THE HISTORY OF EDUCATION IN LAKE CHARLES

FROM 1907 - 1937

by

Inez Agnes Schindler

A Thesis
Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the
Louisiana State University and
Agricultural and Mechanical College
In partial fulfillment of the
Requirements for the degree of

Master of Arts
in
The Department of Education
by
Inez Agnes Schindler

B. A., Southwestern Louisiana Institute, 1929
1940

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The writer wishes to express her appreciation to the following persons for their assistance in the preparation of this study: Dean C. A. Ives, for his advice and suggestions during the preparation; and to the following for their aid in furnishing sources of information: Superintendent Ward Anderson of the Lake Charles schools, Superintendent H. A. Norton of Calcasieu Parish, and Miss Louise Fort.

IN MEMORY OF MY PARENTS

Mr. and Mrs. O. T. Schindler
Whose early training and many sacrifices have made this attainment possible.

ABSTRACT

The Lake Charles City Schools have evolved from schools under the Calcasieu Parish system in 1841, which were stimulated by the state laws and acts that affected all communities and parishes of the state, to the present system, which had its beginning in 1907, it is intended to cover in this thesis the study of the Lake Charles School system from that date. Some of the principal sources of data for this study are Superintendent’s Reports, Census Report, Newspaper Files, and School Board Minutes.

It is the writer’s purpose to deal in this study with some or all of the following factors: the superintendent, the School Board, growth of the elementary school, the development of the high school and its studies, school support, qualification of teachers, housing of schools, salary schedules, and outstanding policies or events not included in the other factors.

This survey falls naturally into three different periods, each characterized by a change in the City Superintendency.

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The people of Lake Charles have steadily manifested an interest in the education of their children. They are proud of the fact that the Lake Charles public schools have kept pace with the proud rapid educational progress of the state and nation, and that the people of Louisiana have constantly manifested an educational interest in their children. This was stated by Mr. T. H. Harris, the State Superintendent of Education, who said: (1) "Even in the early days of the territory, few subjects engaged the thoughtful attention of the population more than the education of the children."

By 1900, John McNeese, the Superintendent of Calcasieu Parish, found the duties of his office had become so complex that he urged that the parish school board to create a city superintendent of schools, as shown in his report to the School Board. (2)

I urge the necessity of a City Superintendent and desire to call attention to the fact that in each district or ward school, one teacher has to do the work of three in the Central School. The City District schools are now entirely peculiar to rural conditions.

Therefore, though more expensive, I recommend that in each of the City Districts the grading and classification be as thorough and as complete as in the City Central and High School. All such needing the entire time of one man to superintend.

Although the School Board did not see fit to accept his recommendation, they did recognize the magnitude of the task which he had to perform.

The vast amount of work which McNeese had to do still pressed him, and so in January of 1903 (3) he recommended the employment of an assistant superintendent, in order that he might give his time to the supervision of teaching. No action was taken by the board until 1904. At this time the board acted upon McNeese’s recommendation concerning an assistant superintendent of city schools. (4)

After more funds had been assured by the passage of the school tax law in 1905, (5) the board authorized that a room be equipped as an office for the city superintendent. Later in the month Mr. Squires was relieved of his duties as principal of the High School; he was then able to devote his entire time and attention to the ward schools. He continued in this capacity until the date of his resignation in 1906. (6)

The act passed by the Legislature creating a City School System in Lake Charles, Louisiana, was Act. No. 90 of 1906. (7) This act passed almost exactly as drafted.

An article in the Lake Charles American gave a satisfactory summary of the terms of the Act as follows:

An act providing for complete separate control of the school affairs of the city was to be vested in the City Board, and was drafted by City Attorney Overton, at the request of the City Board of directors. The act, in substance, provided for a board of five members to be elected at large from the city. All members are required to read and write the English language and to be qualified voters of the city. They are to be elected under the general election laws of the State. The board is to have power to elect a superintendent and fix his salary, and the superintendent is to have the same general qualifications as the parish superintendent. He is to be the secretary of the City Board and the treasurer of the City School finances. The City Board can create no debt and no city official can be a member of the board.

Separation took place officially on April 19, 1907, although it had been in effect actually since December 1906. By the middle of the year, 1907, the city system was fairly-well established as a separate institution, with all school property in the possession of the City School Board, and the status of the City Superintendent became independent of that of the Parish Superintendent.

At a called meeting of the School Board in May, the applications of Mr. B. F. Dudley, Mr. James A. Williams, and Mr. Chamberlain were considered for the position of city superintendent. (9) Dudley was unanimously elected as first City Superintendent, at a yearly salary set up as $1,500. (10) He was city superintendent for only one year. During Mr. Dudley’s short term nothing much was done other than to organize the City School System, and legally convey the city school property to the City School Board.

CHAPTER II

THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUPERINTENDENT

E. S. JENKINS, MAY 1907 - JUNE 1914

Mr. E. S. Jenkins was unanimously elected City Superintendent of Lake Charles City Schools and also High School Principal at the School Board meeting of May 6, 1907. (1) He was elected for one year beginning August 14, 1907, at a salary of $2,000 for twelve months. Mr. Jenkins was born in Tennessee, and from his youth had been interested in the development of the public schools in the South.

School Board. The first School Board members of the Lake Charles City Schools were men of high character, and had the development of the public education of the children of the city as their foremost interest. They represented the leading business and professional men of the city.

They were: (2) Messrs. Leon Locke, a lawyer, and State Senator Frank Haskell, a judge, J. A. Williams, a lawyer, H. W. Rock, a merchant, and Jesse J. Nelson, a lumberman. Mr. Locke was chosen president, and Mr. A. A. Wentz, a realtor, was the first secretary but not a board member.

At another Board meeting in May 1907, (3) on motion of Mr. Jenkins it was ordered that all meetings of the Board be held in the Council Chambers and open to all citizens.

Health was considered by the superintendent as being a very important matter, for at the May meeting he influenced the board to adopt a resolution which stated in part that no principal or teacher in the schools receive any pupil who had any infection or contagious decease, unless said pupil present a certificate by the attending physician showing recovery and proper fumigation.

At this meeting the board clearly stated the superintendent’s duties and requested that at each regular monthly meeting of the board the superintendent submit a report in writing, covering in detail the following points: (4)

At the request of Mr. Jenkins the first teacher’s contracts made their appearance in August 1907. Mr. Williams, who had become the president of the board to obtain same.

Mr. Leon Locke resigned from the School Board in December 1908. (5) The vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Locke from the school Board was filled by R. L. Coleman, a realtor.

The board had two more vacancies in 1911, which were filled by Messrs. Kyle Ramsey, the Chief Deputy Sheriff, and Thomas F. Porter, Jr., a lawyer. Both were good business men and interested in the welfare of the City Schools.

In 1913 the board had three new members to take office; they were: (6) Messrs, J. B. Kent, a lawyer, J. H. Collette, a merchant, and J. W. Ory, a contractor, to serve with the two former board members who were: Messrs. J. A. Williams, and R. L. Coleman. All these men served the City as faithful board members, and reflected their high ideals in their many undertakings for the betterment of the Lake Charles City Schools.

The board lost a faithful member, Mr. J. H. Collette, who died in August 1913, and also lost another interested worker and member by the resignation of Mr. R. L. Coleman, who resigned July 23, 1914. (7)

These two vacancies on the board were filled by the appointment by the Governor of Messrs. Leon Sugan [Sugar], a lawyer, and H. L. Blackwell, a lumberman. They, too, were men of high character and were interested in the further development of the City Schools.

Growth of the Elementary and High School

Discipline. Discipline of the highest type was recommended by Superintendent Jenkins, and corporal punishment was made lawful in the City Schools in the spring of 1912, (8) but later that year the board passed a resolution which stated that any principal or teacher who inflicted corporal punishment without having a written permit from the parent, and without having first filed said written authority with the secretary of the board shall be immediately discharged from the school. This question of corporal punishment was one which was frequently discussed and acted upon by the superintendent and the board. Several teachers were discharged from teaching in Lake Charles because of nonobservance of this rule. And corporal punishment was not allowed in any of the City Schools beginning in the fall of 1913.

Cheating or doing unfair school work was considered a grave offense by the superintendent and he was responsible in having the board pass the following motion: (9)

That in the future any pupil in the City Schools of Lake Charles, caught in any of cheating or doing unfair work, in addition to the penalties already inflicted, by resolutions of this board, is hereby prohibited from taking any honors during the rest of their school life in Lake Charles, between the fifth to and including the senior in High School.

