History of Education in Pasco County
SUMMARY OF SCHOOL BOARD MINUTES, 1887-1899
Compiled by Frank McCormick
JULY 18, 1887
The superintendent was instructed to proceed to Brooksville and make a formal demand for Pasco County’s share of school equipment resulting from the division of Hernando County. The monthly salary schedule for Pasco County. 1st grade certificate $40-$45.00. 2nd grade certificate $30-$35.00. 3rd grade certificate $20-$25.00. The records indicate that the $5.00 per month variation was determined by the enrollment in the school. The smaller enrollment earned a smaller salary.
SEPTEMBER 5, 1887
A new school, known as Pasco School and located on two acres, was planned for the Hancock neighborhood. The patrons agreed to build a good and substantial building. The terms used to describe a new school in the early records always referred to a “good and substantial building.”
Townsend House and Willow Oak or Providence schools were discontinued. Jesse Thrasher petitioned on behalf of the patrons of Lake Buddie. The school was granted, to be known as Lake Buddie School, No. 27.
The Superintendent’s salary was set at $400 per year, including transportation.
Post offices, trustees:
SCHOOL NO. POST OFFICE TRUSTEES Macon 1 Macon G. W. Rosborough, E. McLeoud (McLeod), D. Roberts Hebron 2 Macon M. W. Page, N. A. Williams, A. M. White Oak-Dale 3 Chipco W. L. Osborn, N. D. Eiland, Wm. Robinson Pasco 4 St. Thomas A. O. Pearce, D. H. McCarthy, Robt. H. Parker Clay Sink 5 Twin Lakes Thos. Wheeler, Thos. Arnold, Jas. B. Moody Loyce 6 Argo P. B. Hogue, D. E. Winham, David Gillett Blanton 7 Blanton Jas. R. O’Berry, W. N. Dowling, Jno. M. O’Berry Ft. Dade Academy 8 Ft. Dade N. A. Carter, Jss. N. Sumner, Isam D. Howell St. Thomas 9 St. Thomas Jas. A. Delcher, Thos. Lucas, Scott Nelson Bethlehem 10 Argo J. H. Dicks, A. J. Rewis, Randall Rewis O’Berry 11 Owensboro J. W. O’Berry, H. C. McRae, Thos. Blitch Dade City 12 Dade City F. P. McElroy, J. K. Davis, Chas. Croft, J. W. Ashbrook Vereen 13 … … Clear Lake 14 San Antonio B. L. Ray, R. A. Brown, W. D. Eubank, Geo. T. Davis Enterprise 15 Dade City Dr. Joe Daiger, Robt. Sumner, W. R. Roundtree Hatton 16 Dade City M. G. Rowe, J. B. Pixton Prospect 17 San Antonio A. C. Middlebrook, David Osborn, Lewis Gaskins Matchett Lake 18 San Antonio T. J. Holten, Jesse B. Tucker, J. Asbell Beulah 19 San Antonio F. A. Barnes, S. Ryals, S. P. Strickland Hays School 20 Hudson Jesse Hay, C. Steveson, Wm. Lang Oak Dale 21 Richland A. E. Geiger, J. D. Spivey, M. G. Frizell New River 22 Earnestville H. G. Ryals, …, … Sumner 23 Dade City K. J. Sumner, J. C. Sumner, J. C. Mercer Emmaus 24 San Antonio Jas. W. Jackson, P. A. Tucker, Jos. Goss Bailey 25 Anclote B. H. Gaines, B. B. Bailey, S. Baker Port Richey 26 Port Richey M. N. Hill, A. M. Richey, J. W. Clark Buddie Lake 27 Earnestville E. E. Earnest, Allen Smith, W. A. Semms (Simms?) Wesley Chapel 28 San Antonio Jno. D. Simms, Jacob Godwin, Thos. Boyett Richland 29 Richland J. H. Pedrick, W. R. Lilburn, S. Y. Stafford
SEPTEMBER 20, 1887
Riverland School 30
A request to build Macon school house. Mr. C. F. Delemater, Hebron School No. 2. Miss Kate Lucas, St. Thomas School No. 9.
