Mexico weekly ledger., 1917-03-15
SCHOOL NOTES
BY W. CLYDE JOHNSON.
County School supt

III -
II Through the kindness of a neigh
bOr, Mr.. Dickman, who loaned US his
lear. the writer in company with
Messrs. John Beal, editor of the Mes
sage, and l.. II. Strunk, principal OF
the High School, enjoyed a very pleas
ant trip out to Harrison school. 1t
was the last day Of school; and the
teacher, Ed C. Offutt, had planned
a great day with "pieces" by the pu-
pills, basket dinner by the mothers,
and talks by the fathers and others.
1t wal an ideal day, but, unfortunate
w., sickness upset the plans consider
iably. Only about one half of the
children were able to be present,
and the majority Of the parents were
kept away either by sickness or be-
cause of work in the field. Howev-
err. a number came, bringing with
them a bountiful supply Of the very
best things to eat that that fine
try produces, together with plenty
Of good cheer, so that all present hear
tily enjoyed themselves. After din
ner, a number of short talks were
made by the patrons and visitors.
Mr.. Beal recalled the school Of his
day. and encouraged the children to
make the best Of their splendid oppor-
tunities. Mr.. Strunk told Of his start
as a farmer boy, and Of the advantages
Of a good high school. The writer
tried to point out how different every
thing else wa today from that Of 25
years ago, except the school; and that
II this great State Of ours is TO main
tain her proper place with respect TO
the others; how necessary il is to
provide a better school, q consolidated
rural school for the country boys and
girls.
This is a very progressive COMMUNE
ty. Possibly a dozen boys and girls
are now going away to high school or
college. They have been considering
very favorably the question Of con-
solidating several rural districts.
They have two clubs, a farmers club
for men and a Home Economics Club
for women Both are doing a great
deal for the improvement of the COM
munity.
Saturday was another great day for
the schools of Audrain county. More
than one hundred school people, teach
ers, board members and friends at
tended a meeting for the school
board members. Much interest was
manifested, and all seemed well pleas
ed and much profited. In fact, so
much interest wa taken in the sub
jects Of hiring the teacher, keeping
the old one, clerks duties, and free
text books; that more than one-half
Of the subjects were not discussed
at all because time was too short.
In the morning we had the unexpected
pleasure Of hearing William Hirth,
the publisher of the Missouri Farmer,
and the organizer of the Farm Club
Movement, that is saving the farmers
so much money. He told us in q very
convincing way Of the value Of the
movement. May it rapidly grow
throughout the country and the state.
In the afternoon, Prof. Mark Bur-
rows, Of Kirksville Normal School,
made a strong plea for better sala-
ries for teachers, better rural schools
for the country boys and girls, bet
ter equipment and more money spent
which means a higher levy. He also
spoke in favor Of a larger unit that
would give every boy and girl in the
country an equal opportunity. Now,
John goes to a first-class school and
his father pays Acc school tax. But
his neighbor, Jim, just across the
road, goes to a six or seven month
school poorly equipped, etc, and Jim's
father pays a Csc tax. Is this right?
Is this true democracy? Don't for
get when you vote at the annual
school meeting, to vote for an increas-
ed levy. Vote 65 cents. The differ
ence in taxes you will never notice,
and then it is the best spent money.
What would your farm be worth
II you had no school in the commune
ty? How long would you remain?
Do you know that the state will aid
the weak districts so that it is now
possible for all districts to have an
eight-months school? If not, write
me about it.
Y I Il
hope that we can have at least
the president and clerk of every school
board in the county present at our