John C. Scarborough

John C. Scarborough (September 22, 1841 – December 26, 1917) was an American educator and public official who served two nonconsecutive terms as North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction (1877–1885 and 1893–1897). He helped build North Carolina's public-school system in the decades following the Civil War and served as superintendent for twelve years in total.

Early life and education John Catre Scarborough was born in Wake County, North Carolina, on September 22, 1841, the son of Samuel Scarborough and Cynthia Scarborough, and attended local common and district schools. He went to Wake Forest College in 1866. During this period, Scarborough served as an Assistant Principal and was hailed as "one of the brainiest men in the State". He served as president of Chowan Baptist Female Institute (later Chowan University) from 1897 to 1909. And later served as superintendent of the Hertford County schools from 1910 to 1915. On May 6, 1893, the superintendent's office issued a letter describing a State Board of Education decision to retain the existing list of public-school textbooks, reflecting the department's role in statewide textbook adoption and administration. Teacher preparation and instructional methods remained a central concern in state education work during this period, including calls for stronger normal instruction and improved teaching practice. Furthermore, Scarborough helped draft a bill that proposed dividing the state into several educational districts. Each district would have a district superintendent responsible for conducting examinations, issuing certificates, holding county institutes for teachers, and inspecting schools. Scarborough also proposed a general provision that would allow any township, any incorporated town, or any school district that included an incorporated town to levy a special school tax by popular vote, but the legislature ignored his recommendation and made only minor, largely insignificant changes to the law.

Labor statistics and labor office work He served as commissioner of labor statistics which was established in 1887 and resigned that position in late 1892 after his election as superintendent of public instruction. He held the position of state commissioner of labor and printing for several years. They had five children. He died at his home in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, on December 26, 1917, at age seventy-five.