The superintendent disciplined the teacher to some extent in regard to their social activities. (10) He was the one who influenced the board to pass a motion which stated in part that when making contracts with the teachers, the superintendent is authorized and instructed to have inserted in the contract of employment with the teacher, that social duties are not to interfere with the efficiency of the teacher, or with her school work, and the School are to be exclusive judges, that the teachers’ social duties are interfering with her school work, such teacher or teachers shall be discharged upon two weeks’ notice.

Good attendance is urged. To secure good attendance at school Superintendent Jenkins rewarded the pupils. He was instrumental in getting a motion approved by the School Board, (11) that a half holiday be given each month to the room showing the best attendance in each of the Ward Schools.

In August 1909, (12) the attendance at the City Schools of pupils from outside the City district was settled. The superintendent had the board to affirm that all pupils attending school from outside the district would have to pay $5.00 per month for the high school pupils and $2.50 for the pupils in the grades below the high school.

Good attendance at school was urged by Mr. Jenkins (13) at another time when he was successful in getting the board members interested in this problem, to the extent that they passed a motion which stated in part that principals were authorized and instructed to suspend pupils after a second absence unexcused by the principal. And when it became necessary to suspend a pupil it would be the duty of the principal making the suspension to immediately notify the parent or guardian of said pupil, in writing, and at the same time file a copy of said notification together with a reason for the suspension and with whatever statement he might care to make regarding the case with the superintendent.

The attendance of all teachers, both white and colored, at the State Teachers’ Convention in 1910 (14) was urged by the superintendent, and the board ruled that all teachers attending the Convention would be paid their regular salaries.

Health of pupils and teachers. The improvement of the school children’s health was of foremost importance as was shown in the board minutes of 1908. (15) The board requested, at the suggestion of Superintendent Jenkins that the Calcasieu Parish Medical Society be asked to name five physicians to examine the children in the City Schools as the law directs. It was desired to name one for First Ward white and colored schools, one for the Second Ward white and colored schools, two for the Third Ward white and colored schools, one for the Fourth Ward white and colored High Schools, and to fix the fees for said work. Mrs. W. L. Egan and C. W. Loomis were employed to examine all pupils in all the schools for the sum of $450.00 for both doctors.

The board had the superintendent procure the necessary report cards for the physical examinations of the pupils of the several schools.

The health of the teachers (16) was considered, in so far as their salaries were not reduced if they were ill, and they could furnish a doctor’s certificate of sickness before receiving pay for the time they were ill.

Standards raised and new courses added. Mr. Jenkins deemed it necessary to lengthen the school term if the school were to progress, so in 1909 (17) the board passed a motion regarding this matter, which stated that the term of school in all Ward Schools be extended from six months to eight months, and that of the High School to nine months, provided the board could use for that purpose the $500 appropriation from the state. (The $500 appropriation to be received from the State under an Act adopted by the Legislature in 1908 for specific aid to high school.)

The superintendent has the standards raised again in 1909. Mr. Jenkins convinced the board of this need, and the board passed the following resolution:

Resolved, that it is the sense of this body, that when a pupil in any grade makes under 65% in any two studies for a month, that the City Superintendent has by the State Course of Study on page 475, the right to serve notice on the parent or guardian that unless 75% is made in each of those subjects in the next month, that said pupil will be demoted to the next lower class, and further has the authority to such demotions in case the condition is not fulfilled.

Mr. Jenkins asked the board to employ a music supervisor for the city schools of Lake Charles, and to have music and drawing taught in the second grade through the sixth grade. The board granted these requests in June 1911. (18)

The board wished to encourage pupils to be kind to all dumb animals, so the superintendent was authorized by the board to arrange to have one day set aside each year to be known as "Humanity Day." This would aid in the study of animal life as well as to observe kind treatment of them. This was the first attempt at teaching nature study.

In 1912 (19) two new courses were introduced into the City Schools. They were domestic science and manual training courses.

Adult education in domestic science courses was provided for the women of Lake Charles in 1913. (20) This course was offered on Friday of each school week, no charges were made for same, and the membership of the class was made by application to the superintendent.

The business department of the High School in 1913 was improved, first by the superintendent purchasing new equipment, and second by the board enlarging the department in general.

The colored school was aided in its agricultural work by the School Board’s appropriation of $20.00 with which to buy seeds; and also by the superintendent furnishing a team for ploughing the school garden.

Curriculum of the Lake Charles Schools (White)
(1907 – 1914)

The elementary grades in 1907-1914 included the fundamental subjects and such activities as vocal music, drawing, manual training, home economics, paper folding, and penmanship.

The High School offered at this period such subjects as: algebra, physical geography, literature, English, Latin (elective), the arts, botany, zoology, geometry, history, physiology, bookkeeping (elective), physics, stenography and typewriting (elective), English history (elective), Chemistry, music, penmanship, drawing and physical culture.

School Support

When the City Schools were separated from the Parish Schools and had its own school system, the question of financing the City Schools was an important one. The tax payers found it necessary to have a tax election in 1908. This tax was not a satisfactory one, so after two years it was repealed. The Financial statement given by the superintendent was as follows: (21)

1909 - 1910

State Appropriation $5,589.43
Poll Taxes $1,618.00
Fines and forfeiture $699.81
Special School taxes $39,186.22
Other Sources $1,048.59
Total $48,142.05
Expenditures $45,847.83
Balance July 1, 1910 $2,294.22

1910 - 1911

State Appropriation $6,635.58
Special School taxes $35,740.81
Total Receipts $48,743.40
Expenditures $40,175.36
Balance July 1, 1911 $8,568.04

A controversy arose in September, 1910, (22) between the City School Board and the City regarding the question, who should pay the expenses of holding the Primary for the nomination of school officers. The question was settled by the Attorney General who declared that the cost should be borne by the City and not by the School Board.

In 1911 (23) the School Board requested at the suggestion of Mr. Jenkins that the State Superintendent remit to the City School Board the pro rata of state apportionments and other appropriations belonging to the City, direct, instead of through the Calcasieu Parish Board. The request was granted.

In this same year the Citizens Committee passed a resolution regarding the school financing, and the School Board of the City of Lake Charles heartily approved the following recommendation of the Citizens committee: (24)

We find the assessed valuation of the City of Lake Charles for the year 1911, will be about $3,700,000, that the city now has voted bonds to the amount of $200,000 not counting the $160,000 Sewerage bonds, which the City Attorney in a verbal opinion given our chairman, claims should not be considered as an obligation against the City of Lake Charles.

We, therefore, recommend that a three mill tax for a period of thirty years be voted for the purpose of retiting (sic) a bond issue of $160,000 for the purpose of erecting a modern fire-proof school buildings, and that a 7 mill tax for a period of ten years be voted for the maintenance of our public schools. These taxes if carried will take place of the now existing ten mill tax, which is for maintenance of the Public School only, which said ten mill tax will then be cancelled and be of no further effect. And earnestly hope that same will be adopted. (Election was held and the above resolution carried.)

At this same meeting Mr. Andrew T. Caldwell took his oath of office and bond as the first bonded treasurer of the City School Board.

The board saw the need for equalizing assessments within the City in March 1913, (25) so requested of the proper authorities that these irregularities and inequalities in property assessments be equalized, and that the equalizing of these assessments would largely increase the revenues of the city and solve many of the financial problems facing both the City Council and the School Board. The Board proposed to bear its proportionate share of the cost of the work necessary and incidental in the premises.

The question of the parish children attending the City School and the city pupils attending the Parish schools and the cost of same was governed by a law passed by the two boards which was: (26)

That the pupils of Ward Three, Calcasieu Parish, be allowed to attend the Lake Charles Schools upon the same terms as those of last year ($5.00 per month for High School pupils and $2.50 per month for the grades below the High School) with the following exception to wit: any pupil in the district adjoining the city wishing to attend the Parish Schools instead of the City Schools, or vice versa will be allowed to do so, and his name stricken from the enumeration of said district provided the parent or guardian of said pupil notifies in writing, the city and parish superintendents of their intentions before a school term begins. That a new enumeration of said district be made, the city furnishing an enumerator and the parish one also. Further that the pupils of the entire parish be invited to attend the Lake Charles High School at actual cost, to be determined by the parish and city superintendents --- Further that this contract is made for a period of two years.

Both school boards had the superintendent of the City Schools and the superintendent of the Parish Schools select men to make the enumeration, to carry out the agreement between the City and Parish School Boards.

The City School Board seemed to conduct the financing of the Lake Charles City School satisfactorily from 1907 - 1914, under the guiding hand of Superintendent E. S. Jenkins.

