The minute records of the Town of Herndon School Board were transcribed by members of the Providence Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), Fairfax Station, Virginia. Chapter members generously donated their time and expertise to create a line-by-line transcription to preserve the integrity and style of the original writing. Because the original documents were frequently written in shorthand, the transcribed text has been converted to longhand on this webpage for accessibility, readability, and searchability purposes. The transcribed minute book created by the Providence Chapter, NSDAR is available for download below in PDF format. Photographs of the original record book pages are included in the PDF.

September 26, 1904

The School Trustees of Herndon School District met in the schoolhouse. Present were Chairman Bannister and Enos L. Garrett, Clerk. On motion the School Board signed the contracts with the Teachers for the ensuing year as follows:

After the contracts were signed, the teachers commenced their respective schools. Upon motion, the Clerk was instructed to put up notices asking for bids for furnishing ten cords of wood for the white school and five cords for the Colored school. The wood to be hardwood, either four-feet long or cut into three lengths, and for said bids to be in by October 10, 1904. The Clerk was also instructed to ask for bids for janitor. On motion, the Board adjourned. Signed, Enos L. Garrett, Clerk

Notes:

• Sadie C. Detwiler also taught in the Dranesville District.
• Katie Groh’s full name was Katherine S. Groh.

October 10, 1904

The Trustees met in the home of Enos L. Garrett, Clerk. Present were Chairman Bannister and Clerk Garrett. The bids for janitor were opened and the job was awarded to Resin Williams at $4.00 per month for care of the white school rooms. The bids for furnishing the wood for the different schools was opened and the contract was awarded to Charles Ball at $3.00 per cord cut into stove lengths. There being no further business, on motion the Board adjourned. Signed, Enos L. Garrett, Clerk

Note:

• Resin Williams appears in the historical record as Joseph Reason Williams.

August 22, 1905

The School Board of Herndon School District met in the home of Enos L. Garrett, Clerk. The Board was reorganized. W. H. Taylor was elected Chairman, and Frank W. Huddleson was elected Clerk. There being no other business to be acted upon, the Board adjourned to meet on the 24th instant. Signed, Enos L. Garrett, Clerk Pro Tempore

August 25, 1905

The School Board of Herndon School District met in the home of trustee Enos L. Garrett. The full Board was present. Upon motion, the Board decided to contract to run the schools seven months, if the teachers suited this and if there were enough funds to run the schools for another month. The candidates for principal or teacher of School Number 1 were James F. Brawner and Sadie C. Detwiler. After balloting for teacher of School Number 1, James F. Brawner had the majority of votes and was declared elected. There being no further business, the Board adjourned. Signed, Enos L. Garrett, Clerk Pro Tempore

September 12, 1905

The School Board met in the home of trustee Enos L. Garrett. The full Board was present. Upon motion, the Board voted to employ Resin Williams as janitor for the white schools at a salary of $4.50 per month. It was moved and carried that a warrant be drawn in favor of Dugan Ryan for $7.00 for painting the woodhouse at Oak Grove School. Upon motion, the Board proceeded to the election of the teacher for room number two [in the white school]. Upon balloting, Miss Kate Groh received two votes and Miss Nannie B. Garrett one. Miss Groh was declared elected. On motion, the Board adjourned. Signed, Enos L. Garrett, Clerk Pro Tempore

October 10, 1905

In compliance with the Chairman’s call, the School Board met at Chairman Taylor’s home. The full Board was present. Mr. Brawner was instructed to examine and return five or six of lowest pupils on his list to the junior grade in order to divide the number of pupils in each room more evenly. It was moved and carried that a warrant be drawn in favor of D. R. Ryan for $4.00 for repairing the windows of the Colored school. Mr. Brawner turned over to the Clerk $3.00 for tuition received from Mr. Groom, Mr. Ferguson, and Mr. Shreve, for the first month’s tuition. It was moved and carried that the Clerk be ordered to procure a lock for the front door of School Number 1. There being no further business, the Board adjourned.

