HISTORY:  Inwood Herald Newspaper, Lyon Co., IA
 
This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
Roseanna Zehner  <mslace@netins.net> August 2003

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NOTE:  For more information on Lyon County, Iowa 
       Please visit the Lyon County, IAGenWeb page  
       at http://iagenweb.org/lyon/
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Concerning County Uniformity 

The Superintendent's Circular to School Officers, 

Rock Rapids, Iowa Feb. 27, "91  

To boards of directions of Lyon County:  

the school days of the state were amended last year to provide a way by which
county uniformity of school books could be established, and contracts made with
publishers so as to greatly reduce cost, but as a majority of the sub-directors
failed to sign the petition asking for such uniformity of text books in this
county, the question of county uniformity cannot be submitted to the electors of
the county as provided section 9 of the amendment to the school laws of last year.
Nevertheless, at your regular meeting on the third Monday in March you can if you
deem it expedient, take such action as will secure the benefits of this law.  Owing
to the variety of text books used in our country schools, but little uniformity of
classification can be had, and much valuable time of both teachers and pupils is
wasted.  It is evident therefore, that if every school in the county were using the
same books, great economy of both time and money would be secured.  In another way,
also, would uniformity be desirable.  The publishers propose liberal terms.  They
offer to make special contracts to supply books under the new law, a heavy discount
from wholesale prices, and a great saving can be made in that respect.  No
immediate or sweeping change of books would be necessary.  The following books
having been most largely used in the past have been selected for use in the future:
Swinton's Geographics, Barne's History; Smith's and Steel's Physiologies; Metcalf
and Bright's Language Lessons; Reed & Kellogg's Grammar Swinton's Speller;
Swinton's Readers, and Robinson's Arithmetic.  This series has been selected
because of the excellence of the books, and also for the reason that being already
largely in use but few changes will be necessary.  The publishers have agreed to
take old books in exchange for new ones, book for book, and allow half price, no
matter what the condition of the old book may be.  Thus if the price of the new
book be 50 cts., 25 cts., will be allowed for the old book in exchange.  

The publishers will enter into a contract under bond with each township or
independent district that so desires, to never raise the prices, and that any
further reduction that may be made anywhere in the U.S. shall at the same time be
made here.  I will see that blank forms for contracts are placed before your Board
for consideration at the regular March meeting, and if you decide to enter into a
contract with the publishing house for supplying your books, you will sign and
return one copy of the contract to this office, filing one in your records.  It
will not be necessary that the board shall handle the books, as the publishers will
supply them to such dealers as the Board may designate, the local dealers in turn
to sell them to the pupils at a reasonable advance.  The Board to use as public
funds, and be responsible for no bills.  There can be no doubt in my opinion that
the carrying out of this plan would result in a great saving to the county, besides
enabling teachers and pupils to accomplish better results in the school room.
Nearly every county in the state is taking steps toward securing uniformity and
contract.  Your action in this matter is earnestly solicited.  The school officers
of the county are the only persons through whom the question of the text books can
be regulated.  If you desire cheaper books; If you believe we ought to have
uniformity of books you can affect it by pursuing the course suggested, which is
entirely within the law, and, will I think prove satisfactory to all concerned 

Ivan McQueen 

County Superintendent

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner 

 March 12, 1891