 The Sunday Gazetteer Sunday, June 22, 1884 pg. 4 LETTER FROM SHERMAN Educational Matters - Interesting Report from the Public School Sherman, Texas, June 18, 1884 Editor Gazetteer: The first two weeks of the present month were devoted to commencement exercises and examination work in the various institutions of learning - public and private in this city. These exercises attracted unusual attention, and were of such a character as to show that the efforts of students and teachers have been crowned with unprecedented success. The North Texas Female Institute, The Sherman Young Ladies' Institute, Austin College, St. Joseph's Academy and Le Tallier's Institute were entirely successful in all their proceedings, and proved themselves worthy of the patronage and popularity which they have enjoyed. The public schools of Sherman were closed on the 14th instant, the pupils having all been thoroughly examined and assigned to their respective grades, being thus prepared in advance to resume their studies next year. The examinations occupied the last two weeks of the session, and were well attended by the people of Sherman, including the School Board, and many of the teachers of the private schools. Though the school work was performed under great disadvantages up to the beginning of last quarter, when the new school building was occupied, yet results were in the highest degree satisfactory. It is universally conceded that the public schools of Sherman have been a complete success this session, that they have in fact been brought up to a state of efficiency which marks a new era in their history. So highly satisfied were the members of the School Board with what has been accomplished, that they held a meeting the next day after the schools were closed and reappointed the whole corps teachers at an advance of ten dollars a month on their salaries, without solicitations on the part of any of the teachers. This action of the School Board is to be commended - applauded rather. It is a new departure in the administration of educational affairs that was surely needed; so, all to honor our worthy school directors who have acted so justly and wisely in this very important matter. How different their conduct from that of a school committee appointed by the city, without power, and, in some cases, without inclination to do simple justice to teachers! As long as the schools of a city remain in the hands of an irresponsible school committee, the teachers can have no protection against the wrongs which are so often inflicted upon them by unscrupulous and designing persons, who are alway scheming to secure appointments for their own friends and relations. In order that your readers may duly understand how the affairs of the schools are arranged under the independent school board system, I will state that a meeting of the Board is held on the first Tuesday of every month, at which all regular business is transacted, called meetings being held when necessary. If anyone has a complaint to make, he gets a hearing at any of these meetings, provided his complaint is in writing and over his own signature. During last session the members of the Board visited the schools frequently, speaking words of kindness and encouragement to teachers and pupils, and they made provision for the prompt payment of the teachers on the last Friday of each scholastic month. Comment is unnecessary, as it can easily be seen how greatly to the advantage of the schools of the cities and towns in the state it would be to have them under the control of regular school boards, elected by the people. The following well known gentlemen constitute the Sherman Board of Public Schools at present: W.H. Rucker, President M.J. Chapin, Secretary A.W. Byers, Treasurer E. Hernstadt E. Eppstein A.L. Darnall C.N. Buckler, Mayor S.D. Steadman, County Judge Mr. Chapin, Secretary of the Board, spent a good deal of his time inspecting the materials used in the new school building while it was being erected and in directing the mechanics and scrutinizing their work. It is therefore greatly owing to his vigilance and mechanical skill that Sherman can boast of having the best public school building in the State of Texas. Sherman High School History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson CountyTXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |