County Superintendent’s Records
Newton County, Mississippi
Number 1
1911 - 1917

Transcribed with minor editing by
Newton County Historical and Genealogical Society
November, 2004

Decatur, Miss, July 11, 1911

The Newton County School Board is hereby called to meet in annual session, in the court house, at Decatur, Mississippi, July 29, 1911.

W. C. Mabry, Supt. Education

State of Mississippi
County of Newton

Saturday, July 29, 1911

Be it remembered that pursuant to the above call and on the above date, the Newton County school board met in annual session. Were present W. C. Mabry, Superintendent of Education, C. R. Hardy, D. Blackburn, I. W. Jarrell, and M. M. Lawson, members, proceeded to business as follows:

Ordered, that W. C. Mabry, Superintendent, be excused for the day and D. Blackburn be appointed chairman protem.

Ordered that the white schools of the county shall open on Monday, Oct. 16th, 1911.

Ordered that the colored schools of the county open on Monday, Oct. 30, 1911.

Ordered that D. Blackburn and M. M. Lawson be appointed a committee to investigate the claims of the old Mt. Vernon District.

Ordered that the board adjourn in continuation of this session until Thursday, August 3, 1911.

W. C. Mabry, Supt. Education
Members:
D. Blackburn
I. W. Jarrell
M. M. Lawson
Jim Smith

Thursday, August 3, 1911

Pursuant to adjournment school board met on above date, all members being present proceeded to business as follows:

Ordered that Bob Gibson, Perry Davis, Frank Buckley, and Will Walker be transferred from the Garlandsville school to Hero school with all the territory embraced in the place.

Petition of Reese Savel, et al, was discussed at length and ordered dismissed.

Ordered that the committee on investigation of Mt. Vernon old District proceed to go to the district and look over the territory, being ready to report tomorrow.

Ordered that the board adjourn ‘till Friday morning nine o’clock Aug. 4, 1911.

W. C. Mabry, Supt. Education
Members:
D. Blackburn
I. W. Jarrell
M. M. Lawson
Jim Smith
C. R. Hardy

Nine o’clock, August 4, 1911

Pursuant to adjournment the school board met on the above date, and all members being present proceeded to business as follows:

The committee on investigation of the Mt. Vernon District reported and same was discussed at length after which the following resolution was unanimously passed:  Whereas, the patrons of old Mt. Vernon District could not agree among themselves and the board being without a map, thus being at a disadvantage, it is hereby ordered that the school adjacent to same territory remain as last year.

Ordered that Pleasant Grove colored school of Beat 4 be and the same is hereby discontinued with all territory now embraced in same be transferred to the Newton county Negro Industrial School which is now located on the eastern line of the town of Newton, Mississippi:

Ordered that I. W. Jarrell be appointed as a member of a committee of two, the other member to be a member of the board of trustees of Newton Separate District, appointed by board of Alderman of town of Newton, Mississippi, the duty of same committee to be the general supervision of Newton county Negro Industrial School.

Orderred that all white schools in Beat one remain as last year.

Ordered that all white schools in Beat two remain as last year except that the Little Rock territory shall consist of the following: all of the old Dorman School territory with the following added: NW 1/4 section 20 T 8 Range 13, sections 23, 24 and 14 Township 8, Range 12 East.

Ordered, that all white schools of Beat three remain as last year.

Ordered that all white schools of Beat four remain as last year.

Ordered that all white schools of Beat five remain as last year.

Ordered that all colored schools of Beat one remain as last year.

Ordered that all colored schools, remain as last year, Beat two.

Ordered that all colored schools in Beat three remain as last year.

Ordered that all colored schools in Beat four remain as last year.

Ordered that all colored schools in Beat five remain as last year, except as to previous order as to Pleasant Grove school.

Ordered that Irvin Thompson’s children be transferred frm Bartlett to Jasper Co. Line school. Ordered that the board adjourn ‘till Aug. 24, 1911, in continuation of this session.

W. C. Mabry, Education
Members:
D. Blackburn
I. W. Jarrell
M. M. Lawson
Jim Smith
C. R. Hardy

Decatur, Miss., August 24, 1911

Pursuant to adjournment the School board met on the above date and W. C. Mabry, , Jim Smith, D. Blackburn, I.M. Jarrell, M. M. Lawson, members, being present proceeded to business as follows:

It being shown to the satisfaction of the School board that a petition of the Lawrence School Discrict, now on file in this office, contains a majority of the qualified electors, It is therefore decreed that Lawrence is a Separate District under Section 4530, code 1906. Same to embrace the following territory to wit: Sections 1, 2 and 3 and 11 and 12 and 13 and E 1/2 of Section 10 all in township 5, Range 10 E. Also Sections 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, 36 and E 1/2 Sec. 33 and all of Sec. 28 except W 1/2 of SW 1/4; all of S !/2 Sec. 22 and 23. Also S 1/2 of S 1/2 Section 24 all in T 6, R 10 East. Also sections 30 and 31 and S 1/2 of S 1/2 of Section 19 all in T 6, R 11 E, all being in Newton County, Mississippi.

Ordered that the board adjourn, in continuation of this session, ‘till Saturday, Sept. 9, 1911.

W. C. Mabry, Education

Members:
D. Blackburn
I. W. Jarrell
Jim Smith
M. M. Lawson
C. R. Hardy

Decatur, Miss., Aug. 28, 1911

Mrs. Marguerite Monroe and J. M. Graham are hereby appointed examiners (Teachers’ Examining Board) for the year 1911 - 1912.
W. C. Mabry, Education

Decatur, Mississippi, Sept. 9, 1911

Pursuant to adjournment the Newton County School Board met on the above date and all members being present proceeded to business as follows:

Ordered that a special school be granted in the SW 1/4 of section 19, T 8 R 12 East; embracing sections 19 and 20 only in said township and range. The school house to be located in any suitable place in the above described quarter section where at least two acres of land shall be donated and a house erected therein. No school will be paid for unless a suitable building is erected for this purpose. Above school shall be known as Mt. Zion.

W. C. Mabry, Education

Members:
D. Blackburn
M. M. Lawson
Jim Smith
I. W. Jarrell
C. R. Hardy

Decatur, Miss., July 24, 1911

Pursuant to call, the County School Board met on above date.

Members present, M. B. Potter, Beat one, J. W. Williams, Beat two, C. O. Crane, Beat three, W. L. McMullan, Beat 4 and T. J. Smith, Beat five, and W. W. Coursey, ex officio chairman. After taking the oath of office, proceeded to business as follows:
1st called for reading of minutes of last meeting, and minutes were read. On motion it was ordered that the white schools of the county shall open for session of 1912 - 1913 on 14th day of Oct., 1912, and that the Negro schools shall open on 28th of Oct., 1912.

On motion it was ordered that W. L. McMullan be appointed a member of the Board of Trustees of the Negro Industrial School, at Newton, in the place of I. W. Jarrell, whose term has expired.

On motion it was ordered that the schools of Beat one remain as last year as indicated by the map we have prepared, with the exception of the territory formerly belonging to the School but now left out of the Separate School District to be added to the adjacent schools, namely, Chapel Hill, High Hill and Buena Vista.

On motion it was ordered that all white schools of Beat two remain as last year with district boundaries fixed on a map as best we could arrange them under the circumstances.

On motion it was orderd that all white schools of Beat three remain as last year, with district boundaries fixed on a map as best as we could arrange them under the circumstances.

On motion adjourned ‘till ten a. m. Thursday, July 25, 1912.

Thursday, July 25, 1912

Board convened as per adjournment. All members present.

On motion the petition of J. H. Thompson et al be rejected and the Co. is requested to inform them of the same and explain why it was rejected.

On motion it was ordered that the white schools of Beat four remain as last year with district boundaries fixed on a map as well as we could arrange them.

Ordered that the white schools of Beat five reamin as last year, with district boundaries fixed on a map as well as we could arrange them

On motion it was ordered that the name of Little Rock School be changed, and that the school be called DeWitt Leverette School.

On motion the name of Fair Play School was changed to Liberty Beat 4.

