SHARING THE PAST Creation of a public education system in Boerne
Among the early German settlers of Boerne there were many university graduates, and they were strong advocates of education.
Men like Karl Dienger and Herman William Topperwein, offered themselves for hire. A student could come to their homes to be educated. In 1857 Topperwein was teaching at the hefty price of $25 per month.
Boerne histories call Topperwein “the first public school teacher in Boerne.” This is a misnomer. This was private schooling, not public schooling.
There were many failed attempts to mandate public schooling in the state of Texas. Laws were passed but a system did not emerge.
The foundation for a workable system was laid in 1854 with a law that called for the organization of common schools, a state school board and an allowance for the conversion of private schools to public schools.
The law provided $2 million in funds from the sale of lands to the U.S. to establish the system. There was no on-going funding or tax support for the schools.
In 1858, New Braunfels became the first town in Texas in which the residents voted for a tax to support a “free school.”
Finally, in 1871 Gov. Edmund Davis signed a bill initiating a universal, statewide, tax supported, public education system for Texas. This was called a “free school” system.
The concept ignited a fierce political firestorm of opposition. The opposition brought forth the following objections:
• Education should be a private matter and not a government matter.
• It was outrageous to take taxpayer money to educate other people’s children.
• To educate all children, the quality would be degraded to the lowest common denominator.
• Public schools might undermine Sunday schools, and the children would grow up immoral.
• Free Schools were a Yankee idea.
For most of the opposition, the fifth objection was the most clinching argument against the bill.
Boerne did not immediately embrace the “free school” idea. But in 1873, the German “ Gesangenverein” donated land to the School Society for a school and the following year a school building was built.
The school opened with 19 students in all grades, but it was not really a public school. A growing English population in Boerne objected to the lessons being taught in German. They sent their students to a school in nearby Balcones.
Daniel Perrin, a Dartmouth graduate, settled there in 1873 and after building his house, he and his sons built a schoolhouse. Daniel’s wife, Emily Perrin, was a founder of the Methodist church in Boerne, and the schoolhouse was used both for a common school and a Sunday School.
The “free school” debate raged. The San Antonio Express of July 1875 said: “... should not be scared with the mere name of Free school! The necessity of having good and independent non-sectarian schools is now felt all over the country.” The newspaper ridiculed candidates for election who ran against free schools. A reporter wrote, “Mr. King from Boerne, a good citizen, we believe, but as a lawmaker as imbecil (sic) as a goat ...”
Despite objections, movement toward a free school continued. The Boerne School Association announced they had appointed Charles Dienger and F.W. Schweppe as teachers in August 1877, and that tuition rates would now be uniform at $1.25 per month.
The Galveston Weekly Press wrote, “The public free school of Boerne .. will commence on the first of next month at the schoolhouse in Boerne.’” Thus, a system of true public school education in Boerne began on November 1, 1877.
Sharing the Past is organized by the Kendall County Historical Commission, www.facebook. com/KendallCountyHistorical-Commission.
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