EARLY FARMERS BRANCH SCHOOL HISTORY "CHRONICLED" ONLY IN CARROLLTON PAPER
Education in the C/FB area: a history
Percy M. Pentecost
A Texas Sesquicentennial Project of the C-FB ISD

Little is known regarding the early history of the Farmers Branch School District. There are no school board minutes available prior to 1941, and the only newspaper coverage consists of occasional short statements in the Carrollton Chronicle. For instance, On October 7, 1904, the Chronicle issued an announcement regarding this school; "Public school opened Monday, October 3rd." Another reference was on May 4, 1906: "Our public school closed Friday of last week." The October 1, 1904 edition listed the school staff for 1904-1905 as being: Professor T. J. Smith, principal; Miss Luta Jones of Taylor, Texas, primary teacher; and Mrs. T. J. Smith," .. teaching music again."

During the 1908-1909 term a Mrs. Baskett served as principal, and the primary teacher was Mrs. Minnie Moore. For the 1909-1910 school term, Mrs. Baskett was reelected principal, Miss Sherman of Oklahoma was named as assistant (probably primary teachers), and Miss Mary Johnston was listed as the music teacher. Not long thereafter, Mrs. Baskett resigned as principal and the board of education named a Miss Andrews of Dallas to fill the vacancy. For the 1910-1911 school term the board elected a Miss Killough as principal and a Miss Jimmie McClendon as teacher. Forty-two (42) students were the listed enrollment. For the same term, the Carrollton enrollment was listed as 136 students.

On September 24, 1909, the Chronicle carried a statement regarding the Farmers Branch school: "Free school will open October 4. All parents should get their children in the first week so as to get full benefit of the free school."  This statement may indicate that, like the Carrollton Independent School District, Farmers Branch may have operated a subscription school during the term to supplement the educational opportunities financed by the state.

On September 1, 1911, the Chronicle listed the state financial aid for 1911-1912 for the Farmers Branch School District at $604.50 and for Carrollton as $1,267.50. Since state support was allocated on a per capita basis, this would indicate that Carrollton enrolled approximately twice as many students as Farmers Branch.  This situation would not change drastically until the 1950s when Farmers Branch would undergo a period of rapid growth while Carrollton would remain relatively static.  The October 34 (sic), 1912 edition of the Chronicle reported a state allocation of $698.70 for Farmers Branch, Trinity Mills, a Common School District destined to be united with Carrollton in 1917, was given an allocation of $171.25. The October 18, 1912 issue of the Chronicle reported relative to Farmers Branch: "Oct. 16 - The school as this place is progressing nicely."

The next mention of the Farmers Branch school came in the April 11, 1913 edition of the Chronicle:

Next Saturday night, April 12, we are to have a regular box supper first and then ice cream will be served to those who wish it. The proceeds are to be expended in obtaining a laboratory for the better teaching of Agriculture, Physiology, Physical Geography and Physics in the school...this is the last time you will be given the opportunity to contribute to the school this session. 
...G. E. Linville.

On Friday, April 17, 1914, the Chronicle announced relative to Farmers Branch: "The last day of school will be enjoyed Friday with a picnic and dinner on the ground."

The 1914-1915 school term was announced the following October 2, 1914 item in the Chronicle: "The school opened here Monday with addresses by Revs. Epps and Fuller and the principal, Prof. Love. Miss Mary Johnston also to be commended for the assistance she gave...." The community involved itself in supporting the school as is evidenced by a Monday, January 23, 1915 meeting of the Farmers Branch Civic Improvement League. The Chronicle reported:

The Civic improvement League met ... with Mrs. Tom Field ... and plans were discussed for the improvement of our school. A box supper will be given ... the proceeds to be used to buy a Victrola (sic)  for the school.

On July 26, 1915, the Civic Improvement League met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Johnston and heard a report from G. N. Dennis and J. A. Verbeck relative to a proposed new school building and the improvement of the school.

The last 1915 reference to the Farmers Branch school was printed in the Chronicle on October 1, read:

School opened here last Monday with a good attendance of pupils and patrons, and much interest was manifested. County Superintendent Thos. E. Henry was present and made an interesting talk. Lunch was served at the school house by the ladies of the Civic League.

NEXT WEEK: Staff Development for Teachers of the Early Public Schools

Notes:

• Carrollton Chronicle - Friday April 11, 1986

• Submitted by Betty (Stanley) Dennis