The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1917-03-07
STATE SUPERVISOR
VISITS THE SCHOOLS
over THE COUNTY
Finds Schools in Fair Shape-Makes
Several Recommendation for
improvements.
Columbia, S. c., March 7, 1917

For the second time since he has
been in his present position the State
Supervisor of Rural Schools the past
week had opportunity to visit some of
the schools of Clarendon County in
company with the county superintend-
ent of education. Only few of the
schools visited on the former occa-
sion were visited the past week, but
it was distinct pleasure to note
some improvements that were made
in these schools.
Every county in South Carolina
has one or more points of special in
terest that distinguish it from the
other counties. Two points that char
acterize the schools of Clarendon
county especially are the excellent
distribution of the schools over the
county and the willingness of the
people of the county to transport
their children to school at their own
expense. In most instances each
school in Clarendon county embraces
as large territory in it's patronage as
is practicable. In order to do this
many children must be carried to
school. When so large a territory
is embraced in one school community
and when the people are willing to
send the children to school the long
distances the school itself is larger
in numbers and, therefore, greater
in efficiency than it would be other
wise, and the transportation at pri-
vate expense economies the school
funds for the lengthening Of the
school term.
The day of our first visit we reach
ed Trinity, Harvin and Alcolu schools
Trinity was visited by the State Su-
pervisor two years ago. This school
is so close to Manning and Alcolu
that it's growth is about stationary.
1t is continuing, therefore, to do an
excellent type of work for a two
teacher school under the Rural Grad
ed School Law Of the State.
Harvin is one-teacher school in
the same district with Alcolu. The
equipment at Harvin is altogether
inadequate and not that which the
interested teacher and pupils should
have. 1t was the pleasure of the
county superintendent and the State
Supervisor Of Rural Schools to at
tend meeting of the patrons at
Harvin Thursday afternoon to con-
slider the needs of this school. Judg-
ing from the attitude of the patrons,
Harvin will likely have it, equipment
improved or will decide to transport
the children to Alcolu.
Alcolu is an excellent three teacher
school with an excellent equipment.
While the teachers were working un-
der adverse conditions the day of our
visit ,owing to the absence on account
of sickness of one of the teachers,
the State Supervisor was pleased with
the character of the work observed.
Alcolu ought to be a rural graded
school receiving each year $500 from
the State as a three-teacher school.
The advantages however, that would
come from this participation in the
State funds would more than out
weigh the increase in taxes.
Wednesday Wilson's Mill, Fores tor. ;,
Love Oak and Harmony were VII IL ed
Wilson's Mill is two-teacher r.hool
in building that has recently been
enlarged to accommodate two teach
ers. The house is a very satisfactory
teacher house. The school is well
organized, is we'll located and is ap-
parently meeting the needs of the
people of the Wilson's Mill commu-
nifty.
Foreston and Live Oak are each
one-teacher schools in the same dis
trict. From his observation the State
Supervisor long ago reached the con-
clusion that where possible it is bet
ter to have one school in district
This unifies the interest and the ac-
tivity of the people Of the district
in building up their own school. This
.s general principle, however, that
sometimes does not SO we'll apply in
practice.
Live Oak is a small school but is
entirely too far from Foreston to be
consolidated, except at the cost of
transportation. The distance is such
that it might easily be cheaper and
more satisfactory to maintain sep.
arate school. The school itself, how
ever, is in need Of better house and
equipment These ought soon to be
o,,np3ind tf tho ochnnl ia IN ha main