OCTOBER 5, 1887
The Macon school house was discussed. The amount collected for Pasco Schools from taxes as of September 30, 1887 — $4201.97.
NOVEMBER 7, 1887
Children must attend the school that is nearest their home, unless good and sufficient cause can be shown why they should attend a diffrerent school, in which case they must procure a written permit from the Board of Superintendent.
DECEMBER 5, 1887
The superintendent reported on his visits to various schools. The school house at Owensboro, No. 11, was found to be 40 feet south of the land donated to the school board. The superintendent was to investigate why the trustees had not built a school at Richland.
The Board allowed five dollars per month for the rent of the upper story of the Snelson house for the Dade City School, but encouraged the trustees to find a suitable location for a school.
The Board resolved that the cost of printing the minutes in the Pasco Democrat was too high.
JANUARY 2, 1888
“It having been brought to the knowledge of the Board that many of the schools in the county failed to observe Thanksgiving day as a holiday – The Board hereby orders that in future all national and state holidays shall be observed as school holidays and all teachers are required to suspend school on those days.”
FEBRUARY 6, 1888
The Board earnestly appeals to the trustees of the public schools in the county to take immediate steps to erect suitable water closets at their respective school houses.
MARCH 5, 1888
The matter of fencing the school grounds was taken up. Several bids were presented, but no final action taken.
JULY 2, 1888
All teachers were contracted for 3 months.
SEPTEMBER 3, 1888
The request by Mr. J. R. Bradley for a school, apparently at Darby, was granted. A deed for one acre of land in S 36 T 24 R 19 from Wm. and Mary Zeigler was presented and accepted by the board for the site for the school house.
The Bethlehem School was ordered closed, and students there should attend the Vereen school. A school was requested for Indian Lakes neighborhood. Mitchell Jones requested Townsend House be re-opened. Superintendent’s salary $550 per year.
OCTOBER 1, 1888
Trustees requested that Bethlehem be opened. W. J. Zeigler and wife Mary deeded one acre for Darby School.
NOVEMBER 5, 1888
Trustees are required to visit their schools at least once per month, and teachers are required to report to the Board the names of those trustees who do and who do not comply with this rule.
DECEMBER 3, 1888
A cistern for the Baillie School is authorized, since it appears a well cannot be obtained in that particular locality.
Column A is Total Enrollment; Column B is Average Attendance; Column C is Number of Whites Enrolled; Column D is number of Colored Enrolled.
No School A B C D 1 Macon 34 25 34 … 2 Hebron 25 18 5 … 3 Oakland 35 21 35 … 4 Pasco 33 15 33 … 5 Clay Sink 18 10 18 … 6 Loyce 30 23 30 … 7 Blanton 50 30 50 … 8 Ft. Dade Academy 36 23 36 … 9 St. Thomas 30 19 30 … 10 Bethlehem 25 16 25 … 11 Owensboro 21 16 21 … 12 Dade City 83 65 83 … 13 Vereen 11 8 11 … 14 Clear Lake 49 30 49 … 15 Enterprise 28 19 28 … 16 Hatton 28 20 28 … 17 Prospect 36 22 36 … 18 Matchet Lake 24 19 24 … 19 Beulah 18 11 18 … 20 Hudson 30 9 30 … 21 Oak Dale 35 19 35 … 22 New River 32 17 32 … 23 Sumner 26 18 26 … 24 Emmaus 34 26 34 … 25 Bailie’s 26 21 26 … 26 Port Richey 19 18 19 … 27 Buddie Lake 20 19 20 … 28 Wesley Chapel 32 25 32 … 29 Richland 30 23 30 … 30 River Land 16 13 16 … 31 Sandy Slough 18 11 18 … 32 Cootie 14 6 1/2 14 … 33 Argo 19 9 1/2 19 … .. Hernando Colored 14 14 … 14 .. Catholic Parish 35 35 35 … .. Tucker 14 14 14 …
FEBRUARY 5, 1889
The matter of the colored school at Dade City was discussed and supt. was instructed to suspend the school unless an average of eight or nine can be maintained. The salary of teacher was reduced to $25.00 per month if average is kept up.