July 25, 1912

Negro Schools

On motion the Negro schools were taken up in numerical order beginning with Beat one.
Bt. 1 - On motion it was ordered that Homeward School be discontinued and its territory be divided equally between Union Grove and Pilgrim School.
Ordered that all other Negro schools in Beat one remain as last year as indicated on the new map.
Bt. 2 - Ordered that all Negro schools in Beat two remain as last year with district boundaries as shown on new map.
Bt. 3 - Ordered that the Negro schools of Beat three remain as last year with district boundaries as shown on new map.
Bt. 4 - Ordered that the Negro schools in Beat four remain as last year, with district boundaries as shown on new map with the provisor that should the Board be called together again this summer, they will consider the moving of the Union Grove Col. School if so desired by the patrons thereof.
Bt. 5 - Ordered that the Negro schools in Beat five remain as last year with district boundaries as shown on new map.
On motion adjourned, subject to call of president, in continuation of this session.

Members Co. School Board: W. W. Coursey, Co. Supt. Education
M. B. Potter
J. W. Williams
C. O. Crane
W. L. McMullan
T. J. Smith

Decatur, Miss., July 24, 1912

According to the law, which says the Co. shall appoint two first grade teachers of the county as members of the teachers’ examining Board, I have appointed Mrs. Marguerette Monroe and J. L. French as examiners for Scholastic year 1912 & 1913.

W. W. Coursey
Co. Supt. of Education, Newton Co., Miss.

Decatur, Miss., Aug. 6, 1912

The County School Board was called to meet on above date to attend to such business as should legally come before it.
The County School Board met, as per call on Aug. 6, 1912. Members present, M. B. Potter, Beat one; J. W. Williams, Beat two; W. L. McMullan, Beat four; T. J. Smith, Beat five, and proceeded to business as follows:
Call for unfinished business. None.
Call for new business.
On motion it was agreed that the Newton Co. School Board meet the Scott County School Board at the Camp Ground or Patrons Union Camp Ground on Aug. 8, 1912, to consider the proposition of establishing a line Agricultural High School between this county and Scott County.
On motiion it was ordered that the Co. Supt. of Education give notice, through the county papers, of the intention of this Board to meet at Decatur on Aug. 27, (changed to Aug. 28), 1912, to locate an Agricultural High School for this county, and that said Board would on that day receive bids from any community in the county for the location of said school. The Board makes only one provisor in the location of said high school, which is that the school will not be located in any town or village, nor nearer than one mile to the corporate limits of any town or village.
On motion adjournment to meet at Patron’s Union Camp Ground on Aug. 8, and at on Aug. 27 (changed to Aug. 28, 1912).
As per adjournment three members of School Board, viz C. O. Crane, W. L. McMullan and T. J. Smith met at Patron’s Union Camp Ground, in conjunction with Scott County Board on Aug. 8, 1912, and inspected the grounds there and listened to propositions made in a general way, by those interested in a joint agricultural high school between the two counties.
Newton Co. School Board
W. W. Coursey, Ex officio chairman

Decatur, Miss., Aug. 28, 1912

The County School Board met as per adjournment on above date.
Members present: M. B. Potter, Beat one; J. W. Williams, Beat two; C. O. Crane, Beat three, and T. J. Smith, Beat five. Board proceeded to business as follows: 

On motion it was agreed that all parties wishing to submit propositions in regard to the Agricultural High School be invited to do so and after the propositions are all in the Board will take the various propositions under consideration.
Beat five submitted a proposition which was put on file.
On motion I. M. Dunagin was given ‘till 3:30 to complete his proposition.
One proposition was submitted from Beat one and put on file.
The Camp Grounds or Patrons Union submitted a bi-county proposition which was put on file.
On motion Board adjourned ‘till 1:30 P.M.
1:30 P.M. Board reconvened as per adjournment.
Stratton submitted a proposition which was put on file.
I. M. Dunagin having completed his proposition submitted same, which was for the location to be South of Decatur. Same was put on file.
On motion it was agreed that the Board visit and inspect the Stratton and Decatur locations tomorrow, Thursday, and the Chunkey location the next day, Friday, and meet back in Co. Supt.’s office on Saturday, Aug. 31, for the purpose of effecting a location for an agricultural high school.
On motion adjourned to meet at 8 P.M. tomorrow.


Decatur, Aug. 31, 1912

School Board met on above date as per adjournment. Members present, M. B. Potter, J. W. Williams, C. O. Crane, and T. J. Smith.
Previous to above meeting the School Board visited and inspected the various locations that had been submitted, as previously agreed on. After hearing the various propositions and agruments on same, the Board, on motion went into executive session to consider the different locations and porpositions and if possible agree on a location.
After taking twelve ballots, and having reached no decision as to a location for the agricultural high school, the board adjourned, subject to call of the chairman to further consider the location of an agricultural high school.

W. W. Coursey
Chairman & Sect.

Decatur, Miss., Oct. 7, 1912

The County School Board met on above date, on call of Co. Supt. as per adjournment to further consider the location of an agricultural high school.
All members present.
On motion, it was agreed to give one speaker from each place asking for the school ten minutes time in which to explain their porpositions.
For Beat one, Mr. M. F. Mann explained the porposition in a ten minute talk.
For Beat three, Mr. L. M. Sharp made explanation of their proposition in a ten minute talk.
For Beat four, Prof. Cook explained the proposition for a bi-county school, taking up the ten minutes time allowed.
For Beat five, Prof. T. J. Reynolds took up the ten minutes time in explaining the proposition from that beat.
On motion, the Board went into executive session to consider the different propositions that had been submitted.
On ballot of School Board, the agricultural high school was located somewhere on the following described land: SW1/4 of NW1/4 and SE1/4 of NW1/4 and W1/2 of NE1/4 of SW1/4 all in Section 13, Township 7, Range 11. This land being near Decatur.
On motion adjourned ‘till one o’clock P.M.
On reconvening the Board proceeded to elect two trustees for the agricultural high school, Those elected were Prof. Thomas Brand from Beat five and D. Blackburn from Beat three.
On motion, the Co. Supt. was requested to present this action of the School Board to the Board of Supervisors, with the necessary explanation, and urging them to make the necessary provisions to build the aforesaid school
On motion adjourned.
Co. School Board M. B. Potter, Beat one
J. W. Williams, Beat two
C. O. Crane, Beat three
W. L. McMullan, Beat four
T. J. Smith, Beat five
W. W. Coursey, Co. Supt. and Chairman

Decatur, Miss., July 7, 1913

The County School Board met as per call of the chairman in annual session on above date. Members present: M. B. Potter, beat one; J. W. Williams, beat two; C. O. Crane, beat three, W. L. McMullan, beat four and T. J. Smith, beat five.
On being called to order by the chairman, the Board proceeded to business as follows:
White schools
On motion it was agreed to first consider the white schools, beginning with beat one and continue in numerical order.
(Bt. 1) Beat one schools were then taken up and no changes being asked for the board passed to consideration of beat two.
Beat two
Beat two schools were then taken up. As no changes were asked for the Board proceeded to the consideration of Beat three.
Beat three
Beat three being taken up, and no changes being asked for, the Board passed to the consideration of beat four.
Beat four
Ordered that the following changes be made in the Cedar Creek School:
That the school house be moved from the present location and located in---------Section 23, T5N Range 10E, and that the district be composed of the following territory, to wit: E3/4 of Sec. 16, E3/4 of Sec. 21, E3/4 of Sec. 28 and Sections 14, 15, 22, 23, & 27, N1/2 Sec. 26, N1/2 Sec. 25 & W3/4 of Sec. 24. The above changes to become permanent when the trustees have secured a deed to not less than one acre of land for the school and shall have built a school house thereon. The trustees of the school to furnish the Co. Supt. a copy of the numbers of said school land for record. The name of the school to be changed from Cedar Creek to Springfield.
Ordered that the following changes be made in the Sand Hill School:
That the location of the school be moved from the present location to the village of Roberts, and located on the land on which the building known as the church and school building now stands. The name of the school to be changed from Sand Hill to Roberts, the territory of said school to consist of the following territory, to wit: E3/4 of Sect. 33, all of sections 34, 35, & 36, S1/2 of Sect. 25, S1/2 Sect. 26, all in T5N R10E. Also Sections 30, 31, 32, S1/2 Sec. 29, SW1/4 Sec. 28, and W1/2 Sec. 33 in T5N R11E.
The above changes in Cedar Creek and Sand Hill Schools were made because of petitions of D. G. Leslie, John Spires, J. N. Roberts, G. G. Gordy, et al.
On motion Board adjourned till half past one P.M. Nothing further being presented from beat four, the Board proceeded to the consideration of beat five.

