The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-12
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
MAKING PROGRESS
Superintendent Stcarnes Com
pletes Trip Through Many
Counties in State.
ALL OPENED SUCCESSFULLY
Determined Effort Being Made
to Widen Opportunities for
Young People.
ALL OPENED SUCCESSFULLY

Superintendent OF Public Instruc-
tom r. c. Stearnes has just returned
from an extensive ewing around tho
State, visiting schools in almost every
section. He reports that tho schools
have opened for the new term very
successfully, and that tho prospect for
this session is most encouraging. For
the first time in the history of the
State, there IS a sufficient supply OF
white teachers for white schools, and
the department is looking forward to
the time when lower-grade certificates
tended meeting OF the division super
intendents. held In Radford. when the
following resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That the position of d.
vision superintendent IS n mans full
work. No other occupation should or
Will be undertaken during this term of
Office. The visiting Of the schools In
fuller measure than heretofore Is
most crying need, perhaps the need of
tho hour. Each superintendent Will
strive to SO systematic his work as
to be able TO spend three fourths of
his time in the field. meeting teachers.
patrons and pupils III school and at
their homes"
Want Expert supervision.
In some of the counties arrange
rnents have recently been made to aid
division superintendents by the ap-
pointnent of supervising teachers.
usually persons trained In particular
branches now demanded by the rural
schools. Rockingham County has en-
gagged n special supervisor trained In
industrial work. and another assistant
VIII probably be needed TO look after
the c4l schools OF that large and
wealthy county. Southampton County
has under consideration the employ
ment OF a supervising teacher in indus
trial branches In each district Pittsyl-
vania County also has this matter un-
der consideration.
Among the evidences Of progress
noted by Mr.. Stearnes was large
meeting of patrons and pupils which
he attended at GalaN- The available
school revenue from all sources was
reported to amount to over $500. The
ambitious program outlined by the
school board called for an annual en-
pcnditure OF s4.s95. Arrangements are
being perfected to raise the difference
from private sources. and tho school
has been opened with large enroll
ment in the grammar grades. n full
four-year course in the high school. and
with special teachers for vocal and In
strume ntal music, elocution and domes-
tic science
Erecting New buildings.
at Oakton, In Fairfax County, Mr.
Stearnes found that a model new build
ing had been erected at cost of slo.-
GOO. the local league having raised
$1,000. He attended a meeting OF the
Board of Supervisors in King and
Queen County at which members OF the
board said they had never heard or any
law by which they could supplement
the salary of the division superintend-
ent SO as to secure n skillful man for
all his time. but If it meant better
schools, they would willingly provide n
proper salary. In Caroline County on
September 80 Mr.. Stearnes was pre-
sent when Secretary of State w. ].
Bryan dedicated one-room country
school building. At Chase City he
found the most interesting exhibits of
the county fair in the school building.
Including remarkable exhibit by the
negroes. The prize for the best tobacco
went to colored man. on October .
Mr. Stearncs attended the county fair
at CORTLAND. unique exhibition be-
cause all expenses are PAID by volun-
tary contribution. and thSe Is no adj
mission free, and because everything
Is grouped around the school rs n CEN
tre. on October 4 he met the county
school board OF Buchanan in reference
TO summer school work. No county.
lie said, had more difficult educational
problem TO face, as the logging CAMPS
create a shifting population which
shows an unusually high rate Of Hill
tcracy.
Progress in Many Sections
The work OF certiticating teachers
has been placed by Superintendent
Stearnes under direct charge OF In
spector L. L. Worrell. The work is
practically finished for the current
Nr
turned from visits to schools in Pat
rick. Henry and Franklin Counties.
The people OF Patrick County last year
completed an $4,000 high school build
ing. A new $4,000 building is now be-
ing erected 1T Rocky Mount, in Frank
lin County.
The department of high schools has
been placed in special charge OF In
spector ]. b. Terrell. who is making n
complete digest OF all the public high
schools in the State, copies OF which
will be furnished to college presidents
and other school officials to enable
them to pass on entrance requirements
according to the standing of the vari-
Gus high schools. During tho past
week Mr.. Terrell visited and inspect
ed the high schools in Mathews Coun-
~, attending tho county institute on
October J. and delivering an address at
High School.
State Inspector Lincoln is giving his
attention 10 school fair work, agri-
cultural high schools and to plans for
the educational conference. which will
be held In Lynchburg during Thanks
giving week, The program OF tho
conference is now nearing compile
ton. Mr.. Lincoln spent the past week
in Loudoun County. where he took part
in Il teachers institute
Secretary l.. r. Chesterman spoke
on October and at teachers insti-
tutes in the Northern Neck Tho in
stitute at Warsaw was we'll attended.
despite unfavorable weather Super
intendent Blake T.. Newton organized
county teachers association On
October 1, principals and teachers OF
Westmorcland County held an insti-
tuto at Montross.
Work for Colored People.
During tho past session supervising
Industrial teachers were EMPLOYED In
tho colored rural schools OF the fol-
lowing counties: Albcmarle, Alexnn-