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SR_DPI_DNE_Special_Subject_File_B1F6_Committee_Negro_Education_State_Board_Education_001
STATEMENT FROM THE COMMITTEE ON CONSOLIDATION AND TRANSPORTATION IMPORTANCE OF THE ELEMENTARY UNIT:
a. In a Union School b. Independent School
It is generally agreed that consolidation brings to pupils a better educational opportunity than they would have in smaller units. Some schools cannot be consolidated because of geographical considerations. A large number of small elementary schools, especially Negro schools, can be consolidated with actual saving to the State, with a provision for better educational opportunities for the pupils concerned.
In July 1944 a study was begun on the reorganization and consolidation of Negro schools in North Carolina. Superintendents were asked to propose a plan for the reorganization and consolidation of their Negro schools. Personnel conferences were held with many superintendents. Statistical facts and narrative reports with maps were prepared which show the schools as they are presently organized and the recommended organization. Those reports are divided into three main sections:
1. The present organization.
2. The organization suggested by the superintendents and other authorities.
3. The recommended organization proposed by the committee appointed to make the study.
The recommended organization ^((1944)) proposes to reduce the number of Negro schools in North Carolina from 1,693 ^(County Units) to 471, with only 188 having fewer than 8 teachers. In fact, in those 188 schools, there [crossed out] will [end crossed out] would be only 670 teachers with an approximate enrollment of 23,000.
The superintendents in many of the counties have faced the need of consolidation and have filed with the Department of Schoolhouse Planning, proposed plans and expenditures for consolidating their Negro schools. They have also filed with the Director of Transportation plans for an expanded program of Transportation. The superintendents are constantly seeking help, advice and plans from the Director of Transportation and the Director of Schoolhouse Planning to meet the recommended ^(re)organization of schools ([crossed out] proposed. [end crossed out])
That Committee feels that too frequently in the past consolidation and transportation have been proposed with attention centered upon the High Schools ^(and) [crossed out] or [end crossed out] Union Schools and that most of the building funds ^(up to date,) have been spent for [crossed out text] up to date [end crossed out text] buildings for high schools giving little attention and thought to consolidation and transportation of elementary schools. It is the opinion of the Committee that the building program which is now proposed should give first consideration to larger units for elementary schools in order that we may begin to solve the problems which elementary schools are encountering in trying to meet the needs of the majority of Negro children enrolled in the Public Schools of the State.
Everyone is aware of the advantages of consolidation: enriched curricula, varied pupil activity, reduced teacher load, more provision for individual differences etc., but we are conscious of the difficulty to get consolidation in some areas. Public sentiment, uncooperative parents, prejudice, and the lack of interest among people in authority have impeded this movement.
The Committee proposes the re-examination of our consolidation and transportation organization for Negro Schools of North Carolina. The following matters should be fully studied:
1. The kind of school program anticipated over a period of years.
2. The mental, physical, ^(emotional) and social health of the children involved.
3. The economic and cultural value of the community where the school is to be located.
4. The geographical location.
5. The transportation problems.
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2.
6. More adequate financing.
7. Techniques for getting more support for consolidation and transportation.
8. Adequate buses with routes not exceeding 25 miles round trip daily, in order to reduce the time that pupils travel.
9. Securing responsible bus drivers.
10. Over-crowded buses.
The Committee proposes the following approaches to aid in securing consolidation and transportation for Negro children in North Carolina:
1. Women's clubs ([crossed out) White and Negro [end crossed out]). 2. Civic clubs. (White and Negro) 3. Petitions signed by all citizens including pastors of churches, local politicians, and County Boards of Education. 4. P. T. A. organizations may assist sometimes in securing the initial bus, and in securing good bus drivers. 5. Interracial Commission
We feel that the ^(State) Board of Education should be urged to request from each County and City Unit a map showing proposed plans for consolidation and transportation, immediate and future, and explanations covering the considerations of many of the points for study listed above, as they relate to Negro Elementary Schools.
Transportation
The difficult period through which we have just passed has revealed certain inherent points of weakness in our transportation system. They are as follows:
1. Higher wages and the labor shortage have combined to lure away from the system experienced and competent mechanics.
2. The low salary of $13.50 per month paid student drivers gives school men little choice in the matter of selecting drivers.
3. Student drivers between the ages of 16 and 18 lack sufficient driving experience with heavy motor equipment. It would seem that the school bus is the wrong place for an apprenticeship when life and limb are at stake.
(4. The instability of the times has caused a psychological reaction among present day youths which makes them unstable emotionally. (Facts should be made available). This emotional instability makes it extremely doubtful if it is wise to place a $3,800,000 enterprise and the lives of such a precious human cargo in their hands.)
(5. An attitude of the public school which allows its prisoners to ride on better motor equipment than its school children. (Substantiate with facts))
6. Lack of sufficient supervision over mechanics.
7. Lack of comprehension on the part of mechanics as to their respective duties in keeping school buses operating safely and regularly.
