Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-02

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increase of i've in the number Of schools
maintained and an increase OF 81 in the
number Of pupils for whom school privi-
leges have been furnished outside Of the
townships in which they lived.
"The proportion o. the school pcpula-
ton attending school is slightly smaller
than for the preceding year, but still con-
tinues to be relatively very high and the
past year there has been most encour-
ing gain has been made in the consider
with the enrolment. Another encourag-
ing gain has been made in the consider
able increase in the number of pupils at
tending secondary schools and also the
large number of pupils Of the unorganized
townships who took and successfully
passed a. the end of the school year in
June the State examination for entrance
to secondary schools. There are al the
present time students from the morgan
lied townships in II different secondary
schools in the State.
There has been an increase of three
days in the school year. making the aver
age length of all schools for the past
year approximately % weeks. However,
in nearly all places where schools have
been regularly maintained there have
been at least so weeks of school. The
past year three different arrangements
were outlined for the school year and
these arrangements planned TO tit the
varying conditions in unorganized town
ships in different parts of the State. 1t
has been found desirable TO have schooi
year with spring, summer and fall terms
and a long winter vacation in some
places, i'll others, long fall and long
spring term with vacations during the
winter and summer, and, III still others,
year somewhat similar in arrangement
10 that of towns and cities. With few
exceptions every school is now on regu-
lar schedule in accordance with one of
the three approved arrangements. con-
siderably small number Of summer terms,
which have not been found as profitable
as terms at other times Of the year, have
been held the past year and people OF
townships where the summer term is still
maintained are asking frequently 70
have their school changed TO one Of the
other arrangements. In fact, it would
seem that is only a question Of short
time when the summer session will be a
thing OF the past.
The total cost Of schooling children IN
unorganzed townships for the past year
was 2s,534S7. an increase over the PEE
vious year OF $4,000.
The very nature of the whole PROPOSE
ton for the schooling Of children living
in the unorganized townships will prob
ably cause this branch of our educational
system alwavs to he a distinct one ana
require as long as it exists different
methods of administration and super
vision than found in connection with any
other school system. However, there is
always present the opportunity for devel-
opment and improvement as elsewhere
and the projecting of this unique educa-
tional system offers a most interesting
problem. The principal efforts up 70 this
time have been toward better orsaniza-
ton of the system, a more efficient teach
ing service and an Improvement in equip
ment.
..Iust at present the great need for i'm
provement is in the direction of better
physical cOnQlJlDHS uIltlel NliINli Nt'NS-
pupils may work. This means a great
Improvement in general III the 9llldlnes
of the townships and requires new build
ing in many cases. The people Of the VII,
organized townships have always been
expected to provide and MAINTAIN schooi
buildings almost wholly at their own eX-
pense. This has worked a hardship IN
numerous cases and explains the exist
ence of conditions in connection with
these schools which should not be allowed
to continue longer. 1t is hoped that
means will be found in the near future 70
provide sufficient funds to make the
much needed Improvements and that the
state will thereby set an example IN the
ONLY elementary schools directly under
state control for the Improvement in gen
eral of rural schools.
"The plan introduced last year for the
schooling Of children Twins at the United
states Government Light Stations along
the Maine coast lfas been continued TINS
wear without important change Inc
travelling teacher has made fairly regular
visits to the light stations throughout the
wear except during the months or Jahu-
arv and February when the work was
discontinued. At present 3 pupils living
at 10 different light stations and ranging
il age from ) to Il years are receiving
school privileges under this plan. Addi-
tioual travelling teachers which would
mako nossihle more frequent and longer
visits or the employment OF a regular
teacher for each light station for several
,,ooths during the summer under the
direction IF lie travelling teacher woulT
groat1v increase the efficiency of this
work Il Il hored that cooperation VITA
the United states government TO THIS emu
NAV be brought about in the near fu-
ture.''