Beat five
Ordered that the Oak Grove and Blackjack Schools be and the same are hereby consolidated into one school, the name of which is to be consolidate. The house to be located on the following described land, to wit: SW1/4 of NW1/4 of Sec. 15 T6 R13. The territory of said school to embrace the following described lands, to wit: S1/2 Sec. 32, S1/2 Sec. 33, S1/4 Sec. 34, E1/2 of SE1/4 Sec. 31, in T7 R13. Also E1/4 of Sections 6 & 7, all of Sec. 3, 4, 5, 8 & 9 W1/2 Sec. 10 all of Sec. 16, all of Sec. 15 except NE1/4, SW1/4 Sec. 14, E1/2 Sec. 21, Sec. 22, W1/2 Sec. 23, all of Sec. 27 & 34, E1/2 Sec. 28, NE1/4 Sec. 23 ( all of Sec. 25, S1/2 Sec. 26, all of Sec. 35, all of Sec. 36) not in Chunky Separate School district, T6N R13E.
The above changes are to become permanent when the trustees have secured a good deed, to not less than one acre of land for the school and shall have built a school house on same.
Ordered that the following territory be added to the Thirteenth School: E1/2 Sec. 23, N1/2 Sec. 25 and N1/2 Sec. 26, T6N R13E
A call was made for a change in the territory of Spring Hill School and after considerable discussion the matter was deferred ‘till the next meeting of the Board on Aug. 11, 1913.
Beat two
On motion, beat two was again taken up for reconsideration.
Ordered that Rocky Ridge School in Lauderdale County be declarled a line school between this and Lauderdale County, with the following described territory from this, Newton county, to wit: NE1/4 of NE1/4 of Sec. 25 T8 R13 and E1/2 of SE1/4 of SE1/4 Sec. 24 & SE1/4 of NE1/4 of Sec. 24 T8 R13.

Colored Schools

(Bt. 1) Ordered that all Negro schools of Beat one remain as they were last year.
Beat two
Ordered that consideration of Negro schools of beat two be deferred ‘till next meeting of the Board.
Bt. 3
Ordered that all Negro schools of beat three remain as they were last year.
Bt. 4
Ordered that all Negro schools of beat four remain as they were last year.
Bt. 5
Ordered that Hopewell Negro School be discontinued and that its territory be added to the adjoining schools, and further ordered that all other Negro schools in beat five remain as they were last year.
Ordered that the white schools for session of 1913 - 1914 be opened on the 13th of Oct. and that the Negro schools be opened on the 27th of Oct. 1913.
On motion adjourned to meet in continuation of this session on the 11th of Aug. 1913.

Members:
M. B. Potter
J. W. Williams
C. O. Crane
W. L. McMullan W. W. Coursey
T. J. Smith Pres. County School Board

Decatur, Miss., Aug. 11, 1913

County School board met, as per adjournment, on above date. All members present.
(Bt. 5) On motion the Board took up, for consideration, the Spring Hill School matter, in Bt. five.
Moved and seconded that the territory in Newton County, belonging to Fellowship line school be transferred back to Spring Hill School. The motion was voted down and the territory remains as it was before.
On motion adjourned ‘til 1:30 P.M.
Beat one
Ordered that the N1/2of NW1/4 of Sec. 3 T6 R11E be transferred from the Doolittle school to Macedonia School. And that the S1/2 of SE1/4 Sec. 9 T6 R11E be transferred from Macedonia School to Doolittle School.
Bt. 4
Ordered that what the Board did at the meeting on 17th of July 1913 in changing the Sand Hill and Cedar Creek Schools be and same is hereby rescinded.
Ordered that the Sand Hill and the Cedar Creek Schools be consolidated into one school, known as Roberts School, and located on the SW1/4 of SE1/4 Sec. 26 T5 R10E and to embrace the territory formerly embraced in the two schools, to wit: E1/4 sections 16, 21, 28, & 33, al of sections 15, 22, 27, 34, 14, 23, 26, 35, 36, 25, & W3/4 of sec. 24 T5 R10E, and sections 30, 31, 32 S1/2 of 29, W1/4 of 33 & SW1/4 of 28 T5 R10E. The above changes were made on petition of the patrons.
Ordered that the S1/2 (sec.) 31 T8 R 11 & N1/2 Sect. 6 & NW1/4 Sec. 5 T7 R11E be transferred from Poplar Springs School to Erin School.
Ordered that Sec. 26 & SW1/4 Sec. 25 T8 R10 be traansferred from Lucern School to Poplar Springs School.
Ordered that the W1/2 of Sec. 19, the W1/2 Sec. 30, the W1/2 of SE1/4 of Sec. 30 T8 R11 & S1/2 of SE1/4 Sec. 25 T8 R10 be transferred from Erin School to Lucern School.
Ordered that the SW1/4 Sec. 18 T8 R11, the SE1/4 Sec. 13, the NE1/4 Sec. 23, the NE1/4 Sec. 24 and the N1/2 of S1/2 Sec. 24 be transferred from Walnut Springs School to Lucern School.
Ordered that the N1/2 Sec. 10, the SW1/4 Sec. to & E1/2 Sec. 16 T8 R10 be transferred from Prospect School to Walnut Springs School.
Ordered that the N3/4 of Sec. 18 T8 R10 be transferred from Greenfield to Prospect School.
Ordered that the NW1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 31 T8 R11 be transferred Erin School to Lucern School.
Ordered that the SW1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 31 T8 R11 be transferred from Erin School to Poplar Springs School.
Ordered that the SE1/4 of NE1/4 of Sec. 18 & the SW1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 17 T8 R11 be transferred from New Ireland School to Erin School.
On motion adjournment to meet, in continuance of this meeting, on Aug. 26, 1913.
The above changes were made on request of parties interested.

Members of School Board: W. W. Coursey
M. B. Potter, Bt. 1 Co. Supt.
J. W. Williams, Bt. 2
C. O. Crane, Bt. 3
W. L. McMullan, Bt. 4
T. J. Smith, Bt. 5

Decatur, Miss., Aug. 26, 1913

The County Board met on above date as per adjournment. All Members present.
On motion, it was ordered that the action taken by the Board at the Aug. 11th meeting in consolidating the Sand Hill and Cedar Creek Schools be and the same is hereby rescinded, and that the aforesaid two schools are relocated as they were last year.
On motion, Board adjourned ‘till two o’clock P.M.
Ordered that the location of the consolidated school composed of the former Oak Grove and Black Jack schools be changed to a location as near the center as possible between the homes of John Smith on the south and Hance Hobson on the north. Said location to be selected by a committee of five, to be selected by the patrons of the consolidated school. Provided, however, that should the patroms fail to select this committee, or the committee fail to make the location, by unanimous vote of said committee; and make a report of their location to the Co. Supt. of Education within the next ten days after this date, Aug. 26, 1913, then the school to remain on the former location to wit: SW1/4 of NW1/4 of Section 15, Township 6 Range 13 E. Should the above provided for committee make a unanimous report of a location to the said Co. Supt. of Education, then said report of a location, to be accepted by this Board as their act, and the location selected by said committee is hereby ratified by this Board as their location of said consolidated school. But should it not be unanimous, or should the location not be made in the next ten days from this date, Aug. 26, 1913, and so reported to the Co. Supt. of Education, then the original order of the Board, passed at a former meeting of the Board, during this year, will stand, and the location of the said consolidated school shall be as located, by the Board, at the former meeting aforesaid, to wit: SW1/4 of NW1/4 Section 15 T R13 E.
On motion, it was agreed to consider an agricultural high school.
On motion, it was agreed to rescind that part of an order passed by School Board in regular session in 1912, in reference to not locating an agricultural high school nearer than one mile of any town or village.
On motion, the Board agreed to defer any further consideration of an agricultural high school for the present.
On motion, adjourned, subject to call, by the chairman.
M. B. Potter, J. W. Williams, C. O. Crane, W. L. McMullan, and T. J. Smith, Members of the Board.
W. W. Coursey, Co. Supt.

Decatur, Miss., Aug. 27, 1913

I have this day appointed J. W. Key, a member of the County School Board, in place of M. B. Potter, resigned.
W. W. Coursey
Co. Supt. Education, Newton Co., Miss.

