The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1957-06-14
CITED
FOR CONTINUED
SCHOOL OPERATION
Engelhard Citizens Express Sound
Reasons Against Consolida-
hon Plan

solidation with Swan Quarter.
So far they have been successful
in beating back the efforts at the
courthouse to put over the plan.
Here is some of the thinking in
that section as to why the East
Hyde High School should not be
abandoned:
First. There are enough students
in the county to maintain two ac-
credited high schools, provided
there is a fair ALLEGATION. Seventy
four students attended the high
school at Engelhard last year, in
Guiding the assignment of students
at Fairfield. Of these "a, 81 have
protested assignment to Swan
Quarter under the Pearlsall plan
more than enough to meet the
requirement for maintaining an ac-
credited high school.
AS an improvement to this sit
uation six additional students have
indicated plans to enroll next year
while only two of the 81 have NOV
ed out of the area. This will pro-
vide an enrolment of at least 65.
On top of this, leaders in East
Hyde say that a growing elemen-
tary school assures a larger high
school in the years coming up. In
other words, larger eighth grades
will be moving into high school
than graduating classes moving
out.
AS an example, in 1888 81
students will move into high school
while II will graduate, for gain
of 10; in 1958-59 % students will
move into high school while 81 will
graduate for a gain of two; in
1959-6O 81 will move into high
school while 10 will graduate for a
gain of eight; and in 196O,61, 20
will move into high school while
Is will graduate, for gain of IA.
Second. Geography, East Hyde
leaders say, rules out consolidation
as a reasonable solution to the
school problem.
A plan that would consolidate
East Hyde with Swan Quarter
would require some students to ride
more than 80 miles a day. and
would prevent their participation
in extra-curricular activities,
Furthermore, they say, it would
rule out competitive sports and
other activities within the county.
1t would require the hauling of
"a high school students now resid-
ing in the town of Engelhard and
walking to school to ride a school
bus so miles a day going to and
from the county seat.
East Hyde leaders point out, too,
that geography has placed the
largest community in the county in
the Eastern end-a community
that is growing and with potential
to become one of the foremost
coastal points in Northeastern
North Carolina.
The greatest part of the business
life of the county is situated in
Engelhard, and within Lake Land
ing township is located 41.6 per
cent of the tax wealth of the Hyde
County mainland.
To completely ignore the geog-
raphy and economic facts in the
situation is a grave error that
threatens to wreck this already
poor county for years to-come; and
is based on lack of faith that the
future holds promise if good judg-
ment, commonsense, a degree of
unity and just plain fairness Isl
used in the conduct of public af-
fairs.
Third. A foremost argument
presented in the Engelhard area by
opponents Of consolidation is that
Hyde. County is not financially able
to abandon the school facilities that
it has-that prudent judgment re-
quires that present buildings be
used.
1t is pointed out that there is
only approximately $215,000 in
state funds available for construc-
ton, some SAL, 900 which has al
ready been approved for an addi-
ton to the Hyde County Training
school for Negroes at Swan Quar-
ter. Another $4,000 has state ap-
prevail for an addition at the Dav-
is High School for Negroes at En-
gelhard, but which the present
county board has so far withheld.
1t presently has a request for its
ALLEGATION by the Davis trustees
who point out that their school is
the largest in the county. The
feeling in the East Hyde area is
that state officials will insist that
the ALLEGATION be made, and if not,
then the courts will.
With these expenditures for Ne
gro schools allocated, only $134 900
is left for other construction, SAL
600 less than enough for the pro-
posed building for Swan Quarter.
But while it is not enough for a
bigger high school in the county
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