KINDERGARTENS

Established in connection with the Common Schools of Cincinnati ? In reply, it may be stated, that the minimum school age fixed by the State law is six years. After that period Kindergarten instruction is probably of less value to the child than the training it receives in Grade H. Besides, if we may judge from the results attained in St. Louis and other places in which Kindergartens form a part of the Common School course, their establishment would not be productive of good commensurate with their expense. The general statement, however, is here advanced, that between the ages of three and six years they are better than any other as a preparatory mental discipline for the more advanced departments of study.

It is recommended that a Committee be selected to

REVISE THE RULES AND REGULATIONS

Of the Board. Many of them are mere repetitions of certain sections of the School laws, and are therefore unnecessary; others obstruct rather than facilitate business, while not a few are worded so ambiguously that it is difficult to determine their meaning. It is believed that the number might with advantage be greatly reduced, and that a few simple, plain rules, relating to business and the management of the schools, would better subserve our purposes than the present elaborate code.

A number of topics suggest themselves, concerning which I might well ask the Board to take action. One or two, however, will suffice.

It has been claimed that there is due the School Fund an amount of money made up from certain fines imposed in various Courts, especially the Police Court. A Committee has been appointed to investigate and report in regard to this matter, and it is hoped that their examination will be thorough.

The present rules governing the reciprocal relations between the Board of Education and the Managers of the Public Library do not seem to be satisfactory to either body. These should be amended by the two Boards in a manner satisfactory, if possible, to both of them.

In connection with this reference to the Public Library, it may be remarked that it is doubtful whether the present law, providing for the composition of its Managing Board, is wise in its provisions. The statute requires the Board of Education to elect the Managers of the Library, but it is silent as to whether they shall be elected from within, or without the School Board. The custom has been, heretofore, to elect a part only from the Board of Education. In this way the Board of Managers was composed partly of gentlemen having no other connection with the Schools and partly of School Trustees. From observation, and from nearly two years' experience as an ex-officio member of this mixed Board, I am convinced that the interests of the Library would be better managed if intrusted to a Committee consisting wholly of members of the Board of Education, or else to a Board having no other connection whatever with the Public Schools.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.

Successful as have been the meetings of our teachers, it is believed that a greater interest ought to be aroused in them. Too many teachers fail to appreciate the good which the Institute is capable of accomplishing, and are lukewarm in its support. With good management it need not be expensive, and may be made to produce excellent results.

It is my sad duty to mention in this Report, that within the past School year popular education has sustained a grievous loss in the death of one of its most zealous champions. The Common Schools had no braver defender than the

HON. D. GANO RAY,

And to his intelligent efforts are they indebted for some of our best School legislation. With pleasure I recollect that my best efforts were directed to placing his name before the people for election to the General Assembly, that we might have a fitting representative in the Legislature to guard the interests of our Common School system. In his new position he was faithful to the trust reposed in him, and proved himself an active, educated and influential champion of educational interests. Long associated with the High Schools as a member of the

Union Board, he nevertheless manifested equal interest in the primary departments of education. No panegyric of praise does his memory need in this Report, for he was known to you all for his courteous manner, pleasant address, and, more than all, for the ability which he displayed as our co-worker in the cause of popular education.

CONCLUSION.

It is a trite remark that the teacher, more than any other force, makes the school. Admitting the truth of this statement does not lessen our responsibility for the grave trusts reposed in our official positions.

The School is established with a twofold object: the good of the children and the preservation of the State. To the Common Schools of our State, more than to all other causes, is due the fact that Ohio stands among the States unrivaled at the present time in the production of men of distinction. Her schools are good, her men are great, and her generals, statesmen, jurists, and men of literary eminence, exercise the most potent influence in the affairs of the Nation.

To the officers of the Board I return sincere thanks for the fidelity and courtesy with which they have discharged their duties. Especially is the Clerk deserving of thanks for the prompt and efficient manner in which he has performed the onerous work of his office.

Finally, as has been better said on another occasion, let us each strive to make our Public Schools so good, so nearly perfect, that the people can not afford to educate their children elsewhere.

Thanking the members of the Board for their courteous treatment and friendly help in the discharge of the duties of my official position, and with earnest hope for the glory and perpetuity of our free schools, I have the honor to be, gentlemen,

Very respectfully yours,

J. W. UNDERHILL, PRESIDENT.

Clerk's Financial Report.

OFFICE OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CINCINNATI, September 1, 1881.

To the Board of Education of the School District of Cincinnati:

GENTLEMEN:-I herewith submit to your Honorable Board, the Annual Statement of the Receipts and Expenditures of your Board for the year ending with August 31, 1881.