Qualification of Teachers

The superintendent and the School Board of Lake Charles have always encouraged their teachers to equip themselves along the line of sound scholarship. As early as 1911 the School Board made this demand upon its teachers, the motion was: (27)

"That no teacher should be elected in the City Schools without a first grade certificate as the State Law requires a first grade certificate."

Mr. Jenkins encouraged the teachers to attend the State Teacher’s Convention held in the various cities throughout the state. He said it was a means in aiding the teachers to become better acquainted with other teachers and with newer methods, and by this contact develop into better teachers. From 1907 - 1914 very little else was done in regard to improving teacher qualifications.

The question in regard to hiring married teachers came before the School Board in 1914, (28) and it was decided by the Board that in the selection of teachers, married women should not be discriminated against.

Housing of Schools

In 1907 the school buildings for the white children in the City Schools were small wooden structures, but were adequate in housing children of the schools in Lake Charles. The colored children’s needs for an adequate school building were provided for at the time (1910). (29) The board purchased a site for the Second Ward Colored School in the H. A. Fisher Subdivision at a cost of $875.00, and on this ground a modern two story brick school building was erected.

In December, 1911, (30) the superintendent and the board outlined plans for new school buildings for the white children of the city. The firm of Favrot and Livaudais of New Orleans were selected to make plans and specifications for the four new school buildings to be erected in the city.

The Board of Directors of Favrot and Livaudais, Ltd., located in New Orleans passed the following resolution regarding the contract awarded them viz: (31)

Resolved, That the Vice President, L. A. Livaudais, be and is herby authorized to enter into contract with the School Board of the City of Lake Charles, Louisiana, for the drawing up of plans and specifications and for superintending the construction of their new school buildings at Lake Charles, Louisiana, upon such terms and conditions as he may agree upon.

The School Board instructed Mr. Livaudais to prepare specifications for, First, Second, Third and Fourth Ward School buildings according to plans submitted at its meeting in January 30, 1912. (32)

The President appointed at this same meeting, Mr. Ramsey and Mr. Porter, a committee to see Mr. H. C. Drew and the City Council to ask for a donation of 60 x 250 feet of Drew Park for school purposes. The President also appointed Mr. Haskell and Mr. Coleman, a committee, to see about the purchase of an additional lot at the Second Ward School.

Mr. Jenkins requested a call meeting of the board on March 21, 1912, (33). At this meeting he wanted the board to look over the plans and specifications for the school buildings with the architect. At this meeting the board approved of the plans and specifications as presented by the architect, and the architect was instructed to advertise for bids for the building of the same. The only change was that the new Central School building be fronted south. The local papers were directed to advertise for bids for the building of the several schools, and also for bids for the moving of the old school buildings.

The Board received and considered bids made for building the four ward schools on April 26, 1912, and the following resolution was passed: (34)

Be it resolved that the bid of Reinhardt and Donovan Company, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, of one hundred twenty-three thousand sixty-six and no 100 dollars ($123, 066.00) being the lowest bid, adding alternates numbers one and including the moving of the Second, Third and Fourth Ward School buildings, using pressed specified, adding gallery to auditorium, and using wire lath, be accepted and the President of the board is authorized to sign the contract with said bidder on behalf of this board, the contract to be in accordance with the conditions for estimating, and to include clause suggested that contractor agree that the contract shall be interpreted by, and all rights and liabilities there under, determined by the law of the State of Louisiana, and the decisions of its Supreme Court. Time limit for erection of Third Ward School building to be not over six months and for the other three buildings four months.

The three Ward School buildings were completed in 1913, (35) and the board took $50,000.00 insurance on the buildings and contents of same.

At the School Board meeting in February 1914, Mr. Jenkins discussed the question of building a new colored school in the Fourth Ward, after which the board authorized the superintendent to make plans for a building suitable for a colored school in the Fourth Ward large enough for two rooms and to employ two teachers for this school.

The Resignation of Superintendent

Much to the regret of the School Board and the citizens of Lake Charles, Mr. E. S. Jenkins resigned his office after faithfully serving as City Superintendent of the City Schools in Lake Charles from August 14, 1907 until June 9, 1914. He was a good superintendent, and worked hard for the development of the City Schools. The Resolution passed by the School Board regarding Mr. Jenkins’ resignation was stated well, viz: (36)

Whereas Superintendent E. S. Jenkins has signified to this board his intention not to be a candidate to succeed himself at the expiration of his present term and

Whereas for the past seven years he has served this board and the Community at large faithfully and well as superintendent of the City Schools: therefore be it resolved by the City School Board of the City of Lake Charles that it is with profound regret that this board is informed of the intention of Superintendent Jenkins no to be a candidate to succeed himself at eh expiration of his present term of office;

Resolved further, That during his seven years incumbency as Superintendent of the City Schools, Professor Jenkins has ever been a faithful, devoted, and efficient public officer, and servant, and that to him more than to any other one individual is due credit for the splendid public school buildings which are the pride of the city, and the excellent public school system of the City which is said not to be excelled by any in the State;

Resolved further, That this board by these resolutions express its appreciation of the work done by Mr. Jenkins during his long term of office, and assures him that where ever he may go, or whatever the future may have in store for him, he will ever have following him the good wishes of this board.

It was at the same meeting of the board in June, 1914, that the board passed a resolution expressing its grief of the death of John McNeese, the "Grand Old Man" of the profession of teaching. He had served thirty years as the Superintendent of the public schools of Calcasieu Parish.

TABLE I

Data Concerning Children and Teachers
In Lake Charles, 1909 to 1913,
Inclusive*

*Superintendent’s Annual Report.

TABLE II

Salary Schedule:
Monthly Salaries of Teachers
In the Lake Charles Schools*
1907 to 1914, Inclusive

*Local City School Board Minutes, years 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914.

CHAPTER III

THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUPERINTENDENT

J. N. YEAGER, AUGUST 1914 - JULY 1919

The School Board met in August 1914 (1) at a call meeting of the President to elect a superintendent for the Lake Charles City Schools.

The nomination of Mr. J. N. Yeager, and Mr. H. P. Wall were made by the board members. The secretary had a roll call vote which resulted as follows: Messrs. Blackwell, Ory, Sugar, and Williams voting for J.N. Yeager, (four votes), and Mr. Kent voting for Mr. H. P. Wall, (one vote), and the chair declared Mr. Yeager elected as superintendent of the Lake Charles City School for one year.

In September 1914, (2) the School Board raised the City Superintendent’s salary to $2,700.00 per year.

Mr. Yeager was re-elected superintendent and secretary to the board in May 1916 (3) for a term of two years at the same salary ($2,700.00) per year.

It was during Mr. Yeager’s administration in 1916 that the new High School was erected at a cost of $89,954.75.

The first salary schedule for Lake Charles was made by Mr. Yeager in 1917. He advocated higher salaries for the teachers, and his salary schedule was adopted by the board in 1917. (4) Mr. Yeager was also the first superintendent to have an office assistant.

Superintendent Yeager worked very hard to have all the children within the legal school age attend school regularly. The School Board Minutes of September 1917 (5) stated that Mr. Yeager asked the board to employ a truant officer for the City Schools, which was done, and to get the attendance law enforced. In regard to this matter the board passed the following resolution:

Whereas the attendance law is not being complied with in all instances now. Therefore be it Resolved, that the School Board of the City of Lake Charles give notice by publication for ten days in the American Press that children within the legal age must be sent to school regularly as the law directs, and that parents or guardians who violate this law will be promptly brought to trial.

There were 2,660 white children of school age in Lake Charles during the school session, 1917 - 1918, (6) and 2,130 of this number were enrolled in the elementary schools, and 426 were enrolled in the high school. These figures signify the gratifying results of the superintendent’s efforts.

The Superintendent urged all the City teachers to attend the State Teachers’ Convention held in the various cities of the state, and it was through his influence that the School Board passed a motion to the effect that all the City Schools would be closed during the time of the State Teachers’ Convention, thus giving all the teachers an opportunity to attend. The motion provided that no salaries would be paid teachers for the days of the convention if they did not attend.

Although Mr. Yeager was re-elected by the board to serve as the City Superintendent of the City Schools until 1921, he resigned July 31, 1919. (7)

The resignation of Mr. Yeager was accepted. The board stated that they were of the opinion that Mr. James N. Yeager was a gentleman, that under his administration the public schools of the City had advanced, and that the schools measured up to high standards of scholarship and efficiency. But they thought that the clerical duties of Superintendent Yeager were not promptly and efficiently preformed, and therefore, the board deemed it is wise to make a change in the superintendency. In August 1919, (8) Mr. John G. Austin was elected City Superintendent of the Lake Charles Schools.