October 12, 1905

The key to the lock was found and obviated the necessity for a new lock as referred to above. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

February 1, 1906

The School Board met at Chairman Taylor’s residence. The full Board was present. Warrants drawn by the Secretary since the last meeting were approved. The advisability of installing a third teacher (in the white school) was discussed and the Board decided unanimously to employ one for the remainder of the school term at a salary of $25.00 per month. Miss Nannie B. Garrett was selected as teacher. Warrants were ordered drawn in favor of Enos L. Garrett for $5.61 for taking the school census in July 1905. Also, a warrant was drawn in favor of Mr. Gillette for $2.00 for recitation books. The Clerk was ordered to communicate with Mr. George Meyer relative to unpaid tuition for his son. Also, the Clerk was ordered to communicate with Mr. Popkins relative to unpaid tuition for Mrs. Aud’s son. There being no further business, the Board adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk.

June 29, 1906

A meeting was called at Chairman Taylor’s resident for the purpose of closing up last year’s business and to employ teachers for the ensuing school term. Trustee Enos L. Garrett being absent, the Board adjourned to meet on July 5, 1906. The Clerk was instructed to notify Mr. Garrett of the next meeting. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk.

July 5, 1906

The School Board met at Chairman Taylor’s residence with Trustees Taylor and Huddleson present. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. The bills for which warrants had been issued since the last meeting were examined and passed as correct. The employment or selection of teachers for the ensuing term was taken up. There being but two applicants for Grade Number 1, Mr. James F. Brawner was selected, and his salary was fixed at $60.00 per month. A. T. Shirley was selected as teacher for the Negro school at a salary of $35.00 per month. The fixing of the length of the school term and the employment of primary teachers was deferred until the next meeting. The Clerk was instructed to advertise for bids to furnish firewood to both schools, and to advertise for a janitor for the white school. The next meeting of the Board was set for July 12, 1906. The Clerk was directed to inform Mr. Garrett of the time and place of the meeting and to urge his attendance at same. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

July 17, 1906

The School Board met at the residence of Chairman Taylor. The full Board was present. The minutes of the last meeting were read and approved. It was moved and carried that the teachers be contracted for a school term of seven months with the privilege of extending the term to eight months. It was moved and carried that the Town Council be instructed to make a levy of 3 mills, the present rate for the next school year. The Clerk was directed to advertise for bids to furnish firewood for the two schools, and to advertise for bids for painting the Negro schoolhouse. The Clerk was also directed to check the belfry at the white school building. It was decided by the full Board to conduct the coming school term so far as possible to the interest of our own children and that no pupils be admitted from outside districts without an order from the Clerk of the Board. There being no further warrants, the meeting was adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Secretary

Notes:

• In addition to state funding, Fairfax County’s towns and magisterial districts raised money to fund the public schools through local levies. The amount of the school levy varied among the towns and districts and was generally highest in districts with the most schools. The district levies required the approval of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Herndon’s levy required the approval of the Town Council.
• A “mill,” derived from the Latin term millesimum, was a unit of currency used in the United States, particularly in regards to property taxes, and denotes a fraction of a dollar.

August 2, 1906

Received of Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk of the School Board, $73.50 in tuition collected by him for pupils from outside the Herndon School District to be credited to the district school funds of Herndon. Signed, Elisha Dyer, Sergeant, August 2, 1906

August 30, 1906

The School Board met at the residence of W. H. Taylor. There being two trustees newly elected to the School Board, a reorganization of the Board was the first order of business. W. H. Taylor was reelected Chairman, and Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved. It was moved and carried that three teachers be employed for the white school (with two trustees voting for and one against). Miss Lulu O. Fulton was chosen as teacher for the intermediate grade at a salary of $30.00 per month. Miss Virginia E. Wrenn was selected as teacher for the primary grade at a salary of $25.00 per month. The contract for 15 cords of wood was given to Allen Bradley: $3.00 for twelve cords of oak, and $2.50 for three cords of pine; ten cords to be delivered to the white school and five to the Negro school. The bids for painting the Negro school were not satisfactory and were rejected. The Clerk was appointed to have a belfry erected, cost not to exceed $25.00. W. H. Taylor and John McNabb were appointed a committee to investigate the condition of the grounds adjacent Negro school and open drain, fill in, or build a walkway as they deemed best. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

Note:

• Miss Lulu O. Fulton also taught in the Dranesville District.