AUGUST 8, 1889
The school, number and teacher. (The minutes only provde the school numbers and do not name the schools.)
School Number Teacher Macon 1 J. J. Brown Hebron 2 A. M. White Oak Dale 3 James Burnside Pasco 4 D. L. McCartey (sp) Clay Sink 5 Alex McGeachey (?) Loyce 6 David Gillett Blanton 7 J. R. O’Berry Ft. Dade Academy 8 Wm. Jones St. Thomas 9 Thos. Lucas Bethlehem 10 E. G. Frierson O’Berry 11 J. W. O’Berry Dade City 12 B. L. Ray Vereen 13 A.M. Belamy Enterprise 15 M.B. Rountree Hatton 16 E.C. Eperson Prospect 17 W. G. Williamson Matchett Lake 18 T. J. Holton (?) Beulah 19 L. M. Strickland Hudson School 20 C. Stevenson Oak Dale 21 E. A. Geiger New River 22 Herb Ryan (sp) Sumner 23 W. McMillan Emmaus 24 J. W. Jackson Bailey 25 James McNeil Port Richey 26 J. W. Clark Buddy Lake 27 Andrew Boyette Wesley Chapel 28 A. Boyette Richland 29 Jns. Henderson Riverland 30 C. R. Lyon Sandy Slough 31 Jessee Alderman Argo 33 J. G. Guthrie Thomas Lake 35 L. L. Bradham … 36 J.A. Sumner Darby 37 R. J. Bradley Dade City Colored 38 A.B. Brandon
OCTOBER 7, 1889
Withlacoochee School #34 is granted.
DECEMBER 2, 1889
The board decided to allow teachers a three day holiday during Christmas and the New Year.
FEBRUARY 3, 1890
The father of Eddie Blocker, who had been suspended from the graded and high school, appeared before the board to appeal the suspension. After a thorough investigation, witnesses having been questioned, the board sustained the principal’s action.
APRIL 7, 1890
Books were lost in a fire at school #13 (Vereen). Replacement books were purchased by W. W. Chaney for $6.20 and he was paid.
AUGUST 21, 1890
Pasco County Graded and High School — F. E. Cooper, principal. George L. Lowery, principal of Graded and High School with a salary of $75.00 per month. It seems there was a question whether Cooper or Lowery would be principal.
SEPTEMBER 1, 1890
Alex Brandon came before the Board asking that a school for colored children be established on the south side of Lake Buddie. By motion a special school was granted and the sum of $20 per school month granted as salary of the teacher. Alex Brandon who was supervisor of the Dade City Colored School resigned his position and was appointed supervisor of the former school.
OCTOBER 6 & 7, 1890
R. C. Riley appointed supervisor of Dade City colored school. W. L. Osborne was appointed supervisor of # 3, Oak Dale, and A. J. Haymane # 17, Prospect.
JANUARY 5, 1891
Salary of superintendent $600.00 for the 1891 school year.
JULY 6, 1891
A school was granted at St. Joseph, No. 32. Andrew Barthle, supervisor.
AUGUST 3, 1891
Mrs. E. V. Powell appointed the teacher for Dade City colored school.
AUGUST 19, 1891
The San Antonio matter, which was deferred from the last meeting, was taken up, and Messrs. Liles, Bishoff, and Higgins came before the Board in behalf of the school asked for at San Antonio. The conditions of the school law having been complied with the Board on a motion granted the school and it being represented that there would be 70 or 75 pupils in attendance at said school the Board granted the request that two first class teachers be appointed for the coming scholastic term. On motion Rev. Father Roman was appointed supervisor of said school. The school to be known as the San Antonio School No. 9.
MARCH 7, 1892
The case of the Bank of Pasco vs the School Board was discussed.
APRIL 4, 1892
A report recommending an eight-month term for graded schools was accepted.
JUNE 6, 1892
A school at Pasco Station was approved.
JULY 7, 1892
Salary for 2nd class teacher $35 if enrollment was less than 30. $40 if enrollment was over 30. Salary for 3rd class teacher $25 per month.
Apparently, the schools were divided into districts and the school trustees managed their respective district.
