The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1912-05-30
EDUCATIONAL.


suggest methods of improvement, met
at Madison, Friday, May 10th.
The following subjects were taken
up for discussions:
/. The farmers earning capacity.
2. The school money and IT'S distri-
button.
3. The school as social center.
4. Consolidation of rural schools.
5. Farmers institutes aud other
agencies for the dissemination of agri-
cultural education.
6. Different conditions existing in
the state.
I. Education beyond the common
rural school.
although it is also an educational one.
There seems to be a general belief
that the farmers are making great
deal of money. 1t is true that some
farmers are and that in many commun-
tiles considerable wealth is accumulat-
ed. This is not true, however, of the
average farmer. 1t is rather unfor-
tunate that in usual discussions it is
not the average farmer that is consid-
cred. While there are many commun-
tiles in which the people do not spend
enough money for education, yet there
are other communities where the peo-
pie are taxed to the limit. These
conditions have direct bearing upon
the distribution of the educational
funds of the state and the method of
taxation.
2. The state taxes itself FOR school
purposes as follows:
The common schools. -. ...S 2,05S, 900
State University. $50. l,39O,OOO
Normal schools. s......... 100000
High schools. 100000
State graded schools. ... 10000
1t should be understood that the
amounts here given do not include all
that is spent for these various Schools.
The university, receives aid from the
national government. The university
the normal schools and the common
schools have special funds, the inter-
est of which is being used annually for
the maintenance of the schools.
The common school money is appor-
toned among the various districts of
the state according to the school cen
sus. In many instances this is not
just. AS a result of this method of dis
trJution many wealthy localities need
to raise but very little special local tax,
while other poorer communities have
TO bear heavy burdens.
s. The special subcommittee on
the social center work report that this
movement has made considerable pro-
gress in Wisconsin. In most counties
may be found some of these activities.
School programs, evening meetings,
farmers clubs, literary societies, and
other activities have been reported.
1t should not be understood that the
rural communities are in all places
dead
The committee has authorized the
publication of bulletin that shall con-
tain practical suggestions for commun-
tiles to take up this work.
4. The subject Of consolidation is
being studied more and more through
out the entire state. In many locali-
ties the schools are very small Be
cause of existing conditions people are
forced to do more in order to improve
The school facilities. The committee
is preparing a bulletin on this subject
This bulletin will give information and
suggestions regarding methods of pro-
cedure in Wisconsin, as well as inform
alton regarding the movement in other
states.
5. The farmers Institutes have been
the means of spreading agricultural
knowledge. In the opinion of the com
mittee they may also be used, together
with other educational movements, to
spread information regarding educa-
tional and economic subjects. 1t is of
the greatest Importance that the peo-
pie in the rural communities do more
along the line of mutual cooperation.
The question of greater production is
but one of the important questions for
the farmer to study. The business
side of farming as well as the civic,
educational and social phases need to
be taken up in these meetings. 1t was
suggested also that the farmers insti.
tute might be the means OF doing much
toward the permanent establishment oi
farmers clubs.
8. From reports presented by vari.
Gus members of the committee it is
learned that the conditions vary great
~ in different localities. There is a
marked difference between communi.
ties where teachers have received
some special training and where they
enter the work without preparation
The most immediate need of the coun
try school is the proper preparation o
the teachers.
I. Mr.. S. G.. Lindholm, who ha,
been working for the Board OF Public
Affairs, reported to the commltte,
some of his observations. One OF th,
most striking facts was that the chill
dren in the country communities ar,
leaving school too early. AS resul
Of this practice the country peopl,
will be at decided disadvantage. Tit