American Democrat

 Akron, November 26, 1846, Page 2, column 7

School Meeting

 An adjourned meeting of the citizens of Akron held at Mechanics Hall, on the evening of the 21st Inst. To take into consideration the subject of common schools in the village of Akron, E. Chapman was appointed chairman, and W. M. Dodge Secretary. Rev. J. Jennings on behalf of the committee heretofore appointed to consider the best means of reorganizing the common schools of Akron, made the following report.

The committee appointed by a meeting of citizens, held May 16, 1846 to take into consideration our present educational premises and the improvement if any which may be made therein, beg leave to submit the following as the report.

Upon a careful survey made in the early part of June 1846 it appears there are about 700, (690) children, within the limits of the corporation of Akron, between the ages of 4 and 16. Of these there is an average attendance at the public and other schools taking the year through of not more than 375, of the 700 children then between 4 and 16, 325 upon an average are out of school. Of this 325 it is believed that at least 200 ought to be in school. They need the education they are failing to obtain: it is for the interest of the community in which they live that they should have this education. Why are they not having it? Is it because the schools at present sustained are not sufficiently numerous or ample? Is it because they are not worthy of being patronized? Is it because they are not sufficiently inviting? Is it because the general mind is not sufficiently informed or awake to the value of education. To someone or more of these causes it must be owing. Any and all of these causes are capable of being removed it is believed, by the united efforts of the friends of education, and in no other way. If then the committee should proceed no further with their report, they believe they have presented an object worthy of your very thoughtful and strenuous endeavors, viz the getting into our schools 200 more children than are in taem.

Your committee have given some little attention to the character of education received by those in attendance at our schools. It is true of most places, that, at different times, individuals have been engaged in teaching there, of superior abilities and success; without inquiring whether there have been or are, such teachers engaged amongst us, your committee would speak of the schools generally. They believe that within four years past, a very decided improvement is discernable. During the past summer, for example they are not __________ than any school has been in operation, where the pupils might not by diligence and industry, receive valuable benefits, at the same time it is believed our schools are still susceptible of improvement in many important particulars, and

1. With regard to the branches of knowledge taught in them Reading Spelling Writing Arithmetic and Grammar, are more or less attended to as fundamental branches—this is _____: there are however, other branches of study equally deserving, to be regarded as fundamental, we refer to history, and mental and moral philosophy, to study the former is to fit ourselves for intercourse with men; to study the latter is to study men themselves, their lives their characters and their duties. It is believed then, that there should in every course of education, however limited, be some place for these studies; not that elaborate and profound treatises should be placed in the hands of all. The instructions should in the case of some pupils, be confined to what the teacher can communicate orally, or with the help of the simplest text books.

2. The committee also believes that a prominent place should be given in all our schools to instruction in vocal music. They believe it would be highly conductive to the good order of a school, and its active and cheerful progress in study, if the exercise could be begun and concluded, or otherwise occasionally interspersed at the discretion of the teachers with singing. They believe the experiment deserves at least a faithful trial, of devoting in the several schools, half a day a week, or what would be equivalent hereto, to the cultivation of this art. Young persons can be taught and practice in rudiments of vocal music with great success. To be convinced of this, we have but to observe the joyful excitement, which pervades a group of children, with exercised in keeping timed and tuned to some simple melody. The committee believes that in this part of their report, they are treating of a power to refine and elevate the rising generation, by no means sufficiently appreciating. Let this power be faithfully applied and slumbering vibrations of the heart will be awaked to sentiments of good cheer, and tender affection, and lofty principle, which will give a new aspect to the face of society.

3. The committee are not able to say to what extent, if at all, the claims of religion are recognized in our schools. They believe that none but a serious minded and devout teacher could consistently, lead the school in prayer at the throne of grace. They are aware, also that in a community like this, secretarian jealousies, and prejudices against all positive teachings in religion are so rife, that none body discreet teacher, could give to the claims of religion in prominence in our common schools with safety and good effect: at the same time they are unwilling to submit their report, without an illusion to the importance of frequent and serious perusal of the sacred scriptures in our schools; the recognition there of the being, superintending providence,  and government of God, and the bringing to bear upon the well being of the school so far as is consistent, practical and safe, the elevating and restraining influence of the gospel of Christ.

4. In regard to order and progress in study, the deficiencies and evils of our schools are too obvious and deplorable. There should be silence in the school room during study hours, whispering, leaving seats, eating of any kind, lounging is a violation of good order; so is any want of attention on the part of any member of a class, while the class in engaged in an exercise. But we refer also and would do it with emphasis, to the want of punctuality and regularity in attendance upon the school, and to the behavior of scholars during intermission and recess. The subject of order is an important one, both as it respects the successful prosecution of study and the habit of order in after life; it takes hold of our professional and moral and religions character; our success in life, and our whole future well being.

If we compute the cost of fixtures, the results will not be unfavorable to the system proposed. New buildings it is true, must be erected, but under any system new buildings are immediately and urgently demanded. One of our district schools has been taught during the past summer in the back room of a dwelling house common another is taught in a diminutive, uncouth and otherwise inconvenient and uncomfortable building gratuitously furnished by Captain Howe for the use of the district. There is no house that will accommodate the population residing north of Market Street and between the canals and all the private schools excepting one, are taught in rooms temporarily hired and in many respects unsuited to the purpose. As has been computed there are 200 children who ought to be schooled that are not; and who if they should apply for admission, would find our school house already occupied by as many as they can accommodate.  It is understood by your committee that the south district contemplate the speedy erection of a house west of the Ohio Canal and it is believed the north district will be willing to lay a tax for the speedy erection of a house north of Market Street. If these two houses shall be thus erected, there will remain but one building to be erected by the village one that shall be incorporated into one school district, viz: the central building for the grammar school. Your committee would recommend the erection of a two-story house capable of accommodating 200 on each floor; they have consulted respectable builders in regard to the cost of such a house as they believe it would be suitable, and find it to be between $2,600 and $2,700. It will be perceived that this investment of funds in the central building will be of permanent utility, when the number of pupils in the grammar school shall have increased to 400. The school house in South Akron which is proposed to use for one of the primary schools is capable of accommodating 100. One of the houses in North Akron in which it is proposed to hold two primary schools, is capable of accommodating 80 in each. So that for a number of years the tax to be raised for enlarging an accommodations will be comparatively light. If some system like the one here proposed be approved by the citizens, your committee recommend that our first efforts, after we shall be incorporated into one school district, be brought to bear upon the erection of the central building for the grammar school, and that the first story be finished as soon as practicable for the accommodation of 200 pupils. The cost of a house thus partially finished may be sat down at $2,000.

It is by such reasoning upon the subject and by such calculations, that our committee are fully assured that the system they propose is the best and cheapest system of education for a community like ours and needing education as ours does. But your committee has something more than their own reasoning and calculations to exhibit on behalf of the system proposed. It has been tried in other places and works well—even the admiration of the most enlightened and judicious who have had opportunity to observe it. We feel perfectly and most abundantly abstained by experiment; we know of many, very many trials of the system under a great variety of circumstances, and we know not of a single failure. Our committee regard themselves as recommending no system that will go of itself, and of itself provide all the advantages proposed and desired. Good teachers must be employed, and made to understand that if they do not work well they will be dismissed. Good superintendents must be chosen, such as are heartily interested in the cause of education; such as are most competent to manage it; such as are willing to attend efficiently and sufficiently to the duties of their office: good houses and good apparatuses must be provided. Sectarianism and political partyism must have no place among the motives that bear upon the election of teachers and superintendents. The question—will it serve this or that sect—this or that party? Must not be asked. The question must be—is he the best teacher for the school? Is he the best man for superintendent? That individuals are justified in a zealous devotion to the extension and building up of their sect, is not here called into question, but they must find some other method than this for it; and, if they seem bent upon doing it in this way the community must rise up as one man, and with tones of indignant yet firm opposition say, “Procul! Procul!” If the teacher or superintendent manifest a disposition to make the school subservient to a sect, the earliest legitimate occasion must be effectively improved for putting the offender out of office.