The Delta independent., 1924-04-18
Surface Creek People
Will Vote on Change

Following the report OF Herschel T.
Manuel, Director Of Rural School sur
veys, on the school conditions in the
six districts contained in the Surface
Creek survey, which has just been
made public, a meeting was held at
Eckert Monday evening by directors
of the districts represented, in which
it was decided to submit at the cleo
tion on May 5, the proposed centraliza-
tion OF the schools in that district, in
the light of the survey.
A brief summary of the survey fol-
lows:
In the interest of educational
achievement and community progress.
the Surface Cheek Survey, a report
of which was recently issued, was
made under the direction of DR.. Hers
chel T. Manuel, Director OF Education
al Research OF Western State college
of Gunnison, Colorado, and President
Samuel Quigley of the same institu-
ton Others who rendered able as
sistance were: Miss Alice Burnett,
County Superintendent Of Schools Of
Delta County; Richard E Tope. Super
intendent OF Grand Junction City
Schools; Arthur J. Foster, Superin-
tendent Of Delta City Schools. J. A.
Hunsicker, Superintendent OF Cedar
edge Schools; ]. S. Hardy, Superin-
tendent OF Eckert Schools; and Homer
D. Graham, County Surveyor of Delta
County; and teachers and members of
boards OF education in the area cover
ed, and others,
School and Community Betterment
The educational survey OF the Sur
face Creek area was the outgrowth OF
an united effort on the part OF sever
ell school boards, looking to school and
community betterment. On October
27th. meeting was held at which rep
resentattves from the various school
boards were present. the object being
to discuss the feasibility OF a school
survey At this meeting, Dr. II. T.
Manuel OF Gunnison; Supt A ]. Fost-
er OF Delta, and Supt. j. p. Arm
strong OF Hotchkiss were invited
guests, all OF whom discussed the
practicability and value OF scientific
school survey
with the approval OF the respective
boards. the necessary steps were taken
for systematic educational survey of
the Surface Creek area. the cost. esti-
mated at 5000. to be prorated TO the
several districts in proportion to as
sessed valuation According to the
report OF the committee, 1t is thought
the cost OF the survey win be much
lower than the original estimate.
The object OF Educational Survey
The object OF school survey Is to
make an investigation OF existing con-
ditions with view to improving them.
AS II reveals deficiencies, II suggests
measures for school and community
improvement II covers in detail the
territory surveyed. touching upon the
character OF land. roads. etc. II pre-
senis comprehensive social survey.
discussing economic conditions. or
Eanizations, and community activities
II gives one a mental picture OF the
schools, their enrolment, average
daily attendance. health status and
mental hygiene OF pupils. The work
OF the schools has been carefully out
lined and standard tests given. Build
ings and grounds have been given at
tention. and improvements suggested.
With the suggestion OF unificatiou
OF the respective districts plans have
been formulated as to school organi-
zation, and administration. increased
efficiency OF the professional staff and
the financial support Of the system.
a Survey Of the Territory Covered
In the area, which Is really a geo
graphically unit, six schools are in
cluded. namely, No. 6 (Coalby). No.
Q tFairview): No is CEckert); No.
22 (Cedaredge); No. 2S CCory); and
No. "a CTongue Creek. The terri
tory extends from the Gunuison River
on the south to Grand Mesa on the
north, varying in width from four
miles at the southern boundary to
eleven miles at the center to six
miles at the north. The inhabited por-
ton. extending about thirteen miles
north from the Gunnison, Is most
thickly populated on Surface Creek
Mesa. The center OF population lies
little south and west OF CedaredFe,
the largest town in the area, having a
population Of approximately 500
The main north and south highway
TO Celaredge is well improved, and
other improvements will be added as
this is the Grand Mesa Lakes road.
While the roads in the main are gem
mittec recommends cooperative effort
in road building, surfacing, etc. It
was further suggested that the ma
terial at hand be used, burned shale
accessible on the upper part OF Sur
G....I-