Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1857-03-07
BURLINGTON, January %, 1857.
of the Board

SdH'idTy 81, 1901.
To ]. S. ADAMS, ESQ, Secretary, Sc
Deer Sir Il have been commissioned by the
Board of Education, 10 furnish you with con-
.densed statement of their views and wishes, by
which they expect you TO be guided in the dis
charge of your d1ties, as Secretary, viz;
l. 1t is the opinion OF The Board that the
System of Common Schools as now establish
ed by Law, in this State, is good one, adap-
ted 10 the spirit Of our institutions and the
character Of our people, and capable, by its
own natural growth, 10 meet the growing wants
of our communities.
Q. You are expected, therefore, to direct
your efforts mainly to the development Of the
system as you find it, suting your proceedings
10 the condition and circumstances Of the diff.
.erent communities which you may visit, en-
deavorng to awaken interest in the subject,
where such interest is lacking, and seeking in
all proper ways to guide it, where it exists, in
10 wise channels and towards the best practical
BILE ends.
3. The Board are convinced that the roal
sentiments of our people are radically sound
and just on the great interest Of our Common
Schools. and il is their wish that you should
act in accordance with il, 50 far as practicable
and that you should endeavor 10 dsabuse the
communities, if any such exist, where wrong
impressions have been formed, and injurious
prejnd:es and jealousies have been cherished
being fully persuaded that there will be found
no important difference Of sentiment or aim be-
tween the Board and the public, if their feel
iogs are mutually understood.
4. 1t is expected, therefore, that you will
carefully study the wants and opinions of all
parts of The State, on the subject, and ascertain
the views aud secure the cooperation and ad
vice Of intelligent persons in the several Dis
trlcts, So far as practicable, devoiing especia
attention to the more remote and less popnluu:
portions of the State.
s. You are cautioned, also, against any ct
forts premalureyto introduce any arrangement.
and notifications not recognized and provided
for in the existing statutory provisions, for
such notifications, although they may have
proved useful elsewhere, may not now be ex
pedlent or necessary here. and should be intro
duced, only as called Tor by the felt wants an'
distinct demands of the people.
@. You are expected by private conversation
and public eclurng throughout the Stale, I,
call out the latent right sentiment. which, il il
confidently believed, exists. and TO give a unit,
OF aim and expression and so prepare the wa,
for the ready and harmonious introduction O
such notifications or improvements as time and
experience Way recommend.
7. You are requested to take particular pain
10 effect more general acquaintance with I'll,
laws on the subject Of cur Common Schools
In order 10 Ibis, it is suggested that you an
swer all lnquities, 30 far as may be, by ref
erence 10 the statutes, as, fer example, with
references 10 The holding of school meetings. ID
ihe Formation of U"ion Disiriels, 10 the holding
OF Institutes, 10 the examination of teachers
TO The introduction, or change of School Books
and to many other matters which are eithe
not understood. or are disregarded. II is. be
ieved that mnch may be done, in this way. 1,
cause the School Law to be lell and apprecia
ted.
8. You are expected to fulfil, as far as pos
sible, thu requirements Of the Act of the las
session constituting Board of Education, Q,
peeally with respect 10 the collection Of stati'
'!rs, tho holding Of Institutes, aud the genei'