The Forrest City times., 1893-07-14
School Question,

ar LUitOT.
 l noticed week or two since a letter in your paper with regard to onr pub lie school management. l was greatly impressed with the truthfullness of it's contents, then too, read what you had to say on the subject. You are right as you always are, when you ex- press yourself for the interests of our town.
 Why is it, that for at least three years our school has been a failure :? because the school board has been in- judicious in their provision. Why is it that at the end of each school term the schoolrOom is always empty ? be- cause the parents of those children, and children too, were thoroughly dis heartened. Who can teach, who can learn, in halls miserably ventilated, miserably heated, with partition di- viding rooms only a portion of the way up! With the noise from the adjoin- ing rooms brought in such close coll tact with chewing gum, papers balls, pencils, and even fire-crackerS sailing through the air all day, what can the teachers do they are not to be cen- sured for this. The crowded rooms, the nnwise management of the school board-iucluding the above-is the cause of our children becoming demor- alized, instead of refined in school. When the money of the people is put in the hands of d few, who cannot, or will not, use it with discretion, there | ought to be a law to take 1t from them If nothing else can be done, let the peO- pie who have tOiled for this money, have it returned to them to pnt bread and meat into their homes.
 It is to be hoped that the present school board is composed of intelligent and honorable men, who will lay aside all personal feelings, and act for the future good.
 or course, some people will say have the school under any circumsta nces. Some people do not care what you do, indifferent on all subjects. Some are overwhelmed with policy and deceit. Some do not really understand the con- ditiOn of affairs. It does seem the right thing to be deprived of a public school for few months, if by doing this. it will enable us to have good comfortable school building, and mon- ey to pay a professional, and compe- tent principal. We do not want a Bo- hemian, or wandering minstrel to guide our children several hours each day. We want some one whose inter- est it will be to build up flOurishing school. To do this a christian gentle- may must be paid. as well as the as- sistants. No one with any pride will take charge of this school, if he sees the school building in it's present con- dition. and if he knows that affairs are to De managed as formerly.
 This condition is so disgraceful, that it should be known and discussed, not only in our community but throughout the whole country. Our children are to be the future men and women, who will manage and rule public affairs. What volume might be written on this subject.
 While 1 am only one, writing, yet, l know, l do not guess, that many, many people in this community feel just as do.
 When people anticipate moving to a town almost the first inquiry is; have you churches and good schools !? l know that many influential families have been deterred from coming among us, by finding out the condition of our school affairs.
 A PAkENT.