History of Lauderdale County School District | Page 87

Needs Library Facilities – Principal James D. Stoddard names library facilities as a
major problem. “We always need more books,” he said. The school supplements its supply by
working with the Bookmobile from the Meridian public Library. The school offers 19 high
school units, including four of English and two of home economics. Vimville goes further than
any other county school in the teaching of math, offering two years of algebra, advanced general
math and trigonometry. In the social sciences, Vimville offers American history, world history,
civics, geography, Mississippi history and economics. Science courses are general science,
chemistry and biology. Others are typing, shorthand and bookkeeping.
Science Facilities Limited – No Agriculture or vocational training whatever is offered.
As is the case in most of the schools, the facilities for teaching science are severely limited.
Center Hill, on the other hand, is an example of how a school that is large enough can improve
its Curriculum and expand its facilit ies. Consolidation from Ponta and Martin has swollen the
Cent Hill enrollment to 450, leading to some crowding. Principal C.L. Clay said his greatness
need was four additional classrooms. It has had good effects, however, “the larger enrollment
has enabled us to offer more specialized courses,” Clay said. Center Hill has added five new
courses to the curriculum this year, and Clay plans at least as many more next year. The school
also plans to field a baseball team this spring, making it the only county school whose sports
program covers anything except basketball. The curriculum as presently constituted consists of
four units of English and three of agriculture.
Courses – Math courses include two years of algebra, one of general math and one of
plane geometry. Next year Clay hopes to add trigonometry. Social science courses offered are
Mississippi history, world history and American history. Clay said that sociology, economics
and government would be added next year. Other courses are home economics, typing,
bookkeeping, secretarial training and shorthand. In science, general science, chemistry and
biology are presently taught and Clay said physics and advanced chemistry would be added next
year. The science facilities are far better than in other county white school, having been recently
purchased. Clay hopes to add art and advanced home economics to the curriculum. He said that
physical education courses are planned and might be underway later this year.
The school building, built in 1947, is in good condition, as is the gym, built in 1951. The
vocation department is in good shape and is fairly well equipped. Center Hill has 19 teachers
and has avoided doubling up in the lower grades. Clay said, it is the only school in the county
which has a librarian (part-time).
(Tomorrow – The new Middleton Negro School)
Meridian Star, October 29, 1950

Our County Schools: 5 - New County Negro School Opens Monday
Editor’s Note – This is the fifth in a series on the Lauderdale County School System, outside
Meridian. Today, the new Middleton Negro School is discussed.
By Jack Wardlaw, Meridian Star Staff Writer

By any yardstick of measurement, the most modern, best equipped and most diversified
Lauderdale County School goes into operation on Monday. It’s the Middleton School for