The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-13
CURRITUCK COUNTY.

In the great educational Renais-
sance which has ervad the odd
North State from the mountains to
the sea for the past years, Currltuck
has not kept pace with some OF her
sister counties, butt ike the famous
tortoise. if ready work counts for any,
thing, we expect to come out ahead at
the goal.
j. l.. DeComis, chairman; ]. +. Sum-
relI and E. w. Bowden comprise the
Board of Education of Currituck
county. These are gentlemen of the
highest type of manhood and are har-
monious and earnest workers for the
causE of public education.
Owing to the geographical makeup
of Currituck county, we are handi-
capped by number of small districts
which, if we C5serve the spirit of the
law and give every child his deserved
recognition, are unavoidable.
A glance at the map will show that
Currituck county in addition to the
main peninsula, is composed of seven
small islands, and a strand of beach
fifty miles long dotted every six miles
by life saving stations, the children
of whose crews are hungerIng and
thirsting for education which they
must have.
There is not an incorporated town in
the county, nor very denSely pOpu-
lated village. Consequently the 2,46S
children of the county, instead OF De
ing consolidated into about thirty as
tricts, are spread out over fifty dis
tricts. Notwithstanding the adverse
circumstances there has been some
consultations in the past, and we ak
pect more in the future.
One township in the county Will vote
on local taxation for few days, ana
/ am sure it will be carried. Two 9th
er townships will petition for local
taxation later. Local taxation was dt
one time very unpopular measure
i'm the county, but it has grown in
favor until ere long more than half
the districts i'm the county will vote
local taxation.
We have five rural Libraries in the
county, one Of which contains over
$4,000 worth of books, which haze
been subscribed by private parties. The
books are being fairly we'll read. me
recent act allowing the Board of Edu-
cation to set aside a library fund Will
aid materially in the establishment OF
rural libraries.
The average length Of public school
term for the past year was four
months. The average length of school
term was more than four months, as
several districts extend their terms
four or five months, which gives a
term OF elgnt or nine HlOltIlS III SUN
districts.
In the past year six new school
houses have been built on modern
plans and equipped with modern, up
to-date furniture, at a cost of about
100000 The construction of COM
modious school building is now In pro-
gress at Poplar Branch, TO be known
as Poplar Branch High School. We
hope to soon have a like building at
Knots Island and various other places,
where such buildings are needed. A
word of commentator is due few
of our citizens, (citiZens of Currituck
l mean), who are giving their time,
money and influence for the better
ment of the public schools of the
county I shall not call any names,
but they are known by their good
deeds One district built a school
house suitable for their needs and do
mated it to the county. Several 9TH
ers have raised half or more of the
funds needed to repair or build.
Congratulating The News and OBJ
server for the stand it has taken for
education. we beg to remain,
Yours for education.
w. T. GRIGGS.
County Supt. of Schools.