Riverland (1) Macon (2) Withlacoochee (3) Pasco (Graded) (4) Blanton (5) Pasco School (6) Loyce (7) Argo (8) Hudson (9) Bethlehem (10) Darby (11) Fort Dade (12) Ellerslie (13) Richland (14) Lake Buddy (15) Pasadena (16) Beulah (17) Matchett Lake (18) Emmaus (19) Drexel (20) Port Richey (21) Baillie (22) Wesley Chapel (23) Sandy Slough (24) Oak Dale (25) New River (26) Clay Sink (27) Owensboro (28) San Antonio (29) Prospect (30) Clear Lake (31) Indian Lake (32) Sumner (33) St. Joseph (34)
JULY 3, 1893
The length of the school term was set at 5 months. Extended term was previously denied. Lacoochee, No. 39, was discontinued. The salaries were fixed as follows:
First class $40.00 per month if 15 pupils of school age. Average attendance less than 15 pupils, the salary is $35.00 per month.
Second class $35.00 per month with an average of 15 pupils or more.
Third class $25.00 per month. All schools will be discontinued if the average daily attendance falls below 7 pupils. All schools will be discontinued when the enrollment falls below 10 pupils of school age. The salary will be $20.00 per month.
AUGUST 7, 1893
Patrons of Indian Lake School, No. 36, requested and were granted permission to relocate the school in a more central place near Dodd Spring.
The following supervisors were recommended:
Stevenson (2) S. H. Stevenson Chipco (3) N. D. Eiland Pasco (4) D. H. McCantry Clay Sink (5) James D. Heisler Blanton (7) J. D. Sims Fort Dade (8) J. D. Harvill San Antonio (9) Rev. F. Roman O. S. B. Bee Tree Pond (10) J. H. Ryals Owensboro (11) J. W. O’Berry Pasco Station (13) B. E. Wells Ellerslie (15) A. E. West Pasadena (16) E. C. Shiman (sp) Prospect (17) W. G. Williamson Matchett Lake (18) F. J. Hollis (sp) Beulah (19) J. A. Tucker Vereen (20) J. F. Hay Abbott (21) A. E. Geiger New River (22) H. D. Ryals Sumner (23) J. Cary Sumner Emmaus (24) J. M. Tucker Port Richey (26) Jas. W. Clark Lake Buddy (27) John Grasham (sp) Wesley Chapel (28) L. M. Strickland Richland (29) J. S. Snelson (???) Sandy Slough (31) Jessie Alderman St. Joseph (32) Andrew Barthle Argo (33) G. W. C. Littell Withlacoochee (34) A. D. Tucker Drexel (35) L. L. Bradham Indian Lake (36) Jno. R. Kemp Darby (37) R. J. Bradley Dade City (col.) (38) D. A. Hartfield Union (?) (39) W. G. Frierson Ehren (40) Jacob Asbel (sp). The following were appointed on the condition of examination by the board:
Pasadena (16) Miss Lulu Shiman (sp) Lake Buddy (27) W. M. Gilbert Ehren (40) W. T. Pritts or Bitts (?) Thomas Lakes (35) D. M. Brakes (sp) Sandy Slough (31) D. H. Smith Wesley Chapel (28) J. B. Salmon Dade City (colored) (38) Samuel Baisden Blanton (7) Mrs. Laura Johnston Indian Lake (36) Marry McCullough
SEPTEMBER 4, 1893
The following teachers were recommended:
Abbott (21) G. B. Pixton Pasco Station (13) Mary Howell Darby (37) C. P. De La Mater Fort Dade (8) J. G. Dellinger Prospect (17) John Barnes Port Richey (26) E. B. Liles San Antonio (9) Sr. M. Scholastica, Sr. M. Agnes, Assistant Clay Sink (5) J. G. Tanner Union (39) Rosa Bellamy (this line is struck out) Supervisors were appointed: Macon (1), H. K. Bankston; Riverland (30), M. S. Slaughter.
Teachers appointed: Ellerslie (15), Jeannie Cowan; Loyce (6), F. A. Buck.
OCTOBER 9, 1894
Prospect school was blown down by the recent storm.
