The log cabin Democrat., 1913-10-16
AFFIRMATION FROM
 SUPT. OF SCHOOLS
'ANfNT PUPILS EXPENSE
COST OF SCHOOL SUPPLIES GREATLY REDUCED, SAYS
 PROF. WOMACK.

 ink, busy work material, etc, for the pupils of the public school. I do not understand that there is opposition to the plan, but do know that some do not understand it, hence this note.
 Heretofore each child in the lower grades has been required to buy two readers year, a drawing book, copy book, etc We undertook to i'm prove the supply of reading matter and at the same time reduce the cost We asked each child to buy one book and to bring the price of reading book and let us buy for him. We asked also for small sum for ink 10 cents each
 That We have improved the read ing supply you yourselves may judge at the end of the year How? By results. That we have reduced the cost is evident now For example, grade one, lower section, has bought zone book each and that with the 25 lcents Is to be the entire cost of books and other supplies for the year Mind you, he will not be asked to buy even a pencil nor a tablet. Can ony one complain at an annual book bill of 50 cents?
 The saving in the other grades is not so marked, but in every case it is no less real. Suffice it to say that leach child in the first six grades will be better supplied tha never before with reading matter, and no child will have to pay more than he has been paying; in majority of cases he will pay less.
 The ink fund was in excess of the need, but the money will be carefully expended for things the children will use. Ordinarily the teacher buys dozens of things each year for the children, and pays for them out of her all: too neager salary. And of- ten she has to furnish pencils, colored crayons, drawing paper, and even books, for children whose parents cannot or will not provide those things. That is not right We think we are not misusing the extra four or five cents per child when we use them to buy the little things that are needed from time to time during the year. And each teacher keeps a carefully kept account of the money that passes through her hands.
 l have written this in the hope that l may be spared the necessity of explaining the matter personally and in detail to patrons who do not understand. am not making a speciality of cheepness, but l thought it not amiss to relieve the apprehen- sion manifest in some quarters that 1 am reckless and extravagant in my requirements.
 And now permit a further word Do not send money to any teacher until you have been notified, either lthrough the press or by personal note from the teacher that money is wanted for supplies. We do not ask pupils to bring money. So wait un- til notice has been given In another school 1 had pupils who would ask | for money to carry to the teacher, and then buy candy, ice cream, show 1 tickets, etc, with the money. As a result the teachers were sharply crit \ icized for their extravagant demands and knew nothing of it till the Oc- casion had long passed. Since then require formal notice as a precau- tion against a possible recurrence of the experience.
 | Prospects for the Conway public school are bright We shall have a great year. But do not be too sure of it. Keep close watch for sign of carelessness or neglect on the part of the children while in the home, stand Loyalty by their teacher, and we shall do things worth while Verv resnertfuIIV