The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1915-05-19
CONSOLIDATION OF
RURAL SCHOOLS
(By Jno. b. McFerran. }

SChOoi COuSOhuutiOh SuDihib w"
following further extracts from the
Bulletin of the University Of Illinois,
called for by the Farmers Institute
of that State, it may be borne in
mind that since this bulletin was
issued in 1904 the consolidation of
country schools has increased stead
lily and rapidly in the face Of opposi-
ton, invariably. When first agitated
in every place-until at this date
they are well established in parts
Of all the States and there is no rec
ord Of one being abandoned, and they
continue to multiply with increasing
momentum.
Respectfully submitted,
John B. McFerran.
"What is meant by school consol-
idation7 BY consolidation of schools
is meant the uniting of two or more
small, weak schools, into one that
shall be strong enough in the way of
money to afford a comfortable build
ing, two or more good teachers, and
reasonable facilities for work. 1t
also means that outlying territory
with but few children shall be COM
bined with nearby school that is
strong, rather than be organized in
to an independent but weak district.
In it's fullest sense it means the unit
ing of all the schools of township.
illinois is organized by townships
of about SO square miles rather than
by precincts as in kentucky into
one or two so located as to be most
accessible, though not necessarily at
the geographic centre. Consolida-
ton either in full or in part means
the transportation Of portion Of
the pupils, and this one Of the prob
lens. 1t is generally accomplished
in covered wagons, artifcially heat
ed, holding Is to 20 children ESQ
wide spread is the demand for these
wagons that several large factories
are making a specially of their man
ufacture) and are driven by reliable
men under contract and bond as to
regularity and good behaviour. At
first thought this would seem expen-
sive, but experience has shown that
this is not the difficulty, for it is
cheaper to transport few children
than to establish q school for them.
This because wagon is cheaper than
a house, horses cheaper than fuel,
and drivers less costly than teach
ers. Consolidation also means,
where small districts already exists,
some changes in buildings. These
changes are sometimes affected by
moving together two or more Of the
little buildings or by adding por-
ton to one, thus making a two or
three room house, in other instances
new buildings are erected (this by
far the best way in the long run. }
What Has Been Done.
"From the various sources of in
formation consulted it appears that
consolidation commenced in Massa-
chusetts under a law of 1869, and
was first operative in Quincy in
1874, since which time more than
65 per cent. Of townships have found
it necessary or advantageous to
close and consolidate some schools.
In 1893 Superintendent Seymore
Rockwell wrote "For Is years We
have had the best attendance from
transported children; no more sick
ness among them, and no accidents.
The children like the plan exceeding
ly, We have saved the township 5000
per year." From this and from in
dependent centres the plan has
spread until it is in operation to a
greater or less extent in twenty
States (now in Az not of single
section of the Union, but of all
sections, notably in Massachusetts,,
Connecticut, New Hampshire, Yer
mont, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa and Kan
sas, and to some extent in Maine,
DLnla IoIo~l NJ.