Improvement of Rural Schools. The rural schools of the state may be improved in the manner suggested above, and also by uniting two or more small schools in one. The consolidation

of small, weak schools is no longer an experiment in our state. On the contrary, the plan of uniting small schools has been successfully tried and is now carried on in a number of counties. Where sub-district or rural independent district schools are small, a satisfactory plan is to close one or more of the schools and provide for the education of the pupils in these districts elsewhere. Often by this arrangement one teacher will do the work of three or more and perform the duties in a manner highly satisfactory and with better results than is possible where small separate schools are maintained.

The plan adopted in a number of counties of closing all of the schools of the township and transporting the pupils to a central building has likewise proven successful. As the merits of centralized schools become known, prejudices and imaginary objections are overcome, and the plan grows in public favor.

Both of these plans for the improvement of rural schools are commended to all thoughtful citizens for consideration. We ask that boards of directors interested will make a full and complete investigation of the plan before deciding in favor of the continuation of present plans and methods which may have proven unsatisfactory.

School Laws. It is well for all members of the boards of directors to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the new edition of the school laws. Directors on retiring from office are required to surrender to their successors all books and papers belonging to the office. Directors not supplied with a copy of the new school laws should apply to the county superintendent.

Course of Study. Your attention is again called to the value of a course of study. It is the intention to have a copy of the revised Hand-book for Iowa Schools in every schoolroom. These books are the property of the district and should be left in the schoolroom. The value of a course of study is apparent to everyone who has observed the want of system and the lack of order where no course is in use. We believe that you will

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find the Hand-book of great value, and we commend it to you for official recognition. It can be used to the greatest advantage in even the smallest country school. Copies may be had upon application to the county superintendent.

Manual Training. We commend to you the subject of manual training. It teaches the child self-reliance, develops a wholesome respect for labor, keeps the boys longer in school, furnishes helpful employment for idle moments, makes school a part of life and gives systematic training to the child's motor activities.

The department of education has issued a leaflet giving very full and complete information regarding the introductionof the subject into the public schools, and will take pleasure in forwarding a copy of the same to any person interested in this important subject.

Many other matters of greatest interest to the schools will arise, but we cannot speak of them in so brief a circular. You are assured that this department and your county superintendent are anxious to co-operate with you in all movements tending to improve the schools and promote the welfare of the children.

The March Meeting. At this meeting boards are empowered: 1. To admit members-elect, and to fill the membership of the board. See sections 2757, 2758 and 2771.

2. To elect by ballot from the board a president, who must take the oath of office required by section 5, article 11, constitution of Iowa. Section 2757.

3. To require the secretary to file with the officers named in section 2766, a certificate of the election, qualification and postoffice address of the president, secretary and treasurer.

4. To transfer any surplus in the schoolhouse fund unappropriated, to either the contingent or teachers' fund, if instructed by the electors to do Sections 2749 and 2778.

So.

5. To provide for the teaching of any special study ordered by the electors to be taught as a branch. Sections 2749 and 2778.

6. To take the proper steps to carry out the expressed wishes of the electors upon matters within the control of such electors. Sections 2778 and

2779.

7. To make any contracts, purchases, payments and sales necessary to carry out a vote of the electors.

Section 2778.

8. To confer with the county superintendent as to the most approved plan for the erection of any schoolhouse. Section 2779.

9. To fix schoolhouse sites and to order the removal of any schoolhouse. Section 2773.

10. To establish graded or union schools wherever they may be desirable. Section 2776.

11. To prescribe a course of study and the branches to be taught. Section 2772. This must include the subjects directed to be taught in all schools by section 2775.

12. To adopt such rules and regulations as may be needed for the general government of the schools. Section 2772.

13. To provide for change of text-books, if so voted by the electors. Section 2829.

14. To use contingent fund in the treasury to purchase records, dictionaries, library books, maps, and apparatus, to the extent of $25 yearly for each schoolroom. Section 2783.

15. To furnish the necessary books to indigent pupils. Section 2783. If free text-books have been voted, the board will take measures to carry out such vote. Section 2837.

16. To give special attention to the matter of convenient water-closets, as required by the mandatory provisions of section 2784.

17. Where county uniformity is not in force, to purchase text-books to be resold to pupils, in accordance with sections 2824 to 2828.

18. To direct shade trees set out on each site where the required num ber is not now in growing condition. Section 2787.

19. To effect an insurance on school property with unappropriated contingent fund. Section 2783.

20. To examine the books and accounts of the treasurer and make a proper settlement with him. Sections 2780 and 2769.

21. To make such rules and regulations as may be thought necessary to control and govern the board as a body. Section 2772.

22. In school townships, to adopt rules and regulations for the government of each director in the discharge of his official duties. Sections 2772 and 2785.

23. To determine the number of schools, the time more than six months they shall be taught, and where each child shall attend school. Section 2773. 24. To elect teachers and to fix the compensation of each teacher. Section 2778.

25. To estimate the amounts required for the teachers' and contingent funds, and for text-books, and cause the secretary to certify the same with the amount voted by the electors for schoolhouse purposes, to the board of supervisors. Sections 2753, 2806 and 2825.

26. In school townships, to apportion the schoolhouse taxes among the sub-districts, and cause the secretary to certify such apportionment in strict accordance with section 2806.

27. To direct upon what terms non-residents not entitled by section 2803 to attend, may be admitted. Section 2804.

28. To arrange for the instruction of children in other districts, and to provide for transporting children to school. Section 2774.

29. To provide for the visitation of the schools of the district by one or more of the members of the board. Section 2782.

30. In independent school districts, to make provision for a kindergarten for the instruction of small children. Section 2777.

31. To vote a rate of schoolhouse tax to pay interest on bonds, or to pay the principal maturing, if the electors have failed so to vote. Section 2813. 32. To provide for the enforcement of the provisions of the compulsory education law. Chapter 128, Acts of the Twenty-ninth General Assembly. 33. To take any other action consistent with the law that will tend to increase the value and efficiency of the schools.

RICHARD C. BARRETT, Superintendent Public Instruction.

February 27, 1903.

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CONCERNING ARBOR DAY.

To County Superintendents:

According to your reports now on file in this office there were 219,904 trees in a thrifty condition on the school grounds of the state in 1900; in 1901 there were 225,462; and in 1902, the number had increased to 229,342. While this is encouraging and indicates that we are moving forward in the work year by year, there are yet hundreds of school grounds in Iowa without any trees whatever. This fact should stimulate all of us to increased effort to arouse more interest in this subject. Our purpose should be to have trees planted this spring on all grounds where they are needed either for ornament or protection. Call the attention of boards of directors and patrons to the necessity of improving the school grounds, and teachers and pupils to the desirability of making the school rooms home-like and pleasant. Endeavor to secure organized action that will result in such improvement and awaken an interest that will not die out in a single season.

The zeal and interest shown by the county superintendent will be contagious, and will be felt by school officers, teachers and pupils. Though most teachers will do what they can to beautify the grounds about the buildings, yet they need your help and the assistance of the board of directors. Hence you will do well to request the boards in your county to observe the coming Arbor Day by planting trees where they are needed and giving care to those now on the grounds. Where nothing has been done urge the necessity of complying with the law in section 2787, which requires that "the board of each school corporation shall cause to be set out and properly protected twelve or more shade trees on each schoolhouse site where such trees are not growing."

The school premises should be the brightest spot in the neighborhood, and when work of this kind is undertaken and carried on with spirit and animation it reacts upon the regular life of