Gadsden High School - Crucible Yearbook (Gadsden, AL)

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 3a ds den Rib lie School Striplin School ueHigh School ’« • Twvnty-Thrce Gadsden’s Schools

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History of the Qadsden Schools HE Gadsden Public School System was organized in 18115. It is true that f Gadsden had a system of schools before that date but they were not graded I 1 and were largely supported by private subscriptions and tuition. The first school was known as the Gadsden Institute and was headed by Professor Dubose, James Calloway, and G. G. Jones in order named. The first Board of Kducation was organized in March 1895. From the very beginning to the present date some of Gadsden’s most capable citizens have served on the Board. A list of persons in the order of their appointment who have served on the Board of Education is as follows: J. H. Disque, 31 years; J. M. Moragne, 4 years; R. B. Kyle, 8 years; W. G. Brockway, I years; A. E. Goodhue, 1 years; W. H. Weller, 1 year; O. R. Goldman, 12 years; C. F. Cross, 12 years; W. T. Murphree 26 years; L. L. Hcrzberg, 8 years; Dr. G. L. Faucett, 2 years; E. T. Hollingsworth, 17 years; E. W. Whips, 6 years; Dr. T. E. Callan, 2 years; W. L. Sampey, 2 years; Dr. Geo. S. Vann, 5 years; Mrs. Hattie L. Ewing, 2 years; A. P. Reich, 10 years; B. W. Pruet, 2 years; Mrs. W. E. Striplin, 7 years: Otto Agricola, 1 year; John A. Lusk, Jr., 1 year. The Board at present consists of the following members: Mr. W. T. Murphree, President; Mrs. E. T. Hollingsworth, Vice-President; Mr. A. P. Reich. Mrs. W. E. Striplin, Mr. John A. Lusk, Jr. The Public Schools have had only five superintendents since their organization. The first superintendent, Mr. G. G. Jones served only one year and that was before the schools were graded. The other superintendents with length of service have been as follows: Mr. I. W. Hill, 0 years; Mr. W. E. Striplin, 10 years; Mr. W. C. Griggs, 10 years: Mr. C. A. Donehoo, 6 years. The first schools had five white teachers and two colored with an enrollment of 352 whites and 90 colored. The schools for the 1926-27 session had 85 white and 11 colored teachers, with a white enrollment of 3.570 and a coloied enrollment of 1,135. This year the enrollment will probably go to 5000 pupils. The first schools had a 7 year elementary program and a one year high school program. The ninth grade was added in 1897, the tenth grade in 1903, and the eleventh grade was added in 1908, thus making a four year high school course. The schools have remained on the 7-4 organization up to the present. While the schools have had a steady growth from the beginning the period of most rapid growth has been since 1920. The enrollment has grown no fnnt that the finances have become inadequate for the operation of the schools. Some interesting points not covered in the above record are as follows: First High School graduates, 1899—10 pupils. Smallpox vaccination made compulsory in 1900. Teachers required to read passage from the Bible without comment in 1900. Mrs. Jessie Dean Smith elected February 1st, 1904. Ladies of Episcopal Church allowed to sell lunch on the school grounds provided it did not interfere with conduct of schools, in 1905. Admission of pupils refused in 1906, because of crowded condition of buildings. City Board made written protest to County Board about distribution of school fund 1914. The High School was accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1912. Magnificent new high school completed and entered in January 1924. Maximum capacity of high school (600 pupils) reached in 1926. All fees removed and schools made absolutely free in 1923. Page Twenty-Five