TEACHERS' COTTAGES 



Washington. 



The following expressions of opinion from county superintendents in 

 Washington, quoted by Mrs. Preston, speak for themselves: 



"They seem to be a necessity in these districts. I believe it will be a 

 step toward better harmony in the districts, better homes for teachers, and 

 better school work because of comfort, independence, tenure, etc." (Delia 

 L. Keeler, Whatcom County.) 



"I believe it is the solution to many of the rural school questions. It 

 will give the services of teachers who will feel that they are a part of the 

 community in which they live. Many teachers 'stay' in the community, but 

 few really 'live' there." (Win. U. Neely, Lincoln County.) 



"Much better teachers can be obtained for less salary; teachers who 

 wish to live in a cottage usually are more anxious to understand the com- 

 munity and its problems as well as its opportunities; they are much more 

 likely to remain in their positions as they grow more necessary to it." (Mrs. 

 Lena Kohne Pratt, Island County.) 



"It is one of the great factors in the solution of the problems of the 

 rural school. It aids in securing a more permanent position ; gives the 

 teacher privacy and independence; and affords more liberty in acknowledg- 

 ment of social duties." (Mrs. Lizzie Jones, Snohomish County.) 



"One of the best investments that a school district can possibly make. 

 It tends to make the teacher more permanent, helps both teacher and school 

 in the matter of social center work. Every rural school should possess one. 

 One clerk tells me it was sort of an experiment, as the teacher had such a 

 hard time finding a boarding place. The plan worked fine, and he now 

 says: 'We would as soon think about getting along without the schoolhouse 

 as the cottage.' " (O. H. Kerns, Skagit County.) 



West Virginia. 



There is a cottage on the school ground at Sherrard. It was the resi- 

 dence of the owner of the property, purchased for the Sherrtird Consolidated 

 and High School. (Illustrated below.) 



The cottage was used by the first principal, 1911-12 and 1912-13. In 



1913-14 one of the high school teachers and her brother (a student) kept 



house. Since 1914, it has been rented to a merchant for residence, but he 



Consolidated School and Teacher's Cottage, Sherrard, West Virginia 



Page Fifty-six 