NOVEMBER 5, 1894
Apparently, it was decided that indigent families should still receive the books their children would need for schools.
APRIL 1, 1895
The principal of the Pasco County graded school is mentioned. This is perhaps the first mention of a principal in the minutes.
MAY 6, 1895
Dr. J. W. Gatton of San Antonio came before the board and stated that bodies had been interred under the school, thus forming a health hazard. The matter was referred to the City Council of San Antonio.
JULY 1, 1895
Teachers appointed for 1895-96 term.
Macon (1) Miss Rina Wilson Pasco School (4) Rob. O. Carter Darby (5) J. A. Cunningham Loyce (6) F. A. Buck Blanton (7) Mrs. Jnos. B. Johnston Fort Dade (8) C. F. De La Mater San Antonio (9) Sr. M. Immaculata, Miss Anna Janeway, Assistant Owensboro (11) Miss Jessie Roberts Pasco Station (13) Miss Mary Ansley Ellerslie (15) B. M. Hubbard Prospect (17) Miss Minnie Osborne Sumner (23) Mamie L. Weaver Lake Buddy (27) D. H. Smith St. Joseph (32) Sr. Mary Grace Withlacoochee (34) G. B. Pixton Drexel (35) J. B. Salmon Indian Lake (36) Miss Mary McCullough Ehren (40) George Lynch
AUGUST 5, 1895
The following teachers were appointed.
Emmaus (24) J. N. Platt Chipco (3) E. B. O’Berry Myrtle (41) J. A. O’Hara Union (39) Miss Maxine Kennedy Ehren (40) Miss Dixie Hudson Pasadena (16) Miss Lora Spencer St. Joseph (32) Sr. M. Scholastica San Antonio (9) Sr. M. Catherine New River (30) John Barnes On motion a deed for lot for Indian Lake School #36 was received and permission granted to have school taught on the new premises. Name of school changed to Elba Heights No. 36. Sandy Slough discontinued.
FEBRUARY 2, 1896
Mr. E. Green came before the board and confessed that he had unfortunately taken stimulants and had acted disorderly. He asked the board to forgive him and to reinstate him in his school work. He promised that in the future he would be most careful that nothing of the kind should ever occur again. The board accepted his apology and at the request of his supervisor Mr. James Kersey reinstated him as teacher in his school.
MAY 11, 1896
On motion the Board sold the old school lot at Indian Lake School to the …. Baptist Church … for ten dollars.
AUGUST 3, 1896
Teachers appointed for the 1896-97 term were:
No. 5 A. J. Drew No. 6 Mattie Jordan No. 7 Mary McCullough No. 9 S. Mary Immaculata No. 15 C. F. De La Mater No. 26 Bessie Miller No. 30 John Barnes No. 32 Sr. M. Scholastica No. 36 N. G. McCullough No. 41 E. F. Green The salaries ranged from $30 – $45.00 per month.
JANUARY 5, 1897
Apparently, the board approved a black school in the Macon district since there were 35 black children there. J. D. Moore appointed teacher.
MARCH 26, 1897
D. O. Thrasher, Superintendent – Salary $648 per year.
MAY 3, 1897
Teacher, school number, salary: Mollie Jordan (89), $45.00; J. D. Moore (3), $30.00; Bessie E. Miller (26), $45.00; Alice Smith (38), $30.00; Addie Sumner (19), $30.00
JULY 5, 1897
Apparently, three regulations were approved at this time. School will not be allowed to open before August 16th beginning this year. Teachers will be required to keep a daily attendance record of each child enrolled.
