The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1920-01-07

do much to increase attendance Statistics show,
with few exceptions the largest cent of attendance
in the two, three and four-room buildings. The rule
to be- then, that the attendance in direct pro-
portion to the efficiency of the schools.
The compelling power of public opinion Will do much
to bring children into school, public sentiment for
public education increases public sentiment against non
1t is the tragic truth, however that there are some
parents blind to the value and Importance Of educa-
ton that they cannot be reached by the of arac
ton and persuasion or the MID compulslon OF puDhc
opinion 1t is the sad truth that some whose children
most need the benefits offered by public schools are
hardly to be reached by any other means than compu
sion. -
The tendency of illiteracy is to perpetuate itself
just natural for the children of darkness to love
darkness rather than light The Intervention of the law
is the only effective of saving such children from
the curse of iteracy In some cases 1t may be the only
means of saving the children of intelligent parents from
moIIerehGe or careiesSheSS. compulsory aLlenuance
laws the most effective means found in other states
and in other countries for overcoming ilteracy. No
state has repealed such law after has been tried
out but in most have strengthened from time to
time. Tennessee, realizing that in universal education
is found the best protection of life, liberty and property
and that every citizen taxed for this purpose has right
to demand protection against the results of teracy has
strengthened her compulsory attendance law as to
make it more effective Complying with the revised at
tendance law the Bount County Board of Education
employed attendance officer in the person of Esq n
w. Walker who is giving full time to the schools While
it is impossible for officer to enforce the law
fully in year in county with area of 600 square
miles, yet the results of the operation of the law during
the fall term have been very encouraging
tive estimate based upon the final reports already recev
ed from schools shows an increase of than 20 per
cent in the daily attendance.
HIGH SCHOOLS
The High Schools that have been established for
than year, Louisville and Porter High, have done
excellent work In each of these schools funds have been
raised by private subscription and otherwise to continue
the elementary grades the full eight months.
Porter High has installed electric lights and seated
the auditorium with opera chairs
public High School will be opened at Frendsville
in September 1920. is the policy of the High School
Board to establish few High Schools in the communities
where the demand is greatest but only many the
High School funds will maintain adequately. Many of
the elementary schools have classes completing the eighth
grade High school advantages should be offered these
pupils.
The County Court, seeing the need of further i'm
provement in buildings and equipment at the April 1919
term voted bonds to the amount of 900 for this work
From the CounyS apportionment OF this fund have been
built two 1room buildings at cost of 1925 and S1lOO
respectively broom buildings at cost of $500 and
$780, two 4room buildings 1.-TWO class two addi
ona rooms for domestic science etc., at cost of 1850
each; one Broom building at a cost of $780, and one
modern 4-room building with basement for science
laboratories classes in domestic science manual training,
music, ETC., at cost of $8757. All equipped with
modern desks, blackboards, etc.
In addition to this other buildings have been repair
ed and improved. There several other One two,
three and fourroom buildings planned and the building
program from this fund will be completed during the
coming spring and summer
TEACHERS INSTITUTE
The Annual Institute for teachers held July FL
25. Misses Yoakey and Smith instructors from
the East Tennessee Normal School and did excellent
work. both in the white and colored Institutes. In addi-
lion these excellent addresses given by Prof c..
w. Henry, Hon. M. H. Gamble, Judge Sam Johnson, by
the different pastors of the city and college, and Others
In addition to attendance at the county institute,
twentyhree teachers from the county attended the six
weeks summer term of the East Tennessee Normal
school, and almost all the county teachers attended the
East Tennessee Educational Association. Attendance
the County Institute is compulsory, and teacher has
been employed during the past term who does not hold
either regular or temporary license.