The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-24

as to procure a teaching force creditable alike to the county and the state.
 It seems that the commission would hesitate to come into a county like Jel- ferson, with it's ever increasing popula- ton, noted for intelligence and progress, and undertake to operate a county high school on 5000 a year. They give us the hint that such teaching force as thls amount would provide might not be first class and that it might not be credit able either to the county or the state. They also emphasize the value of land and building to an educational institu- ton, and remind us of the consideration they will give to increased donations of these two valuable assets With a school lot of five acres and a building costing only $5O00 and with only 5000 for operat- ing expenses high school might be oper- ated in a way in some of the Sparsely settled and undeveloped counties of the state, but not so in counties like Jeffer- son, with it's thousands of population and millions of resources.
 What should Jefferson do under existing conditions? What can she do? What will she do? So far as ability is concerned this county is able to maintain, without state aid, a first-class high school. one that would be model for all the coun- try, just as the city high school of Bir- mingham is model city high school for all the country, were the educational forces of the county properly concentrat- ed in that direction. The state comes for ward, however, and proposes to lend the prestige of It's influence in helping the county to organize it's educational forces for true high school work and to become a part of a great system of high school education of statewide extent.
 rL,.. Thinoe
 To meet the state in this advanced step that it is taking and to cooperate with 1t in the great work of promoting secondary education, three things, 1t is seen are necessary. These are the do- nation of lands for location, the raising of funds for buildings and equipment, and the supplementing of the state ap- propriaton for operating the school. A site for such a school as Jefferson coun- ty ought to contain not less than 90 acres. and, if possible, 100 or more acres; the funds for buildings and equipment shoul1 be not less than S25.0O0, and, If possible, s50,O00 or more; the supplement to the state appropriation for operating ex- penses should be not less than s2000, and. if possible. s4000 or more. If some com munity favorably situated near rail road or some of the numerous trolley lines could be induced to make a liberal offer in land and money as q considera- ton for locating the school in that com munity and the additional needed funds could be raised by popular subscription for purchase of more land and the erec- ton of suitable buildings, and the county board of revenue would come forward with an adequate supplement for operat- ing expenses, the problem would be solved, and a great county high school would spring into existence that would not only be "creditable alike to the coGn- ty and to the state," but that would be a source of pride to all the people both of the county and the state.
 The proposition I have set forth is in- deed very feasible one. All it needs for consummation is a little thought little determination, little organization. and an aggressive campaign among the whole people of the county. Every community in the county would be benefited by the existence of such a school located at some central point in the county, and therefore all the people of the county should be drawn into d consideration of the loca- tion of this school. With proper organ ization the maximum amounts l have mentioned could. doubtless, be raised within period of two months, and our county board of revenue, if made to feel the needs and wishes of the people. would