September 15, 1906

The School Board met at the school building. The full Board was present. The following teachers were contracted with for the ensuing school term:

The Board decided to place new curtains in all the school rooms, price of each not to exceed 25 cents. W. H. Taylor and Dr. McNabb were directed to examine the condition of the stove at the Negro school. The Clerk was instructed to obtain bids for a woodshed for the white school – size 10 by 16. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

October 6, 1906

The School Board met at the school building to hear the cause of A. T. Shirley having violated his contract and the school law by closing his school and leaving the town without first obtaining permission. A. T. Shirley was notified to meet the Board at this time and place but failed to do so. Shirley, having failed to avail himself of this opportunity to mend or explain the wrong, was declared dismissed by the Board and his contract annulled. The Board adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

October 12, 1906

The School Board met at the school building to give A. T. Shirley a chance to be heard (he having given plausible reasons for not being present at the previous meeting). After hearing his explanation, the Board decided to reinstate him after the third week from his dismissal, and imposed a fine of ten dollars for his willful violation of the school law. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

April 2, 1907

The School Board met at Mr. Taylor’s. The Board unanimously decided to close the schools of Herndon at the expiration of the seventh month, which will be April 12, 1907. The Secretary was instructed to inform the teachers that they may be governed accordingly. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

July 17, 1907

Received of Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk of School Board, $24.00 tuition collected by him from pupils residing outside the Herndon School District to be credited to the District School Fund of Herndon. Signed, E. Dyer, Sergeant, July 17, 1907

August 26, 1907

The School Board met at Frank W. Huddleson’s residence. The full Board was present. E. Barbour Hutchison, by unanimous vote, was elected to teach the first grade for the coming term at a salary of $75.00 per month. Miss Virginia E. Wrenn was selected for the primary teacher position, by a vote of two to one; her salary to be $25.00 per month. It was moved and carried that the white school be given one coat of paint. It was moved and carried that 24 single seats be ordered for the white school. It was moved and carried that the Clerk advertise for bids for painting and also bids for firewood for use during the winter. It was moved and carried that the Town Council be respectfully requested to levy 3 mills on the dollar for school purposes the coming year. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

Note:

• E. Barbour Hutchison is Edwin Barbour Hutchison for whom Hutchison Elementary School is named.

September 9, 1907

The School Board met at the residence of Mr. Edgar E. Gillette. The first order of business was reorganization. Edgar E. Gillette was elected Chairman, and Frank W. Huddleson was elected Secretary. Bids for painting the school building were opened and were found to be as follows:

The contract was awarded to John Ryan. It was moved and seconded that a teacher be selected for the Colored school. The balloting was as follows: Two votes for Shirley, one vote for Thomas. Shirley was declared elected and his salary was set at $28.00 per month. Reason Williams as was awarded the position of janitor for the white school for the ensuing term at salary of $6.00 per month for the three rooms. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

September 12, 1907

Received of Dranesville School District check for $175.00 in full for tuition due Herndon School District by them to date. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk of the Board

September 14, 1907

Deposited the above check to the credit of the County School Fund for the Herndon School District. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk of the Board

October 21, 1907

The School Board met at Frank W. Huddleson’s store to select a teacher for the intermediate department. The following applicants were considered: Miss Garrett, Miss Hisle, Miss Orrison, Mrs. Bone, and Miss Gresham. It was moved, seconded, and carried that Miss Orrison be selected to fill the remainder of the term at a salary of $40.00 per month. It was moved, seconded, and carried that a warrant be drawn in favor of A. T. Shirley for $18.00 for six cords of wood. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.

