Public Education in Terrell

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about public education in Terrell, Kaufman County. Now, every town worth its salt has a founding story, and plenty of them involve land deals or cattle or courthouse politics. But Terrell's got one that starts with something a little different: a vote.

On July 3, 1883, the citizens of Terrell went to the polls and voted overwhelmingly to establish and support a system of public schools. Overwhelmingly. Not by a slim margin, not after a bitter fight.

They made up their minds and they made it plain. Classes got underway that same September, held in buildings that had previously been occupied by various private schools. No grand new construction yet; just roll up your sleeves, use what you've got, and get those children learning.

That'll do for a start. But Terrell wasn't content to stay modest for long. By 1885 (just two years in), the town had completed its first true public school building.

And they did not think small. Three stories of brick, standing at the corner of Moore and Ann streets. Three stories.

That's a statement. That's a town telling you exactly where it stands on the question of education. Then came 1913, and that fine brick building burned.

Just like that, gone. But here's where you see what a community is really made of: classes moved to the site of the former Wesley College and kept right on going, no long pause, no throwing up of hands, until a replacement building was completed in 1914. One year.

They didn't quit. Over the years, as the student population grew, additional facilities followed. And through all of it, the Terrell School System was served by able leaders.

D. A. Paulas served as the first superintendent.

Then from 1893 to 1918, the district was headed by S. M. N.

Marrs; and Marrs was clearly just getting warmed up, because he went on to become state superintendent of public instruction in 1922. The man who ran Terrell's schools eventually ran the schools of all of Texas. Since its beginning in 1883, and its first graduating class in 1886, the Terrell schools have been turning out fine community citizens and leaders, generation after generation.

The marker says public education here has had a significant impact on the development and growth of the town and the surrounding area. And you know, when you think about that July vote in 1883 (those citizens raising their hands, casting their ballots overwhelmingly), you have to figure they'd be pretty satisfied with how it all turned out.

What the marker says

On July 3, 1883, the citizens of Terrell voted overwhelmingly to establish and support a system of public schools. The first classes were held in September of that year in buildings that had previously been occupied by various private schools. In 1885, Terrell's first public school building, a three-story brick structure, was completed at the corner of Moore and Ann streets. It burned in 1913, and classes were held at the site of the former Wesley College until a replacement was completed in 1914. Over the years additional facilities have been built as the student population increased. The Terrell School System has been served by able leaders throughout its history. D. A. Paulas served the first superintendent. From 1893 to 1918 the district was headed by S. M. N. Marrs, who went on to become state superintendent of public instruction in 1922. Since its beginning in 1883 and its first graduating class in 1886, the Terrell schools have produced fine community citizens and leaders. Public education in Terrell has had a significant impact on the development and growth of the town and the surrounding area.