Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-30
EIGHT MONTHS TERMS.
State Superintendent Of Education Ia
Hopeful For the Future.


Hon. ]. E. Swearingen in Progressive
Farmer.
Educational problems in South Car
olina are still largely industrial and
agricultural. Eighty per cent Of our
people live on the farm, and 10 per
cent are directly connected with man.
ufacturing enterprises. The children
Of all need education. But the educa-
ton that does not penetrate into the
remote rural districts fails to meet the
greatest need of the hour.
The school house usually representa-
the estimate the community places on
education. Comfortable, well equipped
modern buildings are seldom found in
backward localities. The aspiration
and sacrifices typified by a good school
building do not spring from inertia
and illiteracy. Last year was a year
Of progress and achievement in school
architecture in South Carolina. Ev-
erywhere from the mountain valleys
Of the Piedmont to the marshes Of the
coast better buildings have been erect
ed. The money has been raised by
bonds, by special taxes, and by private
subscription. One hundred and forty
schoolhouses were built last year, and
probably two hundred more are now
in contemplation or in process Of con-
struction.
The school garden and the boys
corn club are also coming in for a
share Of attention. Teachers are real
izing that the best inspection Of their
schools is frequently made from the
outside. Pictures in the interior, paint
on the exterior, and flowers about the
doorstep are given a place in many
schools similar to the place they have
long held in the home. This accom-
plishment Is due in the main to the
Women's School Improvement asso-
citation. This association has organi-
cations in majority Of the counties,
and in a fair proportion Of the school
districts Of the state. 1t offers annual
ly -hNe W oShoOio ihohiho
marked improvement during the year,
and has awakened a widespread inter-
est in school betterment.
The most important feature Of edu-
cational progress during the year was
the appropriation by the general as
sembly Of twenty thousand dollars to
lengthen the term Of weak rural
schools. Wherever the regular school
fund will not run the school for one
hundred days, and the patrons will
raise by private subscription, or spe-
cial levy, as much as fifty dollars, the
trustees may apply to the state board
Of education for one hundred dollars,
all Of which must be paid in teachers
salaries. This act has proved great
stimulus to local taxation. Within the
past four months practically every
county has added to its list Of local tax
districts, and in one Of the Piedmont
counties eleven such levies have been
voted. A recent conference Of the
County Superintendents' association
urged the legislature to increase the
appropriation for 1910, and it is prob
able that fifty thousand dollars will be
given next February. The details of
the law have not been fully worked
out, but there Is now no reason why q
rural district desiring an eight months
school should not have it.
The high school law has been in
operation two years. Ninety-six high
schools were in operation during 1908
'09, and sixteen Of these We're in rural
communities. Since the legislature
has increased this appropriation from
fifty to sixty thousand dollars, at