Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1871-04-26
Jefferson County Board of Education.
NEW MARKER. Anil IS. n

| ANfAM IlAhNEl, - prs 1911.
The District School Commissioners OF
Jefferson county met, March goth. in Dan
bridge, at the court house, ana organized
the County Board of Education. The
county was largely represented much in
! terest manifested and important action
taken. Under the operations Of the pre-
! vious State Law large numlr-r of schools
had been put in operation. Gen. Eaton
reported for 1869 seventy-three schools,
employing seventy-eight teachers, and en-
| rolling five thousand two hundred schol-
ars in the county. This was the largest
number enrolled in any county in East
Tennessee except Knox. The county was
taking an advanced position in education
al matters. The change of the school law,
however, disbanded all these schools 1t
was the work Of the County Board to re-
organize them.
Capt. Hall, the County Cler,t. called the
meeting TO order, and stated in .)rief its OBJ
ject.
Mr.. c. II. Hougton, of New Market,
was made permanent chairman. In accept
ing the office, he stated his views of the
greatness and importance of the work COM
mtted to them, and asked their support
and aid in entering upon 50 vast an under
taking.
The New Market Board of Education
were then admitted as members of the
County Board, in accordance with the law.
Prof H. Pierce was appointed Secretary.
The Board, being organized, ordered the
appointment of committee Of seven to
nominate standing comittees on the fol-
lowing subjects, viz. 4:
!. On Finance.
.. Mode of eXamening teachers and the
qualifications required.
3. Plan of schools, rules course of study
and books.
1. School houses and apparatus.
3. Improved modes of teaching.
The committees nominated were con-
firmed by the meeting. The question,
"How can an interest be awakened in the
county," was discussed and the following
important resolution passed, namely that
the School Commissioners be appointed
committee of the whole, with the recon-
mendation that they call an educational
meeting in their respective districts and
get such persons as they can to address the
same. This series of meetings, it is hoped,
may result in great good.
In discussing the subject of finance, Jne
sentiment was expressed, that the people
would pay taxes more cheerfully for schools
than for any other purpose. This view
was confirmed by the subsequent action of
the Board, who recommended unani-
mously, that the County Court be request
ed to raise the school tax to thirty cents
on the hundred dollars 1t was found
when the Finance Committee went be-
fore the County Court, that the tax could
not prudently be raised this year. 1t is
anticipated that the wishes of the Board,
which, no doubt, represent the sentiment
of the county, will be not another year.
Last year Il tax of twenty cents on the
hundred dollars was levied, this year
only ten cents. The school tax for 1870
amounted to over six thousand dollars
only smoll part of this has been used.
The people have been waiting to learn
what they could depend upon. Meantime
many subscription schools have been in
operation. With the funds on hand and
the tax for the present year, schools will
probably be established in most of the
districts in the county, next fall The
county has been re-districted and divided
into fifty districts. AS soon as commissions
ers are appointed and the scholastic pop
ulation reported to the County Clerk, the
judge will have the data for making an
exact apportionment of school funds now
in hand. The District Commissioners will
then be in search of good teachers. There
will, no doubt, be demand for well-quali-
fled teachers in Jefferson county, from
September to August, 1871. Let such turn
their attention this way. They will find
employment here and will get their money
when the work is done.
After transacting their legitimate bust
ness the Board adjourned to meet on the
last Thursday in June, i'm New Market, at
10 \. VI.
The meeting, as whole, was decided |
success. The friends of the cause were |
happily disappointed at the large repre-
sentation, the interest manifested and at !
the business-lille and earnest manner i'm !
which the Board took hold of the work. |
II all is ominOus of better days for the |
lovers OF popular education in Jefferson |
county. A large and interesting meeting |
IS anticipated in New Market, in June. !
You shall hear from us again.
II. PIERCE, Secretary.