The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-10-26
REPORT URGES
MANY CHANGES
RURAL COMMISSION PRESENTED
IMPORTANT REPORT TO
NJ. o. e. A.

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Grand Forks. N. D., Oct. 26.--The
report of the rural school commission.
which was presented by N. G. Mac
Donald to the North Dakota Educa-
t1onal association. is as follows:
The Problem-To improve condition
along five lines in order to increase
the efficiency of the rural schools.
The recommendation
Longer terms and better attend
ance: 1. Terms-to be nine months.
2. Attendance-pupils 8 to Is inclu-
siVe, No excuse except physical dis
ability, completion Of course, or at
tendance elsewhere. Non-member-
ship to be included in per cent OF at
tendance. Increase penalty. 8. State
truant officer-to have charge of en-
forcement of attendance laws.
Better Financial Support: / Coun-
ty tuition fund-Increased to two
mills. One mill for consolidation. 2.
State tuition fund. Like county fund
to be distributed on teachers, en-
ployed aggregate days Of attendance
basis. Five hundred dollars for each
teacher employed and so much per
pupil per day attended; same to be
paid from the county and state tuition
funds. 3. Special state aid-$150. 900
annually: $4,000 of same for pro-
motion Of consolidation.
School Board Organization-1.
County board Of education-Take over
work Of local school boards in rural
districts. Powers similar to city
board Of education. Might be local
committees to look after. under direc-
ton Of county board, repairs and min
or supplies. Q. State board Of educa~
tion-To prescribe rules for CLASSIFY
ing Of schools, issuing of certificates.
conducting of teachers institutes and
summer schools. Appoint inspectors
and state Superintendent. COMPOSED
Of nine members; to be active
business man. one a ~non-school wom-
an. six to be representative school per-
sons taken from the different fields of
education. and one to be state super
intendent of public instruction who
deputy the secretary. Work solely
legislative and judicial. Acts of in
spectors and superintendent involving
the rules, to be on appeal reviewed
by this board.
Consultations: 1. Benefits-Many
and important. Vastly superior to
one-room rural school. 2. Promo
ton of consolidation: Provide one
mill county tax, and 500, 900 annually
by state; $1,000 for each school from
county, and $400 from state, in each
year. Organized on petition of ma
jority of school patrons in territory
affected to county commissioners and
county superintendent or may be or
ganized by them without petition.
Improved Supervision and Better
Teaching: 1. Teachers-Minimun
wage of $50 per month. Appointed fol
term Of three years. Certificates re.
movable for good work, and fees abol.
! ished. Second grade elementary ir
two a to be equivalent to two
year high or normal school course;
and in four years to a four-year higf
or normal school course. 2. Super
visors. State superintendent to bt
appointed for a term of six years by ;
state board of education. Salary ant
qualifications to be higher. More as
sistants. Inspector to be appointed
for a longer time by q state board o
educatfon; and salary and qualifica'
tions to be higher. Two assistant in
spectors to be appointed. Count,
superintendent to be appointed 70,
six years by a county board Of edu
cation. Salaries and qualifications t.
be higher. To have more field depu'
ties with higher salaries and quallfi
cations. Residence restriction TO
superintendent to be removed.
A Campaign of Education for Rura
School Uplift: /. Commission-T'
be continued. 2. Major purposes
To interest people in better schoo
facilities in order to make it pos
sible for each boy and each girl t
earn and receive a common schoo
diploma before leaving school. Thi
means law observance and highe
ideals concerning citizenship.