Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-09-22

1s the People Of the State Of Vermont -
The time has come when the cause Of cdu-
cation demands q thorough revision OF oar
system of common schools. \ few thoughts
in relation thereto may the cause Of deeper
and more general thought on tho subject,
whereby our too much complicated school
system may be abolished. and one more sim
pie In its construction and details be suhsti-
tutcd in its place
The division OF towns into school districts,
is, and always has been, Il fruitful source OF
contention in town meetings, and attended
often with more or less expense, and indivl-
dual disadvantage; and the locating and the
building of school houses in the districts,
have been always attended with discomfort
and the houses so badly constructed as to in
cummode both the teachers and scholars.
And then, the towns in this State will aver
age about four or five school districts to each
town and each district has its collector Of
taxes-only think, a thousand collectors Of
school taxes and the same number of petty
clerks, and host of Prudential Committees
and those not always of the most elevated in
telect and prudence for school districts have
always had the Democratic notion that the
burthen Of an Office must be shared by all its
members, especially when it is not lucrative
Now what would propose to have done is,
to have the school districts in each of the
several towns in this State abolished, and the
law dividing the towns into school districts,
repealed. To give the town Superintendent
of common schools the sole charge of the Sc
veral schools in each town, supplying them
with competent teachers, and removing those
who are ncompetent-having authority to
draw money from the treasury of the town to
defray the expenses of the several schools
under his charge, and to perform other du-
ties which may be thought necessary for the
benefit of said schools. To constitute the Sc
lectmcn and justices of the peace in each town
a board having the power to locate and con-
struct, (when necessary and also, to fur
ni.h and keen IN suitable repair, the several
school houses IN their respective towns, at
the expense of said towns. And Furthermore,
to constitute the Governor of the state, the
- State Superintendent of common schools,
in the State Of Vermont" who shall have a
general supervision of all the schools in said
state, and to whom the several town Supcrin-
tcndents shall make their reports Of the con-
Gition of the several schools in each of their
towns returnable, at a certain time, annu-
ally.
The benefits resulting from such chango
in the school system would be, the placing
the collection Of the school taxes in the hands
of the proper officer to collect taxes. one who
has to give bonds to the town for the respon,
sibility, and who is sworn to the faithful dis
charge of his duty. There would be nC
longer necessity for the division of the pub
lie school monies according TO the number o
children over four and under eighteen years
of age ; and the scholars would attend the
schools which would be the most convenient
for them. The town Superintendent, beins
partially removed from local influences
would not have that delicacy in removing an
incompetent teacher, which is sometimes
manifested by the district prudential com
mittee; and being the person to examine can
didates for teachers, he would be better ablt
to judge of their qualifications, and ohtair
good teachers and when il comes to b,
generally understood that a teacher is cont
/ nually on trial, liable to be removed at any
time, it will call forth the energies and ca
pacitics Of the teachers to their utmost ahi
! lities. IMPROVEMENT.
0FAll the newspapers in the State o
Vermont ure requested TO give the above Al
insertion.