Information Researched and Published as a Master's Thesis by Ex-Superintendent of Brantley County Schools, Jimmy Thornton (Now Deceased)
THIRTY-EIGHT SCHOOLS INHERITED
When Brantley County commenced operation in January 1, 1921, there were a total of thirty-eight schools located within its boundaries, comprising a total of 1,873 school children which were received from the three counties involved.
The school buildings in which the early teachers taught were of wood type construction. The buildings were usually located on one-acre land plots with unimproved playgrounds. Many of the schoolhouses did not have bathroom facilities and usually, if they were available, they would be in poor conditions, sitting about 50 yards behind the school building. (The more prominent schools had "three-hole" facilities.)
Almost all of the schools were one-teacher schools with most of the supplies being furnished by the teacher. The equipment usually consisted of only long benches and blackboards.
The Board of Education adopted the policy that a school must have a daily average of 45 students to have two teachers; 80 students for three teachers, and 115 students for four teachers. Salaries were fixed at a minimum of $35.00 per month and rose from there, depending on the type certificate held.
| CHARLTON COUNTY (3) | PIERCE COUNTY (12) | WAYNE COUNTY (23) |
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SCHOOL DISTRICTS
The county was divided into districts and each district was responsible for running its schools. Three local trustees were elected from each district. The Board of Education did not handle district funds. When the tax collector collected the taxes of a district, he would in turn give to the local trustees the millage appropriated for their schools. The total value of all property in Brantley County, according to the 1920 returns was $3,318,943. Over half the property that was taxed was owned by the railroads and other corporations; therefore, the school districts located near the railroads would receive the most money. State funds were channeled through the Board of Education and were allotted to the local school districts on a per diem basis of pupils.
In 1924, a rate of 15 mills was adopted for county tax purposes with 4 1/2 mills included for education. Each district then had its own mileage rate, which was paid to support education in each local district. If schools were built, a bond issue was voted on in that particular district, and the citizens of the district were responsible for paying the bonded indebtedness.
The method of distribution to the various districts stayed basically the same until the adoption of the new State Constitution in 1945.
CONSOLIDATION OF BRANTLEY COUNTY SCHOOLS (1921-1969)
During the period of 1921-1928, consolidation of schools progressed at a rapid pace. Many of the schools were consolidated, because the people of the districts wanted to come into a larger school, but the major reason was because they were located in a district with a low tax base and did not have the funds to operate their schools. Even in the early years, you could see a movement toward the districts that had railroads, therefore a higher tax base and more funds for educational purposes. During the period, fourteen schools had consolidated, all under the administration of Mr. Everett Knox as County School Superintendent.
The year 1928, brought to a conclusion the administration of Everett Knox, as Superintendent of Brantley County Schools. Mr. Knox contributed greatly to the educational system of Brantley County. He started and developed a school system operating with very meager funds, in a period of our history that it was very difficult to exist and provide the necessities of life. During his administration we see schools consolidated from 38 to 22. We also see five new brick schools built during his administration, which was not only difficult, but almost impossible.
We see school bond elections accepted by the people totaling $103,000 in a rural area where very few people possessed money except from the crops they harvested and the money they received from their turpentine. This was a period in which the state was spending only $5.35 a year per Georgian on education -- 8/10 of one percent of the total income of her people, or to make it more vivid, eight cents out of $10.00. Georgia was spending less for education per inhabitant than any other state in the south. Could another man have succeeded in this situation as Mr. Knox did? I can not answer this question, but I know that Mr. Everett Knox did succeed. (Mr. Knox died in a car accident near Callahan, Florida, November 23, 1936).