Smyrna times., 1873-03-26

The PROPOSED New SCHOOL LAVA new
Public School bill has at last been perfected BY
the Legislative Committee on Education, and
on Thursday last Mr.. Hickman introduced it
into the House 1t is an entire substitute for
the present law. The main features of the bill
are as follows
Each county is to have county board of
education, composed of one member from each
school district, which shall meet at least twice
year, in May and November, at the county seat
of each county, and determine all matters of
controversy between the various school dis
tricts, or between the school commissioners,
and also hear the appeals of teachers, &C. 1t
shall have full and exclusive power to form new
school districts when needed, and to prescribe
and re-adjust the limits of the old ones as
occasion may require. 1t may also determine
what textbooks are to be used in the schools
of the proper county, and provide for supply
ing them at cost prices. This board is elected
by the school commissioners, in April, who
vote at the place of holding the general elec-
tiop in each hundred
TheTe is also to be State Board of Educa-
ton, to be composed of the three county
boards, which is to meet annually at Dover 10
October, and determine all matters of contro-
versy between county superHteDdents and
county boards, between superintendents and
teachers or commissioners, and between school
commissioners and teachers-.in short to settle
all questions that the county boards cannot
settle. 1t must also make full report to the
Governor of the condition Of the schools, with
any suggestions that may be proper in regard
to the amendment Of the laws relating thereto.
There is also, to be County Superintendent for
each county. Ito be appointed by the Governor)
whose duty it shall be to visit every school in
his county at least once a year, and note the
condition of the school buildings, grounds, and
appurtenances; the qualifications Of the teach
ers, the method of instruction, and the dis
cipline and government of the schools He is
also required to examine all applicants for
teachers, and any one interested may attend
the examinations. He is required to give a
certificate to all applicants who pass success
ful examination, and the applicant is required
to ~ s. for said certificate. The Superin.
tvu.-ut can also deprive teachers of their Ger.
tlhcates, for any disobedience or negligence.
He is to see that all the requirements of the
county board are carried out. He must attend
solely to the duties Of his office, and no other
business, for which he is to receive 81, 200 Der
year.
The abOminable system of ''voting down the
tax is sought to be abolished by this bill.
The commissioners of every school district in
this State are required to raise by taxation,
yearly, in the manner now provided by law,
to1hOm regard 10 any cote thereon, at least $75
for school purposes and any school commis-
eioner failing to do so shall be personaUy liable
to such school district for that amount The
bill also makes provision for the colored children
1T provides that whenever the taxable colored
people OF any neighborhood shall desire to
organize colored school, and shall satisfy the
school commissioners that they have a suitable
School house, aud that within circuit of five
miles thereof there are a: least thirty five
colored children over six years Of age, needing
instruction, and that the colored taxabes within
The limits aforesaid have voted in the manner
now prescribed by law, to raise by taxation at
least $I5, such school, with the limits afere-
said, shall be recognized aud established as a
colored school; aud all such schools shall be
under the direction of the school officers as in
other cases. ga sasar oa ~ nei~yoes
ASoeh i ageneral outline, Of the bill. And
10 the main it is q good one. The committee