Alderbranch - Tatum School
Alderbranch was created some time before 1912 as District # 43. It was classified by the County School Board on February 12, 1912 as in Intermediate School. In June 1913 it was re-classified as a two-year high school.In 1912, Mr. Holmes reported on Tatum School as Tatum County Line, District # 8, with a building that had been repaired and repainted and some furniture had been added. He said, "This district needs a high school so as to enable the high school students to attend school at home."
Records show that Alderbranch had two teachers in 1916-1917: Gladys Holt and Jewell Allen. Apparently, it continued as a rural school until 1932 when the patrons petitioned to consolidate with Tatum:
"We the undersigned property tax payers and legally qualified voters of Alderbranch Common School District No. 43, of Panola County, Texas, do petition you to order an election to be held at Alderbranch School House for the purpose of determining whether a majority of the legally qualified.... Favor consolidating Alderbranch Common School District with Tatum Independent School District for school purposes...
"We also petition you at the same time to determine whether a majority of the ... are in favor of assuming their part of the indebtedness of Tatum... and extend the tax rate of $1.00 on the hundred dollars valuation..."
Signatures on that petition included the following: W.H. Liles, Mrs. W.H. Liles, H.H. Williams, Mrs. H.H. Williams, Ray Williams, W.O. Peel, Volie Liles, Pink Williams, Zelma Williams, Lesslie Williams, Levi Williams, Elvia Williams, J.O. downer, Mrs. Mollie Kellly, Otto Liles, Walter Wilkerson, Mrs. Walter Wilkerson, Nora A. Norton, M.A. Norton, I.D. Redmon, T.W. Liles.
The Court announced the results of the election on June 13, 1932 as thirty votes cast: 20 For and 10 Against. The Court declared Alderbranch Common School District # 43 consolidated with Tatum Independent School District for school purposes. J.G. Strong signed the declaration as Panola County Judge.