The Mena weekly star., 1916-07-20
w hat Our County
 Schools Are Doing
Report by W. Homer pigg, County superintendent

The Third Annual Educational Rally and County school Fair will be held Friday. September 2a For the past two years. this event has been held during the month Of May but it was thot to hold it this year while all the schools of the county were in session, so that all the schools can be represented. The teachers Of the summer schools are urged to begin early in the prepar- ation of teir exhibits There is no reason why every district in the county should not be represented, if the teachers begin early. In ad- dition t0 the exhibits of regular school work, such as map drawing, compositions, outlines, diagrams, model solutions in mathematics and drawings, there will be a splendid display Of the work done by the boys corn clubs and the girls can- ming clubs Of the county.
 One of the best signs of an in- creased school interest thruout the county is found in the returns of the Annual school Meeting held on the third Saturday in May Accord ing to these returns, iifiy-two dis tricts in the county voted a 7-mill tax. which is an increase of twelve districts over last year. A few dis tricts have not yet made a report of their elections and the number Of districts voting a 7-mill tax will probably be increased when all the returns are made. The people Of the county realize that the future well fare of the county depends upon the education Of our boys and girls and that, in order to accomplish this it is necessary to raise tha standard of our schools. IL is hoped that the time will soon come when every district in the county will have sut- fleient funds to provide the neces- sary buildings and equipment and maintain longer terms of school.
 In many respects the teachers institute held this year was the best ever held In the county. The teachers of the county manifested a greater interest in the work Of the institute than ever before and a majority of them went away feeling that they had been greatly benefited hy inc work. Of the one hundred twenty-six teachers who enrolled during the week. ninety-one attend cd every day. One hundred and ten were present on the last day. This is a splendid showing and the teach CTS are to be commended for their regular attendance and good work during the week. Supt. c, w. Reid proved to be an able institute in- strucior and the teachers received a great inspiration from his work.
 The institute gave him vote of thanks and voted unanimously to double the enrolment fee next year and employ two instructors instead of one.
 The people of the Centerpoint Consolidated District held an edu- cati0nal rally on "Wednesday, July 5, which was largely attended by pat rons of the school and visitors. At the conclusion of the morning pro- gram, an old-fashioned picnic dinner was enjoyed by everyone present. Some splendid instrumental music was furnished by the Alder Springs string band of eight pieces. The dl- rectors of the district conducted cold drink and refreshment stand, the proceeds of which will be used in equipping the new school build- ing. This is a new district formed by the cosolidation of three small districts and has the distinction of being the first consolidated district to be formed in the county. The district has just completed a new two-room building which has been equipped with patent desks. Other equipment will be purchased when the necessary funds are available.