Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-09-27
The BOARD Of Education.

room, PfoSldenb browne IN Inc cnar.
On call Of the roll, quorum was barely
present on account ofthe inclemency OF the
weather. The minutes Eof last meeting
were read and approved. The Executive
Committee then submitted their report OF
the settlement made with the former super
intenden6, Donelson.
Superintendent Weakley submitted the
following report: 5sia
To the Board of Education OF Davidson
County-Gentlemen Assuming the duties
of this Office on the LIST of July last, de-
voted that month and the month following
to the examination Of applicants for position
in the public schools Of the county. have
given certificates to fifty applicants, some of
whom have been teaching in the public
schools of the county heretofore, and have
obtained better certificates on account OF
better qualification and larger experience.
have endeavored in these examinations
to do my duty to the school interests of the
county without "fear, favor or affection"
knowing that no system of schools can be
effective without efficient teachers. Intel
lectual qualifications alone do not consti-
tute the successful teacher, but rather these
conjoined with an adaptednoss for import
ing knowledge-a tact for inducing study,
and traits of character that "unlock the
hearts of pupils giving the instructor the
mastery, A trial then is the only method
of determining the successful or the unsuc-
cessful teacher, for "by their fruits ye shall
know them" l have turned away several
applicants, as wanting in the proper qualifi-
cations, and many, perhaps, well qualified
because of no vacancy in the schools.
There is no lack of teachers in our midst,
and many from distance wish to locate
amongst us. Some of the schools were be-
gun IN the latter part of August, aud 9th
ers on the first Monday of this month.
The colored schools in some districts were
continued through the summer, the COM
missioners thinking it better, for obvious
reasons, to give vacation in the severe Win
ter months.
From the report that have received and
from knowledge of the schools that have
visited, the attendance is on the increase
and the interest among the people increas-
ing. | am unable to report the number OF
schools in operation in the county, because
reports therefrom are not yet due-but
think the number viii be increased. Every
district in the county, with the exception
of two, think, have schools in good run
ming order, and the exception will be with
the rule on commencement of next term.
| had hoped TO be able to report the
scholastic population of the county, but
full reports are not in-judging from those
that are in, there will be considerable
increase.
The two great drawbacks to our system,
is the apathy among the people and the
want of funds; money is the sinews OF war
and is equally needed in peace. great
many schoolhOuses of the county are lila
dapted to the purpose designed aud
wanting 10 the proper furniture. The
remodeling Of these houses or the
building of new ones and the furnishing
thereof, cannot be done with the present
school fund without closing the schools for
year or longer, which is entirely out OF
the question. The teachers in many in
stances are but poorly paid, the state of the
district finances not allowing sufficient
compensation. 1t is plain that aid must
come singly in the shape OF Individual en-
terprise and from communities working as
one man in the building and furnishing of
houses and payment of teachers, when the
public fund is insufficient. Unity Of effort
and thought is difficult, for in the location
of schoolhouse every man wishes it in his
yard, and if not placed there refuses to con-
| tribute farthing and retires within HIM
self, callous to the whole business. The
| benefits of this system are lost TO many for
whom designed from non-attendance, the pa
rent or guardian not appreeiating the beGe-
| fetal effects of the proper training Of youth,
not having experienced it themselves; and
| from this cause in many countries in
| Europe, 10 many of the Northern, and one
or more Southern States compulsory attend
| ance has been resorted to.
| To remove these difficulties is an oneT-
ous task, and he deserves the name of pub
lie benefactor, who helps dispel these clouds
| and lets in the light OF thorough, efficient
and well regulated system of public schools
| The greatest benefActOr of public schools
| in our section was the late Mr.. George
Peabody, who bequeathed S4,GU0000 fol
| public education, the interest OF which Is
expended on the schools of the South. Tit
trustees Of this fund have prescribed Ger
tain conditions and recommend that al
| applications for aid be made through the
| Slate Superintendents. These condition:
would be most happy to state to any o
the Commissioners upon application
| Hoping that we may get aid from
| this friend, aud not forgetting that hell
comes to those who help themselves,
would have more become discouraged. OuI
system has worked good in this county and
State, for we are the cynosure Of all others
and the success Of the system in this count!
will tend greatly towards building up a sys
tenn of public schools throughout the State
In conclusion let me say, that in workiu:
for this system Of public schools, let eac
| maTnh her Of this hoard hear with him as Al
inventive to action, the consciousness tha
he is laboring for the cheapest and mos
thorough education, in laboring for an Ell
lightened system of public school.
The above report was unamimousI
adopted. On motion of Air. Frizzel rC
port was made from each district in th
county in relation TO the condition OF tb
schools, which was favorable.
The board then adjourned until the mex
regular meeting in December.