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Education/Schools - Historical Notes

Tennessee Code Annotated
Tennessee Attorney General Opinions

Board of Education

The following acts once affected the board of education in Trousdale County but are no longer operative. Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

  1. Public Acts of 1873, Chapter 25, established a uniform system of public schools in Tennessee which would be administered by a State Superintendent, County Superintendents, and District School Directors. Three Directors would be elected by the people of the district to three year terms.
  2. Private Acts of 1907, Chapter 236, abolished the office of District Directors and established a Board of Education for most counties in the State, assisted by a District Board of Advisors. The Quarterly Court was directed to divide the county into five school districts, composed of whole civil districts, from each of which one member of the Board would be elected by the Quarterly Court. The Superintendent would serve as Secretary. The duties of the Chairman, the Secretary, and the Board members were enumerated in the Act. A three member Advisory Board would be elected by the people in each district, who would serve two year terms and discharge the duties specified for them in the Act.
  3. Private Acts of 1909, Chapter 327, amended Public Acts of 1873, Chapter 25, to provide for a County Board of Education in Trousdale, Houston, and Shelby counties, composed of one member from each civil district, the County Judge or Chairman of the County Court, and the County Superintendent of Public Instruction who would be ex-officio Chairman of the Board. The Superintendent would appoint the initial members of the Board but their successors would be elected by popular vote in each civil district to two year terms. The duties of the Chairman, the Secretary who would be selected by the members, and the Board members themselves were all specifically enumerated in the Act. No member of the Board would be compensated under this Act.
  4. Private Acts of 1941, Chapter 233, created a Board of School Commissioners in which was vested the administration, management, supervision, and control of the school system in Trousdale County. The Commissioners would be elected by the voters of the District for two year terms, one from each Civil District except the Seventh where two would be elected. The Board would have all the powers of a Board of Education which the general law conferred. A special election would be held to select the first members and vacancies would be filled in the same way. The Board would hold regular meetings on the first Monday in June, September, December and March. The Chairman would be paid $4, and the members, $3, per day but not for over 15 days in one year. The Superintendent of Public Instruction would serve as ex officio Secretary to the Board keeping minutes of all the meetings but having no vote. This Act was repealed by Private Acts of 1943, Chapter 226.
  5. Private Acts of 1943, Chapter 227, created a Board of Education composed of eleven members, one member from each Civil District and two from the District of the county seat, who would be elected for two years by the people of the District wherein they resided. The Act named L. S. Carman, John Gregory, Jesse Merryman, Dan B. Carr, Donnie Thompson, H. M. Byars, E. A. Brown, A. A. Lauderdale, Benton King, R. B. Piercy, and Eddie Harris, to serve as members until their successors could be elected in August, 1944. The Chairman would be paid $4 per day, and the members of the Board would receive, $3 for each day served in that capacity. The Board would have and exercise all the powers and privileges given to the Boards of Education under the general law of the State. This Act was repealed by Private Acts of 1945, Chapter 459.
  6. Private Acts of 1955, Chapter 102, formed a seven member County Board of Education to be elected at large by the people of the County for two year terms. Carl Dickerson and Lawrence Thompson were named to fill the two additional spots created by this Act, and the incumbent members of the Board would remain in office until their successors could be elected. All general school laws in effect and not in conflict with the provisions of this Act would prevail. The efficacy of this Act was made subject to an affirmative referendum vote. This Act was rejected by the voters of Trousdale County and never became effective.
  7. Private Acts of 1959, Chapter 47, set up a seven member County Board of Education who would be chosen at large by the Quarterly Court of Trousdale County to staggered terms with successors to be elected one each year for permanent seven year terms. In all other respects the Board would be subject to the general education laws of the State. This Act was not approved by the Quarterly Court which action rendered it null and void.

Superintendent or Director of Schools

The acts referenced below once affected the office of superintendent of education in Trousdale County, but are no longer operative. Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

  1. Private Acts of 1941, Chapter 464, provided for the popular election of the County Superintendent of Schools for Trousdale County beginning at the general election in August, 1942, beginning the term on January 1, 1943, and every two years thereafter, but provided further, that Brown Draper, the present Superintendent shall serve through December 31, 1942. The candidates must file satisfactory proof of their qualifications for the job before having their name placed on the ballot. The salary for the position will be $2,000 per year, half of which shall be paid by the State. This Act was repealed by Private Acts of 1945, Chapter 462, Page 1427.
  2. Private Acts of 1945, Chapter 462, repealed Private Acts of 1941, Chapter 464, effective on September 1, 1948.
  3. Private Acts of 1947, Chapter 456, amended Private Acts of 1945, Chapter 462, by making its repeal of Private Acts of 1941, Chapter 464, effective immediately.
  4. Private Acts of 1955, Chapter 103, declared that the County Superintendent of Education in Trousdale County shall be elected for a two year term by a popular vote in the manner and at the time of the general election of other county officials. The salary of the position would be the same as was fixed under the general education law. The Superintendent was allowed to employ one other person to assist in the operation of the office at a salary to be determined by the rules of the general education law. The Superintendent shall make and keep a list of all purchases over $100 which shall be published in some newspaper. This Act was rejected by the voters of the county which action rendered the Act null and void.

General Reference

The following acts constitute part of the administrative and political heritage of the educational structure of Trousdale County but are no longer operative since they have either been superseded, repealed, or failed to receive local approval. Also referenced below are acts which repeal prior law without providing new substantive provisions.

  1. Private Acts of 1909, Chapter 494, provided that in Trousdale County, any parent, guardian, or other person legally responsible for the control of any child over eight years of age and under fourteen years of age shall cause that child to attend some public school at least four months or eighty days consecutively each year. Some exceptions were made. Parents could be fined $1 per day for each day the child was absent. This Act was repealed by Public Acts of 1978, Chapter 716.
  2. Private Acts of 1911, Chapter 221, amended Private Acts of 1909, Chapter 494, so as to include Knox County within its provisions. This Act was repealed by Public Acts of 1978, Chapter 716.
  3. Private Acts of 1911, Chapter 306, was identical to Private Acts of 1911, Chapter 221. This Act was repealed by Public Acts of 1978, Chapter 716.