Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1920-12-01

County superintendent Of Educa-
ton Speares has received the follow
ing letter from the State Superinten-
dent Of Education, which he feels
will be Of interest to the general pub
lie:
Supt. l.. G.. Speares, Walhalla, S.
C.--Dear Sir: This letter is written
in connection with school conditions
in Oconee county. Practically every
one OF these matters was discussed
in detail during your visit to Column
bia, Nov. 9th and 10Th.
The term extension applications
you brought with you were care
fully considered while you were in
the office. The list Of approved ap-
plications Is not given in this COM
munication because you are familiar
with every item. The remaining ap-
pI1cations need missing data, such as
the names Of teachers and the sal
aries OF teachers. 1t will be pleas
ure for the State Superintendent's
Office to receive any additional ap-
plications for term extension aid
which you may tlll out and forward
as promptly as possible. Every such
paper should be in Columbia as soon
as practicable after Nov 18th. II
you find 1t inconvenient to file any
term extension application in No
Vembcr, such delayed application
should be held until about April 1,
1921. Any district entitled to term
extension aid IS urged to apply in
November. but necessity often COM
pcls later applications in the spring
I hope, however, the number of spring
applications will be as few as posi-
BILE.
There are several buildings in Oco-
rec that ought to be able TO qualify
for State building aid. Some of these
buildings are Tokeena, Salem and Il
few others that you mentioned. The
requirements in each building situa-
tion should be carefully noted, as
io'io"o. SlNSp PiOpCl pluIs ptopCl
execution Of plan, and completed
workmanship on house. If any school
building was undertaken before the
18th Of March. 1920, such an enter-
prise will be considered, upon its
merits under the rulings Of the State
Board OF Education. Any activity
started after March, 1920, must con-
form in every detail to the Building
Act Of 1920. think you understo ood
fully the necessity for 4 clear writ
ten statement in connection with
each building application where the
law was not adhered to in every de-
tail. shall be glad to aid you In
any way in my power in connection
with school houses. Oconce county
needs better facilities and accommo-
dations. The Legislature Of 1921 will
be asked to appropriate adequate
building funds to take care Of the
new school house program.
note with regret the frequen:
changes among teachers in some Of
your schools. Tho custom seems to
prevail among trustees to employ ono
set OF teachers during the summer
months and different set OF teach
ers during the winter months. Such
q practice is contrary to the policy
OF the State Board of Education.
Teachers should be employed to hold
throughout the scholastic year. In
other words, two sets OF teachers in
one term make it necessary for the
pupils to waste much valuable time
in becoming acquainted with their
instructors. I hope you will impress
upon the trustees Of Oconee county
the necessity as we'll as The advisa-
bi!ity OF retaining teachers in their
class-rooms long enough to protect
and to instruct the boys and girls.
The delightful climate Of Oconee
makes the county attractive for many
summer visitors. The state Superin-
tendcnt would be glad to encourage
tourists, but tourists seldom help
your schools. One change year in
teacher in one school ought to be
enough. except under the rarcst and