than that they should be
lowered to bring others up to a dead
level of mediocre quality.
One leading argument in favor of
consolidation is that in this way school
expenses will be decreased. But how
can there be any truth in such a state
ment? IN each of the large districts
man would be needed as principal to
secure good management and disci-
pine in the schools as much as under
the present arrangement, While a SUI
perintendent for the whole town
should receive a larger salary than
anyone at present connected with the
public schools of Norwich receives,
and an assistant superintendent and
secretary should also be employed. AS
many teachers would be needed in
the larger districts as under existing
conditions, and since the town board
have considered the abandonment of
the ungraded schools in certain dis
tricts and the transportation of the
children to graded schools and do not
feel thai the extra involved in
the change would be offset by the ad
vantages gained thereby" it cannot
be assumed that consolidation would
lessen the number or expense of these
schools. The fumes necessary to en-
ploy a suitable teaching force woul9
be increased rather than diminished !
consolidation.
Moreover, in other ways school e
penses would be increased by consol
dation or the efficiency of the schco
lessened At present drawing. sing
ing and kindergarten work are sup
ported in various districts. In case o.
consolidation these advantages mus!
be granted to all the pupils or to none
If these special subjects are intro
6uced everywhere, the expenses are
greatly increased.
Another argument presented is that
other cities have consolidation. But
Norwich is built up in q different
manner from many cities. 1t is not
compact city with it's inha bitants
grouped about a common center, but
consists largely of separate villages
grouped around some particular in
dustry. The physical features of Nor
Wich render it impossible to satisfac-
torily combine the different sections
into one school system.
While the consolidate of all the
schools of Norwich seems an unwise
measure, still certain changes might
be made which would give many of
the advantages of consolidation. The
school boards of the various districts
might agree upon uniform text books
and might prepare practically the
same course of study for all the grad
ed schools. AS the town board favors
consolidation, why does it not try the
plan for itself as far as it's authority
goes? Why not consolidate the
Bridge and Long Society districts;
and Yantic, Wawecus Hill and West
Town street? Then when these sec
tons showed favorable results of the
action, other cases of partial CONSOLE
dation might seem advantageous.
Men of Norwich, it will not do for
you simply to remain quiet next Mon
day. The issue is forced upon you,
and you will do well to consider the
matter carefully before following the
dictates of those who are looking only
for their own profit and advancement
A CITIZEN.
Norwich, Sept 90. 1911.