Dodge County GaArchives History .....County Schools ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.org/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00001.html#0000031 December 27, 2004, 11:54 am THE COUNTY SCHOOLS. (p. 113-115) THERE is a vast difference in the county schools of today as compared with those of the long ago. Then the schools were of the one room, one teacher to the school type. In the minutes of the school board of July 2, 1878, the school board ordered and declared that the minimum number for scholars in Dodge County should not be less than fifteen pupils to any one school. It was reported at this meeting that there were 889 white children and 359 colored children between 6 and 18 years of age, a total of 1,248 children. Of this number only 512 white children and 145 colored children were in school, leaving a total of 591 who were not in school. Trustees were appointed for the subdistricts as follows: For Lee's subdistrict—James Bishop, three years; James M. Buchan, two years; John J. Hamilton, one year. For Chauncey subdistrict—William K. Bussey, three years; Harlow Clark, two years; Levi Evans, one year. Pondtown subdistrict—Peter H. Coffee, Sr., three years; William Studstill, two years; Joseph D. Bryant, one year. Mitchell's subdistrict—J. M. Daniel, three years; John W. Bohannon. two years; William E. Lowery, one year. Eddins subdistrict—J. M. Woodard, three years; C. D. Woodard, two years; S. B. Coody, one year. Rawlins subdistrict—D. T. Douglas, three years; John S. Thompson, two years; Nicholas Rawlins, one year. The school terms were three months each year. It was ordered that the County School Superintendent visit each school taught by a licensed teacher twice during the term of three months, the first time as near the commencement of school as possible, and the second time as near the close as possible. The average school attendance was 441 14/65, and 78 cents per child per month was paid out by the County School Superintendent. In January, 1881, the minutes record that nearly three years later the average attendance was 449 27/65. Note the small raise. The following textbooks were recommended to be used in all the public schools of the county: Spelling Books Webster and Swinton's. Grammars American Series. Arithmetics Sanford's Series. Geography Mitchell's and Swinton's. Writing Systems Spencerian or Appleton Model Copy Book. July 16, 1879, on motion of H. Coleman, it was resolved that the school recently opened at the Eastman Academy by the Rev. Philip A. Jessup be entitled to the pro rata share of the public school money as the school has the minimum number of pupils, say fifteen or over. January 2, 1880, the total amount received for school purposes for the year was $1,205.21. In the minutes of December 17, 1878, we find the following interesting figures. Amount paid teachers for term of three months: G. W. Fielder, Teacher Mitchell's subdistrict. $32.00 Mrs. Mary V. Hayes, Lee's subdistrict 28.12 W, J. Bailey, Little Creek 70.70 Jas. C. Donaldson, Middle Ground 50.29 Sara T. Rawlins, Bethel-Rawlins 72.54 Lottie B. Horsford, Eastman subdistrict 10.08 John S. Thompson, Ocmulgee-Rawlins 44.64 Mrs. E. Bryant, Pondtown 37.69 George F. Harrison, Eastman 93.85 Eliza J. H. Harrison, Chauncey 39.24 Mary Cotlett, Dubois 49.39 D. T. Douglas, Macedonia 20.05 J. B. Mills, Eddins district 28.48 P. E. Jessup, Union Church 35.24 Charles J. Clark, Burch-Lee's subdistrict 35.96 Mollie C. Humphreys, Mitchell's-Daniels 33.01 J. F. Lee, Pondtown subdistrict 46.98 Mrs. Sallie M. Parker, Parkerson's-Lee's subdistrict 33.01 County School Superintendent for 22 days' service at $1.50 per day 33.00 The county schools of today are modern, up-to-date buildings, with all modern conveniences. There are in the county at present fourteen consolidated school districts, with the cotton mills school extra. There are 3,400 white children enrolled in the schools now and 1,600 colored children enrolled. They are taught by eighty-five white teachers and thirty-seven colored teachers, all of whom are promptly paid. Forty-four modern school buses transport 2,000 children every morning and afternoon to and from school. Every white child in Dodge County can remain at home, regardless of where they live in the county, and through the facilities of transportation finish an accredited four-year high school in Eastman, the accredited county high school. At this time, 1932, more than 150 country children are enrolled in the 10th and llth grades in the Eastman school; each respective school district teaches the 8th and 9th grades, sending the two upper grades to Eastman. The income for school purposes is now $24,000.00 from the Equalization fund; $32,000.00 from the General State fund; $16,000.00 from the local tax fund, making a total of $72,000.00. Present Superintendent and Board: W. C. Rozar, superintendent for past eight years; W. H. Smith, H. E. Hill, F. T. Parkerson, W. A. Willis, W. S. Wynne. Additional Comments: From: HISTORY OF DODGE COUNTY COPYRIGHT 1932 By MRS. WILTON PHILIP COBB Printed by FOOTE & DAVIES CO., ATLANTA. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.org/ga/dodge/history/other/gms544countysc.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/gafiles/ File size: 6.0 Kb