The School Board

In 1914 (9) the School Board consisted of the following members: Mr. H. L. Blackwell, and Mr. J. A. Williams, who had already served as board members, and the newly elected members of the board were: Mr. E. F. Gayle, a lawyer, Mr. J. J. Nelson, a lumberman, and Mr. W. J. Martin, a mill owner and a lumberman of same repute. These men were all interested in the development of the City School System. They elected Mr. Yeager as secretary, to the board without remuneration. The board brought some of their ideals into the curriculum; as for example the course in good manners, which was taught in the elementary grades of the City Schools, was introduced by the superintendent at the request of the board members.

The two newly elected board members in 1916 (10) were: Mr. T. F. Blaylock, a barber, and the President of the local Labor Union, and Mr. T. M. Dietz, the owner and operator of a café in Lake Charles. These men with the three former board members: Mr. W. J. Martin, Mr. H. L. Blackwell, and Mr. J. J. Nelson, served the City well, as members of the School Board. They were interested in a building program for the schools, and worked very hard toward that end.

Two newly elected board members in 1918 (11) were Mr. W. B. Shaddock, a salesman, and Mr. Grant Mutersbaugh, a lumberman. They served with three former board members, Messrs. Martin, Nelson, and Blaylock. Mr. Yeager and the School Board manifested a particular interest in the matter of enforcement of the Compulsory Education (12) Law, and in the continuing of the building program. They also adopted some new rules regarding the business routine of the board. They required that each bill should be acted upon separately; (13) and that all supplies of every description, except for the Domestic Science department, should be submitted to the board and acted upon by the board before purchase was made. The board allowed $30.00 each month for the Domestic Science supplies for the Central School and High School, and $10.00 per month for each of the three Ward Schools. This board also ordered that a census be taken of the educable children in Lake Charles.

Mr. Yeager asked that the meetings of the School Board be held in Central School building instead of the City Hall. The board granted the request, and all meetings of the board since that time have been held in this building. It is more convenient as the superintendent’s office is located in the Central School building.

Growth of the Elementary and High School

Health. The general health conditions in the City Schools were good in 1914. (14) The superintendent reported to the School Board that the regular attendance at school was good, due to good health of the pupils.

At the suggestion (15) of Mr. Yeager, the board allowed full pay for time lost by teachers on account of illness if a doctor’s certificate were supplied stating the nature of the illness, and the length of time the teacher was ill. The teachers were also allowed full pay for the time they were incapacitated following an operation.

A special meeting of the board was held at the request of Mr. Yeager, in October 1918 (16) regarding a request made by the Board of Health to have all the schools in the City closed due to an epidemic of influenza. The board and the superintendent complied with this request, and issued a notice to the public that the Lake Charles City Schools would be closed for two weeks, or for such time as the Board of Health deemed it necessary, and also stated that the teachers would be paid their full salaries while the schools were not operating. The board and the superintendent expected that the lost time from school would be made up on Saturdays, but due to the objections given by the Jewish people and the members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, the board had to change its decision and not have school taught on Saturdays. The Superintendent asked the board to have each school day lengthened for one hour during the months of November and December, and this would enable the teachers to make up the time lost. The board granted the request.

The children attending the City Schools were taught good health habits. (17) The board instructed the superintendent to employ a playground supervisor for the schools, and to supply each grade with health booklets suitable for the children at the various schools. The superintendent, teachers, and pupils were all made very health conscious.

In October, 1919 (18) the superintendent was requested by two members of the City Council to appropriate money to maintain a school and public nurse. This meant a permanent nurse for the benefit of the schools and the public in general. Mr. Yeager conferred with the board in this matter and the board agreed to set aside the sum of $750.00 to pay one-third of the amount of the salary for a Red Cross Nurse to serve the City of Lake Charles for one year. The remaining two thirds of the salary was to be paid by the City Council.

Curriculum and New Courses Added

The curriculum for the elementary grades during the years 1914 - 1916, (19) inclusive consisted of the following subjects: arithmetic, drawing, grammar, music, reading, spelling, writing, geography, history, physiology, civics. In 1917 the following courses in the elementary grades were added: nature study, gymnastics, community study, domestic science, manual training, and agriculture.

The subjects taught in the high school during the years 1914 - 1917 (20) consisted of the following subjects: English, history, arithmetic, science, Latin, gymnastics, algebra, mental arithmetic, bookkeeping, domestic science, civics, geometry, physics, botany, trigonometry, physiology, and typewriting, penmanship, shorthand, physical culture, physical geography, French, zoology, spelling, and chemistry. At the beginning of the school session of 1918 - 1919 the manual training and home economic courses were added.

Superintendent Yeager and the School Board were interested in having the City School children taught canning and gardening during the summer months, therefore Mr. Edward Stedtman was employed by the board for the summer of 1917 at the salary of $75.00 per month, to teach gardening, and Miss Sarah Bres was employed at a salary of $70.00 per month to teach canning. These courses proved both very beneficial and enjoyable to the children and pleased the community as a whole.

School Support

At the beginning of the school year in 1915 (22) there was a school indebtedness of $20,530.59. Mr. Yeager, as superintendent of the schools and secretary to the board, submitted some facts to the board regarding the school finances. He stated that the revenues for each year were sufficient for operating the schools, but were not sufficient to carrry on the maintenance of the schools, and the liquidation of the indebtedness. The Board decided that since the Calcasieu National Bank of Lake Charles, Louisiana, had agreed to cash all the City School Board warrants up to and including the close of school in June 1915, that the board should agree that all or such portions of the revenues as were necessary for the years 1914 and 1915, from whatever source derived should be used in the retirement of all general warrants than held by the Calcasieu Bank in the order of their maturity.

In July 1915, (23) it was found that the school expenditures for the year had exceeded the income by $8,147.34. Superintendent Yeager made a financial report which showed the total expenditures amounted to $56,910.88 and the total receipts to $48,763.54. This deficit was discussed and the board decided that the financial condition of the schools should be brought to the attention of the property tax payers of Lake Charles. The board called a mass meeting of all the citizens of Lake Charles in August 1915. (24) At this meeting was formed a Citizen’s Committee. The meeting decided that school funds would be sufficient if a tax of 3-1/2 mills were voted for six years, beginning with the year 1916, for maintenance purposes, and a bond issue in the amount of $125,000.00 extending over a period of thirty-seven years, including the year 1916, for the purchase of the site and the erection of a new high school building. This group of men appointed a campaign committee to work for the passage of the maintenance tax, and bond issue for the new high school. The citizens voted to have the tax, but voted a tax aggregating eleven mills on the dollar of the assessed valuation of all the property in the City of Lake Charles subject to taxation for the support and maintenance of the public schools of the City. The board adopted the following resolution: (25)

Be it resolved by the City School Board of the City of Lake Charles that, Whereas, the property tax payers of the City of Lake Charles have voted a tax aggregating eleven mills on the dollar of the assessed valuation of all the property in the City that revenues derived from said tax is fully sufficient for the support and maintenance of the City Schools.

Now, therefore, it is the sense of the City School Board of Lake Charles that is unnecessary for the Commission Council of the City of Lake Charles to set aside three mils of the regular ten mill tax levied by them or any part of said amount for the purpose of maintaining or supporting the City Schools, as is now required by law.

The board was not satisfied with Mr. Yeager’s handling of the finances of the school and adopted its own budget as follows: (26)

State Apportionment $10,000.00
Fines, forfeitures, poll taxes 7,000.00
City Taxes (11 mills, on $5,490.810) 60,000.00 77,339.00

Teacher’s Salaries $47,475.00
Office Assistant 720.00
Superintendents salary 3,000.00
Janitors’ Salaries 2,700.00
Repairs 1,200.00
Printing 400.00
Postage 50.00
Stationary and Office Supplies 165.00
School Supplies 700.00
Assessors Commission 1,000.00
Insurance 500.00
Interest 3,000.00
Domestic Supplies 250.00
Fuel 1,000.00
Lights and Water 1,200.00
Paying 500.00
Indebtedness 3,000.00
Contingent 2,289.00
Total 77,399.00

Housing of Schools

An interest was shown by the colored people in Fourth Ward in building a new colored school in 1915. (27) They had raised $318.00 for this purpose, and turned it over to the superintendent for him to deposit it in a special account to be held until such time as the board should see fit to use it for a new building for the colored people in Fourth Ward.

