People's Pilot, Volume 5, Number 27-25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 January 1896 — SCHOOLS OF JASPER COUNTY [ARTICLE]

SCHOOLS OF JASPER COUNTY

BY J. F. WARREN, SUPT.

The person who undertakes to traGe the history of the common schools ot Jasper county finds himself tracing the history of the development of the school system of the state. Our county is only a part of the universal system enjoyed by the other ninety-one counties. The schools of the early days experienced the struggles and trials, and enjoyed the pleasures of all pioneer communities. Fro m 1858 to 1873 the county schools were under the control of township trustees and a county examiner. Nothing in the way of county supervision was attempted until Mr. S. P. Thompson was elected school examiner. He visited the schools, arranged a partial course of study, introduced a uniform set of text books, improved the standard of teaching, and in many ways improved the schools. It was not until the law of 1873 was passed that the schools began the rapid development that is still the spirit of the time. The light of the early days has become the full light of midday, and now the teachers have come to the full realization of the fact that it is no longer the common school branches that are to be taught, but the children, and the books are merely devices for their instruction. The child, now comes to be the central figure in the schools, and how the development of mind and character shall be best promoted is the chief object. The first county examiner of whom the records speak was Rev. H. A. Mayhew. Daring his term nothing was done in the way of personal supervision. The examinations were mostly oral and were given at the time and place most suitable to the applicant. In 1864 Mr. S. P. Thompson was appointed examiner, and a new order of things was introduced. The old “school keepers” were retired to private life, new school houses were built, a uniformity of text books was attempted, primary pupils were required to be equipped with slate and pencil, and the germ of the new in education was planted. School visitation was a prominent part of the work. It was thus that the fossils were rooted out and wide - awake young teachers were put in their places Teachers’ meetings were also held for the first time during this period, from which has grown our largely attended county institutes and teachers’ associations. The 1873 the law creating the office of county superintendent went into effect, James H. Snoddy tvas elected the first Monday in June and served six years. It was during this period that the greatest and most beneficial changes were made in our schools. Mr. Snoddy stood high in the estimation of school men all over the state, and was looked upon as one of the leaders in the work of unifying and classifying the schools. The first complete

course of study, based upon a uniform system of text books, with a general daily program, was planned and carried out The course now in use, and adopted by the entire state, is but the improved plan then begun, the general features being unchanged. In 1879 D. B. Novvels was elected and served two terms, four years. The work so well formulated '■ under Mr. Snoddy fell into competent bauds, and the reputation of Jasper county's schools was established, and they became one of the most progressive in the state. The award,system was introduced by Mr. Nowels as an incentive to attendance. The honor roll was begun, on which there is annually inscribed more than seven hundred names of pupils who have been neither tardy nor absent for the school year. in 1882, the last year of Mr. Nowels’ term of office, the first graduates from the common schools received their diplomas; the.class numbered twenty. He also published the first manual of the district schools, setting forth the course of study and much other useful information.

In June, 1883, DavidM. Nelson assumed control of the office and served four years. We feel safe in saying that no county in the state had a more efficient county superintendent for that period than had Jasper. He was a graduate of the state normal school, and his high scholarship was combined with thorough business qualifications. The schools of , the county were brought under close supervision, teachers’ reading circles were formed, the township institutes were improved, and all lines of school work received careful attention. At the close of his second term of office he declared his intention to leave the school work and enter the business world where he could find a more remunerative employment. In 1887 the present encumbent was elected, and has endeavored to keep the standard as high as when he received it. It would be unjust to leave the subject here, and not mention two other prominent factors in our development, viz: the county board of education and the teachers. Jasper county has been extremely fortunate in the selection of her school trustees. They have been men that were able to carry their part of the work, always willing to assume the responsibility placed upon them. They have stood by the county superintendents and teachers in every forward movement. We come now to the noblest factor in the development of schools— All plans formulated by county superintendents, supported by county boards Of education, must fail without the active and conscientious support of earnest teachers. Jasper county can well be pi’oud of her teachers; they have been, and are earnestly striving to do well their part of the work. As the standard is raised higher and higher each year, we find them loyally preparing themselves to meet every requirement. The majority of the teachers this year are trained and prepared for the work. We have this year one hundred and twenty-three teachers, fifty - one males and seventy - two females.

The schools last year cost, out of the tuition fund, $37,208.96, of which amount the ladies re ceived $21,190.85 and the gentlemen $16,018.11. Average wages per day for males was $2.31; for females #1.99. Amount spent out of special school fund—sl7,49l.4l*. Total school expense, $54,700.37. Number of pupils enumerated in county 4,855. Cost per pupil, based on enumeration, $12.80. Enrollment for 1894 and 1895, 3,443. Cost per pupil, based on enrollment, $15.90. The average length of school term was 141 days. The estimated value of school property in Jasper county is $99,100.

The editor of the Pilot desires to express his thanks to Mr. Warren for the pains he has taken to compile the above article. He has avoided more than casual mention of himself, and it is but just to add that the present superintendent of schools is not overshadowed by the lqster of his predecessors. He is one of the thoroughly practical educators who are doing so much to make Indiana’s schools the equal of any in the , United States. This requires hard work and

constant vigilance, in which J F. Warren is certainly not delin quent.