PAGE TWO
PupO Transportation
In North Carolina One
Os Best In Country
School Buses Transport
Approximately 347,000
Children Daily
North Carolina has on* of the best
public school pupil transportation pro
grams in the country, the State Edu
cation Commission has found.
The percentage of enrolled pupils
transported is the highest and the per
pupil cost is the lowest in the nation.
The State daily transports to and
from school approximately 347,000
pupils, or about 42 per cent of the
total enrolled in the public elementary
and secondary schools of the State,
in more than 5,500 vehicles at a total
annual cost of approximately $5,000,-
000 or a per pupil cost of approxi
mately sl4. v
The State has assumed almost all
of the responsibility of transporta
tion costs. The State first permitted
use of public funds for this purpose
in 1911. Because of poor roads in
many areas and poor equipment, there
was no immediate rush to take ad
vantage of this legislation. By 1919
only 7,900 pupils were being trans
ported in North Carolina in 150 ve
hicles. Most of the growth in pupil
transportation has taken place in the
last 25 years. In 1946-1947, nine per
cent of the funds for current expense
of the public elementary and second
ary schools of North Carolina went
into pupil transportation as compared
with approximately 5 per cent for the
nation as a whole.
At present, almost all of the cost of
operating the school buses and all of
the cost of replacing them is borne
by the State. All of the cost of addi
tional new buses, school bus garages
and garage equipment is borne by the
counties. In its study, the Commis
sion found that many counties have
been unable to obtain money for ad
ditional buses or equipment for school
garages.
For this reason, the Commission
has recommended that the State share
with the counties the costs for all new
buses, garages and equipment for
garages. The State Board of Educa
tion would handle the funds, and a
“more objective formula” would be
worked out for allotting buses to
counties.
The present system of making
counties responsible for capital out
lay is undesirable for a number of
reasons, the Commission said. In the
first place, it was said, it may cause
a waste of State funds in the continu
ation of small and inefficient schools.
One situation was found where three
small schools could have been closed
and with the addition of one teacher
at a larger school and two buses, the
pupils could have been transported to
the larger school. The difference be
tween the cost of operating two buses
and the salary for two teachers would
have almost paid for the buses in two
years and would have represented a
net saving and provided better edu
cational opportunities to the children.
The waste continued because the
county could not afford to purchase
two new buses. The situation is espe
cially striking in the case of many
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We're just making a last minute check to make
sure that we overlook none in our sincere wishes
for cheer with the coming Holiday.
Harrell & Company
J. LEWIS HARRELL C. (TROT) LEARY
. »■«»■' " ■
•' - try*
I small high schools.
The use of local funds for initial
1 capital outlay also has an undesirable
effect on the quality of transportation
I service, the Commission said.
f “There seems to be \ittle chance for
relieving some of the overcrowded
I conditions on buses and of making the
f first pick-up of children approximate
ly one hour before school until a
change is made in the method of pro-
I viding funds for the purchase of
buses,” it said.
It is estimated that 3 per cent of
the transported pupils must leave
home more than two hours before
. school begins, seven per cent more
than one and a half hours, and 20 per
. cent more than one hour.
This is the result of using more
than one-half the buses for two or
. more trips.
Standards for school buses in North
j Carolina are adequate, the- Commis
[ sion said. The present fleet is in ex
cellent condition despite the fact that
; more than 1,500 of the buses are more
than eight years old.
’ The program in school bus main
tenance is, in general, excellent, the
Commission said, but many counties
need more adequate buildings and
maintenance equipment, and there is a
need for a few area garages where
; the more difficult maintenance work
1 can be done.
The use of students, who have an
excellent record, as school bus drivers
should be continued, the Commission
said. Over the last five years 83
per cent of the school bus drivers in
North Carolina have been high school
boys and girls. This has been a very
great factor in achieving the State’s
record for economy in pupil transpor
tation. The standards these student
drivers must meet seem to be ade
quate, the Commission says, except
for the lack of the requirement that
they pass a physical examination.
