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85 fixing them so high that it might be necessary afterwards to lower them; much preferring to increase them when we should find it in our power to do so. Consequently ours were fixed at lower figures, at first, than some others. For the first grade we fixed $60 for the first fifteen Scholars; $2 each for the next 10; $1.50 each for the next 10, and for an over this, $1 each. For the second grade $50 for the first 15 Scholars; $1.50 each for the next 10; and $1 each for all over that number. These were estimated according to the average attendance. After the expiration of the First Term, we raised the salary of Teachers of first grade Schools from $60 to $75, for the first 15 pupils, with the same increase as at first. And the second grade was raised from $50 to $60, with the same increase as before. It has been in some measure an experiment with us, and we hope, by feeling our way care- fully,, we may, after a while, reach such a standard as may compensate the Teachers and yet be within our means. In the distribution of School Books, we furnish them to the Teachers to be sold to the Scholars at very nearly the same price we are charged for them, not charging sufficient advance on the price to pay for those furnished free. The Teachers are responsible for all the books they sell. Orphans, destitute of means, and children of widows who are dependent upon their own efforts fora livelihood, are furnished with the use of books free. The number of boys attending School during the Fall Term was 612; girls, 605. The whole number 1, 317. The amount paid for salaries was $1, 999.65; for incidental expenses, $247.60—total, $2, 247.15. We are unable to form any correct estimate how long we will be able to continue the Schools from the result of the First Term. None of the Schools were open the entire term, and some of them were open only a small fraction of the term. The School Law I regard as furnishing a good working system, but not so perfect, at present, as not to need some amendment. In visiting the Schools, I have been more than ever impressed with the importance of having some one to visit and superintend them. And in visiting some a second time, I have been very much gratified with the marked improvement. This is one feature of the law which, if faithfully attended to, will, I am assured, make a great improvement in the efficiency of our Schools. Experience has taught me that such is a much more laborious office than many have supposed; yet I am well assured that the end to be attained by it, is well Worth the labor and attention it requires. The most prominent defect of the Law, I think, is the entire want of pro- vision for securing suitable School Houses and furniture. The absence of these is one of the draw-backs we have to contend against. I would suggest the propriety of increasing the bond of the Treasurer, at least in those Counties where there is a large School Fund. The By-Laws make provisions for inducing Scholars to enter School early in the term. While I am not prepared to suggest any provision that would not bear hard in many cases, yet I think it important to have some provision, either by State Enactment or By-Law, to induce a more punctual attendance of Pupils at School. We endeavored to have all our Schools opened as early as practicable during the Fall Term, but it would have been as well that some of them should not have been opened at all during that Term. Two of the Schools in my own District are closed for the present, because the attendance was very small. In my visitation I have frequently found but two or three Scholars in attendance. The Report of one of the Teachers in the Fourth Commissioners' District, (Salisbury), shows School taught ten days, attendance one pupil each day. We have found so much to do in getting our District Schools in operation and in devising plans for the erection of new School Houses, which are, |
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Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1866
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