Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-02-13
SCHOOL REPORT.

free school system OF the State within the
last two years. The Superintendent
nounces that the reports of County Superiu>
tendcuts are much moro complete aud satis-
factory than formerly, and he ezpresses the
hope that it will not be long until our free
schools are so systematized that future reports
will approximate very nearly to correctness.
The number of school houses in the State
in 1876 was 3,127, the number of teachers
employed 3 ,693, and the total amoun. paid
to teachers for tie last year was S53S, ,iS7 40.
The Superintendent recognizes tho vauel
of the aid received from the Peabody Fund
in support Of the graded schools, and says
that many of our valuable teachers come from
there schools.
From the statistical tabels VIC find that the
number of school houses in Jefferson is 33,
and the total valuation OF school property in
the county Sl7,8I2. The number of youths
enrolled in this county between the ages of six
and twenty one, is 4 64O, and the number at
tending public schools 2,20l. In the general
average number of months taught, Jefferson
stands ahead of every other county in the State,
save Berkeley, aud it only exceeds us by
small fraction.
We publish below the report of County
Surerin ;cndent Hess, in full:
Free schools are, by no means, new thing
to the people of this county. Under the
provisions of an act of the State of Virginia,
establishing free schools in the counties OF
Frederick and jefferson, system OF free
schools was adopted by a majority OF two-
thirds Of the voters of Jefferson county in
1913, which continued in operation until
1861. 1t was simple and efficient law, and
gave general satisfaction. Aud though our
present system differs much from that, but
few of our citizens are opposed to public
schools, and the system improves, and the
management of our schools and school funds
grow better, the system will increase in pub
lie favor, and when the officers aud teachers
discharge their respective duties with ctl-
cicncy, all opposition will cease.
The character of our schools is improving
from year to year. The teachers are now
better prepared for their work. and the pco-
pie are becoming more interested in the
schools. and select better mon for scEool of
fccrs. The several Boards of Education OF
our county arc composed Of our very best
citizens, and generally perform their duties
well, but many Of the trustees though intel
ligcnt aud good men. fail to visit the schools,
aud make the reports which the law requires.
1t is impossible for The County SUpcrintCn-
dent to visit regularly aud frequently all the
schools in the county, but if trustees, Boards
of Education Gnd literary men in the vicinity
of schools would visit them occasionally and
report the result OF their visits to the Su-
perIntcnGent. he would. in this way be kept
informed of the wants Of the several schools,
aud be prepared to meet them.
There are ~ schools in the county. 50
white and 10 coI0rcd. There are employed
in these schools 80 white and il coIorcd
teachers. Most of these teachers are natives
of tho county, and those that are not have
been teaching in the county for a number
Of years This, in Il great measure, accounts
for the popularity of our schools. Our peo-
pie appreciate native talent, and prefer home
teachers, and those educated in our own
schools visited all the schools of the
county except one, and found the most Of
them in good condition. But few changes
have been made in the teachers this year.
No county in the State. | presume, has
done, or is doing much for the education
of the coIored people this. though it is
one of those counties called rebel"
sToRER COLLEGE.
This is an Institution for the education of
coored persons, and is located at Barpers
Ferry, in this county. 1t is in charge OF
the Rev n. G.. Bracket, as principal, with
several assistants, ard is in highly prosper
Gus condition, doing good work tor those
whom it is intended mostly to benefit. Ot
the ten coorcd schools in this county five or
six are taught by graduates OF this school.
They manage their schools remarkably well,
aud are encouraged and sustained in their
L
in the education Of the coiored people of the
county.
The great hindcrance to the prosperity
and efficiency OF our schools is non>attendance.
In some districts more than one third Of the
children enrolled never attend school, aud in
others the attendance is very irregular. Va
rous reasons are assigned for this. such
"the want of books" 'mugt keep children at
home to help do the work" ''the want of
suitable clothing" &c. l think from obser>
varion that much Of the non attendance
could be rcmedied By each county or district
levying a small lax, say two mills, for the
purpose of furnishing each school with all
the books it might need. Could such plan
be adopted. the complaint Of nom a attendsnce.
in nine out of ten cases, would, in my opin
ion, in great measure cease.
SHEPHERD COLLEGE.
My report would be incomplete without
giving a statement of the origin. progress
and work done by Shepherd College. branch
of the State Normal School, which has added
so much to the efficiency OF our public
schools.
This school is located at Shepherdstowu,
in this county, and went fully into operation
as Normal School September 9th, 1878
The buildings are comm modious, we'll ven
tiIated aud admirably arranged for school