The Bluefield Public Schools, Mercer County, West Virginia The Bluefield Public Schools Source: History of Education in West Virginia Prepared under the direction of the State Superintendent of Free Schools 1904, Charleston: The Tribune Printing Company, 1904 pgs. 134 - 137 The Bluefield Public Schools BY C. A. FULWIDER, SUPT. THE CITY The city of Bluefield, situated on the N. & W. railroad, ten miles east of the great Flat Top Coal Field, and being the distributing point for all the coal mined in this vast field, has had a phenomenal material progress, and the educational interests have by no means been neglected. In 1888, where the farmer tilled his crops and his cattle grazed over the verdant hills unmolested, is now (1904) Bluefield, a bustling city of 10,000 inhabitants, with a school population of 1,800. SCHOOL BUILDINGS The first school building was a frame house of four rooms, erected in 1889. But this did not supply the growing population with adequate school accommodations very long, and in 1895 a handsome, modern- styled brick building of ten rooms and office was erected, at a cost of $20,000. Since 1895 three other frame buildings with one, two and tour rooms have been erected. The city now has, including the building for the colored school, six buildings. The Peck-Hammond system of heating and ventilation, with dry closet attachment, has been recently Installed in the high school build- ing. GRADED SCHOOL The history of the public schools of Bluefleld, as a graded system, does not begin until 1893, when the Board of Education established a Graded School and appointed Mr. N. B. Studebaker Principal, with eight assist- ant teachers. Mr. Studebaker was Principal for two years, and was suc- ceeded by Mr. J. J. D. Medley, who, with thirteen assistants, served until his death in February, 1897. Mr. V. V. Austin was made acting Principal for the rest of the school year. C. A. Fulwider was elected Principal in the autumn of 1897, and served in that capacity until 1903, when he was made city Superintendent and Principal of the High School. The number of his assistants has been increased from year to year until now (1903-4) he has twenty-one teachers. SALARIES The Superintendent is paid $1,000 per annum; the assistant Principal, who is also Secretary of the faculty, $65 per month, and the rest of the teachers receive $45 per month. COURSE OF STUDY Previous to the year 1903 the course of study comprised only the common school branches with the addition of algebra, literature, rhetoric, and geometry. In 1903 the High School was organized and the course arranged to include thirteen years; three primary, four intermediate, two grammar, and four high school. The High School course includes grammar, rhetoric, history, literature, physical geography, algebra, Latin, German, geometry, physics, botany, geology, and free hand drawing. DISCIPLINE Each teacher has charge of his room for disciplinary purposes, and in all matters of discipline the teacher is held responsible, and every encour- agement is given to make teachers independent of other authority An appeal from the teacher to the Superintendent is allowed. At the close of each school month a report of each pupil is sent home, showing his record tor the month in attendance, punctuality, deportment, and in the studies pursued. BOARD OF EDUCATION The following gentlemen now compose the Board of Education: Mr. R. M. Calfee, President; Messrs. H. N. White and W. H. Thomas, Com- missioners; Mr. H. G. White, Secretary. These gentlemen are all thorough business men, and their policy is liberal and progressive. They endeavor to keep the schools abreast of the times. TEACHERS FOR 1903-4 The teaching force for the present year is as follows: Superintendent and Principal of High School-C. A. Fulwider. Assistant Principal and Secretary of Faculty-V. V. Austin. Teachers-Miss Nan McCutchan, Mr. A. A. Hopkins, Mr. James Kahle, Mr. A. C. Johnston, Miss Kate Beckett, Miss Mollie Wright, Miss Viola Peters, Miss Jennie Sadler, Miss Mary St. Clair, Miss Dora Barnett, Misa Mary Clendenen, Mrs. Sue Tickle, Miss Virginia Kahle, Miss Blanche Hale, Miss Churchill Gooch, Miss Martha Shannon, Miss Sallie Shumate, Miss Celia Hawkins, Miss Haven Strader and Miss Minnie Shannon. COLORED SCHOOL Principal-R. F. Douglas. Teachers-Miss Hattie W. Booze, Miss Roxie A. McDonald and Mrs. C. E. Cozzens. Nearly all the present corps of teachers are very ambitious and show a marked desire to excel in their work. Nine are graduates of Normal schools, and five are graduates of other reputable schools. At present all are pursuing the professional course of study pre- scribed by State Superintendent Miller tor the West Virginia Teachers' Reading Circle. ENROLLMENT OF PUPILS FOR 1903-4 There are eleven hundred white and two hundred colored children en- rolled in the Bluefield schools this year. Submitted by Valerie Crook **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************