The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-04-10
SCHOOL CAMP A|GN
Preparations Making For
More Active Work This
Season.

State Superintendent of Public Instruc-
ton j. Y. Joyner yesterday sent out to
the county superintendents the following
circular letter with a view to obtaining
the necessary information for the planning
of the coming seasons campaign for edu
cation:
II enclose blanks asking information in
regard to local taxation, consolidation OF
districts and Improvement of school
houses. The information is designed for
the use OF the Executive Committee of the
Central Campaign Committee, composed
of State Superintendent j. Y. Joyner,
Chas. Il. Aycock, Chas. B. McIver and Eu-
gene c.. Brooks, Secretary. This commit
tee Will largely plan the campaign tor ed
ucation this year upon information fur-
nished by you in these blanks.
There are now hundred and ninety
three local tax districts in North Carolina,
one hundred and fortynne OF these nave
been added since the Inauguration OF the
campaign two years ago. During the pas.
two years at least 1900 unnecessary small
school districts have been consolidated III
to larger districts and SS4 new schooi
houses have been built in accordance with
plans sent out from the office, and are ol
far better character than school houses
beretofore built. This indicates very COM
mendable and encouraging progress along
these three important lines OF improve
ment.
This progress is due In part TO a cultl-
walton of sentiment resulting from the
agitation of public discussion; in part to
the intelligent and active efforts OF coun-
ty superintendeIts, school officials, and
pubhcspirited citizens; in part to quiet,
earnest deep-seated interest in public ed
ucation among the people, and daily
growing determination on their part to
give their children a better chance through
better schools to get better education.
The outlook is hopeful, nothing can stop
this educational movement. Any relaXa-
ton of efforts, however, on the part OF
the friends of education, would result in
retarding it. The Campaign Committee
and the State Superintendent are ANXIOUS
to cooperate with you, your school DIN
Gals and other interested citizen in carry
ing or the good work of better public
schools.
Arrangements have been made as here
tofore to send speakers to aid the local au
thorities in communities where there is a
reasonable probability of securing local
taxation, consolidation or Improvement of
public school houses and grounds.
The blanks sent out by the committee
call for information on the following sub
jects:
l. Names of districts agitating the
n TO
tricts and improvement of school houses,
and desiring the agitation of these ques-
tons. @
2. Names of leading school committee
men or other citizens in these districts
actively interested in these questions.
3. Names of other districts where con-
ditions are favorable for local taxation
and consolidation, and where agitation of
these questions would be advisable, and
names of public spirited citizens actively
engaged in these districts.
l. Comments on success Or failure OF
local taxation consolidation and improve
ment of school houses in the districts in
which these have been tried, and sugges-
tons as to the best methods OF securing
these in the respective counties.
AS soon as the information asked is OBJ
tanned it will be laid before the Executive
Committee and the campaign for the
spring and summer will be arranged. The
educational campaign will be SO arranged
as not to interfere in any way with the
political campaign. Speakers Will be sent
as heretofore only to communities asking
Tor them. or in which the conditions are
favorable and the agitation Is advisable.
This active campaign participated in by
a number of the most thoughtful citizens
and effective speakers OF the State and
carried on each year through the aid OF
the Southern Educational Board under
the direction .of the local campaign COM
mittse named above, has been very help
full in arousing public sentiment and
awakening general interest in public edu-
cation and ia the betterment OF the public
schools 1t has proved one of the most
effective agencies in the educational pro-
gress for the past two years. OF course
the agitation of these questions relating
to the Improvement OF the public schools
and the education of the people is quietly
going on all the year around in the va
rious counties under the general direction
and leadership of county superintendent
and other school officials. The State SUI
perintendent has probably averaged not
less than two educational addresses a week
during the last two years, and has been
compelled to decline as many invitations
as he has accepted. showing the abiding
interest of the people in this subject and
the necessity for aid in meeting the de-
mands for the discussion of educational
questions. The stimulation, however re-
ceived from the help of more active
campaign participated in by number of
speakers during the summer and fall has
given great momentum to the movement.