The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-04-21

tendance at school, and in llanner
tel tie School Authorities from
building additional rural schools OF
account of the increase in the num-
Der Of children.
After personal inspection of The
present gravel road, and all dirt
roads in the Parish, we find that
same are in first class shape. and are
being properly cared for.
We would also suggest that the
necessary bonds be issued under the
supervision of some we'll known bond
Attorney Of either New York or
Chicago, and that said bonds be
made payable serially, at bank in
some Reserve City, and that the in
ally, and made callable on any inter
est date after ten years from date,
upon sixty days published notice, at
say 1O2, in reverse numerical order.
After the localities hereinabove
mentioned have been provided with
surface roads and drainage, along
the lines that we have recommended,
we then earnestly recommend that
the road authorities of the Parish of
St. Mary call meeting of the Road
Commissions or Police Juries of the
Parishes who might be interested or
concerned, with the idea of devising
ways and means to construct road
from the eastern line of St. Mary
Parish to make connection that
will make it possible to have con-
tinuous route to points East, and
also afford the Parishes to the East
of us an easy access across our Par
ish and to points West of US.
In making the above recommends
tions in reference to building sur
faced roads. i: should be under
stood that the location of such roads
is a matter of suggestion on our
part. The Police Jury, before calling
the election for this purpose, should
make more careful investigation
in oEder chat the people in the var
ious localities. especially in the 7th
and 4th Wards would have a fair and
equitable distribution of same.
Public Schools
We beg to report that we found
the books and accounts properly
kept; we found an access of expendi-
lures over receipts of almost
100000 per annum, for the last
four years. This deficiency seems to
have been made up, out of other
funds, and we earnestly recommend
that this be remedied, either by a
reduction Of expenses, or request
for more funds for school purposes.
We find no budget of revenues
and expenditures was made accord
ing 20 law, owing to the financial
condition of the School Board, and a
fear on their part that the School
term could consist of only about
seven or seven and one fourth
months of actual session, if the bud
get was adopted.
We find on actual inspection, and
investigation of every school in the
Parish. accompanied by the present
Superintendent of Education, DR..
Foster, that there were bu: fifty per
cent of the white children of educa-
BILE age under the school law, in &C
tual attendance in the schools visit
ed. This, in our opinion, needs a
careful study, as there is evidently
something wrong either with the
schools, the system, or the people.
We find the three high schools,
usually inspected, in good condition
as regards buildings, equipment,
supplies, etc. There was a fair aver
age attendance, as compared to en-
rollment. In the High School De-
partment Of these schools, courses OF
study are so mapped out that the
teacher can give forty minute periods
to each class with one forty minute
period each day allowed for a rest
period. The principal devotes even
ess time IL ac,ual teaching.
In the other classes of schools
known as Rural or Graded Schools,
we find the buildings more or less
neglected: In some cases, almost un-
inhabitable, and destitute of almost
everything necessary, even toilets
furniture, supplies and equipment
necessary to conduct school are
sadly lacking.
In the real small schools, we found
the teacher working constantly, and
then only able to devote possibly ten
to fifteen minute periods to each
class, to enable them to comply with
the prescribed course of study. Ihe
teacher also has the general manage
ment of the school, and at less pay
than teachers in the larger schools
are receiving for the same grade
work. We would recommend some
method be devised more in equity tc
teachers and children, as we Zee:
that the country child has as mucf
right to a good primary school a.
Continued on page three)