Local events

Supt. W.L. Mitchell

Originally published in Vol. 14, Ed. 11 of the Howe Messenger, March 12, 1937.

The Board of Trustees of the Howe Independent School District voted Tuesday night to accept the resignation of Supt. W.L. Mitchell, effective June 30. Mr. Mitchell tendered his resignation Saturday.

A large number of applications have been made for the vacancy. It is reported, seven or eight applicants appearing before the board Tuesday night . Action on selection of a successor to Mr. Mitchell was deferred until March 18. The list of applicants includes some of the state’s leading school men, it is said.

Mr. Mitchell’s resignation brings to a close the second longest period of service as public school superintendent on record in Grayson County, this being his fourteenth year at Howe. The school has made rapid and substantial progress under his administration, having 18 credits of affiliation now as compared to none at the time he took the position in 1923. Three more credits have been applied for, and assurance has been given that they will be granted, it is said.

Only 225 students were enrolled in 1923, with 42 the high school. The enrollment has continually increased to more than 400. High School enrollment this year stands at 140.

Mr. Mitchell has been active in Grayson County educational affairs since coming to Howe. He has been president of the county teachers association on two different occasions, and now holds the position of secretary treasurer with that organization. For 12 of the past 14 years he has held some official position with the county interscholastic league.

In addition to his educational activities, Mr. Mitchell has been closely allied with the work of the Presbyterian church in the area. He is moderator for the Paris Presbytery last year and went to Cincinnati last May as delegate to the general assembly.

He is not yet ready to disclose his plans for the future, he stated.

**Mr. Mitchell was succeeded by W.B. Wheeler who had previously been the superintendent at Pickton ISD and a longtime teacher at Cooper ISD. His daughter, Wyline Pool, later became the elementary principal at Howe ISD.