Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-12-24

the part OF teachers ana ScnO0l BOARD
members to make all new purchases
of textbooks from the list of recon-
mended textbooks, made out by the
county superintendent for the schools
of Vernon county; so in that way we
shall soon have county uniformity of
textbooks without forcing it, as pro-
vided by the statutes, but rather by
natural development, and the wishes
of the school districts themselves. /
believe this is the better way, as it
does away with undesirable features
of forced uniformity of textbooks,
while it accOmplishes the same end
in about the same time. | am most
heartily in favor of county uniform
ity of textbooks, but | am not sure
that there is only one way to get it.
Vernon county now has one of the
best lists of recommended textbooks
in the state So say teachers and
school men. Textbook agents do not
say so, because the list was not made
for the benefit of any agent or book
company, but rather to give the best
in each subject to the young people
in our schools.
School Bulletin
l believe the plan of getting out
a well edited school bulletin is most
helpful and desirable. Going as it
does to the teachers and school board
members, it furnishes q splendid med
ium through which the county super
intendent may reach the teachers and
board members regularly with an
nouncements, plans, notices, suggest
ions, advice and educational news. /
would like to continue this under some
plan or another. ! have in mind is
suing a bulletin which shall be devot-
ed to the educational interests of our
county, by having department for
each of the foliowing-the county SUI
perintendent of schools, the county ag-
ricultural agent, and the school nurse
(for we shall have one in 1920, if not
before.) In fact | have some mater
ial ready for such an issue, but hest
tated to put it out until after the
county board meeting because of a
lack of funds with which to defray
the expense. feel that such bulle-
tin as that which have outlined will
be worth all it costs, and would be
pleased to know what your pleasure
is in regard to such publication.
New Laws
Your attention has already been
called to new certifcation law which
went into effect September 1. The
principal features are, first, that all
teaching certificates are now issued
by the county superintendent, state
superintendent, or state board of ex-
aminers. Diplomas for any school
now do not qualify one to teach.
They just certify to standings which
are used by the county or state super
intendent in Issuing certificate. Sec
ond, Teachers Reading Circle work,
ie ono 1,oaoceo,. vy
tor in the issuance, renewal or rails
ing the standard of any certificate.
You are also acquainted with the
school name law. Every rural school
in the county now has legal name,
nearly all districts have already put
up the required mail box, if on a ru-
raj route. All mail for the school is
addressed to the school and goes to
the school mail box. Another law
of importance, only if the assessed
valuation of a district is less than
10000, gives state aid to such dis
tricts, if the paying of the $50 min
imum wage to teachers raised is rate
of taxation about a certain rate. The
minimum wage law needs no further
mention. One law to which / would
call your attention, is the one re-
quiring every county to employ a pub
lie health nurse within two years af-
ter July /, 1919. One of the duties
of such nurse is to act as health SUI
pervisor and instructor for all schools
not having a school nurse. | wish
that this body here assembled might
provide for county public health
nurse, so that we may get one while
the getting is good, and before we
are forced to do so by law.
Supervising Teachers
The supervising teachers, Misses
Matte Jackson and Josephine Cook,
are doing most worthy work. Our
plan of supervision this year is to Wis
it every school as early in the year
as possible, inspect them, give sug
gestions and advice to the teachers.
Then after having inspected each
school in the county, to spend the rest
of the year revisiting and helping
those schools and teachers which most
need the help; we believe that many
short visits throughout the year are
of more benefit to the teachers than
one long, tiresome visit with no fol-
low-up to see what improvement has
been made. Alredy Ill of the rural
schools have been visited. Eight of
the ten state graded schools have been
inspected by State Inspector Thomas
and myself. | believe in early in
spections so that the school year is
not too far gone to profit from the in
spection.
Conclusion
In conclusion / wish to say that we
are living in an age and period I'M
like any other through which we have
ever passed; owing to the reconstruc-
ton and readjustment after the great
est world war in history. ! say that
in spite of all, am enjoying my work,
and have had the best of relations and
cooperation with all with whom my
duties bring me in contact. The work
of the present year is well under way,
and the prospect of most successful
one could harry be better. Assuming
thoughtful and favorable consider
alton of this report, from the honor
able body of representative from the
. various parts of the county, thank
you. Respectfully submitted,
GEO. E. SANFORD,
County Superintendent of Schools.
On motion of Mr.. Lepke the board
adjourned till 10 a. m. Friday.