The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-09
BElTERING OF SCHOOLS
Counties That Have Consolidated
Small School Districts.
MONEY FOR BETTER SCHOOL HOUSES
Many Elections 10 be Held on the Question of
Local Taxation. Prot. Brooks Has
Completed His Work as
Secretary.

Secretary E. c. Brooks, of the Educa-
tional Executive Committee, yesterday
issued from the office of the Superinten-
dent of Public Instruction circular let
ter entitled, what is Being done for the
Improvement of the Schools as follows:
Reports being received daily from
every section of the State give the
strongest proof that there is grow
ing sentiment in every county toward the
Improvement of the public schools The
educational associations and assemblies
on every occasion have emphasized three
principles and have worked toward these
three ends, believing that the accom-
plishment of these will lead to other
needed reforms.
CONSOLIDATION OF DISTRICTS.
"Alamance county has so arranged six
townships that it is now possible to
establish graded schools. So well did the
superintendent perfect his work that con-
solidation followed as a necessity. An
son county consolidated four districts
into two last year. Ashe reduced eight
districts into four. Caldwell consolidated
three into two; Cherokee two into one.
Brunswick reduced her number from sew
enty- nine to seventy-one. Davidson has
consolidated five districts and is now con-
sidering several others. Edgecombe has
consolidated nine into five. CASTOR has
consolidated eight into one and others
will be changed soon. Guilford has con-
solidated a number of districts and a
number of others have the matter under
consideration. Harnett has consolidated
ten into five and discontinued two. Hert-
ford has consolidated two. Iredell has
reduced the number il three townships
from twenty-five to seventeen. Lenoir
consolidated four the past year The
work of consolidation in Lincoln will
begin Immediately after the educational
rallies There are three townships now
ready for the change. Mecklenburg has
consolidated eight into four and is MAX
ing arrangements to reduce the number
very materially within the next year. In
Pitt the districts have been rearranged
in two townships, Polk has consolidated
four white districts into two and five
colored into three. The Superintendent
of Randolph county says We have con-
solidated the districts in one township
and next year we will begin a systematic
Encouragement and consolidation. Rock
ingham has consolidated two and ar
ranged to reduce the number to three
less still. Vance has reduced three dis
tricts to one Tyrrell has consolidated
two; Warren two; and Watauga three.
Stokes county has reduced the number to
ten less and more consultations will
follow soon. Mitchell consolidated utwo
and is preparing others for the change.
Wilkes has reduced the number ten less.
Rutherford county has consolidated two
and Cleveland six districts.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE SCHOOL
HOUSES
I'm Randolph county the citizens of
Franklinville have raised 81 900 by private
subscription for the erection of school
building and four other new up-to-date
buildings have been erected the past
year and plans are perfected for more
this year. In Mecklenburg county one
building is now being erected at cost
of So, 800, and about $1,000 in all will be
spent by next January. Six hundred
patent desks were bought last year and
about the same number to be purchased
this year. Edgecombe county has built
five new buildings, one at Conoeto at a
cost of 81 200. All will be reprinted this
year. Lenoir county built four houses
last year. Lincoln county spent $3.50
in the past year in buildings. One build
ing in Union county was built last year
at a cost of 81, 500; $4,000 is to be spent
in Guilford county during the next year
for school improvements. Iredell erect
ed five new buildings, the citizens sub
scribing a large per cent of the money.
In Alamance the citizens have agreed in
six townships to erect new school build
ings. The cost of each will range from
$500 to $500. A great deal Of the money
has already been subscribed. Harnett
county built last year fifteen new school
houses, and will build eight during the
next year. BERTHE has made great i'm
provement in school buildings and equip
ments Caldwell built four new build
ings. CASTOR county erected three large
buildings. At Lowell subscription was
raised for $1,000 building Gates coun-
ty built two modern buildings, arranging