The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-07-17
Public Schools of
the County
Report of Sub Committee of
the Grand Jury

To the Foreman of the Grand Jury:
Your committee on rural schools
begs to report as follows:
We have visited every white school
In Sumter county and find that con-
ditions as whole are SO bad that we
wish to make detailed report on each
of them individually. This task would
have been impossible had it not been
for the guidance ana assistance rem
dered by our county nurse
To find in our travels automobiles
in all the neighbCrhoods, fine stock
and all signs Of prosperity only to
reach the dilapidated school house
without benches, water or proper sani-
tary arrangement speaks bad for our
community. Can we expect the fu-
ture generation to be benefited by
modern civilization il we are denying
1t to them in their infancy?
For some Of the conditions referred
to In this report excuses might be
found, but We are positive that no ex-
cuses or extenuating circumstances
could be offered for the i1lthy condi-
tions of the out building of the Mayes-
Vile school. The school building itself
Is the finest in the county, an excellent
brick building but miserably kept.
1t needs screens throughout; glass win
dows are knocked out and it is evident
that the roof leaks badly. All this
might be forgiven were it not for the
condition of the rear grounds and fl.
thy toilets which are disgrace to the
town of Mayesville.
IL,
spect and attend to this matter, why
does not the principal of their civic
league?
In the order named the schools were
visited as follows:
/. Green Swamp School.
The buildings and grounds are suffi-
cient for the requirements but no
equipments are furnished other than
school desks. The water supply is bad
on account Of negroes using the pump
for the purpose of washing clothes
and leaving the place in bad order.
There In only one toilet though the
law requires two.
2. Stateburg. No. 6.
The roof of this building leaks,
causing the plastering to fall in many
places. A coat OF paint would help
and preserve the building. The water
supply is spring. No other conven-
ience. There is only one toilet for
girls and none for boys. The school
should have drinking fountain or a
pump. The grounds could be i'm
proved.
3. Bepnenhaley No. 1.
This building about l14x20 has a
leaky roof. Not single desk, only a
few benches. There are no black
boards, no toilets and no water sup
ply This school has SO pupils enroll
ed with an average attendance Of
about 30. covering 6 grades.
4. New Hope School.
This Is one room school 14x3O,
not painted. 1t is also badly in need
of repair. There Is no water and no
toilets. There are no desks, long
benches being used. There are only
four windows III the entire building.
The present enrolment is %.
5. General Sumter School.
This is very fine building with a
good seating capacity. Tho water
is good and the grounds are ideal.
Their only need is toilets.
s. Stateburg No. 10.
This is "a new building and every
thing isO. K. There are 81 pupils en-
rolled. The only thing we could re-
commend is the draining of the
grounds where the water stands In
front and underneath the building.
z. Hagood School.
The, building is very good but con-
tains only '18 seats for 81 pupils al
though 1t has plenty of room for addi-
tional seats. There is no water and no
toilets. The building should be rolled
TO higher ground and better location.
8. Rembert High School.
This was very good building but
has seats for only half the require
ments. There are no desks at all in
two rooms. No water system and 10
toilets. The doors and windows need
repairs badly to prevent pigeons
making loft Of the upstairs. The
front and back doors are completely
wrecked. @ 49,
8. Pisgah School.
This Is an old shack, 16x.0 to ac-
commodate AZ pupils. There are nc
desks, no water supply and nc conve-
niences. This building stands in the
shadow of a very fine church usei
once week. Unless good school facili-
ties can be furnished 1t were better to
open the church to the children dur
Ing te week for school purposes.
10. Dalzell High School.
Everything is in splendid condition.
IL. Bennnhaley No. IL.
Practically a duplicate OF the con-
ditions in Bennenhaley No. L.
IL. Lee School,
Conditions her fairly good through
out. Oonly one privy though the law
requires two.
13. Brunson School.
This school is short Of desks. They
have no toilets and no water supply;
no blackboards.
IA. Wilder School.