MYFBS, MAY(R - the Digital Library of Georgia

MAYOR'S ANNUAL REPORT.proved in the last few years, and the work in mostof them is very satisfactory. Some of them, however,are so situated that it is a difficult matter tosecure good teachers for them, and the irregularattendance, a common evil with country schools, seriouslyaffects the efficiency of the teachers' work.It has not been practicable for me to visit all these.schools this year, but Mr. Ferguson, with his usualfidelity, makes frequent inspections of them and reportsthe results of his observations to me.The people for whom new schoolhouses have beenbuilt appreciate very highly the action of the Boardin affording suitable facilities for educating theirchildren, and the children, too, show their appreciationof their new surroundings by the excellent carewhich they take of the buildings and furniture. Itmust be said to their credit that I have not yet seentheslightest damage done by them either to thebuilding or furniture.Ttae Cost of Tuition.It is a matter of much public interest and legitimateinquiry to ascertain the cost of the schools, andto compare the results with those of similar inquiriesin other cities. Owing to the diversity of opinions inregard to the elements which should enter into theproblem of the cost of education it is difficult tomake comparisons of different cities in this respect.Some estimates are made by taking as the dividendthe total cost of the schools, including salaries of allkinds, supplies, school buildings, repairs, etc., and asthe divisor the total number of pupils enrolled duringthe year. Other estimates are based upon the