134

MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

December, 1866.
To the State Superintendent

of Public Instruction.
Sir:

Having presented to you my statistical report, showing the
condition of the Public Schools in our County, during the
first year of the operation of the new system, it only remains
to add thereto come explanations which could not well be in-
cluded in figures.

The system begins to work more smoothly, though it is
still beset with certain difficulties. These arise in part from
the opposition which never fails to attend all new undertak-
ings; in part from what may be called political opposition, and
chiefly, from the want of a special fund to build and furnish
school houses. The portion of the State tax coming to our
County, would be sufficient to keep the schools going through-
out the school year. The Board made every exertion in ita
power to indoce the County Commissioners to levy the local
tax, required by law, but in vain. Being thus compelled to
divert a portion of the fund designed to carry on the schools,
and employ it in building and repairs, we were unable to ex-
tend aid to the teachers, beyond the three terms. This ar-
rangement works badly: not eo much because that period is
decidedly insufficient for the children, as for the unfavorable
effect upon teachers. It is hardly fair to them to pay their
salaries for ft part of the year only, and we cannot expect to
retain those whose services are moat valuable, unless we can
give them steady employment.

School houses are yet needed in several sections of our
County; and it is difficult to see how we shall be able to get
the school system into complete operation', and do justice to
its admirable design, unless means are afforded in some way
to supply buildings, desks, maps, and all the essentials to
bringing up our schools to the high standard, worthy of our
really enterprising community.

On the other hand, when we pass in review the actual im-
provements thus far made, there is just cause for decided en-
couragement. About seven lots of land, to which, during the
year, our title has been secured. Six new school houses, of
convenient size, and creditable appearance, beside important
and expensive repairs made to old ones. Two hundred and
fifty desks of Soper's excellent pattern; nearly $2,000 worth
of books scattered through the School Districts; a few maps
with further prospect of supply in that line—may be enu-
merated among the educational guins of the year and a-half.
Add the exhibit made in the statistical report, of the large
increase of pupils over any former year; and there is still