August 25, 1908

Received of Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk of the School Board, $36.00; it being the amount of tuition collected by him from pupils residing outside the corporate limits of the Town of Herndon for the school term 1907-1908. Signed, E. W. Bauckman, Sergeant

September 1, 1908

Received of Draneville District, $80.00 in full for tuition due Herndon District by them to date. The above was credited to Herndon School District and charged to Dranesville District by Mr. Wiley, County Treasurer. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

July 15, 1908

The School Board met at Huddleson’s store. The full Board was present. It was moved and carried that the school term for the coming session be eight months. E. Barbour Hutchison was chosen or elected as teacher for Room Number 1 at a salary of $75.00 per month. Mrs. A. G. Orrison was elected to fill either of the primary grades at the discretion of the Board at $50.00 per month. Miss Virginia E. Wrenn was nominated for teacher of the primary department, but in view of the fact that the grade of her certificate had not been brought to the notice of the Board the motion was withdrawn. It was decided to defer the selection of the primary teacher until the next meeting. It was moved and carried that the Town Council be requested to levy a 3-mill assessment to meet the requirements for the coming term. The Secretary was instructed to advertise for bids to furnish twenty cords of wood for the coming term. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk
 

July 8, 1909

The School Board met at Frank W. Huddleson’s store. The full Board was present. It was moved that the teachers’ contracts be made for seven months, with the privilege of extending the contracts to eight months if the Board found that attendance justified the extension. The following names were submitted for the principalship: Miss Greever, Miss Beavers, Miss Thorne and Mr. Lynn. Mr. Lynn was elected as teacher for Room Number 1 at a salary of $75.00 per month, the votes standing two to one. The following were applicants for the intermediate department: Miss Beavers, Miss Van Sickler, and Miss Thorne. Miss Van Sickler was unanimously elected at a salary of $50.00 per month. The following were proposed for the primary department: Miss Wrenn, Miss Thorne, and Miss Beavers. Miss Thorne was elected by a vote of two to one, and her salary was set at $40.00 per month. The only applicant for the Herndon Colored School, C. B. Thomas, was chosen at a salary of $30.00 per month. It was moved and carried that the Colored school house be repaired and painted and the Secretary be ordered to submit bids for same. It was moved and carried that the Secretary be authorized to secure bids for furnishing firewood to the schools for the coming term. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

July 20, 1909

The School Board met at Frank W. Huddleson’s store. The full Board was present. It was brought to the attention of the Board that Miss Thorn had declined the position offered her at $40.00 per month. Her application for the position of primary teacher at a salary of $50.00 per month was considered. Also, the application of Miss Ruth Richards at a salary of $40.00 per month was considered. Miss Richards was unanimously chosen to fill the vacancy. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

Note:

• Ruth Richards’ surname was spelled incorrectly as Richardson by Frank Huddleson in the minutes of July 20, 1909.

September 14, 1909

The School Board met at the Depot. The full Board was present. The resignation of C. B. Thomas as teacher of the Herndon Colored School was read and accepted. James E. Sadler was selected to fill the position at a salary of $30.00 per month for the term of seven months. Work on the Colored school was examined and approved. The Clerk was ordered to draw a warrant for same in the amount of $49.50. The firewood contract was awarded to George C. French. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. Signed, Frank W. Huddleson, Clerk

June 13, 1910

Received of Frank W. Huddleson $26.83, this amount being the tuition collected by him from pupils residing outside of the Herndon School District attending school in Herndon during the term of 1909-1910. Signed, Elisha Dyer, Sergeant

