The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-07-11
The High School in Sumter County.

1t would be QllQculJ TO uLu dNONSSl
those persons who have educational
Interests at heart any one thoroughly
opposed to the plan Of having cen
tralized or high schools in te rural
parts If the State.
There is little conflict OF opinion
when the plan IS considered in its
main features; it is in the details that
strong opposition has developed.
It IS unfortunate for any further
trial Of the plan within the limits Of
Sumter county that it should first be
tried where it had the least chance to
succeed and should find such inju-
dicious advocacy.
All opportunity is sought to state
me Of the causes which have and
do now tend to failure and at the
same time to correct much miscon-
ception which many appear to enter
tain as to the opposition with which
the plan has been met.
The most lasting benefits and most
endu ing institutions are created by a
long process of education. No one can
expect support, especially amongst the
conservative people of the South, Of
any institution which is expected 10
be the creation Of a day, a week, or
month, nor will the necessary sup
port be forthcoming when the people
are called upon to consider education
in general and have instead an ILL
considered plan sprung on them for
which they were not prepared, nor
had the least idea that such would
be presented to them.
Such an attempt was made in Dis
trict no. 6 in September, 1905. The
teachers for the various schools were
elected, the schools were open, pupils
were allotter to their proper classes,
orders for books were given, when
suddenly the people were asked to
break UP all this and to embark on
scheme for which they were totally
unprepared. The rapidity with which
plans were promulgated Immediately
excited opposition and the people re-
turned to their homes with a feeling
of irritation which has never been al
leviated by anything that has hap
pened since.
Want Of preparation at the very be-
ginning sowed the seeds of opposition.
The advocates Of that measure not
only failed to prepare the people for
the plar, but failed to prepare them
selves with adequate information as
to the social and educational condi-
ton of the district.
Unfortunately for the measure, they
utterly ignored the fact Of there al
ways being a sharp line Of division in
the usual line Of thought Of one part
Of the district as compared with an
other
More important than the question
of funds to carry out the plan is it
necessary to know the people, whose
support is looked for. Ignorance of
social conditions is a second cause
of failure.
The proposed attempt to do with
$4,000 what elsewhere it takes $4,000
to do, appeared, even with outside
help, an ignoring Of the financial con-
ditions of the district.
From taxpayers point Of view it
did not appear wise to sacrifice school
buildings already in existence, on
which, as in one case, $3.50 had been
spent some four years before in build
ing and $40 in equipment, which
buildings were in use by organized
schools, presided over by teachers Of
ability, in whom the people had con-
/ fdence, and with whose systems Of
mana agernent they were in accord.
Very little consideration was given to
this, no argument of any weight was
made hc.w the district would be COM
pensated for the abandonment of
school property, which, by the terms
of it's sstenure, would revert to private
citizens.
"A thorough knowledge of financial
conditions is therefore; necessary. 1g-
| ror;ng slch will provide third cause
of failure.
Imagination and enthusiasm are
factors in upbu:lding sconamunities
| educatioaally or otherwise. Both these
qualities the high school advocates
have.
Public schools, however, are estab-
lished and maintained by law. and
failure 10 consult or an ignoring OF
co1ool 10 will chatter anv scheme.