While improvement of roads and added valuation are needed to permit any consolidated school in Scotts Bluff county to attain to its highest possibilities, we find the consolidated rural school competing well with any town school of its size. Since the consolidated school offers improved buildings and equipment, some specialization of work, the association of teachers and a teacher's home on the school ground, there is small difficulty in securing teachers for these school.

Pupils are permitted better training, more of them remain in school to complete the high school course, greater competition is possible and pupils may remain at home while pursuing high school work.

Patrons take added pride in a superior plant ; greater improvements and better equip-

HISTORY OF WESTERN NEBRASKA

ment are possible. A larger and more efficient community center is available ; strong attractions-- such as art exhibits, glee clubs, lecture courses, athletic meets, musicals, etc., are available with the large community hall.

Modern improvements for the farm home will spread from the school houses ; not the least among advantages is the training of boys and girls for independent rural life rather than away from the farm. Short courses and vocational work under the supervision of state and federal specialists and partly supported by stale and federal funds go with the consolidated rural school.

We believe that, wherever a territory of sufficient size and valuation and with sufficient number of pupils may be found, the consolidated school will eventually be located, by the wish of the patrons in the district. The Redisricting law of Nebraska endeavors to give impetus to the establishment of a rural graded school wherever conditions make this possible.