The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-23
ONE ROOM HOUSES FAsT D|sAP FEARING
Montgomery And Walker
 Counties Showing Lead In ' Education Progress
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU l
 THE AGE-EERALD ] Houtrovnpry Ala nor %

The little red school house. of the one-room type is being reduced to mere figure of speech and to the status of historic relic by the ten dency to rural school consolidation which is sweeping Alabama, accord ing to information from the state de- partment of education The demand for consolidated schools is so wide spread that only about one-third IS many one-room schools are being built today as were being erected five years ago, according to Dr. John dent of education. Of total of 110 rural schools now under construction with state aid, the great majority are consolidated schools.
 As concrete evidence of the prog ress already made in rural school consolidation, Dr. Abercrombie stated that .s' the fiscal year ending Sep tember 20, 1923, the various counties, of Alabama spent in transporting children to and from school sum totalling $2S5,S50.
 Demand Good Construction.
 The demand is not only for con solidated schools. but for better type of school buildings, pr. Aber- crombie stated. Many of the new structures are of brick or tile, of the most modern type. State and county school funds are being supplemented by funds raised by public subscrip- ton in the various localities, citizens contributing freely in order to aid in providing better schools for their children. The various consolidated schools over the state are not only places where children are taught, but are being used as community cen ters, for meetings of various kinds, pr. Abercrombie stated, and the ru- oF 1oI to take pride in their schools as never before.
 The rural school system of Mont gomery county is commonly referred to as a model of its kind, and one which has attracted nationwide at- tention. Other counties of the state are now forging to the front also, in building consolidated schools. Promi- nent among these may be mentioned Walker county, which is carrying out a program providing for an extensive system of splendid rural schools. Evi- dence of Walker county's progress is shown in the share of state funds re- ceived by this county for the last fiscal year. The law gives each county little over $3.000 per year from the state for building purposes, to be matched at least two for one by local funds, and with the provision that at the end of the year state 1unQS Wn1cn nave not been used Dy any of the counties shall be reappor- tioned among other counties. As q result of this reapportionment, and of the energy which Walker county has shown in building schools, this county for the last fiscal year re- ceived from the state nearly s20,0o0, taking up money which other coun- ties failed to secure.
 O O O
 Much Money Spent.
 The development of a better rural school system is, of course, not pro gressing as fast as it might if more money were available, but workers of the department of education de- clare that there is no doubt of the widespread interest in better schools for country children. The cost of education is shown by the fact that over a quarter of 8 million dollars is being spent annually in Alabama simply to transport school children. Farmers of Alabama are demanding the best for their children. so educa- tional leaders say, with the result that Alabama is today building bet ter rural schools than ever before.