The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-10
VETEP AN SCHOOL TRUSTEE
OF AUGUSTA COUNTY
Splendid Work Done by Hon.
John w. Todd in Behalf of
The Schools.

There Is no public scryart OF any kind
In any place, carrying a greater respor-
sibllitv or controlling to ~ greater de-
gree the welfare OF the people and the
interests of the county, than the school
trustee.
II Is, therefore, encouraging to note
that Ia the present educational awitacn-
ing, educators, friends Of education, and
the public generally understand and cp-
trecnte as never before the value and
Importance OF the work that IL being
done in the cause OF popular education
by faithful. pubic-spiritcd members Of
SCHOOL boards throughout the state.
There is, perhaps no man In Virginia
who has a higher record as school
trustee. or who has done more for tho
Improvement and upBnldny OF the
schools of hts section. than Hon John
w. Todd OF Augusta county.
Besides being brave Confederate vet-
Gran. Mr. Todd has the distinction ot
being also q veteran public schoo Of
flcial, having served on city and county
boards almost continuously since the pub
lie school system was nauguratcd In
Virginia, When that grand old virginan
DR. Ruffner, was state superintendent
of Instruction. Mr. Todd was chairman
Of the school board OF the city OF Staun-
ton, IN which capacity he served fer
number Of years, until he removed. win
his family, to "Glenmorc," his hand-
some country home, three miles cast OF
Smunton.
Soon after his rom5vol to the country,
Mr.. Todd WIS appointed a school trustee
for Beverly Manor district. and has filled
the position with marked ability foi
twenty years. At the time OF his election
as cleri. of the Beverly Manor school
board, the majority Of the schools OF tile
district were In a more or less chaotic
condition, and the lot Of the teachers
was IN most casess ono of hardship and
priyatipn. Mr. Todd, who Is man cf
sound business qualifications and excel
lent executive ability, at once devoted
himself to the work of amcliorating the
condition of both schools and teachers,
and under his successful administration
OF affairs q new and brighter era soon
began to dawn for the schools OF the dis
trict. The school funds in those days
were exceedingly limited, but by careful
financiering and systematic study Of
tho needs of the schools far more salts
factory results were accomplished Will
available funds than had been possible
under previous conditions. New school
houses were erected. old ones repaired
better arrangements were made for pur
chasing fuel, school supplies. furniture
etc. the school term was extended fron
five to six months, and other notan
reforms gradually brought about unit
attainment tho schools OF Beverly Marc
district to-day rank second to none II
Augusta county.
While Mr.. Todd has al ali times on
deavercd to Improve the schools OF I'll
district and county. bis greatest achieve
nent in the cause OF public education
has been the prominent part he has take
in tine establishment and npbuild'ng Q
Beverly Manor Academy, which, wit
the exception cf the new graded schot
Mt Waynesboro. Is the larges; and mos
flourishiny district school In the count
1t Is located at s;tannton in handson'
old building colonial In style and rio
In historical associations. The buildin
WAS donated 10 stanton and Angus
county FOR educational purposes by Il
late a, II. Stuart. Here II was that u
Staunton public schools were estnblisht
nearly half century ngo, and mar
emtnently successful men and women
the community have since received the
preparatory training within Its walls. !.
For years after 1t was vacated by q
city schools Mr.. Todd oxerted himself