Document 17. Inspection Report Southern Ute Schools and Reservation. L. F. Michael, Special Supervisor, April 11, 1918.
Department of the Interior, L. F. Michael, "Inspection Report. Southern Ute Schools and Reservation," National Archives, Washington, D.C. File 32401-310.
While Michael focused primarily on the physical facilities of the schools his report did touch on the academic programs of Southern Ute Boarding School. In particular he noted the the problem of filling permanent staff positions and the performance of the primary teacher, Elsie Martin.
| Vocational Training: This matter belongs to the
supervising superintendent for this district. However, my
observation leads me to believe that much needs to be done to improve
conditions in this particular. No instruction is afforded outside
the regular routine work which comes to the several details. This
school has had four principal teachers during the current school year,
and at this time the position is vacant and on class-room work has been
done the third, fourth, and fifth grade since March 20. With but
one exception all of the employees are temporary and but little else can
be expected.
Academic Training: The classroom work in the first and second grades has been carried on in a reasonably satisfactory manner during the school year by Miss. Elsie Martin. Her methods are good and she has but little trouble in controlling her pupils. |
Michael, who had an excellent appreciation of the need for a stable workforce, unfortunately also had an excessively militaristic bent. He recommended organizing the school into companies with regular military style drill exercises to strengthen discipline.