There was an overcrowded condition in the Second Ward Colored School. The superintendent reported there was an enrollment of 530 pupils with five teachers, or 106 pupils per teacher. The board instructed superintendent Yeager to secure the services of three additional colored teachers, and to use the store room in the building as a class room until better means were provided.

The superintendent submitted plans for a new high school, but the board decided that before making any definite plans for the building they would send a member of the School Board and Superintendent Yeager on an inspection tour of several high schools in and out of the state. This committee visited the High Schools of Alexandria, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Beaumont and Houston, Texas. After these inspection tours, the board entered into a contract with Messrs. Noland and Torre (28) of New Orleans to act as architects for the board in the erection of the new high school building in Lake Charles. The building was estimated to cost $100,000.00.

The bids were offered for the new high school in June 1916 (29) and the bid of C. O. Eure for $89,954.75 was accepted, the lowest bid submitted by the contractors.

The corner stone of the new high school building was laid on September 8, 1916 by the Masonic Grand Lodge of Lake Charles.

Property was bought in March 1918 (30) in Goosport (in First Ward) for the erection of a new First Ward colored school. This need was urgent, for the superintendent stated to the board that in the First Ward Colored School there were 130 pupils in a one-room school in charge of one teacher.

The Second Ward School grounds for the white children were enlarged. Through the effort of Mr. Yeager the board purchased a lot adjoining the Second Ward School property for the sum of $418.00. This gave an ample playground for the children of that school. The board also made repairs in the basement of that school building which was to be used as a school auditorium.

Teachers’ Salaries and Qualifications

Superintendent Yeager worked very hard to have the teachers of the City Schools salaries raised. The first motion passed by the board toward fixing a minimum salary for white teachers and all employees of the City School Board was in July 1917. (31) The minimum salary for white teachers was fixed at $60.00 per month. The principal of the High School was to get $175.00 per month. High School teachers were to receive from $70.00 to $130.00 per month. The Elementary School principals were to receive from $100.00 to $166.00 per month depending upon the size of the school and the number of teachers in the school. The Elementary teachers were to receive from $60.00 to $90.00 per month. The Colored School principals were to receive $75.00 per month, and colored teachers were to receive from $40.00 to $45.00 per month, and the janitors to get $50.00 per month. The superintendent’s salary was to be fixed at $3,000.00 per year.

The superintendent again asked the board in June 1918 (32) to raise the salaries of the teachers. The board authorized salaries as follows:

To pay as much as seventy-five dollars per month for an office assistant; that Superintendent Yeager’s salary be fixed at $3,600.00 per year; the white principals of High Schools and Central School were to receive $222.00 per month; the white principals at the three ward schools were to receive $125.00 per month; the assistant principal at High School to receive $150.00 per month; the High School teachers to receive from $80.00 to $110.00 per month; the elementary teachers were to receive from $70.00 to $90.00 per month; the colored school principals were to receive a $15.00 per month increase to their present salaries; the Colored teachers were to receive a $10.00 increase to their present salaries; and the janitors salaries of all the schools were to be increased $15.00 per month to their present salaries.

The board also authorized the superintendent to notify all the principals of the schools that they were to be hereafter custodians of the school building where they were serving as principals.

The qualifications of the teachers were the same during the superintendency of Mr. Yeager as they were under Superintendent Jenkins. All the teachers had to be holders of first grade certificates or be normal school graduates.

For the third consecutive year Superintendent Yeager requested the board to increase the teachers’ salaries. The board in 1919 (33) increased salaries according to Mr. Yeager’s plan as follows:

Central and High School principals $250.00 per month, High School teachers from $85.00 to $140.00 per month, Elementary School Principals $140.00 per month, Elementary teachers from $80.00 to $100.00 per month, Colored School principals $105.00 and Colored teachers from $45.00 to $65.00 per month.

The Superintendent’s Controversy With the School Board and His Resignation

The Superintendent and the board members differed as to the interpretation of Act No. 214 of 1912. The superintendent contended that the law provided that teachers were to be nominated by the superintendent.

The president of the board stated that Act. No. 214 of 1912 as amended by Act No. 15 of 1914 read: (34)

That the School Board shall select such teachers from nominations made by the parish superintendent provided that two-thirds of the membership of the board may elect teachers without the endorsement of the superintendent.

Three members of the board were dissatisfied with the superintendent’s clerical duties and his salary schedule for the teachers, so they adopted the following resolution: (35)

That a new Superintendent, Mr. John G, Austin of Newton, Alabama, be elected superintendent of the City Schools of Lake Charles for the term beginning August 1919, and ending July 1920, at a salary of $3,600.00 per year and that the same faculty as Superintendent Yeager suggested be elected with a few changes in salaries as follows: that the Ward School principals receive $135.00 per month, and the Central School and High School principals receive $240.00 per month.

Superintendent Yeager negotiated with the Attorney General regarding the matter of the board wanting him to resign, and was advised by the Attorney General that his term of office did not expire until August 1921, but that he deemed it wise for Mr. Yeager to hand the board his resignation. Mr. Yeager followed the Attorney General’s advice, and resigned his position after he had served a City Superintendent for five years. The board accepted his resignation in July 1919. (36)

Superintendent John G. Austin
1919 - 1920

Mr. Austin came to Lake Charles from Alabama in August 1919, to serve as superintendent of the City Schools of Lake Charles. His term as superintendent was very short as he served the City Schools in this capacity for only one year, when he tendered the board his resignation.

During Mr. Austin’s term as superintendent of the City Schools little else was done other than to have the books of the previous secretary and treasurer audited by Mr. C. H. Winterhaler, a public accountant, as the board desired to know the financial standing at the beginning of the school term of September 1919. During this year the First Ward Colored School building was completed at a total cost of $15,991.39.

At the meeting of the board in May 1920, (37) Mr. Austin tendered his resignation to the board as superintendent of the City Schools of Lake Charles. He stated in his resignation that his relations with the School Board had been most pleasant, and that he regretted that it was necessary to sever his relations with that body, but due to the fact that he had accepted another position with greater possibilities for the future, he found it necessary to resign. The board with regret accepted his resignation on May 4, 1920 (38) and at the same meeting elected Mr. Ward Anderson for a term of four years as the City Superintendent of Lake Charles Schools.

TABLE III

Data Concerning Children and Teachers In Lake Charles
1914-1919, Inclusive*

*Superintendent’s Annual Reports

CHAPTER IV

THE ADMINISTRATION OF SUPERINTENDENT WARD ANDERSON JULY 1920 - 1937

Mr. Ward Anderson of Lake Providence, Louisiana, was elected Superintendent of the City Schools for a period of four years at a salary of $3,600 per year. He assumed his duties as superintendent July 1, 1920 (1) and has been the Superintendent of the Lake Charles Schools since that time.

Superintendent Anderson (2) was born on a farm in Illinois. His father was Scotch-Irish, and his mother was Pennsylvania Dutch. He learned to read at home, with his mother as his first teacher.

After Mr. Anderson had attended country schools for several years, he attended the Lake Charles High School for five months. He later attended college, and taught school while he attended college to secure funds for his college education. He graduated from the Springfield Normal and Business College located in the state of Missouri. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Louisiana State University, and attended the University of Chicago, the University of Tennessee, and Missouri State University.

Mr. Anderson had served as principal in the various schools of the state had taught at the State Normal School in Natchitoches, Louisiana, at Louisiana Polytechnic Institute in Ruston, Louisiana, and had been superintendent of East Carroll Parish before coming to Lake Charles as superintendent in 1920.

School Board

The School Board members in August 1920 were: (3) Mr. Grant Mutersbaugh, Mr. T. F. Blaylock, Mr. W. B. Shaddock, Mr. W. J. Martin, and Mr. J. J. Nelson.

In November 1920 (4) there were two newly elected members to serve in the vacancies of Mr. T. F. Blaylock and Mr. W. J. Martin. They were: Mr. Joe Jacobs, a merchant, and Mr. R. L. Hale, a banker, these men together with the three former members of the board: Mr. Grant Mutersbaugh, Mr. W. B. Shaddock, and Mr. J. J. Nelson served the city successfully, and were responsible in getting the delegates who worked on the new Constitution to pass rulings on certain matters that they considered exigent, they were: (5)

1. Recognition of the City School Board as a legally independent organization.
2. Relief from the necessity of educating, without compensation children residing outside the city limits.
3. Permitting the City School Board to have a treasurer and handle its own funds.
4. Giving the City School Board monthly settlements from both the parish and city treasurer.

