The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1876-08-03
Es-ag = a a1.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
An Explanation TO Teachers and IA
W frnas of Puhlic Schools. $50

"a irons OF Pablie Schools. set@
When took charge of the Office Of
County Superintendent of Education, en-
tered on the duties of said Office with the
fixed purpose of mind to be governed, In
all matters connected with the subject OF
Public Schools, by the School Laws de
fning thednties Of County superlntend
ont. and to follow the instructions OF the
| State Superintendent in the details OF the
| business of my Office, reserving the right TO
dissent from his views when, in my J"dg-
ment. they were adverse to the plain mean
ing and intent ofthe law. As soon as
bacame familiar with the details OF The
business of the office, I searched into the
condition of the school fund Of this county
I soon ascertained that there was a large
debt against the county for school pur-
poses, and that debt increasing daily by
| the running Of the schools established by
NV predecessor. | then SAW clearly that
The safest poll y for ME to adopt, in order
to relieve the county OF a still larger debt
than hal already accumulated was, not to
establish any more schools the present
year. and to close those in operation as
soon AZ the contracts existing with teachers
expired. I informed the State Superin-
tendept of the facts above stated, and OF
the policy l had adopted, and asked for
his approval. The State Superintendent
replied promptly to my letter, stating that
my views were correct, and he approved
the policy I proposed to pursne. This
~as the status of the school question until
the 9th Of July, on which day | received a
circular from the Superintendent, direct
ing the County Superintendent to eStab-
lish schools in localities in which no
schools had been established the present
year, and run them the time pre-
scribed bv law. | wrote to the State
7 Superintendent, and called his attention TO
the fact thai he had approved Of my poll
CIV. not to establish schools the present
wear. | also asked him what provisions
were made to pay teachers who may be
employed this summer and fall. To the
second question NJ. Gathright answered
they would be paid out of the tax, etc, to
be collected this TALL. To the first ques-
ton ! asked him he replied: That at the
time L approved the idea of not Opening
! the schools until January | was repnslng
ia the decision Of the Attorney General az
! to the i~nterre.num," in all school matters
t,ou the LIST of Septe'ntember,
1876, until the lst of January
1877. From this opinion of the Attorney
Gene, ii he now dissents, and holds thai
"The resent sholastic year ends on she
3lst of December next, aud, in theory, be
Gan on the lst of January last" To this
opinion | cannot con'cientiou'ly subscribe
The Acknowledgement evidently gave
! the correct com Ttruction Of the law.
Will this conviction on my mind, Il
would be a wrong inAictipn on teachers for
me to employ them to teach this summer
and fall, knowing at the same time there
are no school funds on hand, neither any
in prospect to pay them for their services
The above explanation l consider que
the public, that my reasons m " be known
tor ms present course in refe re ace TO the
Public Schools of the County.
! | also give notice to the patrons OF
,hools that they are required to L1Het al
SO. ne convenient place in the neis hoor-
hood where schools are located, the last
Saturday in August next to eject thr, 'e
Trustees for the ensuing scholastic year.
WILEY BUaGEss,
Ca. Snp't Eiucation Lincoln Cpunty.
BlooKHAvEN, Jnly 3lst, 1876.