The proposed consolidation program within the State will depend to a very large extent upon an efficient and smooth operating transportation system. It is imperative then that immediate steps be taken to improve the situation if the consolidation program is to go forward as now advocated. The following suggestions for improvement might be considered:
1. Salaries must be paid State mechanics commensurate with those now received in private concerns. Head mechanics must not only be competent, but must have the ability to manage and organize. School buses must be repaired with speed and efficiency if children are to attend school regularly. ([crossed out text] Personnel for this type of work must be paid well. [end crossed out text])
2. ^(Dependable) [crossed out] Adult [end crossed out] drivers properly trained should be the ultimate goal for the State.
3. A safety director, with mechanical experience, for every forty or fifty buses should be employed. His duties might include, making a daily check on his buses, training and certifying drivers, and seeing that his buses are kept rolling.
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4. A training school for mechanics should be held yearly. Here they would be impressed with the significance of their job in school operation; the techniques of management and organization for efficient school bus operation would be given; mechanical demonstrations should be held which might improve efficiency in repair work.
5. The public must be educated to accept the guiding principle () that low cost and efficient and safe transportation are not ^(necessarily) ideal teammates.
[section encased in handwritten brackets with the word omit handwritten at center of section] Suggestions made at the Durham meeting for improving the report:
1. We need a different type of driver.
2. Consolidation long term plans will help parents to be willing for consolidation.
3. Board of Education (State) insist on high schools with not less than six teachers.
4. Omit supervisor for 40 buses (unless facts prove such).
5. We don't have facts to prove that adults are better drivers than young drivers.
6. Adults may not accept training as the young drivers.
(Don't put in details of administration.) [end section encased in handwritten brackets with the word omit handwritten at center of section]
SR_DPI_DNE_Special_Subject_File_B1F6_Committee_Negro_Education_State_Board_Education_004
SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY OF COLORED SCHOOLS BY STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
I. Committee of State Board Members - five: 1. East a. W. C. Dawson [crossed out text] or A. C. Edwards [end crossed out text] b. Dr. L. M. Massey
2. Piedmont a. H. R. Dwire b. [crossed out text] J. S. Miller [end crossed out text] Santford Martin 3. West [crossed out text] Mrs. E. L. McKee or [end crossed out text] C. A. Rudisill
II. State Department Committee and Associate Groups.
1. Director of Field Studies, W. F. Credle
2. Associate Members: Heads of Divisions and others: [column 1] Miss Ella S. Barrett C. C. Brown T. E. Browne A. C. Davis Miss Catherine Dennis Mrs. C. D. Douglas G. H. Ferguson J. H. Highsmith [end column 1]
[column 2] J. E. Hillman L. H. Jobe A. [E.?] Manley Miss Marie McIver E. N. Peeler A. S. Proctor Charles E. Spencer Roy H. Thomas [end column 2]
3. Field Associates: [column 1] H. B. Marrow A. B. Wilkins J. S. Waters [end column 1]
[column 2] H. D. Browning Hunter Huss C. [O.?] Credle [end column 2]
4. [crossed out text] Negro Field Associates: [end crossed out text]
a. 3 members approved by State Teachers' Association. b. 3 members approved by State Parent Teachers' Association. c. 3 appointed by Negro College Conference. d. 3 from ministerial and business combined. e. 3 others chosen at large.
III. Suggested Procedure.
1. State Board of Education appoint Committee (five or some other number) January 13, 1944.
2. January 14th, or as early as convenient for Board Committee Members, this group and Director of Negro Education meet to consider general plans for the Study - scope, procedure, kind of report, expense, when report should be ready for Governor, etc.
3. Dr. Erwin appoint State Department Committee; have group meet with him and Director of Negro Education for general general discussion, outline of specific procedures, possible expenses, etc.
4. If desired, the Director of Negro education could ask the white and Negro Associate Groups to serve, and perhaps better, prepare letters for Dr. Erwin to send these persons inviting them to serve with us in the enterprise.
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PERCENT OF PER CAPITA STATE APPROPRIATION
WHITE TEACHERS COLLEGES NEGRO TEACHERS COLLEGES A B C X Y Z 1929-30 49.5 43.2 43.1 46.7 46.4 46.7 1933-34 30.0 22.5 35.8 40.0 18.0 22.0 1939-40 29.1 41.4 37.1 38.9 19.7 33.9 Recommended: 1941-42 30.9 33.9 35.1 34.4 26.5 26.5
AVERAGE FOR: A, B, & C X, Y, & Z
1929-30 45.3 46.6 1933-34 29.4 26.7 1939-49 35.9 30.8 Recommended: 1941-42 33.3 29.1
FACTS FOR YEAR 1939-40 White Teachers College