CENTRALIZED SCHOOL, DIXON TOWNSHIP, PREBLE COUNTY, OHIO.

now.

This building was erected in 1915. The cost of the building and equipment was $40,000. It would cost double that amount Those districts that delayed centralization are paying dearly for the procrastination. On the main floor there (1919.) is an assembly room, an auditorium, two recitation rooms for the high school and four grade rooms. On the same floor are the Superintendent's office and a rest room. The basement is divided into toilet rooms, manual training and domestic science rooms, science laboratory and play rooms. Mechanical hot air system of heating and ventilating is used. There are electric lights and an excellent water system. There is a barn in the rear where the hacks used for transportation are kept. The grounds consist of eight acres.

MARION COUNTY.

"There were no centralized or consolidated schools in Marion County in 1914. There were one first grade high school, three second grade high schools, and one third grade high school. During the last five years nine new centralized and consolidated buildings have been erected and two other districts are in the process of consolidation. There are now eight first grade high schools and one second grade high school in the county. By Sept. 1, 1920, the number of one-room schools will have been reduced to about 30. Twentyfive percent of the pupils are now attending one-room schools. It was very difficult to get centralization started. After several very strenuous campaigns for better schools, things began to move in the right direction and at present centralization in this county is moving forward as a result of its own momentum and it is only a question of time until the one-room school will be a thing of the past."-W. R. HEISTAND, County Superintendent.

LUCAS COUNTY.

"There are one centralized school and ten consolidated schools in Lucas County. The county board of education has created eight districts around community centers favorable to the consolidation of schools. The local boards of education have exercised their prerogative granted by Section 7730 of the General Code in the matter of the suspension of the one-room schools in these newly created districts. Monclova Township has the only centralized school in so far as the legal interpretation of the term is concerned. 34 one-teacher schools have been abandoned in Lucas County. 44 one-teacher schoo's still exist. The elementary schools of Lucas County may be classified as follows:

44 One-teacher Schools.
13 Two-teacher Schools.

3 Four-teacher Schools.

5 Five-teacher Schools.

1 Six-teacher School.
2 Seven-teacher Schools.
1 Eight-teacher School.

"Consolidation is a success in this county and it is a question of a few years only until the one-room schools will be abandoned.” — J. W. WHITMER, County Superintendent.

THE WILLIAMSPORT SCHOOLS.

The school building at Williamsport, Pickaway County, is one of the largest centralized school buildings in Ohio. The original structure, erected in 1901, proved altogether too small, and in 1915 an addition, fully as large as the original building, and costing $25,000, was erected to care for the increased attendance. The addition was opened for use one year ago.

The building contains seventeen rooms, including thirteen class rooms, a finished room in the basement suitable for laboratory work, an office, a rest room, library and auditorium. The auditorium has a seating capacity of four hundred, and is provided with a spacious stage. It is heated by steam and lighted by gas. Drinking fountains are provided in the basement and on both floors, pure water being supplied from a drilled well about one hundred feet deep. The building contains all other conveniences. The basement of the addition is so arranged that by putting in cement floors a large winter play room can be provided.

The plant is situated on a four-acre plot. Cement walks and curbing run along two sides of the ground, and the main exits are connected.

with the street by broad cement walks. A fine grove has been set apart as a playground for the girls, while the boys have an ideal open ground for football and baseball.

The school has experienced a remarkable growth. The original building was provided for the village, and one-room buildings were in use in the townships. Within the last five years all of the rural buildings have been abandoned, and the schools have become centralized. Since the passage of the New School Code, parts of three other townships have been added to Deercreek township, so that now eight wagons are required to bring in the country pupils. The total enrollment last year was 351, and the average daily attendance was about 300.

The school authorities are well aware that the school is largely what the teachers make it. They try to find and keep the best possible talent. Great credit should be given to the board of education. The members, progressive in spirit, and untiring in their efforts, are doing everything possible to improve the school. It goes without saying that the people of Williamsport are proud of their school officials and the institution which they have built up. While community meetings are held in the town nearly every week, the interest of the pepole in their school is shown by a good attendance at all school gatherings. The annual festival in May is usually attended by four or five hundred people.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.

"Wonderful advancement has been made in the past few years in Champaign County not only in modern methods of teaching, but what is greater, in the unusual interest the public has taken in its youth. This interest on the part of the public is always measured in the provision it makes for more efficient work. The educational slogan in this county seems to be 'The best is none too good for our children,' and not the policy of some that "The old way was good enough for us and is good enough for our children'. On the latter policy China has been decaying for centuries. Sentiment is prevalent all over the county for centralization and its added facilities for giving the best to our youth. There are but twelve one-room schools in Champaign County at present. (Champaign County is the most completely centralized county in the state. - Editor). Centralization and consolidation have had a steady and constant growth in this county.

"Champaign County is unique in the use of moving picture shows in connection with the school work. Mingo was one of the pioneer schools to make the movie function in the life of the community. We now have four of our centralized schools conducting regular shows in the school auditorium. The money derived therefrom is used to pay for the machines and later purchase equipment for the schools.

"Mingo has purchased an electric piano, victrola, domestic science equipment, including a gas generating plant and numerous other articles for the school from the funds rendered available by the moving picture project. The other schools are younger in the work and have not yet accomplished as much.

"By means of the moving picture project the rural people are given opportunities of recreation and diversion without having to drive miles. to some town and furthermore there is an added social value of assembling among themselves. The character of the pictures can be better safeguarded and the educational features are used in connection with school work. Some of the best films being founded on literary masterpieces are used in connection with the reading of the classics. Much use. is also made of the work in geography study and agriculture, and es

pecially current events. Visual education will play a more important part in the child's education than heretofore. These pictures are more valuable than textbooks, how much more valuable will they be when seen in motion with all their proper settings and environment?

"When more schools are using moving pictures our film companies will produce films that are suitably adapted to school work and our various state and national departments will be able to render greater assistance in the education of the children than at present. Schools in a community may combine to make bookings, thus getting the best at the least expense. Our schools are conducting their shows by being organized in compliance with the code relating to the use of school buildings for recreational purposes and not by boards of education. The profits are used, however, to make better schools." J. C. NEER, County Superintendent.