Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-04-23
Free Schools.

We extract the following from the Spartan one Of
whose editors Mr. Tucker had received from Governor
Brown, Of Florida an account of the Common School
| system Of that young State. tsahs
1.-THE State of Florida has created School fund,
which is constantly accumulating, arising in part from
the sale Of public lands reserved by the of Congress
for educational purposes to that State and in part by
taxation and from other resources The State guaran.
tees the amount of two dollars per annum to each child
attending the Common Schools, between the ages Of
five and eighteen years; while the Commissioners IN
each county and the Trustees Schools in each school
District are vested with power by law to raise much
more by assessment There is one Superintendent Of
Common Schools for the State at large whose duty
s-to report annually to the Governor tho condition
Of the Common Schools throughout the State the mode
and amount ofthe expenditures Of School funds plans
for the Improvement of the SYSTEM and amelioratig
the condition of the Schools exhibit Of the number
Of Schools; number of scholars between the ages Of
FIVE and eighteen years. aid apporton the School fund
among the several counties according to the number of
schools and scholars in attendance. q 20 z7fE
This is an important Office and no system can oper.
ate well without general superintendent. Ia
There is county superintendent for each county
in the State The Judge Of Probates for each county
becomes the county superintendent by virtue of his Of
fee whose duty it is to report to the Commissioners Of
schools for the county, annually; the amount of funds
proportoned to such county; to lay off each county
into School Districts Of convenient size describe and
number the same in or the centre of which the
School House is erected to make an annual rer or to
the State superintendent between the months of July
and October, embracing full statement of the num-
Der Of schools and school districts in his county num-
ber Of scholars receiving instruction; number of teach.
ers employed and whether male or female; and the
amount and mode Of expenditures Of money to visit
each school in person in order to encourage and pro-
mote its usefulness, at least year; to contract
with teachers for their services pay their wages from
the county fund, and notify the trustees respectively
Of such schools Of any deficiency of money! to be sun
piled by tax levied within such District: and finaJr
to act as public Examiner of Teachers and, becoming
satisfied with their qualifications to give certificates Of
license to enter upon the discharge Of that important
work. -,
This looks like efficient organization rea]lv and
practically designed to accomplish great and good re.
suits. 49,
There is in each county Board of Commissioners
OF Schools who have power by law, to raise through
the Tax Collector any found necessary to sustain
the schools in such county, to the extent of dou
BILE the sum apporoned to such county by the State
superintendent from the public fund.
Ihere is Board Of Trustees for each School District
IN the county, who have the immediate supervisor of
the school, and the inhabitants of such District under
regular call from the Trustees elect their school off.
GERS and vote the amount Of tax to be levied within
such District as may be erect suitable Houses
furnish suitable books, fixtures &c. z.a -aeH
ANY school Dctrict that fails to elect Trustees or to
build suitable House. or to make report to the su.
perntendent of the condition of its schools for the cur
rent year shah receive part Of the school fund for
the succeeding year.