Decatur, Miss., Aug. 27, 1913

I have this day appointed J. L. French a member of the Teacher’s Examining Board, for year 1913 and 1914, to succeed himself.
W. W. Coursey, Co Supt. Education, Newton Co., Miss.

Decatur, Miss., Aug. 27, 1913

I have this day appointed M. B. Potter as a membe of the Teacher’s Examining Board for year 1913 and 1914 to succeed Mrs. A. L. Monroe.
W. W. Coursey, Co. Supt Education, Newton Co., Miss.

Decatur, Miss., Sept. 15, 1915 (should be 1913?)

I hereby revoke the teacher’s license, as far as it applies to Newton county, of H. J. Hugh, col., for giving aid to colored teachers on teacher’s examination Sept. 12 & 13, 1913.
W. W. Coursey,
Co. Supt. Education, Newton Co., Miss.

Decatur, Miss., March 10, 1914

The County School Board met on the above date according to call, for the purpose of considering the location of an agricultural high school.
The following members were present: J. W. Key, Bt. one; J. W. Williams, Bt. 2; C. O. Crane, Bt. three; W. L. McMulland, Bt. 4; and T. J. Smith, Bt. 5.
Decatur submitted the following proposition, this being the only proposition submitted for the location of the school.
We the people of Decatur submit the following proposition for the location of the agricultural high school with us. We offer all the school property we have in Decatur described as follows: Lot No. 6 SW Decatur described as follows, to wit: commencing 550 ft. west of Decatur proper on south side of Hillsborough road, running south 222 ft. west 111 ft north 222 ft. and east 111 ft. to commencing point, situated on S1/2of E1/2 of
NE1/4 Sect. 19 T7 R12E. Also lot commencing at SW corner of old school house lot No. __and running S 141 yds. thence west 75 yds. thence n 141 yds. to lot No. 6 in SW Decatur, thence W along S line of said lot 75 yds. to point of beginning, being a part of 1/2 of SE1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 19, T7 R12E and old school house lot described as follows:
beginning at NW corner Lot 6 SW Decatur, thence W 38 yds. thnce S 74 yds. thence 6.38 yds, thence N 74 yds. to beginning point, situated in S1/2 of E1/2 of NW1/4 Sect. 19, T7 R12E and also commencing at the SW corner of lot 5 in west Decatur, and run W 100 ft. thence north 420 ft. thence E 100 ft. thence S 420 ft. to beginning point, said lot or parcel of land, being part of the W1/2of NE1/4 of NW1/4 Sect. 19 T7 R12E. also 20 acres of land, for farming purposes said land described as follows: (not described)
We also agree to furnish the necessary dormitories, for boarding pupils, as the law demands, for boys, by fitting up lower floor of old school house. The above mentioned school property, in the town of Decatur to be used by the agricultural high school, in connection with the Decatur public school, so long as the school is run as an agricultural high school.
On motion, it was agreed to accept the proposition made by the people of Decatur, and the Newton County Agricultural High School was located at Decatur, to be run in connection with the Decatur public school.
Messrs. W. C. Mabry and D. Blackburn were elected by the School Board as trustees of the school mentioned above. W. C. Mabry elected for four years and D. Blackburn for two years.
On motion, Board adjourned.
Members Co. School Board
J. W. Key
J. W. Williams W. W. Coursey
C.O. Crane Chairman Co. School Board
W. L. McMullan
T. J. Smith

Decatur, Miss., March 14, 1914

The Newton County School Board met in regular session on the above date. Members present: J. W. Key, J. W. Williams, C. O. Crane, W. L. McMullan, and T. J. Smith.
On motion, it was agreed to take up the work by beats, in numerical order, beginning with Beat one.
Nothing coming up in beat one, passed on to Bt. two.
Beat two.
It being shown to the satisfaction of the School Board that a majority of the electors of the DeWitt Leverette School District, and certain other territory adjacent thereto, altogether making sixteen sections of land, (fully described below) have petitioned the Board to form them into a separate rural school district, said petition now on file in this office (the Co. Supt.’s Office).
It is therefore ordered that the DeWitt Leverette School is declared a Separate School District, under section 45230 of the Code of 1906, with the following described territory, to wit:
N1/2 of Section 29 & Sections 20, 17, 7, 18, 19 & Sec. 30 less SE1/4. The above in Township 8 N Range 13 E. Also Sections 25, 24, 13, 12, 14, 23, and all of Sec. 1 less W1/2 of NW1/4 and NW1/4 of SW1/4, S1/2 of SE1/4 Sect. 2 & NE1/4 of SE1/4 of Sec. 2, all of Sec. 11 less NW1/4 and SE1/4 of NE1/4 & NE1/4 of SE1/4 of Sec. 15, N1/2 of Sec. 26, all north of public road running from Harrison old mill to Riversville, known as Morgan Laird place in Sec. 27 containing about 60 acres, N1/2 of SW1/4 Sec. 27, N1/2 of SE1/4 Sec. 28, N1/2 of SW1/4 Sec. 28, SW1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 28 and SE1/4 of Sec. 22. in Township 8N Range 12 E, all in Newton Co., Miss.
On motion Board adjourned.
Co. School board: W. W. Coursey, Co. Supt
J. W. Key
J. W. Williams
C. O. Crane
W. L. McMullan
T. J. Smith

Decatur, Miss., July 16, 1914

County School Board met on above date, members present J. W. Key, J. W. Williams, W. L. McMullan, & T. J. Smith.
On motion Board proceeded to business by taking up the beats in numerical order beginning with Bt. one.
Beat one, white schools
Board took the consideration of consolidating Lebanon and Lebanon Special Schools.
On motion, further consideration of the Lebanon School proposition was postponed ‘till one thirty P.M. Took under consideration the change of location of the Cedar Grove School.
Ordered that the location of Cedar Grove School be changed from the present location to the NE1/4 of NE1/4 Sec. 20 T6 R11E.
On motion adjourned ‘till 1:30 P.M.
On motion agreed to postpone further consideration of the Lebanon School proposition till two weeks from this date, when the Board will have another meeting, and at that meeting the people of the two Lebanon schools are to, or are requested to report to the Board what they can or cannot agree on in this matter.
Ordered that the S1/4 (?) of S1/2 of SW1/4 of Sec. 18, T8 R10 be transferred to Lone Star School in Scott County, and that Lone Star School be declared a line school between Newton and Scott Counties.
On motion adjourned to meet again on the 30th of July, 1914.
W. W. Coursey, Chairman & Sect.

Decatur, Miss., July 30, 1914

The County School Board met on above date as per adjournment. Members present: J. W. Key, J. W. Williams, C. O. Crane, W. L. McMullan, T. J. Smith.
Board proceeded to business as follows:
Ordered that the white schools of Newton county for session 1914 - 15 open on the 12th of Oct. and that the Negro schools open on the 26th of Oct.
Ordered that the actions of the Board, on March 14th, 1914, which made the DeWitt Leverette School a separate school district, be and the same is hereby rescinded.
Ordered that the following territory be added to the DeWitt Leverette School, to wit: SE1/4 of Sect. 6, SW1/4 Sect. 5, NE1/4 Sec. 17, NW1/4 Sec 8 and the W1/2 of SW1/4 Sec 8, all of Sec. 17 from Pleasant Grove School, also SW1/4 Sec. 19, N1/2 of NW1/4 Sec. 30, from Pine Ridge School. All the above in T8 R13E.
Also, NW1/4 Sec. 25, NE1/4 Sec. 26, & E1/2of NW1/4 Sec. 26, E1/2 of SW1/4 Sec. 23, W1/2 Sec. 14, NE1/4 of SE1/4 Sec. 15, SE1/4 of NE1/4 Sec. 15, S1/2 of SW1/4 Sec. 11 and NE1/4 of SW1/4 Sec. 11, from Rock Branch School in T8 R 12E.

