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 wore prepared with 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 proposes to resude the number of Negro schools in North Carolina from 1,693 to 471, with only 188 having fewer than 8 teachers. In facts, in those 188 schools, there will 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 filled with the Department of Schoolhouse Planning, proposed plans and expenditures for consolidating their NEgro schools. They have also filled with the Director of Transportation and the Director of Schoolhouse Planning to meet the recommended organization of schools

That Committee feels that too frequently in the past consolidation and transportation have been proposed with attention centered upon the High Schools and Union Schools and that most of the building funds have been spent for 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 wo may begin to solve the problems which elementary schools are encountering in trying to meet hte needs of the majority of Negro children enrolled in the Public Schols of the State.
Everyone is aware of the advantages of consolidation: enriched currculum, varied pupil activity, reduced teacher load, more provision for individual differences etc., but we are conscoius 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 consolidations 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.