July 19, 1910

The meeting of the School Board was called to order by the President, Edgar E. Gillette. H. Earlton Hanes having been elected to fill the unexpired term of Frank W. Huddleson (resigned), a reorganization of the Board was necessary. The election resulted in a choice of Edgar E. Gillette for President, and H. Earlton Hanes for Clerk. The question of a new school building was discussed, but no further action was taken in the matter. The several applications of teachers were read as follows:

For good and sufficient reasons, the Board decided to postpone the selection of teachers until another date when the President should call a special meeting for that purpose. The above mentioned applications were for positions in the white schools, no applications having yet been received for the Colored schools. Signed, H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk of the Board

July 26, 1910

A called meeting of the School Board was held. The meeting was called to order by the President and all members were present. The Board adjourned to its next regularly scheduled meeting, August 13, 1910, no business having been transacted. Signed, H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk of the Board

August 13, 1910

At a regular meeting of the School Board of Herndon, Virginia, all members present, the following business was transacted: The election of the teacher for the intermediate grade, white school, was postponed until August 26, 1910, in order to permit applicants to present their certificates. The Board directed that contracts be made for the delivery at the white school of 15 cords of seasoned oak and hickory, mixed, sawed into stove lengths; and 5 cords of seasoned split-piece wood, sawed into stove lengths; to be delivered at the white school not later than October 1, 1910. The Board also directed that a contract be made for 5 cords of hardwood and 2 cords of split-piece for the Colored school house.

The Board directed that bids be obtained for the position of janitor of the white school. Blanche Gordon was elected teacher of the Colored school at a salary of $30.00 per month for a period of seven months. The Board directed that the President and members have necessary repairs made to the school buildings, and to report on this work at the next meeting of the Board. A member was appointed to ascertain the probable cost of several proposed sites for the new school building and report at the next meeting of Board. The Board directed that the Board of Trade be requested to appoint two members of that body to confer with the School Board as to the best site for the proposed new school building.

Miss Ruth Richards was appointed teacher for the primary grade to succeed herself at a salary of $50.00 per month. The Board ordered that the school session begin on the 9th day of September 1910. The Clerk was directed to confer with Mr. Herman Summers as to whether or not he might be considered as an applicant for the principalship of the white school at a salary of $100.00 per month for a term of eight months with the privilege of extending the term to nine months.

The following motion made by the Clerk was passed and ordered spread on the minutes: Resolved that we request of the Town Council of Herndon, Virginia, a levy of 5 mills for school purposes for the year 1910-1911. The Clerk was directed to make this request in the proper form of the Town Council. The meeting adjourned. Signed, H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk

August 26, 1910

All members present, the meeting commenced with the reading of the minutes of the previous meeting. Mr. Herman Summers was elected principal of the white school at a salary of $100.00 per month for a term of eight months, which shall be the full term for the school year, subject to future confirmation. The Clerk was directed to communicate with Miss Waser of Waynesboro, Virginia, with reference to her certificate. The Board adjourned to meet next on Wednesday evening, August 24, 1910. Signed, H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk.

Note:

• The date of the meeting is clearly written as August 26 and the date of the next meeting referenced is clearly written as August 24. August 24, 1910, was a Wednesday.

August 27, 1910

At an adjourned meeting of the Board held on August 26, 1910, all members being present, it was ascertained that Mr. Herman Summers would not accept the principalship of the white public school for less than $900.00 for the session. The Board further considered other applications and elected Mr. James H. Beazley as principal of the white schools at a salary of $100.00 per month for a term of eight months, with an additional month if the Board later considers the extension desirable. The meeting adjourned. Signed, H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk

September 3, 1910

Miss Mildred D. Weaver of Powhatan College was elected to the position of First Assistant Teacher for the intermediate school at a salary of $50.00 per month for a term of eight months, with an extension to nine months at the option of the School Board. The Clerk was directed to get telegraph reply from Miss Weaver as to her acceptance or rejection of the offer. The meeting adjourned. Signed, H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk

October 14, 1910

The School Board met with W. H. Taylor, E. Hilton Jackson, and H. Earlton Hanes present, and reorganized as follows: E. Hilton Jackson, President; H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk; and W. H. Taylor, member. The Board adjourned. Signed, H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk. Postscript note from the Clerk: The District Superintendent, M. D. Hall, was notified of the reorganization by the Clerk under date of October 18, 1910.