This board elected Superintendent Ward Anderson secretary in 1921. (6)

Mr. Anderson read a request from Mr. L. M. Favrot (7) which asked the board to cooperate with the Parish School Board in having a summer normal for Negroes. The board discussed the matter, and requested the superintendent to notify the Parish School Board that they would cooperate in the matter, but felt that the City would not benefit much by having it. This matter was finally tabled indefinitely by both boards.

The superintendent notified the principals of the City Schools of their duties as the board had ruled them, they were:

That the principal of each school in the City be requested to furnish the superintendent on the fifteenth of each month, beginning with March 15, 1921 an inventory of all school supplies, furniture and equipment, in the school building under his charge, and also submit a general report on the condition of building and equipment.

The city had two competent women elected on the School Board in 1922. (8) They were Mrs. D. A. Kelly, owner and operator of a cotton gin, and Mrs. Stephen Shea, a housewife and mother. These women served with the following: Mr. Joe Jacobs, Mr. Floyd Hamilton, and R. L. Hale. This group was instrumental in getting many worthy motions passed, one of which was: (9)

That the president of each Parent-Teacher Association of the city be asked to appoint a committee of three to make a careful survey of the needs, etc., of the respective schools and grounds and to report their findings to the School Board prior to the regular monthly meeting of the board.

At the request of Mr. Anderson in 1923 (10) the board approved and selected the compensation insurance for teachers offered by Terrell Woosley Insurance Company, for the year 1923 -1924. The board approved another recommendation made by the superintendent that same year, which was, that the board take three subscriptions to the Journal of the Louisiana Teachers’ Association, and two subscriptions to the American School Board Journal.

A group of citizens came before the board in April 1924, (11) and requested that a daily session at the colored schools of the City be shortened to allow the children to pick strawberries, and thus help in the development of the local strawberry industry. The request was granted, and the superintendent arranged the details. The board asked the superintendent in 1924, (12) to meet all teachers personally before employing them for special work, and he was authorized to visit or meet all other prospective teachers. The expenses of such visits were to be paid by the board.

By an act of the State Legislature (13) which provided that the School Board of the City of Lake Charles, Louisiana elect the superintendent of the schools as treasurer of the board, Mr. Ward Anderson was elected treasurer, and was authorized to serve as long as he was superintendent.

The board members in 1925 (14) were: Mr. Floyd Hamilton, the president, Mrs. D. A. Kelley, and Mrs. Stephen Shea, all former members, and the newly elected ones were: Mr. J. H. Wigzell, manager of Houston Packing Company in Lake Charles, and Mr. L. M. Huey, a salesman. This board decided to work out all problems by committees which were appointed by the president as follows: (15)

Finance Committee: Mr. Huey, Mrs. Kelley
Claims Committee: Mrs. Shea, Mr. Wigzell
Building and Grounds Committee: Mrs. Shea, Mr. Wigzell
Committee on Teachers: Mrs. Kelley, Mr. Huey

An athletic committee was appointed by the president, which consisted of eight citizens and tax payers of the City, and an athletic director appointed by the superintendent. This committee was called the Athletic Council, and acted as an advisory committee on all athletic matters.

The Superintendent was authorized by the board to organize a six-week summer school in 1925, (16) and to use as instructors teachers in the system who were employed for twelve months. This was the first time summer school was taught in the City at the various schools.

In April 1926, (17) Mr. Anderson was unanimously reelected superintendent of the City Schools for the term of two years.

The election for three board members was held in the fall of 1926, and the results were: (18) Two of the former members were re-elected, Mrs. D. A. Kelley, and Mr. Floyd Hamilton, and one new member was elected, Mr. F. E. Kendrick, a department store manager, Mr. J. H. Wigzell and Mr. L. M. Huey were the former members. These men and women worked hard for the improvement of the schools in general. They ruled that the superintendent and high school principal attend the National Education Association Convention held in Washington, D. C. in February 1926, and also the N. E. A. Convention in Dallas, Texas, in 1927. (19)

The board members for 1929 (20) were: Mr. Floyd Hamilton, Mrs. D. A. Kelley, Mr. F. E. Kendrick, all former members, Mr. J. Ed Eaves, an oil operator, and Dr. J. A. Crawford, a Medical Doctor, were the newly elected ones. They were all interested in the growth of the schools, and in the general development of the youth. (21) The superintendent was authorized to subscribe for the Rice Journal for use in the parts of the upper grades in the ward schools and for the high school, and to donate $5.00 to the Lake Charles Carnegie Library Board.

In 1933 (22) the board members were as follows: Mr. Floyd Hamilton, Mrs. D. A. Kelley were former members, and Mr. Archie E. Hickman, a merchant, Mr. John Flanders, a mechanic, and Mr. John I. Reese, manager of a rice mill in Lake Charles were the newly elected members.

These members were interested in the development and protection of the schools. They convinced the superintendent of the need to apportion the fire insurance on the school buildings as follows: (23)

Breaux and Lamkin: $41,000.00
Leon Chavanne, Inc.: $7,500.00
Parrott-Reid Ins. Agency: $7,500.00
Miller Realty and Insurance Agency: $42,960.00
A. W. Sale Insurance Co.: $7,500.00

This board was also interested in the development of athletics for in August 1933, (24) the superintendent was authorized to enter into contract with the Gulf States Utilities Company for equipment needed to light the athletic field at the high school.

The members of the City School Board in 1935 (25) were: Mr. John Flanders, Mr. Archie E. Hickman, Mr. Floyd Hamilton, Mr. John I. Reese former board members, and Mr. J. A. Partridge, an oil broker, was the newly elected one. This board conformed to the law (26) which provided that all School Boards meet during the first week of January, April, July, and October. The board also ruled that the Lake Charles School Board hold its meeting on the first Monday of each calendar month.

The board had the census taken as State Superintendent T. H. Harris had recommended. Superintendent Anderson was authorized to have all the principals of the City Schools act as enumerators to take the school census in Lake Charles. This was done and with accuracy.

In the spring of 1935 (28) the board and the superintendent cooperated with the Federal Government in maintaining a nursery school in Goosport (First Ward) for two years.

The Supervisor of Public Accounts in Baton Rouge gave the following statement regarding the splendid financial work done by the superintendent and the board in 1936 (29) as follows:

On recent examination of the records and accounts of the City School Board we are glad to say that the report showed the records and accounts were well kept and that the finances of the Lake Charles School Board were in excellent condition.

Mr. Anderson was re-elected superintendent in 1934, (30) for a term of four years at an annual salary of $4,800.00

There was only one new board member elected in the fall of 1936, he was Mr. Loree Young, a typewriter salesman. He served with the former members: (31) Mr. Archie Hickman, Mr. J. A. Partridge, Mr. Floyd Hamilton, and Mr. John I. Reese. This board has always cooperated with the superintendent as have the former board members, and have worked zealously for the betterment of the City Schools.

In the last twenty years the superintendent and the School Board have worked hard to improve the financial condition of the City Schools, and it was gratifying to the board and the people of Lake Charles when Superintendent Anderson reported in October, 1937 (32) that the City Schools would be able to operate an a cash basis for the 1937-1938 session.

Growth of the Elementary and High Schools

During the past twenty years the school people of the state have worked hard to develop the elementary and high schools, and the superintendent and School Board of Lake Charles have cooperated in every way to aid in the growth of the schools.

Courses. In 1922 (33) the board authorized the superintendent to establish a school of manual training and radio during the summer of that year. It was to be opened to the boys in Lake Charles of school age, and the length of time the school was to operate depended upon the attendance.

The superintendent recommended in the fall of 1924 (34) that all the high school children be given training in physical education. It was approved by the board and this course was started in the high school.

Superintendent Anderson gave a detailed report to the board in 1925 (35) regarding the instruction in fire prevention which were being given at all the schools, and mentioned the different activities that were being carried on at the various City Schools.

An outlined course of study arranged by Mr. Anderson in 1925 (36) was approved by Mr. Charles F. Troudeau, State High School Inspector. This course was arranged to fit the particular needs of the Lake Charles High School students, and was helpful in taking care of the individual differences of the pupils.

With the approval of the board and superintendent an extension course was offered in 1925 (37) by the home economics teacher, Miss Van Landingham, of the high school to the women of the city who were over eighteen years of age. The high school home economics rooms were used for the course. The results were very gratifying.

In the fall of 1926 (38) the school system adopted a new plan for giving report cards. This was to divide the term into three periods of six weeks each.

