Daily Kennebec journal., 1922-04-22
SCHOOL SURVEY
Continued from Page One)

rage OncJ
stimulating to the present admins
trative officers and serve as chal-
lenge for the most conscientious en-
deavor on the part of all of us con-
nected with the operation of the
schools.
While we would not disregard
these traditions and ideas if we
could. we must not hesitate to adjust
them to the newer conditions. newer
ideals and newer educational prac-
tees. Forward steps have already
been taken by the citizens of Angus
lieve that still more advanced STEPS
will be taken by you as the need
arises. In bringing to your atten-
ton some facts about the school sur
vey. am aware of certain questions,
which very likely, and very proper
~ are uppermost in your minds;
such as why was the survey under
taken?' How much did it cost?' And,
What good is likely to come of it,
Very briefly allow me to answer
some of these questions before pro-
ceeding to consideration of the
survey itself.
There comes a time in the pro-
gress of every enterprise when it is
proper to stop, look about, and take
notice of conditions as they are. To
observe carefully the way things are
heading. to see what things are of
little avail or no avail and what de-
Gnia let ntc Ht-ln inx-
may be applied. The survey was ex-
pected to answer some of the in
quiries. Furthermore, the constant
ly mounting cost of maintaining
schools, and the ever increasing de-
mand upon the schools has caused
your Board of Education to pause
and Scrutinize your schools, both
from the standpoint of quality and
Quantity of education provided, but
also the expense of operating them.
The findings of the survey staff
some of the plans of the Board of
Education or confirming them so that
it may push on with confidence,
knowing that their plans are educa-
tionally sound and justifiable."
Mr.. Stuart stated that the cost of
the survey was $1,000. and he spoke
of the members of the survey staff
headed by DIR. Inslis who We're in the
city over so days going over the
schools.
The summary OF the Augusta
school survey is in part as follows:
General
AS the Capital of the State, Au-
gusta should maintain the model
school system of the State
Geographic and topographic fac
tors, especially the division of the
city by the Kennebec river condi-
ton school administration in impor-
tant ways, particularly with respect
to the location of the junior high
school and the senior high school,
and with respect to school CONSOLE
dation.
The area of the city and the inclu-
sion of rural territory complicate
problems of administration, supervi-
sion and instruction
The increase of population year by
year is relatively slight, so that mere
increase in population requires school
accommodations for about so pupils
only each year.
Approximately two thirds of the
population is resident on the west
side of the Kennebec river.
Augusta is financially able to pro-
vide for a model system of public
schools.
Administration
On the topic of administration,
the states:
BY provisions OF the City Charter
the Board of Education consists of
nine members, comprising the
president Of the trustees Of the Cony
Female Academy and eight members
elected by wards, one for each ward
in the city.
That Board Is Independent Of 9TH
er city agencies. having full charge
of the city schools and reporting dir
ectely to the citizens of Augusta. Its
powers include the power to levy
taxes for the support of the schools
and to borrow money for buildings
and sites.
The Board has functioned efficient
ly and the city has always been for
tunate in the men and women elect
ed to serve on it,
In its organization. the Board con-
forms to generally accepted stand
ards of good administration.
The Board properly recognizes it's
relations to the Superintendent of
Schools. holding his responsible for
all matters involving technical. pro-
fessional and expert management.
The janitorial staff is efficient.
The general oversight of buildings,
grounds and supplies is felt to the
superintendent of Schools.
In general, the system OF records |
is good. but some notifications are
desirable.
In general. the schools of Angus
ia are well administered.
Finance
Augusta is neither an unusually !
wealthy city nora poor city. If any
thing. it is somewhat above the aver
age city OF its size in wealth.
The proportion of municipal rev.
crues devoted to education in An