The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1960-05-27

will complete year of successful
instruction with the graduation exer-
cises on June 8. The capable admin
istration of Roy R. Pearson has played
an important part in the success. The
loyal teachers, cooperative students and
the great interest shown by the parents
have contributed greatly. There are few
IN this county who can not take pride
in the establishment and operation of
the private school system because prac-
tically every person in the county has
made sacrifices, contributed financial
ly, or performed some service for the
operation Of the school system
When the county faced the situation
of forced racial Indignation in the public
schools last May, the people of Prince
Edward responded to their previously
expressed convictions that "the separa-
ton of the races in the public schools
of the county is absolutely necessary
and do affirm that we prefer to abandon
public schools and educate our children
in some other way.
The Prince Edward Board of Super
visors included no funds in the bud
get for public schools and reduced the
county taxes in proportion.
The white people set about to provide
education for their children. In every
district and hamlet people pledged their
funds, and spent the summer arrang-
ing housing, transportation, books and
equipment.
Housing was provided by the churches
and others interested in the project.
Facilities were adapted to the needs to
the schools and both pupils and teachers
have spent a comfortable, satisfying
year, if in some cases bit crowded
This May, a year later, some changes
have taken place. The State of Virginia
has recognized private schools as
necessity, both by legislation and in the
State budget. Such schools have been
established in several Virginia Com
munities and are completing successful
years. Virginia Assembly of 1860 passed
several Acts relating to the subject
which will be in effect after June 49,
o. State scholarships were made
available to parents who desire to send
their children to private schools in the
county. Funds for this purpose were
included in the budget for 1960-62 The
amount of the State scholarship, is
S125.00 for elementary pupils, $4,000
for high school students. The county is
authorized to supplement or match this
scholarship from county funds within
certain minimum stipulations. The pro-
posed budget for Prince Edward in
cludes $27O,OOO.OO for educational pur-
poses.
(2) The county governing board is
permitted also to appropriate certain
sums for the welfare of the pupil at
tending schools as it may determine by
uniform ordinances.
(3) Governing boards of the counties
may provide that contributions made
by persons to private schools in the
county shall constitute credit, not to
exceed rs per cent, against the liability
of such person for county tax
This legislation passed by the 1860
General Assembly definitely recognizes
and sustains system of private schools
as State policy.
Recognizing the necessity of placing
Prince Edward private schools on a
permanent basis, the Prince Edward
School Foundation board of directors
has adopted budget of 1882, 100000, for
operation of private schools for white
youngsters for the year 196O-61. To
meet this budget, tuition charges have
been established, $4,000 for lower
school pupils and $265.OO for upper
school youngsters beginning next Sept
ember. BY establishing tuition charge
this Foundation makes an important
move to solve the education problem in
Prince Edward county in line with the