The Lake Charles Schools have been frequently complimented by various state supervisors on the work done and the progress shown in the City Schools. Miss Helene Sliffe, State Supervisor of the elementary schools gave the board a most gratifying report in May 1928. (39)

State superintendent T. H. Harris in 1928 launched a drive to wipe out illiteracy in the state of Louisiana, and asked that a special course be given to these people. The City Superintendent was authorized to cooperate in this work. Schools for adult illiterates were organized in Lake Charles in February 1930. (40) There were fourteen white adults and sixty colored adults enrolled when the school started, and the superintendent reported at the close of the school in May of that same year, that twenty-four whites and ninety colored people had been taught, and of this number seven white and eighteen colored people were prisoners of the parish jail.

The superintendent was interested in the physical development of the children, as well as in their mental development, and it was by his recommendation that the board authorized him to employ a teacher qualified for the physical education work in the City Schools for the session 1930 - 1931. (41)

The question of establishing a Reserve Officer’s Training Corps Junior Unit in the Lake Charles High School was discussed by the board in 1936, and the following resolution was passed: (42)

Be it resolved by the City School Board of the City of Lake Charles, that the superintendent of the Lake Charles City Schools is hereby authorized and directed to apply at once to the Adjutant General of the United States Army for the establishment of the Junior Unit of the reserve Officers’ Training Corps in the Lake Charles High School.

Be it further resolved that immediately upon the acceptance of said application, there is hereby established for the Lake Charles High School a two (2) year elective course of military training for all physically fit male students, which course when entered upon by any student shall, as regards such students, be a prerequisite for graduation.

Be it further resolved that upon acceptance of this application, the said military property custodian shall furnish a surety company bond, guaranteeing the faithful and honest performance of his duties, in the sum of $2,000 premium on said bond to be paid by the Lake Charles City School Board.

The board and superintendent were advised by General George Van Horn Mosley in September 1937 (43) the no Junior R. O. T. C. unit would be established in the Lake Charles School during the 1937-1938 school session.

At the beginning of the spring term in 1937, (44) the superintendent made the following statement to the board as viz:

That beginning with the 1938-1939 session all candidates for graduation from the Lake Charles High School must offer a whole unit in health and physical education, as the State Superintendent advised, and to prepare all pupils for this requirement, health and physical education is being taught as a minor subject in the high school.

The question of changing the present 7 - 4 plan of school organization to the 8 - 4 plan was discussed by the superintendent and the board in May 1937. (45) It was decided that an additional grade be added to the system in Lake Charles, subject to the approval of the State Board of Education.

Following the request of State Superintendent T. H. Harris, the commercial course in the Lake Charles High School was expanded in the Fall of 1937. (46)

Reports received from state supervisors in 1937 (47) were very gratifying. Miss Lela A. Tomlinson, Assistant Supervisor of home economics, and Mr. A. M. Hopper, State Supervisor of elementary schools visited the City Schools. Miss Tomlinson’s report showed that excellent work was being done in the home economics department in the Central School and the high school. Mr. Hooper commented on the number of suitable magazines in the elementary schools, the fine appearance of the class rooms, the good health work being done in the schools, and the fine plan of grouping pupils in the sixth and seventh grades. Mr. John E. Cox also notified the city school authorities in January 1937 (48) that the Lake Charles High School had again met satisfactorily the standards of the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools.

The board endorsed the safety measures and instructions which were enforced and taught at the different City Schools in 1937 (49) and recommended the Drive Training Course to be put into the City Schools as quickly as the necessary literature and equipment could be secured. Mr. G. W. Ford, principal of the high school, was chosen to be the instructor.

The subjects taught in the elementary grades during this period have changed very little, but the methods of instructions have changed greatly.

In high school the following subjects were taught in 1936 - 1937 sessions: (50) English, business arithmetic, algebra, plane and solid geometry, general science, chemistry, physics, physical geography, social science, Latin, French, grammar, typewriting, shorthand, home economics, music, mechanical arts, physical education.

The subjects in high school that were dropped were: art, civics, commercial geography, fourth year manual arts and home economics, botany, zoology, physiology, Spanish, economics, and sociology.

The courses offered were: home economics, manual training, commercial and general courses.

Negro Education

With the aid of the school authorities education of the colored people has steadily progressed in Lake Charles. In 1925 (51) the board unanimously agreed to allow the state department the use of the Second Ward Colored School Building for a summer school for the Negro teachers. The superintendent reported that the school was well attended, and the training was very beneficial to the colored teachers in the city.

The attendance of the Negro children at school became very unsatisfactory in October 1926. (52) The superintendent was authorized to employ a full time truancy officer in the Negro section of the city, and this resulted in the increase in enrollment of approximately one hundred fifty more Negro children The attendance improved so rapidly that it was later decided to employ a truancy officer in that section for only two days a week.

In the fall of 1927 (53) the high school department of the Second Ward Colored School was raised from a three year course to a four year teacher training course and the graduates of said school were accredited by the State Department of Education, and were entitled to teach in the public colored schools of Louisiana.

Mr. A. C. Lewis, State Supervisor of Negro Schools, made an excellent report in 1927 (54) after his inspection tour of the colored schools in the city. He stated that the colored schools were in excellent condition and that the education facilities for the colored children were splendid.

The colored people of the Second Ward raised forty dollars in 1928 (55) with which to buy library books for their school library. The superintendent was authorized to take the money and to add forty dollars more, and purchase eighty dollars worth of library books for that school.

Mr. A. C. Lewis (56) outlined conditions by which aid from the Rosenwald Fund for industrial equipment in the Negro high school of the city could be outlined and obtained. The superintendent was requested to meet the requirements of the Rosenwald Fund and to install manual training and domestic science equipment needed in the Negro high school, to teach the two new courses.

In 1933 (57) Mr. Lewis notified Mr. Anderson that the colored high school of Lake Charles was placed on the accredited list of State High Schools.

Attendance and Health

Mr. Anderson reported the attendance in 1932-1933 (58) session the best that it had ever been in the history of the Lake Charles City Schools. Attendance for the first three months of that session for the white schools was 97.2%, and for the colored 96%.

The attendance at school of the needy children in the city was good in 1933 (59) due to the fact that the local Parent-Teachers Associations at the various schools provided the children with food and clothing for the entire school session.

In 1929 (60) the School Board assumed the responsibility of paying the full salary of Miss Maude Reid, the school nurse, which was $150.00 per month. Before this time the health nurse’s salary was paid one half by the city and the other half by the School Board. Plans were agreed upon by the mayor and the superintendent that the nurse’s time was to be spent in doing health work in the City Schools.

At the request of Miss Reid and Mr. Anderson, an audiometer for the schools was purchased. This machine for testing the hearing of the pupils has been very helpful to both pupils and teachers.

Miss Reid has given a detailed report at regular intervals of the health work done in the City Schools.

The teacher’s health has also been considered a very important factor by the City Board of Health and the School Board, for these boards have requested since 1923 (61) that all teachers elected to teach must furnish a health certificate from a registered physician before they shall be allowed to teach in the Lake Charles Schools.

Buildings, Improvement of Buildings, Equipment and Grounds

During the administration of Mr. Anderson, the population of Lake Charles had not increased sufficient to necessitate the erection of any more school buildings. But many improvements were made, and a new gymnasium on the high school campus was erected in 1930 at a cost of $40,000.00. (62)

In the spring of 1930 (63) plans were presented and accepted for recommending and remodeling certain rooms in the high school for a cafeteria. The board also purchased all modern equipment including a large gas range, electric refrigerator, cash register, tables, chairs, etc. for the operation of the cafeteria. During the same year the board installed new equipment in the science laboratories, home economics laboratory and manual training department at the high school, purchased a new curtain and window shades for the Central School Auditorium, re-roofed the Central School building, built new barb-wire fences around the First Ward white school, and the First and Second Ward colored schools, re-roofed all white Ward Schools, installed additional drinking fountains at the various schools, installed electric clocks at Central and High Schools, purchased a new piano for the First Ward School, bought several fire-proof filing cabinets for the four ward schools, and one cabinet and eight typewriters for the high school, and installed slate black boards in all the schools. In 1931 (64) the smoke stack at the high school was erected, the roofs on the two colored schools were repaired, a power lawnmower was purchased, a cyclone fence was erected about the football field at high school, portable test cards were purchased for the use of the health nurse, and lockers in the high school gymnasium were installed.

