Below is a page of minutes from the Ashburn Public Schools in 1932. Sadly, there was a distinct discrepancy in the “white” teachers’ salaries versus the “colored” or African American teachers’ salaries. It comes as no surprise that this period falls right in the middle of the Segregation era.

Meeting Minutes of the Board of Education for Ashburn Public Schools from March 9, 1932, with Chairman Gordon Columbus “G.C.” McKenzie presiding over the meeting. Discussion of the teacher salaries was the topic of the meeting. Teachers included:

1st grade: Mrs. McKnight [Mrs. J.C. McKnight]
2nd grade: Miss Jackson [Ella Jackson]
3rd grade: Mrs. Shingler [Eudora Henderson Shingler Thrasher]
4th grade: Mrs. Whatley [Effie Whelchel Whatley]
5th grade: Miss Hill [Reba Hill]
6th grade: Miss Calhoun
High School: Miss Hawkins [Laura Sue Hawkins], Miss Laine [Lora Laine], Miss Forbes [Louise Forbes], Miss Goss [Gussie Goss]
Principal: Mr. Taylor [V.O. Taylor]
Superintendent: C.J. Cheves
Piano: Mrs. Murphy
Janitor: John Winn
“Colored” Principal: Williams [H.L. Williams]
“Colored” teacher: Edmonson, Chester, Williams [Hattie I. Williams]

Ernest Walter “E.W.” Garner Sr. made a motion that the report is adopted, Frank Marion “F.M.” Tison seconded.

Motion by Mrs. V.A. North (Elizabeth Milligan North, wife of Dr. Vance Allen North) and seconded by Mrs. H.I. Shingler (Netta Jacobs Shingler) that the salary for the voice teacher is changed.

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