West-Jersey pioneer., 1881-06-30
THE NEW SCHOOL LAW.
LETTER FROM STATE SUPERINTENDENT
APGAR.
TRENTON, May Sd, 1881.

APGAR.
TRENTON, May Sd, 1881.
To SCHOOL TRUsTEEs:-I desire to call your at
tenion the provisions the act pertaining to edu
cation passed by the Legislature. This new act
changes the State School Tax from rate tax to a
per capita tax. Under the old law, the rate 1.-TWO
mills) was fixed and the receipts varied; under the
new, the revenue t$4.00 per child) is fixed and the
rate will not vary Under the old law, the amount of
money received per child depended upon the rata
bes of the State and the School Census. de-
crease in ratables and increase in school census
both tended to decrease the revenue per child.
Since 1875, the State ratables have suffered reduc
tion of 1885, involving loss of 1920 Is in
schoolrevenue. During the same period the school
census has increased 292l6 which causes still
further reduction in the amount realized per child
The total reduction per child amounts to $10S.-
Thus during the past six years we have had an an
nual increase in the number of children requiring
education. with continually decreasing amount
OF money to do it with The provisions of the new
law are such that the fuctuation of ratables in fu
ture cannot affect our school revenue. This reve
nue. will depend solely upon the school census of
the State. and will increase. .as that increases This
places our school system upon firm and reliable
basis. The expenses incurred in maintaining our
school system must depend upon the number of
children we have to educate. and the school census
of the State very properly therefore, should serve
as the basis for determining the amount to be
raised. The average increase in school revenue
which this law will yield, will be twenty-five per
cent. the amount received this year under the
old law and about equal to the amount received in
1875 and 1876.
This act also makes an important change in the
mode of apportioning the school moneys to the
counties Heretofore the apportionment has been
made upon the basis of the school census. This,
in theory is correct, and the practical working of
the law would have been satisfactory if the rating
OF the property in the several counties of the State
could have been uniform. This it seemed impos
sibe to secure, and the consequence has been that
at times some counties have paid more than was
equitable and just. and others have received a
larger sum in excess of the amount raised than
they were justly entitled to. This has given Just
grounds for complaint in many of the counties
The new law proposes to correct this; first by CIV
ing to each county ninety per cent. of the money
it raises, which thus fixes the maximum which any
county will be required to pay at ten per cent of
the amount raised; and secondly, by giving to the
State Board of Education authority to apportion
this ten per cent balance, called the fund.-
among the several counties in such manner as in
the judgment of the members of the board may
provision lies in the fact that it affords an opportu
nifty to correct, as far as possible, by the appor
tionment made, whatever injustice might other
wise result from unequal rating of property.
The additional school money which this bill will
secure is desirable only so far as it enables us to
make our schools better. An increase of twenty
five per cent. in school revenue should mean an in
crease of twenty-five per cent. or more in the eff
cheney of our schools. Whether such are the re-
suits or not must depend largely upon trustees, to
whom this circular is addressed. You employ the
teacher. and it is weknown fact that ..as is the
teacher. so is the school"
In consequence of the falling off in our school
revenue during the past six years. the salaries of
our teachers, quite generally have suffered reduc
ton, and many of the most efficient have been
compelled to leave the profession. The increase
which can now be made, should induce those to
RETURN or others of equal greater efficiency to
enter the profession Place your schools in charge
OF the best teachers you can secure If you have
those who have proved themselves worthy the re-
sponsble position they occupy, keep them and
give them such increase of salary as your increase
OF appropriation will admit. They will do still
better work because of the encouragement which
this increase will afford If you have teachers de-
nclent In any respect. do not hesitate to make a
change. You are guardians, for the time being
OF the educational interests of the children of your
district. Get all the information you can from
your County Superintendent, and from others. if
necessary. and fill the vacancies that exist or are
created BY your act. by the very best talent the
funds at your disposal will procure
The spirit of the school law of New JERSEY is.
that the state shall furnish the means for main.
tanning the schools while the local authorities shall
provide suitable school accommodations This in
crease OF State aid for the support of the schools
should stimulate local effort in school-house im
proyements. What is the condition of your school
building? Is it large enough to accommodate all
the children who ought to attend? Is it in a good
state OF repair? Does it need painting outside or
In? Is 1t provided with modern desks good black
boards, and the ordinary pieces of school appara
tnsf Are the grounds rendered attractive by grad
ing and shade trees? Is the outhouse in perfect
order? Is the fence in good condition? If your
schoolhouse and surroundings are deficient in any
OF these respects or in others which the mention
OF these may suggest, measures should be taken to
secure the funds necessary to make the improve.
ments required to put them in first condition.
Ii the twofold effect of the passage of this amend
ment to the school law is such as we have reason
to hope viz better teaching and better buildings.
the school year beginning September lst 1881. will
marx the beginning of new era in our educa.
tional work. Yours firmly
ELLIS A. APGAR
State Superintendent of Public Instruction.