During Superintendent Anderson’s administration the school libraries and the office of the School Board’s library have been provided with many excellent books. There were in 1920 (65) in the elementary schools 4,147 volumes valued at $1,621. In the high school that same year there were 1,847 volumes valued at $1,150, as compared to the year 1937 there were in the elementary grades 6,714 volumes valued at $4,496, and in the high school there were 41,815 volumes valued at $6,694. In the library of the School Board’s office there were not any books when Mr. Anderson became City Superintendent, and since 1920 he has purchased for that library 425 professional books, and 270 of that number are books on general information. Besides these books there are news periodicals and various school and teachers’ magazines, which are available to the board members and all employees of the School Board. This has all been made possible in the last fifteen years by the adoption of the superintendent’s recommendation which was to make an annual appropriation of $1,500 in the school budget for this purpose. Mr. Anderson stated that he believed money invested in good reading materials for the faculty and school children lays a foundation for better learning and instruction in the classrooms.

The tentative valuation on all school buildings, furniture, and fixtures were as follows in 1931: (66)

High School $187,920.00
Central School $135,270.00
First Ward School $38,880.00
Second Ward School $38,880.00
Fourth Ward School $38,880.00
First Ward Colored School $30,600.00
Second Ward Colored School $61,200.00
$531,630.00                                

The school grounds of the City Schools were improved and beautified, some were enlarged, and on several new playgrounds equipment was installed during the administration of Superintendent Anderson.

In March 1923 (67) cement driveways were constructed on the Central and High School grounds. In October 1923 (68) playground equipment was erected on the grounds of all the Ward Schools. In February 1925 (69) trees and shrubs were planted on all the City School grounds. At the recommendation of Mr. Anderson, the board purchased the site opposite the Central School for a playground for the children of that school. This need was urgent due to the large number of pupils attending the Central School. The enrollment in 1924 (70) was over six hundred children.

Two new tennis courts were erected on the high school campus in 1936, (71) at the cost of $2,700.00, and $1,084.00 was spent that same year for improving the high school athletic field.

School Support and Finances

The citizens of Lake Charles in 1920 were paying for school support in addition to the three mill Constitutional Tax, a special school tax of six and a half mills, yet the indebtedness of the City Schools was $100,000.00 (72) when Superintendent Anderson began his administration. This was not a bonded indebtedness, but an accumulation of overdrafts since the City Schools were separated from the Parish in 1907.

In the fall of 1921, (73) Mr. Anderson’s recommendation was adopted which was:

That the board borrow $30,000.00 from the First National Bank of Lake Charles and $45,000.00 from the Calcasieu National Bank of Southwest Louisiana of Lake Charles making a total sum of $75,000.00 bearing interest at the rate of 8% per annum, from maturity until paid.

The following resolution was passed:

Resolved, that in order to secure the payment of said money by notes, the board hereby specially pledges, dedicates, and sets aside all revenues from any source whatsoever, as collected, same to be applied in the proportion of forty per cent to the payment of the note executed in favor of the First National Bank of Lake Charles, and sixty per cent to the payment of the note executed in favor of the Calcasieu National Bank of Southwest Louisiana at Lake Charles, and the treasurer is hereby directed to apply the revenues so collected in accordance herewith until each of said notes are paid and retired in full; no portion of said revenues shall be diverted from the purpose to which they are hereby dedicated.

For years the City Schools had been educating a large number of the Parish children without remuneration, and the citizens of Lake Charles did not feel that this free tuition should be continued. In July 1921 (74) the board appointed a committee to meet with the Parish School Board to discuss this question. The Parish Board decided to pay tuition to the City for the Parish children at the cost pro rated on the actual cost of education the children in the Parish Schools.

The Superintendent was instructed to pay the teachers who were absent from duty on account of illness full pay for only three days, a half-pay for no longer than two weeks.

In 1922 (75) the following business was transacted by the board: A piece of school property in Goosport was sold to the City for the sum of $3,000.00 and the board purchased a car for the use of the superintendent, and also employed a secretary at the high school at a salary of $50.00 per calendar month, and adopted the following budget:

Budget 1922-1923

Receipts

State Current School Fund (based on 1921-22) $30,500.00
Municipal Appropriation (3 mill tax) $42,000.00
Special School tax (6-1/2 mill tax) $91,000.00
Tuition from Calcasieu Parish Board (based on 1921-22) $11,500.00
Poll Taxes, Fines and Forfeitures (based on 1921-22) $3,000.00
Note Due from City of Lake Charles $750.00
$178,750.0

Expenditures

Salaries of Teachers (white) $93,000.00
Salaries of Teachers (colored) $18,850.00
Janitors’ Salaries $6,000.00
Salary of Superintendent and Office Expenses $5,250.00
Printing and Advertising $200.00
Repairs on Buildings $3,500.00
Furniture and Furnishings $2,500.00
Fuel, Lights and Water $4,000.00
School Supplies $1,500.00
Libraries $2,000.00
Domestic Science and Manual Training $800.00
Interest on Overdraft $5,000.00
Insurance, Renewals, and Compensation $1,500.00
Medical Inspection (Red Cross Nurse) $900.00
Improvement of High School Grounds $1,000.00
For Retiring Overdraft $32,750.00
Total Expenditures $178,750.00

A financial statement of the superintendent in December 1922 (76) showed that the debt of the School Board was $41,888.23.

Property was purchased for a Junior High School in 1923 (77) for the sum of $15,000, this was payable at the option of the School Board, cash, or one-third cash and the rest which was about $10,000 on or before one, two, and three years, secures by vendor’s lien and privilege deferred payments stipulating seven per cent interest per annum from date until paid.

The budget read at the board meeting in July 1924 was as follows:

Budget 1923-1924 (78)

Receipts

Balance on hand, July 1, 1924 $15,675.31
State Current School Fund (Based on 1923-1924) $24,550.00
Municipal Appropriation (3 mill tax) $37,550.00
Special School Tax 96-1/2 mill tax $81,250.00
Tuition from Calcasieu Parish (based on 1923-24) $8,400.00
Poll Taxes, Fines and Forfeitures (based on 1923-24) $3,424.69
Bills receivable $1,500.00
Total Receipts $172,300.00

Expenditures

Teachers’ Salaries (white) $101,000.00
Teachers’ Salaries (colored) $20,000.00
Salary of Superintendent and Office Expenses $6,500.00
Janitors’ Salaries $6,500.00
Printing and Advertising $200.00
Repairs on Building $7,500.00
Fuel, Lights and Water $3,000.00
Furniture and Furnishings $5,000.00
School Supplies $2,000.00
Libraries $2,000.00
Domestic Science and Manual Training $1,200.00
Interest on Overdraft $1,000.00
Insurance on Building, etc. $4,000.00
Medical Inspection (Red Cross Nurse) $1,200.00
Payment on Site on Kirkman St. $5,700.00
Care and Improvement of Grounds $5,000.00
Miscellaneous $500.00
Total Expenditures $172,300.00

The board passed the following resolution in 1925 (79) regarding the need for additional taxes which was:

Whereas the expenses of operating and maintaining the public schools are constantly growing as our population increases and our methods of education become more proficient through the state, and

Whereas in so many parishes of the state the revenues from taxes on land are decreasing as its valuation becomes less when the natural resources are removed therefrom and so are furnishing inadequate means to support our schools,

Be it Resolved that we approve the levying of a luxury tax on cosmetics and tobacco as a source of revenue to meet the increasing needs of our public schools and feel further that a tax of 20% will be necessary to supply the funds needed.

This tax was voted in 1925.

Budget 1924-1925 (80)

Receipts

Balance on hand, July 1, 1925 $10,612.45
State Current School Fund (based on 1924-25) $24,000.00
Municipal Appropriation (3 mill tax) $36,000.00
Special School Tax, 6-1/2 mill tax $78,000.00
Tuition from Calcasieu Parish (based on 1924-25) $8,000.00
Poll Taxes, Fines and forfeitures (based on 1924-25) $3,000.00
Total Receipts $159,612.45

Expenditures

Teachers’ Salaries (white) $100,000.00
Teachers’ Salaries (colored) $20,000.00
Salary of Superintendent and Office Expenses $6,750.00
Janitors’ Salaries $6,500.00
Repair on Buildings $2,500.00
Fuel, Light and Water $3,500.00
Furniture and Furnishings $2,500.00
School Supplies $2,000.00
Libraries $1,500.00
Domestic Science and Manual Training $1,200.00
Interest on Overdraft $750.00
Insurance $4,000.00
Medical Inspection (Red Cross Nurse) $1,200.00
Payments on Land $5,250.00
Care and Improvement of Grounds, paving, etc. $1,800.00
Miscellaneous $162.00
$159,612.45

The citizens re-voted the ten year special school tax of six and one-