The school system has changed greatly since it was established in Exeter Township. Originally schools were supported by subscription. Usually an itinerant schoolmaster would conduct school for a few months during the winter. In 1809 a State Law provided for the admission of poor children to school, and in 1833 the Free School Act was passed. In Exeter Township the first school was established in 1819 in a log school house. During the school term the building burned and the term was finished in Joseph Schooley's home. Mrs. Rachel Goodwin, daughter of Colonel Jenkins, Josiah Beach and John McMillan were early teachers.
Later other school's were built in the township. Lloyd Atherholt sold the first parcel of land to the Exeter Township School District in 1903 for $50.00. The Upper Harding School was built on it. Land for other one-room school's reverted to the original owners when the school was no longer needed. School's were located on Schooley Street and on Properties owned by Howard Krum, Ray Mullison, and Stantons. The last one-room school's were known as the Courtright or Lower Harding, Sutton Creek, Upper Harding and Mt. Zion school's. This last school was built about 1885. The school report for 1891 show the existence of four one-room school's, one male and four female teachers, and 145 students. The total tax levy for school's in that year was $763.57.
The one-room school house's were eliminated in 1939 when a school was built for the elementary grades. High school students were sent to West Pittston. This building is still used for primary grades. Exeter Township School District is now a part of Wyoming Area School's. Of the nine school directors elected for this area, two members, Daniel Fetch and Walter Placek, live in Exeter Township.. |
