How many public schools did Macon County have in 1925?
59.
How did we go from 59 to 11 schools?
This is a history of Macon County public education, focusing on the years 1920 through 1950. I did the research back in 1996 by going to the old Macon County Public Library across the street from Franklin High School and reading literally EVERY copy of The Franklin Press from 1920 to 1950 and many issues prior and after those dates. After months of research I had dozens of puzzle pieces from which the story of the costs and benefits of consolidation emerged.
The conclusions I reached in this research over 28 years ago have stuck with me -- I am sticking to my story.
Things done in public education in the name of "progress" which are dismissive of community, family, and tradition can doom our community, our families, and our traditions. Many tremendous strides were in public education in Macon County -- we came together and lifted our children up. Some of those strides came at great cost and yet others seem to have been ill-fated ventures into the wilderness with no real value for Macon County students and our communities.
I believe our communities, families, and others who see the value of public education have to be able to come together and collaborate as to how we can grow and improve, how we can create more opportunities for our children, how we can prepare them to be great Maconians who are compassionate and curious, who want to carry on our traditions within the context of the 21st century.
Over the next several months I want to listen to what you want for our schools, for our children, for our communities. I have 28 years of being a Macon County social studies teacher and I believe that through listening, through civil and respectful conversation, we can generate a shared vision that is NOT top down, but is a vision where we all feel fully invested.
And when we feel that we have a voice, our passion and commitment that is necessary to reclaim our tradition of excellence in education Macon County has had will be renewed. I believe that our corner in Western North Carolina can be a model which other communities will want to emulate.