The Commission said that during
the last five years only about 25 per
cent of the premiums paid out for fire
insurance on buses have been collect
ed and that it would be good business
for the State Board of Education to
act as self insurer for the buses.
The Board may now pay up to S6OO
on expenses of pupils who are injured
on or by school buses. That this fig
ure should be increased is indicated
by the fact that at least 20 counties
are now carrying accident insurance
on transported pupils and that every
session of the Legislature has before
it special bills providing for the cost
of medical or funeral expenses above
the S6OO limit.
Veterans Urged To
Exchange Certificates
World War II veterans holding
unused certificates of eligibility for
G.I. Bill education or training issued
before September 1 should exchange
them immediately for a new type
certificate if they plan to enter train
ing for the first time after Junary 1,
the Veterans Administration an
nounces.
The certificates may be exchanged
in person or by mail at any Veterans
Administration office, VA pointed
out.
The exchange is being urged, VA
said, because of new registration
techniques that will be used after
January 1, to safeguard the interests
of veterans and the government. One
advantage of the new certificates is
that they will be accepted by schools
and the VA without question. Old
certificates are not acceptable until
verified, it was pointed out.
THE CHOWAN HERALD. EDENTON, X. 0., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1948.
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■ n J 1- i 11,. 1 ,,. 1
Tree Planting Film
k Available For Clubs
t - • ii-
An informational film on the sub
' ject of tree planting dn the South
has been completed under the apon
’ sorship of the Southern Pulpwood
, Conservation Association and the
' Georgia Forestry Department, ac
■ cording to an announcement by H. J.
Malsberger, Forester of the Asso
■ ciation.
“Lonnie’s New Crop” describes '
’ how a young farmer makes unpro-
' i
$4 c9#// oj
Tots and Teens
EDENTON, N. C.
000 e 0 i
f rP °D 1
i £ J■ % \
yj I/ith every 4*^
I GOOD WISH 1
! -Tr- ]
I AJIP ]
j 1
| cwt\tws |
; Sanitary Cleaners i
I CLOTHES PRESSED WHILE YOU WAIT
m ' m
>:
m* > m
| pj
% * fT I
b §j
1 i
* * \ t p7..0/* xVj *
1 CUTHRELL’S DEPARTMENT STORE 1
m• ' m
* m
j# . EDENTON, N. C. $
jjj m
*Wk .T. .T. JWm mW» ,Wk
ductive land work at a profit grow
ing trees. It shows where to get
the information on tree planting,
how to buy trees, and all the steps
required in planting and caring for
them.
The film is adapted for use at !
meetings of landowners, in schools, !
civic groups, and similar meetings I
where forestry is being considered. I
It allows ample time for discussion ]
of the subject as it applies to the j
local community.
rsp]
I 11/ illt ¥ of Christmas to
I I ir|f jJKeno Our Very Beit
I I it Wishes to Those
I I / Whom We Serve^
HALSEY FED & SEED STORE
“The Store With the Checkerboard Front”
I SOUTH BROAD STREET EDENTON, N. C, 1
WE DELIVER PHONE 273 J
I .V.V.V.V.'.V.V.V.V.V.V.'.V 1
61- 1 sigmas Jj 1
jOwr /r
ue hapjjiiHSS, ft
•incj ijOujoij \
& all tliponcjlo / I
ommfij ijeaK.
BRIDGE TURNTERVICE STATION
EDENTON, N. C.
0771
X year,
we offer a little message to tell you
we are remembering all the nice court
esies offorded us in the past and to let
you know we truly appreciate your /
k thoughtfulness and consideration. / • i
! % So, while you are enjoying the fes- /
! % tive Christmas season, remember, we / ;
| thinking of you. /
I"
MC HI & raiun RMS
EDENTON, N. C. J