Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1857-02-20
Thc Vermont Board of EdmcntIOn.

The Secretary of the Board, j. 5. Adams,
Esq, has recently issued in circular form,
a letter to the Friends Of Education in Yer
mont As containing an authoritative an
nounccment Of the policy Of the B)Irl it is
worthy Of special notice We extract from
it as follows
4 general movement of the whole people,
in favor of pariectinr the State system of
public schools, is the result desired Such
mpyAncnt, must. Of course, have its agcns t
and directors. but it can only make true
and permanent progress, when it has Sc
cured the hearty and intelligent cooperation
Of the great mass of the people; ard in
order to this il is essential, LIST, that tho
people should fully understand the purposes
and aims of the movement, I'd, that they
shouli fully approve them, and Sd, that
they should know the means and instru-
mentalitics that are to be used, and recoS-
uizc them as Objectionable, honorable, and
likely to be otlcacious.
The following is u copy Of the lnstruc.
tiUns of the Board
BURLINGTON, January %, 1877.
To j. 5. ADAMS, Esq, Secretary, &c.-
Dear Nir:-l have been commissioned by
inc bOlTl hl Iluthllbn, " lhllllNH NOu
with condensed statement of their views
and wishes by which they expect you to be
guided in the discharge Of your duties, as
Secretary, viz:
l. 1t is the opinion Of the Board that the
System of Common Schools, as now cstab-
ishcd by Law, in this State, is a good one,
adapted to the spirit Of our institutions and
the character OF our people, and capable, by
its own natural growth, to meet the growing
wants Of our communities
> You are expected, therefore, to direct
your efforts mainly to the development Of
the system as you find it, sulting your pro
ceedings to the condition and circumstances
OF the different communities which you may
! visit, endeavoring to awaken interest in the
subject, where such interest is lacking, and
seeking in all proper ways TO guide it,where
! it exists, into wise channels and towards the
! best practicable ends
3. The Board are convinced that the real
sentiments Of our people are radically sound
and Just on the great interest of our Com
mon Schools, and it is their wish that you
should act in accordance with it, SO lar AS
| practicable and that you should endeayor
to disabuse the communities, if any such
| exist, whore wrong impress ions have been
/ formed, and luxurious prejuilccs and iral
| ousicS have been cherished, being fully
| persuaded that there will be found no i'm
portant difference Of sentiment or aim be.
/ tween the Board and the public, If their
/ feelings are mutually understood.
1. 1t is expected, therefore, that you will
carefully study the wants and opinions Of
all parts of thu State, ON the subject and
ascertain the views and secure the co opera
ton aHi advice Of Intelligent perGons in the
! snN.r,l his la IA = .raptinulla Ia
voting especial attention to the more
remote and less ropulous portions of the
State.
). You are cautioned, al.o, against any
effort prcmaturry to Introduce auyGrrapsc
ments and notifications not recognized and
provided for in the existing statutory pro-
/ visions ; for such notifications, although
they may have proved useful elsewhere may
not now be eYpedient or necessary here, and
should be introduced, Cnly as called Tor by
the felt wants and distinct demands Of the
P ople.
6. You are expected by private CONVEX
sation and public lecturing throughout the
ate, to call out the lItnnt right seminar
which, it is confidently believed, exists, and
to give it a unity OF aim and expression;
and 50 prepare the way ior the ready and
harmonious introduction Of such modiica-
tions or improvements as time and expert
encc may recommend.
I, Sou are requested to take particular
pains to effect more general acquaintance
with the laws On the subject Of our Com
mon Schools. In order to this, IT is suggested
that you answer all inquiries, so far as may
be, by reference to the statutes, as, for cx
ample, with reference to the holding of
school meetings, to the formation of Union
Districts, to the holding of Institutes, to
the examination Of teachers, to the intro