The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-25

decided to the state, receiving state AID
either in building new houses or in i'm
proving old ones. The number of school
houses. all told, for the whites shows
a decrease of 10 per cent, indicating
that the commendable work of consoli-
dating the schools has made decided pro-
gress during the year The total number
of schools for negroes was increased
per cent. The number of houses used
for school purposes, though not school
houses, showed a decrease of 6 As per
cent among the whites and a decrease of
13 per cent among the negroes.
The most remarkable increase of all the
items touched by this report is shown in
the percentage of increased values of
seats, desks and other school supplies.
This increase in values among the white
schools was 81 per cent. while the colored
schools showed an improvement equally
commendable.
The state appropriation, the general
fund showed an increase of $685., 600 over
the previous year, the sum total for the
year being about s., 10000. The poll tax,
however. showed a decrea of $4,000
The income to the schools from the tax
levied by the counties which have voted
the 1 mill tax showed an increase of
s67, 500.
Combining these several sources of in
come II will be seen that the teachers re-
ceived 1926, 900 more during the year COW
cred by this report than they did during
the previous year. the total amount avail
able from all sources for the public
schools having been S2,500,000.
The work done by the normal schools as
shown by the report indicates a health
full growth in all features. The facts in
figures shown touching the agricultural
schools are in like manner gratifying.
Higher Institutions.
The University of Alabama, the Ala
bama Polytechnic institute. the Girls In
dustrial school. the schools for the deaf,
dumb and blind, In the increased eff
ficiency of their work and in the increased
enrolment have clearly demonstrated the
wisdom of the Legislature in the appropri-
ations which were made for them.
The high schools are, as is known, in
their infancy, only 22 of them having
been operative during the year. They
admit students only who can meet the
entrance requirements for high school
work Eleven hundred and sixty stu
dents were enrolled In these % schools,
being about equally divided between the
males and females. OF this number 40S
were students who did not live in the
towns in which the schools are located
In conclusion, basing my opinion upon
the figures shown in this report, upon my
observation and travels over the state,
and upon the general tenor of current
thought. am brought to the conclusion
that there has never been year in the
history of the state more prosperous
along educational lines than the period
covered by this report-the year ending
September 80, 1909
| am sure this must be a source of
pleasure to you, as Governor of the state,
as it is to me as superintendent of edu-
cation, and as it is to every person In the
state who Is interested In the education
of our boys and girls.
l feel that / should neglect a duty
il l did not take this opportunity to
thank you on behalf Of every men,
Der connected with the department of ed.
ucation for your uniform cooperation and
courtesy. Without these the gratifying
results which are indicated in my report
would have been impossible.
In this official document 1 wish to give
recognition to the faithful service rem
dered by my office force. The members
Of the state board of examiners in their
arduous responsible duties have met every
demand faithfully and fearlessly. The
members of the department proper have
been diligent, energetic painstaking, tact.
| full and have added by their efforts nc
| little to the accomplishments along edu-
| cational lines. Respectfully submitted,
H. c. GUNNELS,
superintendent Of Education.