The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1878-12-12
BELLEVUE, La,
THURSDAY, ::::::::::December IL, 1873.
Proceedings Of School Board.


special session. Members present:
w. G. Burt, President; w. j. Mob
ley, Secretary; N. G. Brownlee, T. }.
Moore and Marcus Ball. j. 81. Key
ser was recommended as Director
in place of L. B. Phillips, and he
having taken the oath of office, join
ed in the deliberations of the Board.
Parish Supervisor J. A. w. Lowry,
Esq, then presented his report, as
follows:
To the Honorable, the President and
Members Of Bossier Parish School
Board:
AS Parish Supervisor ofpub-
lie schools, l beg leave to submit
the following report as to the gen
eral condition, needs, &C., OF the
schools of our Parish:
OF the twenty one schools located
at your July meeting, all except one
(Pineville, Colored,) were opened
for the reception of pupils, the first
week in September. A teacher
could not be procured for Pineville,
although every effort was made by
your President, Secretary, and my
self.
OF the twenty which did open,
were for the instruction Of
white pupils, and-for colored.
The teachers I presume to he ef-
ficient, all having certificates from
the board of examiners, and were
giving general satisfaction to pat
rons. Most of them have accepted
teaching as profession. Their sal
aries were promptly paid them, on
demand, at the end of each school
month.
During the session, school No. B.,
at Billiards, Colored, in charge Of
Miss Anna., Orr, No 8, white, at
Sutton's Chas. Boehimer, teacher,
No. 9, Vaudeville Branch, white,
s. L. Ford, teacher, and No. Ii,
Killgore's, white, j. s. Sale, teacher,
were closed for the reason that an
average attendance Of ten pupils
could not be procured. The sparse
attendance at these schools is owing
to no fault or misconduct on the
part of the teachers in charge OF
them, for they were. all efficient, and
held second grade certificates. ]
am informed that parents felt that
they were unable to..spare,' their
children from the cotton fields dur.
ing the fine weather that prevailed
If this be true, it may be well for
you to consider, before reopening
schools, at which season of the
year you could secure. the largest
attendance of pupils. The action
n of parents in keeping their children
away from a good school that costs
them nothing because their labor is
needed at home, is, by no means
commendable, and may result dis
astr0usly to the children ola whole
neighborhood. My idea is that the
education of children should be
made a business; that everything
should be subordinate to that Crane
object both by parents and by 9th
ers in authority. Hence, if parents
will not take their children out O
their cotton fields to send them t.
school, it should be your study t.
learn at what season their nnfortu
nate children can enjoy the bless
ings it is made your duty to bestor'
upon them.
Throughout the entire Parish,
have found the schools sparsely at
tended, and almost universally
section picking" has been the an
swer to my inquiry for the cause.
In regard to the salaries of teach
ers, | would request change.
found several schools, some of then
in charge of second grade teachers
with an attendance but little abov
bare average. Hence, at thes
schools you are paying nearly tire
and four dollars per month pc
scholar for tuition; while at some O
our best private school rates for th
most advanced pupils do not reacl
this sum.
| suggest that you amend you
act fixing salaries by providing tina
no teacher shall receive more thai
two dollars per month per schola
or share by the aterage month";
attendance. By this action yo
will save money enough to establis