Bt. 3 - Ordered that all other white schools of Bt. 3, except making Lone Star School in Scott County a line school, remain as last year.
Bt. 4 - Ordered that the Harper Hill School be moved to the following described location: E side of SW1/4 of SW1/4 Sec. 25 T5 R 11E. The description to be furnished to the Co. Supt., for record, and that the said Harper Hill School be declared a line school between Newton and Jaspser County, provided the Jasper County School Board agrees to it being a line school, and annexes Jasper County territory, to said school, to make it a line school.
Ordered that all other white schools of Bt. four remain as last year.
Bt. 5 - On motion Bt. 5 was taken up for consideration.
Ordered that Sec. 33, S1/2 of Se. 34, S1/2 Sec. 32 & 20 acres on the E side of SE1/4 Sec. 31, T5 R 13E be transferred from Fellowship Line School, a Jasper County School to Spring Hill School, a Newton County school, and that Fellowship School be discontinued as a line school between Newton and Jasper Counties.
Bt. 5 - Ordered that all other white schools of Bt. 5 remain as last year.
Bt. 1 - Ordered that the N1/2 of NW1/4 Sec. 29 T7 R 11E be transferred from Cross Roads School to Macedonia School.
Ordered S1/2 of NE1/4 Sec. 8 T6 R11E be transferred f rom Macedonia School to Cedar Grove School.
Ordered that the Lebanon & Lebanon Special School be consolidated into one school, and that the district comprise the districts formerly comprising Lebanon and Lebanon Special School and that the school house for the new school be located on a part of the Lebanon Church and school property, or if this is not practical, that the location be on land joining the church and school lot, said location described as follows: (not described)
Ordered that all other white schools of Beat one remain as last year.
Negro schools
Bt. 1 - Ordered that all Negro schools of Bt. one remain as last year.
Bt. 2 - Ordered that all Negro schools of Bt. two remain as lasy year.
Bt. 3 - Ordered that all Negro schools of Bt. three remain as last year.
Bt. 4 - Ordered that all Negro schools of Bt four remain as last year.
Bt. 5 - Ordered that all Negro schools of Bt. five remain as last year.
On motion Board adjourned till Aug. 10, 1914.
W. W. Coursey, Chairman & Sect.

Decatur, Miss., Aug. 12, 1914.
I have this day appointed L. A. Motley a member of the Teacher’s Examining Board, for scholastic year beginning Sept. 1st, 1914, and ending Aug. 31, 1915.
W. W. Coursey, Co. Supt. Education, Newton Co., Miss.

Decatur, Miss., Sept. 1, 1914

I have this day appointed M. B. Potter & L. A. Motley, each to succeed himself, as members of Teacher’s Examining Board. Each of their terms will expire Aug. 31, 1915.
W. W. Coursey, Co. Supt. Education Newton co., Miss.

Decatur, Miss., Aug. 10, 1914

The County School board met pursuant to adjournment, on above date. The following members were present: J. W. Key, J. W. Williams, W. L. McMullan, & T. J. Smith, and proceeded to business as follows:
On motion the Board agreed to take the beats in numerical order, beginning with Bt. one.
On motion Bt. one was postponed 1:30 o’clock P.M.
Bt. two was taken up, Nothing called for in Bt. two.
Bt. three was taken up. Nothing called for in Bt. three.
Bt. four. On motion the name of Harper Hill School was changed to Progress.
Bt. five was taken up. Nothing called for in Bt. five.
On motion adjourned till one-thirty P.M.
Ordered that Beat Line School location be changed from the recent location to a place about 1/4 of a mile south of present location on same public road, said location to become permanent when a deed is executed to land on which to build the school house, and a description of the school land furnished to Co. Supt. for record. Said location described as follows: (not described)
A motion to reconsider the Cedar Grove location was lost.
On motion the different factions to the Lebanon School proposition were given ten minutes each to discuss said proposition. At the expiration of the time given, a motion was made to reconsider the Lebanon School location. Said motion was lost.
On motion adjourned. Sine die.

W. W. Coursey
Chariman and Sect.

Decatur, Miss., Nov. 13, 1914

Complaint having been made to me against J. H. Cole, the principal teacher of Newton col. School, in the Separate School District of the town of Newton, charging him with immoral conduct, claiming that he uses profane language in the presence of his school, that he tells falsehoods, and that he is incompetent to teach. On these charges, asking me to revoke his teacher’s license, inasfar as it applies to Newton County. Having given due notice to the petitioners, through their atty, W. I. Munn, and also to the defendant, the said J. H. Cole, that I would be in the town of Newton on the above mentioned date, to investigate the aforesaid charges, I went to the colored school house in the town of Newton on the 13th day of Nov., 1914, for the purpose mentioned above. The prosecution failing to appear at the time and place appointed, the complaint against the said J. H. Cole is hereby dismissed for want of prosecution.
W. W. Coursey
Co. Supt. Education, Newton County, Miss.


Decatur, Miss., July 5, 1915

The County School board met on above date. Members present J. W. Key, J. W. Williams, C. O. Crane, W. L. McMullan, and T. J. Smith.
The Board proceeded to business by beginning with Beat one and taking the beats up in numerical order white schools first.
Beat one - Nothing being called for in Beat one passed to Bt. 2.
On motion all schools in Bt. one remain as last year.
Bt. two - On motion it was agreed that the Co. School Board request (by the Supt) the Senators and representatives elected in the coming election to the 1916 Legislature, to investigate the claim of G. J. Dorman & others in Bt. 2 of Reece Saval, & others of John Nester & others in Bt. three be considered by them and if in their judgment these parties should be granted a special school that they try to get special legislation for a special school for each of these schools, The reason the County School Board did not consider these applications was because the county already has all the special schools that the Co. School Board can grant. As nothing else was done in Bt. two passed to Bt. three.
Bt. three - Ordered that the NW1/4 & W1/2 of NE1/4 of Section 32 T8 R10 be transferred from Chestnut Springs School to Greenfield School and that the S1/2of SW1/4 & S1/2 of SE1/4 of Sec. 17 T R 10 be transferred from Prospect School to Greenfield School.
Ordered that NW1/4 & W1/2 of the NE1/4 Sec. 34 be transferred from Greenfield to Chestnut Springs School.

July 6, 1915

Ordered that the W1/2 Sec 10 & the N1/2 of NW1/4 Sec. 15 & N1/2 of NE1/4 Sec. 16 T8 R 10 be transferred from Walnut Springs to Prospect School.
Ordered that all of Sec. 27 T8 R10 be transferred from Greenfield to Walnut Springs School.
Ordered that the E1/2of NE1/4 Sec. 34 T8 R10 be transferred from Greenfield to Poplar Springs School.
Ordered that the SW1/4 of SE1/4 & W1/2 of SE1/4 Sec. 16 & S1/2of SE1/4 of SE1/4 Sec. 14 & S1/2 of SW1/4 of SW1/4 of SW1/4 Sec. 15 & the N1/2 of NW1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 22 T8 R 10 be transferred from Walnut Springs to Prospect School & N1/2 of

NE1/4 NE1/4 Sec. 21 T8 R112 be transferred Greenfield to Prospect School.
B. four - No changes were made in the white schools of Bt. four.
Bt. five - Ordered that Spring Hill School district remain as fixed last year.
Sand Springs School district was so changed as to embrace the following territory, to wit: all of Section 10, W1/2 & W1/2 SE1/4 Sec. 11, all of Sections 14, 23, & 15, W1/2 of Sec. 24, N1/2 Sec. 26, E1/2 Sec. 22, T6 R12 East.
Ordered that the W1/2 Sec. 3 T6 R12 be transferred from Lebanon to Williams School and that E1/2 of Sec. 16 T6 R12 be transferred from Sand Springs to Williams School.
Ordered that the S1/2 Sections 16 & 17 & the SE1/4 Sec. 26, T6 R121 be transferred to Norman School.
Ordered that Sec. 3 & the W1/2 & NE1/4 of Sec. 10 T5 R10 be transferred from Rocky Hill School to Poplar Springs School in Bt. five.
Negro schools
Bt. one - Ordered that all Negro schools in Bt. one remain as last year.
Bt. two - On motion a Negro school was established in the SW1//4 of Sec. 24 T8 R12 and composed of the following territory, to wit: Sections 23, 24, 25, 13, & 14 T8 R 12. Also Sections 17, 81, 19 & 20 T8 R 13. Said school to be known as Little Rock Col. School.
On motion all other col. schools in Bt. 2 remain as last year.
Bt. 3 On motion all col. schools in Bt. three remain as last year.
Bt. 4 - Ordered that a col. school be located southeast of and near Newton at what is known as Pleasant Grove composed of the following territory, to wit: Sections 25, 26, 27, 34, 35, & 36 T6 R11 and Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, & 12 T5 R 11 less such parts of the above as are in the town of Newton.
Ordered that all other col. schools in Bt. 4 remain as last year.
On motion the petition of C. P. Gilbert for a new col. school in Bt. 5 be considered later.
Ordered that all Negro schools as now established remain as last year.
On motion adjourned to meet again on the 9th day of Aug. 1915.
Members Co. School Board; W. W. Coursey
J. W. Key Ex Officio Chairman & Sect.
J. W. Williams
C. O. Crane
W. L. McMullan
T. J. Smith

