The fence of posts, Cedar, 10 feet apart and 3 feet in the ground « with strapping 2 x3 pailings sharpened at the top, I gate for waggons, (sic) 9 feet plus road to be levelled from highway to school - 2 turn stiles on posts, one leading from the Bridge - the other at upper gate — fence and whitewashed with lime — John Simpson Trustee was instructed to get the work done for $12.00 and to have the work completed on or before the 1st. day of June - Gate to be painted blue or green.

There is no indication that more was paid for the job.

Another building that must be kept in order was the “outer house”. The responsibility for and care of this building was with the janitor, who also had to see that the rooms were white-washed each year during the holiday season. When the school was re-located, the “outer house” was still considered the only acceptable building to construct. No bathrooms were needed for these hardy people and no discussion took place about changes. Lumber for the new outer house was donated by Stanley Coles, Sr.

The students continued to use the “outer—house”. They braved the elements many a time or ventured out into the sub—zero weather and back to shiver in a none too warm classroom. The Trustees, pushed by the women of the District, installed the Caustic Sanitation System in 1951 at a cost of $470.00. A new well also had to be dug which cost $250.49. This system was called the “bucket—of-water-a~day’, and was reasonably satisfactory. The idea of these closets mushroomed across Prince Edward Island until practically every rural school had one.

Although a new well had been dug away from the toilet systems, it was condemned for use. Water for drinking and washing hands still had to be carried from a well across the road from the school.

Improvements came slowly over the years. In 1966 the Trustees decided that the Caustic toilet system was out-dated. They finally installed a complete system with two washrooms — one upstairs and one downstairs. This time the water came from the original well in the basement of the school. Students now had a similar water system as at home — probably their “riches” coming nearly twenty years after the average householder had water in his or her home. The cost of this system, which did not include the carpenter’s labour, was $1350.00. Now the schoolhouse has been provided with modern amenities.

SCHOOL TRUSTEES

Again, through reference to the Visitor of Schools, John Arbuckle, one may obtain a concise View of what was expected of the five elected Trustees from the Board of Education. The fol- lowing was written in 1849.

The duties and responsibilities of school trustees are important

but it is to be regretted that many who assume them are chargeable

with a highly culpable breach of trust. Although they are not invested

with powers to remedy the great evils that impair the benefits of our schools

— viz: the irregular attendance of scholars, the inadequate supply of suitable books, and the consequent insufficiency in instruction and discipline - yet they might, in almost every instance, without much personal sacrifice, remove other grievances of which teachers justly complain.

Apathy on the part of those who ought to cherish and exemplify an ardent interest in our schools, must weaken the zeal and impair the usefulness of

the teacher. When the condition of the school-house is neglected, a spirit

of indifference in engendered in the minds of the children, who become disrespectful towards the master, as he meets with no sympathy from those who should sustain him in his authority. Whereas if teachers were encouraged in their arduous duties by the co-operation of the trustees and their patrons, the effects of their fostering influence would be apparent in the school—house,

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