The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1915-03-15
B|C1|R'S
of Sardis District Hold Last
Meeting of Year and Pet
ton Education Board.

gtss4 AGs OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES s1UEL al
Wallace Saturday IN the last OF a SER
les OF six meetings held one each
month during the six months of the
school term Several teachers we're
in attendance from all parts OF the
district and several school officers.
members OF the board Of education
and trustees were also present.
Several proposed improvements in
the school system OF the district We're
discussed and the 70 lowing resolu-
tons, addressed to the board OF edu-
cation, were passed by the unanimous
vote OF the teachers and citizens pres
ent: s 5
To the Board OF Education Of sardis
District:
We, the teachers OF Sardis district,
assembled in the final meeting Of the
year OF our association, believing that
many needs and problems Of our
schools which others might overlook
present themselves with particular
force to us who do the daily work OF
the schools and with the single pur-
pose OF promoting the welfare Of the
communities in and for which we
have labored for the last six months.
do sincerely advocate the proposals
which follow and. with a desire to be
sfbility for the wise direction OF the
schools. do present the same to you
and ask for their careful considera-
ton.
Perhaps the most serious sneed OF
our schools is that Of longer term.
The present six months term is too
short for the average child in our
schools. The state common school
course OF study, which we try to fol-
low, outlines course Of eight years
duration, each year to consist OF nine
months of twenty days each of $50
teaching days, less few holidays.
Now our six months term allows US
only 190 teaching days, less few
holidays in which to do $50 days
work This we cannot do with the
average child The result Is that each
year a sad percentage Of boys and
girls fail of promotion. To fail OF
promotion means that the next year
must be spent In vain repetitfons OF
some matter well known while other
matter less we'll known is being ac-
CURED. To fail OF. promotion means
that two years of life must be spent in
achiefing one years educational prog
gress.
How serious conditions are ia this
respect is shown by the records OF
the Wallace school for 1884 In
the grades of this school 165 hildren.
OF this number seventy,one or forty
three per cent OF the whole enroll
ment were not promoted. The relation
OF the number Of days Of school at
tended to promoted or non-promotion
is shown by the following:
on the pupils who were not pro-
NOTED attendance figures are. avail
able on only fifty-eight OF these
sixteen attended an average Of only
forty-sfx days each. sixteen attended
an average of only ninety-two days
each, fourteen attended an average of
only los days each, and twelve at
tended an average of only I1e days
each. School was taught INC days.
The averafea number of days at
tended by those who were not pro-
noted was ninety-four.
On the other hand. OF the ninety
four pupils who were promoted
twenty i've attended an average Of
11S days each. TWENTY-FIVE attended an
average OF 109 days each, twenty-three
attended an average OF 111 days each.
and twenty7one attended an average OF
eighty seven days each.
tended by those who were promoted
was s104 Of. It6 days taught. 1t is be-
slieved that Investigation will show
similar conditions all over the district
s or course it might be said that ii
alltchild ren would attend saI II the days
taught in the present six months
term a larger number might be pro-
NOTED each year. But many children
who by reason OF sickness or accident
are. able to attend, say only 100 days
of 100 taught, would be able to at
tend in the longer term OF $50 days q
sufficient number Of days to insure
Promotion.
We Therefore commend to your
thoughtful conside the proposal
that next year the minimum term for
any school Of Sardis district be made
seven months. Its believed that this
Increase OF term can be provided for
without serious financial strain.
Another serious need Of our schools
is that. Of more intensive supervision
AS conditions now are in Harrison
county the time Of the county super
intendent, however efficient and hard
working he may be. is Of necessity
monopolized by administrative detail
So Sardis district schools are without
any supervision OF the actual work oi
classroInm instruction. We believe
that the efficiency and morale Of the
teaching body world be so improved
that such economiec Of operation
would be effected and that such an
improvement in educational enthus:
iasm and community spirit would be
noticeable as TO quickly justify the
appointment Of a district superinten-
dent We would recommend, how
ever. that only a competent and pro
fessionally trained person be- en-
ployed as such sup rintendent that q
son be paid and that such superinten-
dent be employed for minimum
term OF two years on first contract
Another serious education need Of
Sardis district IS tile increase Of the