Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-11-15
PLEASANT H Ill
MAKES FARMERS
LIFE PLEASANT
Problem of Rural Education
and Community Service Is
Solved by People of Dis
triCt Near Clovis,

isstclA, loHsssFoSorses 10 soHSise IeLssALI
Clovis. \. A.. Nov. 1.-THE prob
lem ol improving the rural schools
ana of making farm life less irksome
has been largely solved by Pleasant
Hill school district of tins county. lo-
Gated fifteen miles northeast of Clio.
Wis, and al the same time the spirit
OF cooperation and unanimity of
purpose displayed by these people
would be a fine thing for the patrons
OF other school districts in this coun-
ty. as wen as other counties IN the
state, to emulate
In this as TN all new ana somewhat
sparsely settled counties. the amount
of money raised for school purposes
by taxation is limited to rather
small sum. Last fam at the opening
of school Pleasant Hin discovered
that the enrolment would warrant
employing three teachers. instead of
the two employed before. but the
funds in the treasury, togcther with
the legal tax levy for the year 1915.
would pay the salaries of but two
teachers. A petition was circulated
and enough money was subscribed in
short time TO pay the additional
teacher "a nice salary for the entire
school term of eight months They
also thought that they needed a prin-
Cipal Of the school who could COM
mand a higher salary than the avail
able money would allow them TO pay,
SO the contribution plan was resorted
TO again the result being that out of
this contribution they are paying
their principal $25 month, in add
dition TO the monthly salary he draws
10
Building Enlarged,
The problem of teachers wages
having been solved. these people then
turned their attention 20 enlarging
their school building, which had be
come too small for the scholars in
attendance. and another room was
badly needed As there were no
funds in the treasury for building
purposes. the contribution plan was
again adopted $500 was donated, and
the additional room was added to the
already commOdious building.
About This time BAPTIST minister
happened along and thought there
was a good field for a religious work
er among these enterprising people.
He took the matter up with the mis-
sion board Of his church, which body
agreed 90 give $3.50 a year toward his
support if the district would contrl-
butte a like amount. The good people
of the district met the mission board
more than half way for they sub
scribed $500 toward the support of
the minister, leaving only 500 for the
mission board 10 pay.
The people Of this district use their
school building as a sort of social
center. In addition TO having school
during the week. they have social
gatherings, spelling bees their liter
ary society meets, and on sunday they
have preaching services aud sunday
school.
Harmony Among People.
All contributions We're made with
out reservation or strings tied to
them, to a committee, to he eXpend-
ed as the committee thought best
and, strange as il may seem, perfect
harmony prevails among the patrons
Of the district as to the manner in
which the money has been spent
Such is the fame Of the excellence
Of the Pleasant Hill school that pupils
come from other districts often traV-
cling many miles to do so, in order
to attend this school they being adj
mitted without the payment of any
tuition
At the county fair here last Octo-
bcr this school was awarded first
prize as being the banner school, in
the county in the matter Of neatly
kept building and grounds, fixtures,
etc. ana the members Of their boys
ANA girls industrial club carried away
"a large number Of prizes at the state
fair at Albuquerque
That 2 good school. even in a rural
community and somewhat remote
from railroad is a paying invest
ment is evidenced by the fact that
farm land within the boundaries Of