SCHOOL OPENING DATE IN 1938

The September 8, 1938 issue of The Bossier Banner boasted of the readiness of Bossier Parish high schools to open on September 12, 1938.  At the opening Bossier Parish would employ 108 instructors for its six high schools.

“Everything is in readiness for the opening of all six Bossier Parish high schools next Monday morning, September 12^th.  Every school is expecting some increase in enrollment.”

“Superintendent of Schools R.V. Kerr said this morning that the pre-school institute for teachers will be held Saturday morning at Benton High School, and that all instructors for the1938-1939 session are expected to attend.”

Books and supplies for each school have been turned over to the respective principals ad will be ready for distribution Monday morning.  Lesson assignments will be made that morning and regular class work should begin next Tuesday.”

“This year he schools will be served by some 40 vans.  Of this number, ten are of the new all-steel type, lately adopted as standard equipment by state school authorities.  It is planned to replace all old wood-type bodies with steel ones as they wear out.  Within the next five or six years all of the old vans will be retired, it is estimated.”

“For the information of readers who missed the story last week, a complete list of the 108 teachers for the parish is listed elsewhere in this issue.”

In the previous issue of The Bossier Banner (September 1, 1938) the editorial column cautioned Bossier citizens not to rush into more bonded debts.  The column pointed out that Bossier had never voted against a school or road improvement tax.  It went on to say that bonds were readily bought for roads, bridges, good public buildings and a very good school system but stretching too far would endanger the secure standing of the parish.  The editorial concluded that “these words are not directed against the recent school bond elections which will enable us to avail ourselves of PWA [Public Works Administration] grants.”  Next week’s issue reported that “Five school projects in Bossier Parish have been awarded PWA grants totaling $355,901.”  The projects included “a high school plant in Bossier City and repairs to two existing buildings, a high school plant in Plain Dealing and repairs to two old buildings, a gymnasium-cafeteria for Benton High School, a gymnasium for Rocky Mount and construction of some 20 to 25 Negro schools, representing a total outlay in excess of $700,000.”  Bonds, of course, would need to be sold for these projects and the paper supported the sale of such bonds.

The history of Bossier Parish education is long and very interesting.  Visit the Bossier Parish Library Historical Center to discover more, as well as to see pictures of early schools here.

By: Ann Middleton