The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1917-11-08
SCHOOL OFFICERS
HOLD CONVENTION
Large Number Attend Important
Meeting at Normal School Tues
aay-Held in Conjunction with
Teachers Institute.

The attendance of school officers at
the convention of the Ward county
school officers association held at the
Minot Normal school Tuesday, was
largely attended.
The convention was opened with
singing in charge Of Mrs. Amy Simp-
son, musical instructor at the Nor
NAL.
President E. D. Skinner called the
meeting to order and delivered an ad-
dress replete with matter OF an inter
esting and instructive nature. Mr..
Skinner himself was an educator in
the early days and for more than
thirty years has been clerk Of the
Pleasant school district and there is
probably no man in the state who
knows the needs of the rural schools
better than President Skinner. His ad
dress follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Fellow School Officers,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We are again assembled to inter-
change our several suggestions and to
listen to those higher up in the educa-
tional work in order to advance the
standard of education in Ward county,
North Dakota.
] understand that many counties in
this state are gathered, for the same
purpose. I realize my inability to ad-
wise and interest as you may expect.
u was 81 years the first day Of this
month since I arrived and cast my lot
with the citizens of Ward county. The
people realized the need of education
and at an early date established the
little sod "shack" school houses and
al l gave you the early history of the
school in Ward county, together with
a comparative statement with the sew
eral counties of the state showing a
high standard for Ward county, l will
not follow that line farther. Today
wish to call your attention to some OF
the results of that "pioneer" educa-
ton. Those early pupils are largely
our representative citizens of today.
l am proud of them and all of Ward
county citizens, after hearing the re-
suit of the call Oct. 18th, 1917, from
the chief executive of the United States
for financial aid in time Of need. We
know the conditions existing in this
vicinity and realize the cost to them
to come forward at this time in re-
spouse to that call. We feel that they
were correctly educated in that which
constitutes good, true and noble man
hood and patriotism. Such educa-
ton makes our nation what it is to-
day-the greatest nation on the globe.
This comes largely from our free
school system and it's teaching. How
necessary, then, that none but hon
est, loyal, true and patriotic teach
ers be employed, and | charge you
each and every one, at this time, to
look we'll to the patriotism of our
teachers. I wish to call your attention
to some of the conditions confronting
US as a body of school officers.
In the early history of this, and all
new counties of this state, we found
it difficult to meet the finance Of main
tanning and operating a six or seven
months term of school, Many locall-
ties in this state for a number OF years
paid the limit of 80 mills for every
dollar assessed. We saw that we
must carry out common school, At
present the schools are better financ-
ed but much more is needed, and it is
up to US as school officers to make
every dollar count in educational ad-
yancement of the children Of this
county.
First, we must, so far as possible,
provide sanitary and comfortable
buildings, then endeavor to make the
surroundings pleasant, attractive and
as homelike as possible, provide
teachers who will give them good and
correct instruction-that instruction
necessary to make them model and
patriotic citizens. To see that the
necessary books are in the hands of the
children. Then we must see that the
child is taught to care for those books.
consider it the duty Of every parent,
teacher and school officer to insist
that the child be taught to care for
their books; show them that they are
their slime friends. When other friends
forsake them, those silent messengers
are ready to comfort and amuse them.
realize many, perhaps some in this
room, may think this does not belong
to school officers duty. I say while
it may not, it should be the duty of
every parent, teacher and school Of
1CeT IN CIe ldIu. w HoC SoAC WIN
furnishes the books, we owe it to that
child. Your children receive the full
benefit of such instruction by learn
ing to care for their books and other
things needed in future life.
AS school officers we are practically
custodians of vast sums of money to
be paid out for the benefit of the chill
dren of this country. 1t is our duty,
therefore, to endeavor to use due dill.
igence in it's distribution. AS school
officers we may assist our County sup
erintendent and the general public in
the adoption or rejection of any meas
ure introduced for amendment of our
school law. can ounce Of prevention
is better than pound of cure"
In our capacity of school officers we
must consider all complaints, etc.,
from parent, teacher and pupil. In
fact, you are board of arbitration
in all such differences.
You are elected to act on all cases to
the best of your Judgment, subject to
, the laws Of the state of North Dakota.