Smyrna times., 1906-03-21
FAVOR GRADED COUNTRY SCHOOLS
Movement Growing In the Lower Counties and
Legislature Will be Appealed TO.

The people OF Sussex County, and
in fact, many of those living in the
lower part of Kent County, are still
much interested in the proposition to
consolidate the public schools and es-
tablish graded schools in some central
point in each county. The proposition
is not exactly a new one but the agita-
ton in favor of it has never been so
pronounced as it is at this time. Sus-
sex County has had the poorest schools
in the State and those in favor of con-
solidation say there is no hope of them
getting better unless the consolidation
plan is agreed upon. 1t has been the
custom to build the school houses in
some out of the way place on piece of
land usually clearing in pine forest,
because that land was cheaper than
that in district where the land was
more cultivated and where there was
larger population.
The school buildings in most isolated
country districts are not worthy the
name, but they manage to answer the
purpose. The school houses are so
far away from town that it is necessary
for the teachers TO board some place
in the vicinity. A great many of the
better class of people do not want to
take stranger in, and some of the
teachers have refused to go in the
class of homes open to. them. In fact
| cases have come to the attention of the
school officials where men have acted
or tried to act very improperly toward
| the girl teachers who were forced to
enter their homes to board during the
school term. This fact coupled with
the fact that the pay was small b as
caused many of the most desirable
class of teachers TO resign.
In his report recently made Superin
tendent Brooks called attention to the
fact that the schools in Sussex County
were in a deplorable condition. he
told how some of the schools were i'm
properly heated and how some of the
commissioners were SO ignorant they
could not read or write.
tits claimed by those who are In ia.
vor of consolidation that if graded
schools could be established in cen
trally located neighborhoods, tn
schools would be better and by reason
of the better facilities a better class o
teachers could be obtained. The ar
: | gument has been made that if some o
the small district schools were close
: the scholars living in that localit
: would have to go much further t
school.
The consolidation people meet thi
q with the argument that a transports
, ton service could be inaugurate
D | whereby the scholars living in certai
, | districts could meet at certain poin
each morning and wagon, would gathe
them up and take them to school an
bring them back home at night. Wit
most people this seems to be the or
, way out of the present difficulty in SUI
y. sex County. Besides Superintendent
Brooks Insurance Commission
: George W. Marshall and Colonel Thee
dore Townsend of Milford are tskir
much interest in the matter and tryir
to create sentiment in favor of Il
d consolidated schools. Those who a
a opposing this plan are doing so b
5. cause they feel that gathering the CHI
J. dren up with wagons will not be pra
ticable. They admit however that Il
present system is faulty and that sor
change is absolutely necessary
~ Star.