Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1916-03-10
Schbo! System Criticised

we're all closed because there SEEM
ed 10 be no money to run them.
we thought it very bad. We knew
there lad been some painting and
:ther improvements which necess-
tailed the using of some of the
schoo! fund. But why improve the
school houses and have no schools?
We are just wondering what excuse
will be made for our schools all BIT
ing closed again this winter. We
suppose no funds"
If we haven't money enough to
run our schools only five months of
the year, why?
Whose faull?
We would like to see statement
of receipts and disbursements Of
the school fund for Stonewall dis
uict published.
Last winter a number of good
teachers were secured in the dis
trict and promised at least a six
months school. No funds; scho lis
closed at four and a half and five
months.
Well, now you all come back
next winter and we will give You
SIX months, sure, and perchance
st ven months school.
What do we find again this win
ter? Same old story no money!
Now what is going to be the re
suit? Not one of those teachers
wi | ever consider coming to Stone
wall district again. Why should
they? Most of our best home tai
ent have gone elsewhere to teach,
as they already know the game.
Result - in short time we will not
be alb to secure teachers for our
schools. Good, energetic teach
rrS cannot afford to attend nor
| mni schools and prepare themselves
for teaching and only get a five
months school.
We are living in the goth cen
tury, when every thing is supposed
to he progressive. but we fail to see
progressiveness in our present
school system.
Frs' , ecause it puts educat'o
entirely ont of the reach OF poor
children who need it most.
1t is all right for the ones living
near the high schools or the ones
lucky enough to be in reach of the
school wagons as they pass along
The two of which get approximate
| ly $4,000 per month. But now
about the poor children in the up
per and lower ends of the district?
What is to become of them? Where
is their wagon to come from?
Think of a man with two or three
children ready for high school with
the upermost desire Of his heart to
see them have good education
&ut has all he can do to make
buckle md tongue meet what Is
he to do? We know of cases o:
this character. Good citizen; a.
We have, trying to make arrange
nents to move away from the
county in order to educate their
children How does this speak for
us as II progressive county?
Under the school system of few
ears ago. Doe Hill and Mcdowell
urned out some pupils that made
as y, cd teachers as ever taught IN
Il e county.
Then it was possible for all, no
u after how poor, to get affair edu-
cation. What do we find new?
The man with money gets to spend
quite a sum. The poor children
outside the "lucky zone" simply
learn their A B C's and then are
told this is all we are allowed tc
each you. You are now ready to
begin your four years spending
money. But where is the money
to come from! Echo answers,
"Where?"
We would not have the readers
of this piece think we are an old
hayseed of antediluvian days, try
ing to upheave progressive days,
but we would like to have it eX-
blamed to US: "In what way does
The present school system bensfi'
the children without means"
Yours for good schools.
Tax Payer