Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1920-03-26
The New
School
Movement

Whenever change is suggested, /
is natural for us to oppose it and W.
are prone to draw hasty conclusions
Because consolidation is not theory
and is no longer even an experiment
let us study it over carefully, will
open minds, being careful to draw NJ
conclusions, but asking many ques
tions, and promising merely to look
into it further if it seems best. When
we are convinced of the merits OF
consolidation, let us stand firmly foI
our convictions, but let us not be in
any hurry about the matter.
Under the old consolidation law
school districts could consolidate
They gained many advantages, but
there was no provision which could
protect the health of the children, and
they might have to walk or ride in
cold busses. Neither was there any
provision to fix course of study for
these schools or to award either fed
eral or state aid to a good school. Be
cause Of these drawbacks very few
schools cared to consolidate, except
in the upper peninsula where special
provisions made it possible for them
to be successful
1t was because of this situation that
our state department sent forth a
call to this effect: 1--WE have with II,
the one room rural school. We are
likely to have it with us for some
time. Let us make it the best that
we know how to make it for every
year a school house pays for itse
or is held responsible for the healt
OF its children" The Standard schoo
movement was big movement and
even now every school that is bull
throughout the state must be built
as standard school, and every school
that is not standard could be con-
demned under the laws of Michigan.
A new consolidation law was pass
ed by the legislature of 1917. The law
was OF little value until it was
amended by the legislature of 1919.
Since then townships and fractions
OF townships have been racing with
each other to see which could be the
first to qualify under Act 226 for
state aid with a good consolidated
school.
Under this law three or more dis
tricts may consolidate by a majority
vote at an annual or special meeting
in favor of this proposition. Voting
is by ballot and the polls must be
kept open seven hours. AS soon
thereafter as they notify the commits
sioner of schools of their decision, the
consolidation becomes effective The
districts, however, continue to oper-
ate their own schools under the ole
plan until the time of the next annua
when the commissioner calls
the first meeting of the new district,
and a graded school board of five
is elected
No child may walk more than a mile
and warmed, covered busses must
provided. If it is cheaper to pay tho
board OF one or two children than il
would be to transport them this ma,
also be done.
A modern building is required with
approved ventilation, good light, and
sanitary, supervised toilets. The
board must provide place and equip.
ment for the teaching of agriculture.
science and manual train
ng. The county fair exhibits from
Boyne City and East Jordan have for
number of years proved to the peo
pie OF this county just what a good
course in manual training means
rhe sewing exhibits indicate some
)f the dress making possibilities o.
The domestic art department. You
will admit that the teaching of agri
culture needs to be placed in the
hands of trained person. The new
aw provided for these changes in our
course of study.
The principal of the school must |
hold a life certificate.
Two other teachers must be EN-.
ployed, making total of three
at least.
There are two classes of consoli- |
lated schools defined in this act
Class A has a nine month term, an
ordinary sized school yard and meets
with the general provisions of the |
aw. To districts maintaining a Class
A school, the state will give an an
lual appropriation six hundred dol |
ars toward teachers wages and two
dollars annually for each rig
ised in transportation of pupils.
Glass b has a ten month term for |
Ill of the school and employs one man
eacher, preferably the principal for
period of twelve months. They
must provide at least twenty acres of |
and for a small school farm. The
eacher in charge must use this for
arm experiments in the district and
must during the summer months act |
farm agent of the township or dis |
rict, and as leader of the boys and
iris clubs. For Glass B schools the |
state makes an annual appropriation |
II nine hundred dollars toward teach. |
'rs' wages and an annual appropria. |