The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1916-03-17
HON. M. P. SHAWKEY

1
qualified for the position. Mr.. Shawkey
has come up from the ranks Of public
school teschers. having tauyht a number
III years IN one room country school
and town elementary schools lie has
tille'i the positions Of High school princi-
pal, town superintendent Of schools pro-
lessor in Weslsyen College, county 81
perintendent Of kanawha county, and IL
cow serving his second term as state Su-
Perintendent OF Free Schools Of West
Virginia. In all of these positions IA.
has shown the same fidelity To duty and
psinstaking hard labor that have mark
ri ~ a man Of exceptional ability and
administrative genius.
Mr. Shawkey's administration as stat.
superintendent is noted for the cOnstr,lc-
tive plans for the bett@rment 81 the
schools OF this state advocated and put
an operation 10y him. Among the achieve
ments Of his administration may lie men
toned the following: Minimum salary
school buildings and conditions have
heen improved; cons,lida ton Of rural
schools. whereby many poorly equipped
and run down one room schools have
been abolished, thus increasing the Fl
iiciency OF the country schools and CIV
ing To the people Of the rural communi
ties the same advantages for the educa-
ton of their children that are offered in
town graded schools.
some OF the laws prepared by Mr.
-hawkey and passed by the Legislature
Tor school Improvement are ~ follows:
Complete revision Of the certificate Law
making provision for life and spectral
certificates, medical inspection of pupils,
aw for the adoption Of uniform text
looks, law making county superinten-
lent more effective and servicabIr
school officer, increase i'm salary Of Coun-
~ Superintendents, law providing for
classification Of high schools and distri-
,ution of state aid to high schools. Tn
Ter this Law eighty-five thousand dollars
So, 800 have been distribut ted this year
o cls ssified high schools throughout the
tate. our own high school at Kimball
having received its proportion of this
und- This Law has resulted in e~tai,-
fishing a large number Of high Schools
md a great Improvement Of all high
schools in the state. Within the past
i've years eighty new high school build
ilgs have been erected and the enroll
nent has increased ISL per cent. A law
e'Iuiring boards Of education in dis
riots not maintaing high schools To- pay
he tuition Of students who make appIi-
cation in other district OF city high
chools, anil establishing teached train
ng departments in high schools.
Under Mr.. Shswkey's administration
supervision Of rural schools has been
greatly enlarged and improved. The
lumber OF Districts having supervision
Ias increased from thirty districts when
he became Superintendent to eighty on.
IN 1916, or sn'incresse Of I25 per cent.
The increase in supervised has resulted
In untold good 70 the citizenship Of the
state.
A. a member Of the state Board Of Re-
cents Mr.. Shawkey has worked indus
triously for the improvement Of all the
state educational institutions. The scop.
Il tie work st Biuefield COlored INSTITUTE.
and the West virginia Collegiate Insti
tute has been enlarged and the teachlns
iorce strengthened. lie heartily cooper
ated with state Teachers Association in
gushing q law through the Legislature ol
1919 establishing collegiate and extension
departments at West Virgins Collegiate
Institute thereby giving 20 the Negro
youth Il the state an opportunity to -.
IRE college training within the tor
lers a the -tst..
hut not only ln ti.. pubic Schools la.
lee influence Of Mr.. ~hswkeys work am
guidance he~n f-lt Fn 'rt- towards ~
rgIng the - ilsence Of the -chool IN a.
various communities have met with sue
1855 ~ f''ming serial center organiza.
IONS b. hundrrsl- II communities. Pub
iicst'"n- have BEEN prepared aud sent ont
rom biz office ~ ard IN furthing the 30
cisi center movement
Within the past two or three years =
movement Cor the establishment Of nigh,
schools ~ adults and persons unable o.
take advantage 81 the regular 10 school.
i'a- i'een inaugurated - result Of which
night -rhools are nov in operation IN 9
numier Of communities, thus bringing
ne sdvantag~ Of = common school train.
'"g within the resrh Of the people in the
STATE
Owing to the special attention he ha.
gwen . eOunty and district institutes.
THESE institutes are acknowledged o. ~ q
very m"ch more effective agency for the
training II teachers thsn thev have ever
been.
Eficiency hs~ been the wstchword O,
Mr.. Shawkey in the administration a
Tie Office Of state Superintendent. lie
has never played politics IN anything
th~t pertains % school sffsirs, but the
promotion OF the best interest OF the