The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1911-09-29
ABOUT SCHOOLS.

Olympia has issued a pamphlet bear
ing largely upon the subject of con-
solidation of rural school districts, and
considering the startling figures OF
cost of operating some of the smaller
schools of the state, bringing this mat
ter prominently before the public is
timely, and should result in prompt
reform in some quarters where re-
form would make for the common
good. Members of the country school
boards should send FOR copies of this
pamphlet and study It's contents. They
would act wisely in many instances
by carefully considering the sugges-
lions. A bulletin recently issued from
the office of the superintendent of pub
lie instruction, gives brief and con-
else resume of the pamphlet as fol-
lows:
THAT there are 1866 schools in the
state having less than 20 pupils, 80
Districts with but 2 pupils and six
schools in which only one pupil is en-
rolled, are some of the most striking
facts brought out in bulletin on
Consolidation of Rural Schools and
TRANSFORMATION of Pupils, just publish
ed by the Department of Education
This is rrOfusely illustrated PAM
phlet and has been prepared by Mr.
j. NJ. Layhue, assistant state superin-
tendent MIR. Lahue mas made care
full and exhaustive study of conSoll-
dation in this and other states the re-
suits of which he has compiled and
tabulated in this booklet. The mater
ial is accGrate-much of 1t CLEANED
from personal investigation and in
spection. The topical form is concise
and the plea SAINT narrative style is an
additional merit
THE work shows that in schools
having an average daily attendance OF
less than five pupils. the total annual
cost of educating each child is Sl4394.
The following extract is taken from
the bulletin:
The heaviest per capita expense
is found in the small school. BY eX-
animation of Table 8. II may be seen
that in 80 schools in this state last
year the average annual expense based
on the average daily attendance was
more than 5000 per pupil This ex-
pense did not include any permanent
improvements, but was simply for the
running expenses of the school,
Fifteen general topics are discussed
in the bulletin, some of which are
verified by tables and others are en-
livened by illustrations. Consolidation
is at first defined and state laws cited.
The rural school problem is presented
and includes a discussion of the move
ment from country to city. Transport
tation the chief obstacle to consolida-
ton, Is considered at length as to its
advantages and difficulties. Styles and
prices of school wagons in this and
other states are given and the prob
lem of heating discussed. The cost of
consolidation and transportation is ex-
amined at length with tabulated state
ments to illustrate.
In order to present a fair estimate
of consolidation, the opinions OF the
pupils in consolidated district have
been deferred to and few of both
the favorable and unfavorable are
published. A summary of the hene-
fits and disadvantages is also given in
conformity with the fair minded spirit
which prevades the book. Following
these general statements, the author
has given a detailed account Of his
visit TO nine consolidated districts.
The concluding chapter contains
opinions of rs superintendent, all but
one Of whom favor consolidation. and
commendatory letters from Governor
NJ. E. Hay, and two members of the
Country Life commission, the HCnOra-
BILE w. H. Paulhamus. of Sumner, and
the Honorable A. l.. Rogers, of Water
Vile"