The progressive farmer., 1904-04-26


Been Done in Consolidating Small Districts Dur
ing the Past Two Years, How 1t Has Been Done
and How 1t Has Worked"
I.-wHAT HAS BEAN DONE.
During the year ending June 80, 1902, there was
a decrease of 179 in the rural districts in North
Carolina. From July, 1902, to June 80, 19O3 the
number of white school districts was reduced
from 1858 to 5,37O,'a decrease of 2s3 white dis
tricts during that school year; during the same
year there decrease of 95 colored school
districts, making a total decrease of 37S. This
represents a consolidation of at least 600 white
and 200 colored districts in one year. In two
years the total number of districts, wliite and
colore1, has been decreased 557, representing
consolidation of at least 1900 small districts.
Since July 1, 1908, there has been number of
additional consultations, but it is impossible to
estimate the number until the close of the sch Dol
year, June 80, 1904, when the reports of the
County Superintendents are made. This indi-
Gates think, commendable and encouraging
progress of the idea of consolidation.
n.-How IT HAS BEEN DONE.
Our general method has been to convince, per-
suade, lead the people, not to force or seem to
force them to do what their best Judgment did
not dictate and what healthy public sentiment
defiance of the wishes of majority of the people
concerned, always brings about harmful reaction.
The objections to consolidation are in most in
stances natural and human and should be met
wisely, tactfully and sympathetically with reason
and argument and patience not with abuse and
dogmatism and impatience. The final movement
for consolidation should come from majority
of the people most concerned as a result of en-
Hghtened public sentiment on the question and
not from outsiders. The movement in each coun-
ty must be led, if possible by home-folks. The
natural leaders of this and all other educational
movements in each county are school officers, the
County Superintendent, the members of the
County Board of Education, the School Commit
teemen, the teachers. If these forces can be Or
ganlzed Informed, interested, set to work and di-
rected, the battle will be won.
Through circular letters and conferences Coun-
ty Boards of Education, committeeman and teach
ers have been reached and interested by the Coun-
ty superintendent and the State Superintendent.
Through bulletins on the subject from the office
of the State Superintendent and such other Htera-
ture upon the subject as could be obtained
through the county newspapers, ever willing to
aid in any good cause; it has been sought to
reach the general public and to give information
and public sentiment on the subject
County Superintendents have talked it privately
and publicly in districts in which the conditions
were favorable for successful consolidation and
have sought to interest, if possible, influential
citizens in such districts upon the subject and
set them talking it up."
At favorable points in the various counties re-
ported by County Superintendents, appointments
have been made for educational rallies during the
summer educational campaign and addresses by
State superintendent local speakers and other
IL Il.