The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-06
TEACHERS COLUMN.
THos. W. KEITT, Editor.
DistrictinS the County.

ness the gathering of quite number
of school trustees in the Commission
er's Office on Saturday, the 10Th ult. It
was very creditable showing consid-
ering the inclemency of the weather,
and the spirit evinced was cheering.
They seemed awake to the fact that
something must be done to improve
our schools.
The question of districting the county
was brought up by the commissioner,
Mr.. Kibler. This question was freely
discussed, and great deal of informa-
ton regarding the location of existing
school-houses and the needs of the
different communities vas obtained.
The Board of County Examiners
have before them an arduous task, and
they should be sustained by the SYM
pathy and help of every believer in
education. They are men devoted to
the profession and wish to perform
their duty to the best interest of the
county from an educational standpoint.
We all, I suppose, believe that there
are too many schools in our county for
the best interests of the people This
fact was brought out in the discussion of
the question of districting the county.
Now, some school-houses will neces-
sarily be abandoned, and the children
assigned to others; which these will be,
no one knows. Now it is earnestly
hoped that the patrons of such schools
will give their hearty and patriotic CO.
operation towards carrying out the
good work Of laying out districts, and
of improving our educational facilities.
We are fully Convinced that many
of our teachers are making great pro-
gress in cur profession. These are the
very ones we desire to retain, but un-
less some means are devised by which
We are able to secure longer terms and
a living salary, we will certainly lose
them. We think it never surely oc-
CURED to those outside the profession
that teacher who feels his response
bility and wishes to do the best posi-
bic for those under his care, recognizes
the fact that he must subscribe to edu-
cational literature; that he mus, pur-
chase books treating of his profession;
that he must attend county and State
associations; that he must, in every
way, keep up the rapid strides of pro-
gressive education, or be forever left in
the rear. ALI this takes money, and
the teacher who can solve this problem
with salary of $500 per month and
three months term, will put the en-
tire profession under lasting obliga-
tions to him if he will make the pro-
cess public.
Now, we think by consolidating
schools, where practicable, and by dis
tricting the county long step forward
will be taken. These districts will be
Of such size that the trustees can easily
attend to their duties. Every poll in
the county will be hunted up and
placed on the books, and the school
fund will be perceptibly increased.
Then too, these districts may levy
tax upon themselves, which will be
applied to their own use. BY these
means, and others which may be de-
vised, fund can be raised sufficient to
employ good teachers at living salaries.
While we do not think that district
ing the county will prove panacca for
all the ills to which the public schools
are heir, we do think it will have re-
vivifying effect.
We have an object lesson upon this
subject before our eyes daily. We are
in a special district, which, before its
creation, had no school house Of its own,
but had divided school population.
Now We have two acres of land, and
have built and paid for school house
costing about S40G, are running five
months this term, and next year mean
to have at least seven months and per-
haps eight. The patrons are sympa-
thetic and alive to education and al
ways stand ready to aid the school in
every way.
Can not this condition Of affairs be
brought about over the entire county?
We think 80. With districts laid ofin
the county, and owing their own
school-house; with patrons alive to the
needs of the schools, and demanding
education for their children, and with
properly paid teachers and an eight
months term, our dear old county will
experience such boom in education as
she has never known.
Let every one put his shoulder to the
wheel and bring this about.
IT. w. K.