November 4, 1910

At a meeting of the Board held on the above-named date, with E. Hilton Jackson, W. H. Taylor, and H. Earlton Hanes present, consideration was given to the proposition submitted by Mrs. Bowers and her daughter Alice in the shape of an offer for the sale of a certain portion of the Bowers’ tract for school purposes, which letter is appended hereto. The President of the Board was authorized to reply to this letter accepting said offer, a copy of which is also appended hereto, both of which form a part of this record. The President and members were also directed to view the ground in question and designate the plot considered most desirable for school purposes. The meeting adjourned. Signed, H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk

November 9, 1910

A meeting of the School Board was held on the above-named date, with E. H. Jackson, W. H. Taylor, and H. Earlton Hanes present. The following bill was read and approved: A warrant in the amount of $92.75 to the Cuthbert Land Development Company for wood for schools. The report of the President on viewing the ground on the Bowers Tract with reference to contemplating selecting the tract for school purposes: The President and members met with C. G. Stephenson, Ernest L. Robey, and Frank W. Huddleson, members of the Town Council, and viewed the land and selected the site in conjunction with Mrs. Bowers and her daughter, Alice; and the President, acting upon the suggestion of the Board members, was directed to write a letter to Mrs. Bowers accepting the selected site, a copy of which is hereto appended; and on motion of Mr. Taylor, unanimously carried. The report was accepted.

The principal of the white school, Professor Beazley, appeared before the Board and complained that certain pupils were absenting themselves from school without reasonable excuse, thereby causing inconveniences in the school. Action was postponed until the next meeting. It was ordered that the outhouse belonging to the canning factory be purchased at a cost of $2.50 and erected on the school grounds. The Clerk was authorized to write the Dranesville District School Board with reference to the amount due to this Board on account of scholars attending the Herndon Schools from Dranesville District in 1908-1909 and say that unless some adjustment were made at once steps would be taken to enforce it. The meeting adjourned, with the date of the next meeting subject to the call of the Chairman. Signed, H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk

January 18, 1911

A meeting of the Herndon School Board, with W. H. Taylor and H. Earlton Hanes present, was held at the Taylor house. The following bills were ordered to be paid: Robert Schneider - $1.00; Hutchison & Mitchell - $0.75; G. C. Burton - $2.30; Fairfax Herald - $4.75. The meeting adjourned. Signed, H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk

January 25, 1911

A meeting of the Herndon School Board was held at the Taylor house, with E. H. Jackson, W. H. Taylor, and H. Earlton Hanes present. The Clerk was directed to transmit to the Commissioners of Sale of the Bowers property an offer of $350.00 per acre for the land selected as the site for the new school building, it being a part of the Bowers property and amounting to four acres. W. H. Taylor was directed to have affidavits prepared and executed by himself, Edgar E. Gillette, and Frank W. Huddleson in regards to the matter of the contract between the Herndon School Board and the School Board of Dranesville District for the payment by the Dranesville School Board for scholars attending the Herndon School from that district during the 1908-1909 session.

The Board directed the Clerk to obtain from W. H. Dawson an estimate for a new 8-room school building in accordance with state plans and specifications then in hand; also, an estimate for the same building except that the upper floor should be designed as one big assembly hall. Similar instructions were given to the President, to obtain an estimate from Mr. Charles H. Reed, and similar instructions to W. H. Taylor, to obtain an estimate from Mr. Edgar E. Gillette. The Clerk was directed to communicate further with the Superintendent of School for the County as to the prospects for an appropriation from the High School Funds. Adjourned to meet at the call of the President. Signed, H. Earlton Hanes, Clerk