Iowa
Old Press
Brighton Enterprise
Brighton, Washington co. Iowa
March 14, 1908
Old School Records - Brighton School District Fifty Seven
Years Ago.
The Brighton School records go back to 1851. At that
time. Joseph Pollock was secretary of the district which was
known as No. 3 and comprised about the limits of the present
enlarged town of Brighton except that it ran north to the river.
A half mile has since been added to the district on the east.
The first recorded paragraph says: "May 1851 the directors
employed T. B. Abercrombie to teach a quarter for $60, one third,
to be paid out of public school fund, the balance to be paid by
those that send and collected by himself."
In the school taught by Abercrombie the whole number of pupils
enrolled is 61 and the average daily attendance was 33 as appears
by this report.
A list of the white inhabitants o the district school age between
5 and 21 is given and number 115.
At a meeting of the directors October 25, 1852, Elam Flower was
employed as teacher at $20 per month of "twenty one and two
thirds days" with privilege of canceling contract at end of
any month by giving 8 days notice. School to commence first
Monday of November.
On May 3, 1852, at the regular meeting, this new school board was
elected: John Rolland, President; G.W. Tuell, Treasurer and Ralph
Dewey secretary. In 1853, there were 140 white inhabitants
between the age of 5 and 21 in the district.
The annual report of Gilbert Fisher, the secretary, made Sept.
15, 1853, gives the division as 68 males and 72 females. Pupils
enrolled 67. No. days taught 170, teachers fund paid out during
the year $9. Average attendance 40. Contingent expenses $25.60.
School house cost $400.
The report for 1854 give the courses taught as Spelling, Reading,
Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, and Grammar. The next year
Algebra and Physiology were added to the course of study.
[transcribed by N.J., Nov. 2012]