The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-05
TEACHERS COLUMN.
School Districts.

Much has been said about school dis
tricts, and the common school system
generally. 1t is a system too often
criticised upfavorably by those who do
not fully understand its merits. It has
not given entire satisfaction. What
system, or what law could do this?
There are always some ready to fight
that which they do not understand,
and understanding they do not cease
to fight. In order to have the school
system of a county accomplish its pur-
pose, it must receive the support of the
people. If it does not receive this, It
must end failure.
But we wish to lay before the readers
of this article some idea Of the present
system and Of the proposed aim.
Under the present system IN New
berry County, each township, with one
exception, constitutes district. These
districts are each under the control of
three trustees appointed by the County
Board of Examiners. These trustees
when they carry out the law have
good deal Of work to do. (a) They have
a right to locate schools wherever they
may think proper. ~ They can say
what the salaries Of the different teach
ers in their district shall be. lei They
can use money for the purpose of bull
ding school houses or for supplying
schools with the proper furniture.
In fact they have a great deal OF
power Having this power then, and
receiving very little compensation for
their services, is it best that they should
have a great many schools under their
charge? II they were paid for their
work then they might afford to give
the schools proper attention, but re-
ceiving no pay it is quite different.
But let US look into the proposed plan
and see if there is any thirg in it
worthy of notice.
The plan is to make the school dis
tricts Of such size that there will be
only two schools in each district-one
for white and one for colored children.
The township lines would he disre-
garded. Suppose that there are 100
square miles IN Newberry County, then
there would be not more than thirty or
thirtv-fve districts, and these districts
| would be Of such shape and area that
every child could attend school. But
the question will be asked, what is to
be gained by this new system?
| 1st. It would increase the attendance
| in the schools. The constitutional two
mills tax, is appropriated to the differ
ent districts in proportion to the aver
age attendance in the schools.
1t is natural to suppose, then, that
each board of trustees would be anX-
| ious to have every child in their dis
| trict enrolled 50 that they might get a
| large part of the public fund. Having
| only two schools, they could the more
| easily attend to this work.
2nd. The teachers would get better
| nav for their services. Now they re-
ceive on an average, in .he county,
| about twenty-five dollars per month.
There being less schools by the new
plan, there would be more money for
each teacher.
Sd. The teachers would prep are them
selves better for their work. Only
| good teachers would be in demand.
Seeing that their positions depended
upon their thoroughness and applica-
| ton to study, they would give time and
| thought to school work.
4th. The schoolhouses would be bet
| ter. AS it is now, there are great
many inferior school rooms in New
berry County. They are rot at all
suited for school work. Each board Of
| trustees would doubtless go to work
and secure a good and comfortable
schoolhouse. They would also take
pride in having their buildings we'll
furnished.
5th. The people would have right
| to levy special tax for the support of
schools. The school fund is too small.
Every one will admit this. 1t is often
necessary to supplement the school
fund by private subscription. This
does very we'll in some communities,
but in others is almost failure. If
we can raise sufficient monty to run
the school six months in the year,
every child will have the opportunity
of receiving fair common school edu-
cation.
There are other reasons why the
district system would be beneficial, but
it is unnecessary to give them here.
It must be admitted, however, that
there are some objections to the sys-
tenn, and some reasons WIZ the old IS
better than the new. These objections
we will consider at the next meeting
of the association.
On the 14th of February we wish to
have a large attendance at the Teach
ers' meeting. Everybody interested is
invited.
BELOW ZERO IN THE SOUTHWEST.