Decatur, Miss., Aug. 9, 1915

The County School Board met as per adjournment on above date. Members present: J. W. Key, J. W. Williams, C. O. Crane, W. L. McMullan, & T. J. Smith.
Ordered that the SE1/4 Sec. 15 & SW1/4 Sec. 14 & W1/2 & W1/2of SE1/4 of Sec. 23 T5R11 be transferred f rom Liberty Bt. 4 to Sycamore School.
Ordered that the W1/2 of Sec. 2 & SE1/4 Sec. 10 less SE1/4 of SE1/4 Sec. 10 T5 R12 be transferred from Rocky Hill School to Poplar Springs School, Bt. 5.
Ordered that the white schools in Newton County open on the eleventh day of Oct. 1915 & that the Negro schools open on the 25th day of Oct., 1915.
On motion adjourned.
Members Co. School Board W. W. Coursey
J. W. Key Chairman & Sect. Co. School Board
J. W. Williams
C. O. Crane
W. L. McMullan
T. J. Smith

Oct. 10, 1915

We the undersigned members of Teacher’s Examining Board consent for Co. Supt. to give $50.00 to Corn Club for prizes for 1915 as law permits in according to Sec. 2 Laws 1914.
L. A. Motley
M. B. Potter, Members Co. School Board

Decatur, Miss., May 16, 1916

The County School Board met on above date with the following named members present:
A. L. Pennington, F. S. Smith, C.O. Crane, W. H. Gibson, and S. B. Gilbert.
After taking the oath of office, the Board was called to order by the chairman and proceeded to business as follows:
It was suggested that each member take charge of matters of consideration in his respective beat. Therefore decided to call for business by beats in regular order.
Beat one
Ordered that the schools in Beat one remain as before except that all of Sec. 26 and one half of Sec. 23 T7 R12 east be transferred from Chapel Hill School to Lebanon School district and that the W1/2 of SE1/4 and SE1/4 of SW1/4 & E1/2 of NE1/4 of SW1/4 Sec. 15 T6 R11 be transferred from Cedar Grove School to Doolittle district.

Beat two
Petition of George Terral et al to be transferred to Mt. Zion School , cont. the matter of Beulah School district continued until next meeting.
Ordered that the petition from Mt. Hebron district be continued.
Beat three
Ordered that the election of a trustee for the A. H. S. be continued.
Ordered that Stamper and Stratton School districts be consolidated and Mr. Gibson, Mr. Crane, and F. S. Smith were appointed a committee to visit the place and locate the
building site, and all parties agree here and now to be governed by what the committee decides to do, accordingly the committee will meet at Stratton Friday May 19th to decide this matter and report at the next meeting of the Board.
Beat four
Nothing from Beat 4.
Beat 5
Ordered that all of Good Hope school district north of Potttoxchitto Creek be added to Berry district and that the said creek be made the line, and that the following named territory be added to Good Hope district, S1/2 S1/2 of Sec. 16, S1/2 S1/2 Sec. 17, S1/2 S1/2 Sec. 18, T5N R13E.
There being no further business the Board adjourned to meet again on Friday the 26th.
Members County School Board M. G. Scarborough
A. L. Pennington County Supt.
F. S. Smith
C. O. Crane
W. H. Gibson
S. B. Gilbert

Decatur, Miss., May 26, 1916

The Newton County School board met on above date with the following members present: M. G. Scarborough, Ex Officio Chairman; A. L. Pennington; F. S. Smith; W. H. Gibson; absent S. B. Gilbert.
The Board was called to order by the chairman and proceeded to business as follows, to wit: minutes of last meeting read for information.
Ordered that all of Sections 22, 26, 27, 34, all of Sec. 21 except N1/2 of N1/2, all of Sec. 28 except about 80 acres in the form of a triangle in the SW part, E1/2 of Sec. 33, and NW1/4 and about 80 acres in the form of a triangle in NW part of NE1/4 Sec. 35, and N1/2 of N1/2 of Sec. 36 and S1/2 of Sec. 25. Also W1/2of NW1/4 of Sec. 25, and W1/2 of Sec. 23, and SW1/4 of Sec. 14, and S1/2 of Sec. 15 except the NW1/4 of SW1/4, all in T8 Range 12 East. Also all of Sec. 3, 10, SW1/4 of Sec. 11 and W1/2 of Sec. 2, N1/2 of Sec. 15 and NW1/4 of Sec. 14 T7 R12 East, containing 12 square miles be and the same is declared a special twelve mile district, known as the Mt. Hebron School district with all the privileges thereunto belonging. Ordered this the 26 day of May, 1916.
Ordered that the SE1/4 of Sec. 14 T7 R12E be transferred from Chapel Hill district to Beulah district.
Ordered that the NE1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 20 T8R12 be transferred from Mt. Zion to Rock Branch district.
Ordered that the NW1/4 of NE1/4 Sec. 6, T7 R12East be transferred from Mt. Vernon to Stratton district and the NE1/4 of SW1/4 Sec. 6 T7 R12 East be transferred from Stratton to Mt. Vernon district.
On motion the Board adjourned until 1:30 o’clock P.M.
The Board met at 1:30 o’clock pursuant to adjournment and proceeded to business. S. B. Gilbert arrived.
Ordered that the E1/2 of Sec. 30 T8 R12 East be transferred from Mt. Vernon district to Mt. Zion district, and the W1/2 of Sec. 7 T7 R12 be transferred from Stratton to Mt. Vernon district on petition from the Stamper and Stratton schools.
On motion the following order was passed: Whereas the Patrons of the Stamper and Stratton Schools have petitioned this Board to consolidate the schools, and the Board having considered the same, is of the opinion that the said petition should be granted and that the said Stamper and Stratton Schools be consolidated. It is therefore ordered by this Board that the Stamper Public School and the Stratton Public School be and the same are hereby consolidated and made one school, and the name of said school is hereby made The Stamper-Stratton Consolidated Rural School. It is further ordered that the territory formerly embraced in both of the above named school districts is the territory embraced in the Stamper-Stratton Consolidated district.
It is further ordered that the school house for the said Stamper-Stratton District shall be located in the SE part of NW1/4 of SE1/4 Sec. 26 T8 R11 East, upon the proper deed being executed for a sufficiency of land for the location of said school house.
It is further understood that the said school building is to be a frame building constructed of material or lumber taken from both old Stamper and Stratton school buildings and
such other lumber as may be necessary.
It is further ordered that the following lands shall constitute the said Stamper-Stratton Consolidated Rural School district, to wit: Sections 15, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 25 T8 R 11
and SE1/4 of Sec. 16, E1/2 of Sec. 21, NE1/4 Sec. 28, N1/2 Sec. 34, NE1/4 Sec. 35, N1/2 Sec. 36, S1/2 and NW1/4 Sec. 14, S1/2 Sec. 13, T8 R 11, and W1/2 Sec. 30, W 1/2 Sec. 31 T8 R12 East, and W1/2 Sec. 6 T7 R12 East, containing twelve square miles. Ordered this the 26th day of May, A.D., 1916.
Ordered that the NE1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 29 T8 R12 be transferred from Mt. Vernon district to Mt. Zion and SE1/4 of SE1/4 of Sec. 30 T8 R12 be transferred from Mt. Zion to Mt. Vernon district.
Ordered that the Board rescind the act applying to Good Hope district as passed at last meeting of this Board, and the matter is left open to be considered at the next meeting.
Ordered that the Hero and Rocky Hill School districts be consolidated with Sweetwater and that the children of each school living two miles or more from the said Sweetwater School house be transported. The said consolidation shall be for one year, If after that time we decide it is all right it can be made permament, or if not satisfactory the said patrons of said schools have the right to have their old district reestablished.
There having been a vacancy declared on the Board of Trustees of Agricultural High School, caused by the term of D. Blackburn having expired, and it being the duty of this Board to elect a member of this Board, therefore D. Blackburn was put in nomination and unanimously elected for the next full term.
There being no further business the Board adjourned to meet again on the first Monday, the third day of July, 1916.
School Board:
A. L. Pennington M. G. Scarboroug, Supt.
F. S. Smith
C. O. Crane
W. H. Gibson
S. B. Gilbert

Decatur, Miss., Sept. 1, 1916

I have this day appointed L. A. Motley and M. B. Potter, each to succeed himself,
as members of the Teacher’s Examining Board. Each of their terms will expire Aug. 31, 1917.
M. G. Scarborough, Co. Supt. Newton Co.

