Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-04-25

OF the Revised School Law. for school
houses previously erected. or have
been appropriated to school structures
now in progress of construction. the
authority for the aforesaid assessment
is undoubted. not merely unquestion-
ed. but imperative, as the language OF
the 9th section abundantly proves
Errors in this matter must be correct
ed, and Trustees must not complain.
IL they decline the statutory method
Of correcting such mistakes, should
the Reimbursement Of perverted funds
be sought at their hands by the aid Of
legal suasion.v
Qaestion. A. Are the Trustees TO
so divide and appropriate the school
funds in the township treasury among
the several districts or schools, as
shall be necessary to keep up school
for the same length Of time in winter
or summer?
Ansper. Yes. But thisdivision Of
apportionment must not be ON the ba-
sis Of the number Of scholars. II is
their duty TO employ teacher for
each and all the districts an equal
length of time. with wise reference
to the wants and wishes OF each dis
trict as to the season Of the year they
would rather have their school, The
Trustees, however, must exercise a
proper discretion in oil cases. II there
are funds sufficient only for three
months school, il must be at season
that viii best suit the older scholars,
for the obvious reason that their school
period Is rapidly drawing TO n close.
and with many may terminate with
the current session. The law recogni-
zes no numerical division Of the school
funds, but requires the Trustees to
appropriate them annually, so as to
secure to each district an equal term
Of tuition. If from any unavoidable
cause. no school should be taught in a
given district. il is just and equitable
that said district should have its loss
made up the next year. II Trustees
manage affairs wisely, such case will
be of rare occurrence, and when they
do happen, the necessary amount OF
funds win be in the Treasury, for a
Board would be very indiscnet and
unwise 70 expend all the funds on the
schools in session, while one or more
districts are unprovidcd with teachers.
Question. Is it optional with the
Trustees to appropriate only portion
of the funds to the continuance offree
schools. or is it their duty to expend
the whole amount in the treasury ev-
cry yaar for the maintainancs of fras
sohuols in tho several distrivt- ;n thcir
respective Townships?
1nswer. The statute undoubtedly
contemplates nothing else than an an
nual appropriation of all the school
funds Of every township. except In
cases described in the answer to the
previous question. The Trustees have
no authority to defer the appropriation
of said funds to the succeeding year.
except in cases Of unavoidable neces-
sity, which will very seldom occur;
nor arc they required to appropriate
them in advance of their reception By
the township treasurer, which Is the
policy pursued in many corporations,
an unfailing source of perplexity and
embarrassment TO tho Boards, and no
small detriment to the cause. This
custom Of anticipating the funds should
be abandoned at once. Let us go on
the cash system hereafter. 1t il un.
wise to run the engine with borrowed
fuel. Wait till the means are at COM
mand to order the requisite amount
and quality to our wants. Sugges-
tons on the proper method to be pur-
sued by trustees, in this department
Of their official duties. were made in
the aforesaid circular, and II adopted
by the Township Boards. would ter
inmate their vexation from this
source. It is to be hoped tbat they
will not be overlooked. but their wis.
dom and efficiency will be fairly tested.
Hoping the above replies may prove
satisfactory, remain. Your. truly.
CALEB MILLS. Sup't.