AUGUST 2, 1897
Teachers assigned:
Macon (1) F. E. Cooper Chipco (3) Miss Sallie Gant Pasco (4) Alice —- (sp) Clay Sink (5) Ella Osborne Loyce (6) Mattie Jordan San Antonio (9) Sr. Mary Grace, Sr. Immaculate Owensboro (11) J. G. Dellinger Childers (12) James F. White Pasco Station (13) Mattie Ansley Hudson (14) Ella Goshorn Ellerslie (15) C. F. De La Mater Pasadena (16) Mary McCcullough Prospect (17) E. F. Greer Vereen (20) John Barnes Abbott (21) Addie Sumner New River (22) C. C. Darmany Sumner (23) Ada Fries Emmaus (24) Ethel Morse Baillie (35) Lem Taylor Lake Buddy (27) Ella Mobley Richland (29) W. M. Gilbert Riverland (30) Mamie Weaver Port Richey (26) Ed Liles St. Joseph (32) Sr. Annutrata (sp) Withlacoochee (34) Fannie Mobley Drexel (35) Rose C. Moon Indian Lake (36) Mrs. J. B. Johnston
JUNE 6, 1898
D. L. Sellars was appointed supervisor of Emmaus. A. G. Geiger was appointed supervisor of Abbott.
JULY 4, 1898
The first Monday in September was fixed as the first day of school for this county.
AUGUST 1, 1898
Teachers assigned:
Riverland 1 Miss Sallie Gant Withlacoochee 2 Ida Lee Ellerslie 3 Mrs. J. B. Johnston Richland 4 Miss Mollie Jordan Abbott 5 J. W. Osborne Childers 6 J. F. White Independence 7 Miss Dove Hudson Lake Buddy 8 Fannie Mobley Pasadena 9 Alice Meacham Sumner 10 Mrs. J. E. Bryant Elba Heights 11 MIss Fourman Wake Forrest 12 C. F. De La Mater, Prin., Mrs. Clark, assistant Blanton 13 J. W. Platt Chipco 14 M. McCullough St. Joseph 15 Sr. —– (sp) San Antonio 16 Sr. Scholastica, Prin. Sr. Immaculata, assistant Prospect 17 Miss Bessie Miller New River 18 John Barnes Wesley Chapel 19 Minnie Sims Matchett Lake 20 J. H. Osborne Pasco 21 Miss Ella Osborne Darby 22 Mary Howell Clay Sink 23 Addie Sumner Ehren 24 F. E. Cooper Wells 25 Mrs. Lew Taylor Myrtle 26 Bell Powell Drexel 27 Ella Goshorn Loyce 28 Adna Gregg Vereen 29 Alma Clement Stevenson 30 Anna Powell Baillie 31 J. S. Wilder Port Richey 32 Ed Lyles Hudson 33 Kate Littell Emmaus 34 Mattie Ansley Alliance 35 Ella Mobley Townsend House 36 Maude Gregg Willow Oak 37 W. M. Gilbert Midway Academy (near Lumberton) 39 Lois Pedrick
OCTOBER 3, 1898
A special school was granted at Fort Dade.
J. D. Moore’s salary at colored school #3 — $35.00 per month.
JULY 3, 1899
Teacher assignment:
No. 0 H. S. Phillips, prin., Mrs. J. B. Johnston, assistant, Mary McCullough, M. L. Weaver No. 1 Sadie Osborne No. 2 H. M. Frazee No. 3 Mattie Jordan No. 4 J. D. Wilder No. 5 Cooper Staley No. 7 Alma Clements No. 8 Fannie Mobley No. 10 Addie Sumner No. 11 Mabil Fourman No. 12 Mrs. J. A. Clark, assist. No. 13 W. E. Baker, Prin., Miss Bell Powell, assist. No. 14 M. McCullough No. 15 Sr. Immaculate No. 16 Sr. Scholastica, Prin., Mamie Osborne, assist. No. 17 Bessie Miller No. 18 Pearl Weaver No. 19 Minnie Sims No. 20 Mrs. Lem Taylor No. 21 Miss Ella Osborne No. 22 Mary Howell No. 23 Pearly Fourman No. 24 E. B. Liles No. 26 Miss Myrtle Aberson No. 27 Miss Ella Goshorn No. 28 Mrs. V.A. Lettell No. 29 John Barnes No. 31 Miss Ella Mobley No. 33 Miss Anna Osborne No. 36 Maude Gregg No. 39 Miss Lois Pedrick No. 8 Miss Maggie Dormany [W. E. Baker is presumably William Emery Baker (b. Thonotosassa, Feb. 12, 1880). His biography says that for a year after leaving Florida Conference College at Leesburg in 1896, he was a teacher in the Dade City High School.]
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