Decatur, Miss., July 3d, 1916

The Newton County School Board met on above date with the following present: M. G. Scarborough, Chairman, A. L. Pennington, F. S. Smith, C. O. Crane, W. H. Gibson, and S. B. Gilbert.
The Board was called to order by the chairman and proceeded to businesses as follows; minutes of last meeting read for information.
Ordered that the white schools open on the first Monday of Oct., the second day, for the winter term of 1916 - 1917 and the Negro schools open on the third Monday the 16th day of Oct., 1916 for the winter term.
Ordered that the NW1/4 of Sec. 35 T8 R11 be transferred from Center Point School district to Stanper-Stratton School district and SW1/4 of Sec. 4 T7 R11 be transferred from Cross Roads school district to Center Point district.
On motion the Board adjourned until 1 o’clock P.M. when they met according to adjournment and proceeded to business as follows:
Ordered that the matter of the consolidation of Good Hope, Spring Hill and Pine Grove school districts be referred back to the patrons of the schools concerned and the Board refuses to take any action with reference to consolidation of these schools at this time.
Ordered that the north boundary line of Good Hope School district be and is the line running east and west between Township 5 and Township 6 north in Range 13 East.
Ordered that the S1/2 and NW1/4 of Sec. 33 T6N R13 East be added to consolidate school district.
Ordered that the S1/2 of Sec. 32 and SE1/4 of Sec. 31 T6 North Range 13 East be added to Berry School district.
Ordered that E1/2 of NW1/4 & W1/2 of NE1/4 & NE1/4 of NE1/4 Sec. 20 T8 R12 be transferred from Mt. Zion to Rock Branch School district.
Ordered that the following be allowed: A. L. Pennington for 3 days work and F. S. Smith 4 days, C. O. Crane 4 days, W. H. Gibson 4 days and S. B. Gilbert as members of School Board for Newton County.
There being no further business the Board adjourned to meet on call of County Superintendent.
School Board M. G. Scarborough
A. L. Pennington Supt.
F. S. Smith
C. O. Crane
W. H. Gibson
S. B. Gilbert

Decatur, Miss., Sept. 4, 1916

The Newton County School Board met on above date with the following named members present: Beat one, A. L. Pennington; Beat two, F. S. Smith; Beat three______; Beat four, W. H. Gibson; Beat five, S. B. Gilbert.
Beat one had nothing at this time.
Beat two had nothing at this time
Beat three
On motion it is ordered that the S1/2 of SE1/4 Sec. 21 and N1/2 of NE1/4 Sec. 28, and NW1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 27 Township 8 Range 11 be transferred from Stamper-Stratton School district to Erin School district.
Beat four
On petition of G. O. Roberts, C. C. Roberts, M. D. Roberts, E. D. Roberts, J. N. Roberts, M. R. Holyfield, W. W. Bender, A. F. Floyd, it is ordered that the Sand Hill School be transferred to the Town of Roberts, and the name be and is hereby changed to Roberts School in place of Sand Hill, and the school is allowed to open two weeks before the other white schools.
Ordered that the NE1/4 Sec. 15 and W1/2 of NW1/4 Sec. 14 T5 Range 11 be and is transferred from Liberty School district to Sycamore School district.
Ordered that the County Superintendent may pay to the colored teachers in Newton Separate School district any amount in his discretion not to exceed ten dollars per month.
Beat five
Ordered that the E1/2 of E1/2 of Sec. 32 T6 R12 be and is transferred from Berry School district to Consolidate School district.
On motion the following resolutions were adopted.
Whereas we are living in an age of progress; an age of specialist, when efficiency, thorough training and preparations are essential to the boy or girl who expects to take part in progressive measures or weild an influence for good in the larger affairs of life, and Whereas, the County School Board feels a deep interest in the up-building, and educational advancement of our county and anxious to do anything in our power to promote harmony, and enlarge the opportunities of our boys and girls, on whose shoulders must soon rest the responsibilities of county, state, national and church government; and Whereas believing it a truism that an educated, enlightened and Christian people can never be enslaved and believing further that this standard of efficiency can never be attained in the one teacher schools where eight grades are required to be taught and which can not be done efficiently by one teacher, Therefore be it resolved by the County School Board that we go on record as being heartily in favor, where conditions are favorable, of the consolidation of small inefficient one teacher schools into larger ones, where more and better teachers can be secured. To this end we invite the patrons of each one teacher school to give this matter patient, careful thought, and whenever conditions are favorable, and it can be done harmoniously, to consolidate and make our schools larger and more efficient, thereby keeping our county to the front in equipping our boys and girls for honorable useful citizenship.
Signed, Members of School Board:
A. L. Pennington
F. S. Smith
W. H. Gibson
S. B. Gilbert

There being no further business before the Board they adjourned to meet on call of County Supt.

M. G. Scarborough A. L. Pennington
County Supt. F. S. Smith
W. H. Gibson
S. B. Gilbert

Decatur, Miss., Sep. 22, 1916

The School Board of Newton county met on above date on call of the County Superintendent, with the following present: A. L. Pennington, F. S. Smith, C. O. Crane, W. H. Gibson, S. B. Gilbert.
The Board was called to order and proceeded to business as follows:
It appearing from the advice of the County Atty. that certain changes made in the location and boundaries of certain school districts were illegal in that they were made after the first of August, therefore it is ordered that all changes made in boundaries of school districts in Beat 3, at the Sept. 4 meeting of this Board, be and are rescinded.
It is also ordered that all changes in boundaries and locations of schools in Beat 4 made at this meeting held on Sept. 4, 1916, are and now rescinded.
It is also ordered that all changes made in boundaries of school districts made in Beat 5 at the Sept 4 meeting be and are rescinded.
It is further agreed that if the patrons of Sand Hill School agree for this session of school to be taught at the town of Roberts the School Board instructs the Supt. to pay this teacher the same as if the school is taught at Sand Hill.
There being no further business the Board adjourned to meet on call of Superintendent.
School board:
A. L. Pennington M. G. Scarborough, Supt.
F. S. Smith
C. O. Crane
W. H. Gibson
S. B. Gilbert

Decatur, Miss., May 25, 1917

The Newton County School Board met on above date with the following members present: A. L. Pennington, F. S. Smith, C. O. Crane, & S. B. Gilbert. Mr. W. H. Gibson was absent on the account of sickness. The board was called to order by the president and proceeded to business as follows:
Petition of Rube Rowzee et al to be transferred from Mt. Hebron district to Mt. Vernon district filed and continued.
Petition asking that N1/2 of Sec. 15 and NW1/4 of Sec. 14 T7 R12 be transferred from Mt. Hebron district to Chapel Hill district filed and continued.
Petition asking that S1/2 of Sec. 27 T7 R12 be transferred from Chapel Hill to Lebanon district, filed and continued.
Petition of Charley Cary to be transferred from Buena Vista to High Hill district filed and continued.
Beat 2
Petition of patrons of Witt School for extension of territory filed and continued.
On motion Board adjourned until 1 o’clock P.M.
The Board met pursuant to adjournment and proceeded to business as follows:
Petition of Vester Harrison, J. L. Harrison and W. H. Harrison to be transferred from Mt. Hebron district to Beulah district filed and continued.
Petition of V. R. Clearman and L. H. Wells to be transferred from Spring Chapel to Center Ridge district filed and continued.
Beat five
Petition for the extension of Chunky Separate district filed and continued.
Petition for the reestablishment of Rocky Hill district filed and continued.
Petition of W. A. Horn, W. J. Blass & M. L. Rayner to be transferred from Berry to Sand Spring district filed and continued.
Beat 3
Petition of Lee Vance to be transferred from Stamper-Stratton to Erin district filed and continued.
Petition of Maple Springs for extension of territory filed and continued.
Petition of G. W. Young to be transferred from Poplar Springs district to Lucern district filed and continued.
Petition of T. D. Dowdles to be transferred from Poplar Springs to Lucern district filed and continued.
Beat 4
Petition of Tallahalah School for the removal of school building and extension of territory filed and continued.
Petition of patrons of Sand Hill School for the removal of school house and extension of territory filed and continued.
On motion the Board adjourned to meet the 1st Monday the second day of July, 1917.
M. G. Scarborough, Pres.; A. L. Pennington, F. S. Smith, C. O. Crane, S. B. Gilbert, members.

