The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-02-20
AID FOR RURAL SCHOOLS
State Inspector to be Here Two Days
Schools Should Apply for Aid.

Schools Should Apply for Aid.
The need for every school board
to realize the great opportunity
which the state aid proposition of
fers to the rural school was en-
phasized by Miss Nettie Johnson,
county superintendent, when she
said:
Il hope that every school board
will enter their application for
this aid, because such application
is not binding in that they will be
compelled to accept it in case they
do not wish to comply with the
conditions. If the teacher has a
first grade certificate and nine
months Of school is given, the
other conditions will be very cas-
lily met. The examining board
will be very lenient with a school
which makes application under
such conditions. The state in
spector will be here on Saturday
and Monday to inspect schools
which have made application and
10 meet the boards of districts
which are thinking seriously of
the proposition. Application can
be made as late as May of this
year. but the earlier the applica-
tion is placed the quicker it will
be acted upon and accepted. But
an application does not bind the
board to accept the aid if they
should so choose to decline it lat
er, SO a board which is not fully
decided upon the subject can take
a longer time and act when the
application is accepted"
The state aid is a measure pass
ed during the last year which is
in addition to the state apportion-
ment. 1t amounts to $3.50 which
will take care of the additional
month in case they are now hav-
ing only eight months of school.
1t was passed with the view of
raising the standards of the rural
schools in connection with the
better rural schools movement
which is sweeping the state. If
it accomplishes nothing else than
the centering the attention Of the
school boards and districts upon
the necessity of teachers with first
grade certificates and better
teaching conditions, it will be vot-
ed success by its advocates.
The state inspector of rural
schools, f. H. Noteboom will be
here Saturday and Monday. He
will also assist to start the night
Americanization school which will
be organized Saturday evening.
The first session of the night
school will be held Saturday even
ing at 8 o'clock at the county
court house. The school will be
in charge of Miss Nettie Johnson,
county superintendent and H. c.
Souder, principal of the public
school and assistants.
Every man or woman who cam
not read or write should attend
these classes, where they will be
taught and also be taught history
and the form of government. In
this way they will be prepared to
pass the examination for naturali-
zation papers. A ruling has been
made which forbids an applicant
more than three hearings and for
ever denies him papers if he fails
to pass the final examination.
A prescribed course Of study
has been given by the state Amer
icanization board which will be
followed by the school here.
Books and pamphlets have been
supplied and can be secured by
the students, for which a nominal
charge will be made. The school
should have the support of every
citizen so that every foreign born
person may have the opportunity
to get the education of which he
is sorely in need of. The estab-
lishment of night schools is a part
of the state plan to educate the
foreign born people who have
come to this country. It will also
assist the American born people
to secure the equivalent to the
fifth grade education which is
necessary for every citizen of the
state to have. The need Of the
school has been pronounced and
the efforts of the instructors
should receive the assistance of
every Milbank resident.