The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1902-07-15
CONSOLIDATION OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Prof. E. @. Brooks, who is now
directing the work of the Central
Campaign Committee for Better
Schools" sends The Progressive Far
mer the following article, ably setting
forth the advantages of consolidation
of school districts. We commend it to
our readers:
A campaign for education is on in
earnest. This is to be fought for bet
ter schools and better school facilities.
To accomplish this, an educational
campaign will be made in every coun-
ty where there seems to be an oppor-
tunity to improve the present condi-
tions. Walter H. Page says truly that
there is enough native intelligence go
ing to waste in North Carolina for
lack of training to govern the entire
world. There must be a cause for this.
IF a persons surroundings and asso-
ciates determine his character and in
telligence, then the individuals sur
roundings should be studied and i'm
proved. 1t is a recognized fact that a
child's associates must be elevated if
that child's training is to remain per
manent. This is the work the Cen
trail Campaign Committee for the
Purpose of Improving the Public
Schools has undertaken to accomplish.
THE EDUCATIONAL PLATFORM
The following resolution was unan
imously adopted by this committee in
Raleigh, February ID; it was reafirm-
ed at Greensboro, April 3, also at
Charlotte, May 2, and at Morehead
City by the Teachers Assembly, June
10:
"Be it therefore resolved, That it is
the n of this conference that an
active and vigorous campaign should
be at once inaugurated in every coun-
ty for the accomplishment of the fol-
lowing ends, to-wit:
IL. The consolidation of small dis
tricts wherever possible.
%. The erection of adequate and
comfortable school houses.
"3. The frightening of the public
school term by local taxation"
A FOURTH OF THE SCHOOLS ARE RUN
CONTRARY TO LAW
The reports from the different
County Superintendent show that
about one-fourth of the school dis
tricts contain less than sixty-fve chill
dren of school age. This does not in
cIude the number of districts that con-
tain less on account of geographical
reasons. In other words about twelve
districts for every county (when a
general average is made) are illegal.
The schools run about three months
in the year and the State Sup~erinten-
dent is called upon for funds to in
crease them to a four months school.
WHAT CAN BE DONE BY ,CoNsOLI
DATING
Take three districts that contain
Just sixty-fve children each. The ap-
preparation would be about $50 for
each; just about enough to run three
months with one good teacher. This
teacher would have an attendance of
about thirty-fve children, and she
would have to teach every subject,
from the alphabet to the higher Eng
lish branches. Now take these three
districts and combine them into n
and employ two teachers, for the
primary grades and the other for the
higher grades. There would be money
enough to run the consolidated school
four and a half months, and the work
could be done infinitely better.
THE DIFFERENT COUNTIES ARE REOOG
MING THIS FACT.
This consolidation of small dis
tricts is such a great economy in
school management that county after
county is readily combining their
schools. In every instance it is done
by the people and not by educational
boards. The Rockingham Board of