Decatur, Miss., July 2, 1917

The Newton County School board met on above date with the following present: A. L. Pennington, F. S. Smith, C. O. Crane, and S. B. Gilbert. A quorum being present the Board was called to order by the president and proceeded to business as follows:
Beat 3
Ordered that petition of G. W. Young to be transferred from Poplart Springs to Lucern, being the SW1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 31 T8 R11 East, granted.
Ordered that T. D.Dowdles E1/2 of SE1/4 of NE1/4 Sec. 26 T8 R10 be transferred from Poplar Springs district to Lucern School district granted.
Beat 2
Ordered that the following territory be and the same is organized into Witts School distict: all of Sec. 2 & 11 and N1/2 of Sec. 10 T& R12 East and all of Sec. 35 (less N1/2 of NE1/4 and NE1/4 of NW1/4 and N1/2 of NW1/4 of NW1/4) and the SE1/4 of NE1/4 and S1/2 of Sec 34 (less SW1/4 of SW1/4 T8 R12 East. East 1/2 and E1/2 of SW1/4 Sec. 3 T7 R13 East. As per the outline.
Ordered that the petition of V R Clearman and L. H. Wells be continued until next meeting.
Ordered that the Harrison petition be continued until tomorrow.
Beat one
Petition for the S1/2 of Sec. 27 to be transferred from Chapel Hill to Lebanon district withdrawn.
Ordered that the S1/2 of Sec. 10 T7 R12 East be transferred from Hebron to Mt. Vernon.
Ordered that the N1/2 of Sec. 15 and NW1/4 of Sec. 14 be transferred from Hebron to Chapel Hill.
Beat 3
Ordered that W1/2 NE1/4 and NE1/4 of NE1/4 and N1/2 of NW1/4 of SE1/4 of Sec. 11 T8 R 10 East to be transferred from Walnut Springs to Maple Springs district, also SE1/4 of NE1/4 and E1/2 of SE1/4 and SW1/4 of SE1/4 and SE1/4 of SW1/4 of Sec. 3 T8 R10 be transferred from Prospect to Maple Springs district.
Ordered that SW1/4 of SW1/4 Section 27 T8 R11 and N1/2 of NW1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 34 T8 R11 and E1/2 of NE1/4 Section 28 T8 R11 East be transferred from Stamper-Stratton to Erin district.
On motion the Board adjourned until Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock.
The Board met Tuesday morning pursuant to adjournment with the following present: A. L. Pennington, F. S. Smith, C. O. Crane, W. G. Gibson, & S. B. Gilbert. The board was called to order and proceeded to business as follows;
Tuesday morning, July 3, 1917
Beat one
Ordered that NE1/4 of Sec. 15 and W1/2 of NW1/4 Sec. 14 T5 R11 be transferred from Liberty to Sycamore district. Petition of Sand Hill School to be removed to Roberts continued until next meeting, July 25, 1917.
Ordered that SE1/4 and S1/2 of NE1/4 and E1/2 of SW1/4 and SE1/4 and SE1/4 of NW1/4 Sec. 26, and S1/2 of NW1/4 Sec. 25 T7 R11 East be transferred from Buena Vista to High Hill and N1/2 of N1/2 of Sec. 30 and S1/2 of S1/3 Sec. 19 T7 R12 be transferred from High Hill to Buena Vista.
Beat 2
Ordered that N1/2 of NE1/4 and NE14 of NW1/4 of Sec. 36 and SE1/4 of SW1/4 Sec. 25 and S1/2 of NE1/4 of SW1/4 and E1/2 of SW1/4 of SW1/4 of Sec. 25 T8 R12 be transferred from Hebron to Beulah and SE1/4 of Sec. 25 T8 R12 be transferred from Hebron to Pine Ridge district.
Beat 5
Petition of Chunky Separate District continued until next meeting.
Petition of Rocky Hill continued until next meeting.
Ordered that the NW1/4 of Sec. 25 and N1/2 of Sec. 26 be added to Sand Springs district T6N R12 East.
Beat 5 Colored Schools
Ordered that Hickman Chapel, Miles and Good Hope colored school be consolidated into one school located at Good Hope, said consolidation to take effect in the summer of 1918, and said school to try said consolidation one term, and if satisfactory, to become permanent.
On motion the Board adjourned to meet on July 25, at 9 o’clock A.M. to continue the consideration of school boundaries etc.
School Board: M. G. Scarborough
A. L. Pennington County Supt.
F. S. Smith
C. O. Crane
W. H. Gibson
S. B. Gilbert

Decatur, Miss., July 25, 1917
The School Board of Newton County met on above date pursuant to adjournment. with the following present: Beat one, A. L. Pennington; Beat two, F. S. Smith; Beat 3, C. O. Crane; Beat 4, W. H. Gibson; Beat 5, S. B. Gilbert. After being called to order by the County Superintendent, proceeded to business as follow:
Beat one
There was nothing from Beat one.
Beat two
The petition of V. R. Clearman and L. H. Walls, to be transferred from Spring Chapel district to Center Ridge, is hereby rejected for the reason that there would not be enough territory left in the Spring Chapel district.
Ordered that Battlefield colored school be made a line school with Lauderdale County.
Beat three
Petition of J. W. Vance to be transferred from Walnut Springs district to Lucern district rejected, on account of taking too much territory from Walnut Springs and also on account of irregularity of boundary line.
Beat four
Ordered the Prestridge colored school be discontinued on account of patrons living in Lawrence or Lake Separate districts and its territory added to Union Grove and Good News district.
Petition of Patrons of Tallahalah dismissed for lack of interest.
Petition of Patrons of Pleasant Grove Colored School dismissed.
Beat 5
Petition of D. Martin and others from Chunky dismissed for lack of prosecution.
Ordered that Rocky Hill district be reestablished and that it shall comprise the following territory, to wit: E1/2 of Sec. 2, all of Secs. 11, 13, 14, 22, 23, 26 and E1/2 of 27, and E1/2 of 15, and all of Sec. 24 except the E1/2 of E1/2 and all of Sec. 25 except E1/2 of E1/2, all in T5 R12 E.
Petition of J. M. Caldwell to be transferred from Lebanon to Berry district embracing the following territory: SW1/4 and W1/2 of SE1/4 Sec. 7 T6 R13.
On motion it is ordered that the white school open on Oct. 15, 1917, and the colored schools will begin on Oct. 29, 1917.
On motion the School Board presents a memorial to Board of Supervisors on behalf of the rural schools.
On motion the Board adjourned until 6 o’clock Thursday morning the 26th of July to consider the moving of Sand Hill School to Roberts and changing the name from Sand Hill to Roberts.
Thursday morning, 6 o'clock, July 26, 1917
The School Board met above date pursuant to adjournment with the following present: A. L. Pennington, F. S. Smith, C. O. Crane, W. H. Gibson, S. B. Gilbert. Called to order by Supt. and passed the following order:
After investigation we believe it is best for the Sand Hill School to be located at Roberts. Therefore we hereby and now order the Sand Hill School to be moved to the town of Roberts and the name shall be and is changed to Roberts, when the deed to suitable property is in the hands of the proper authority.
There being no further business the Board adjourned to meet when the Supt. saw fit to call them together.
M. G. Scarborough School Board:
Supt. A. L. Pennington
F. S. Smith
C. O. Crane
W. H. Gibson
S. B. Gilbert

Decatur, Miss., August 28, 1917
I have this day appointed John Harmon and Miss Kate Williams members of the County Teacher’s Examining Board to succeed M. B. Potter and L. A. Motley, whose terms expire Aug. 31, 1917. Said newly appointed members terms will begin Sept. 1, 1917 and end Aug. 31, 1918.
M. C. Scarborough
County Supt. Education, Newton County