Anyone wanting to learn more about our country schools should take a look at " One-Room Country Schools-History and Recollections from Wisconsin" by Jerry Apps. This book is available at your local public library and is a wonderful read documenting the history of one-room country schools.

Some interesting information from the book:

Men teachers were in great demand during the winter months to keep the older, disorderly boys in-check. This was the time that the older boys attended school as they were not needed as much on the farm.

Men teachers were paid around $20.00 per the winter months whereas women received $1.25 to $2.00 per week.

Teachers in the very early schools only had an 8th grade education. Later, they were required to have two years of traing at  normal teachers training schools. These type of traing centers existed in Wautoma and Oshkosh and many of the teachers that taught in our area in the 40s and early 50s trained at these centers.

Average tenure of a teacher in the middle 1800s was 2 years because women couldn't continue teaching when they married.

Most one-room schools in Wisconsin closed between 1950-1960 due to consolidation.

Rules for the Teacher--1915

You will not marry during the term of your contract.

You are not to keep company of men.

You must be home between the hours of 8 pm and 6 am unless at a school function.

You may not loiter downtown in any ice cream store.

You may not travel beyond the city limits unless you have permission of the chairmam of the school board.

You may not smoke cigarettes.

You may not under any circumstances dye your hair.

You may not dress in bright colors.

You may not ride in a carriage or automobile with any man unless with your father or brother.

You must wear at least two petticoats.

Your dresses must not be any shorter than 2 inches above the ankles.

You must keep the school house neat and clean. You must sweep  the floors at least daily; scrub the floor at least once a week with hot, soapy water; clean the the blackboards at least daily; and start the fire at 7 am so the room wlll be warm by 8 am.

(Polk Cty. Hist. Society)