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 12th. 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
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