McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1915-06-11
County High Schools.
BY w. b. SIMPSON

The County High School is a most
important part of our educational sys-
TEN and without one or more strong
County High Schools in a county, the
county's system of education is not
complete. The County High School
is the link that connects the rural
school with the colleges and Univer-
stiles Of the state. They not only do
this, but they are colleges within
themselves. The County High Schools
rank with the preparatory schools all
over the state and receive the same
recognition from the state University.
The value of the County High
School is proven by the fact that two
thirds of the counties of the state
have them, and that the state each
year spends large sums in the support
of such schools. The scope of the
County High School is much larger
than the town or city high school.
The County High School reaches
large number of students in that it
serves the whole county and not one
community.
One of the greatest hindrances in
the way of the county high school and
the thing that has delayed its coming
in many counties in the state. is the
fact that those who do not live near
the location of the school look upon
it as special privilege bestowed upon
the community in which the school is
located. The county high school is
an institution that belongs to the
whole county and not to the town or
community in which it is located. Its
fullest success depends upon the
united support Of the county. Local
prejudices should be put down and
the whole county work together as a
unit to make the school a success.
1t cannot be placed in every commun-
ity in the county, and the people who
live distance from the school should
not think that they are being imposed
upon or that they do not get value
received for what they put in the
school. One well trained teacher
from the county high school who goes
out into this community to teach will
be worth all that has been paid into
the school fund by that community
The county high school is an insti-
tuition Of greater possibilities than a
great many people suppose. The
cost Of maintaining such school is
greater than is commonly thought.
The course Of study is broad, and
while it prepares one for college it
also gives one GOOD practical educa-
tion for life. In fact. it puts more
stress upon the courses that are in
tended for those students who will
receive no more schooling after leav-
/ ing the high school than on those
courses that prepare for higher insti-
tutions. The county high school is
indeed the poor mans college and in it
he can receive good practical edu-
cation cheaper than in any other
school. 1t should be borne in mind
that the county high school is an in
stitution far ahead Of the elementary
school of the county. that the teach
ing force must be made up of college
trained men and women, and that the
cost Of maintaining such a school is
too great for one community to under
take alone.
But what are the schools needs of
this county? McNairy county needs
at least one good, strong county high
school centrally located. This school
should have the undivided support Of
the whole county. 1t should offer a
course of study and should have teach
ers' training classes for rural teachers.
Such school would be the cap-stone
and head Of the county education,
1t would be the fountain source OF
better things educationally for the
county. Teacher-training has been
recognized as one of the greatest pos
sibilities Of the county high school,
The people OF this county should real.
ize that at the present time it would
be better to have one first-class coun.
ty high school than to divide the fund
and have several second and third
class schools.
The county high school would be a