Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-02-15
The Law Of the Town School System.

A knowledge Of the provisions Of the law au-
thorizng the abolition Of the school district sys-
tenn may conduce to an intelligent understanding
Of the communication In this paper on The Town
| System Of Schools. Essential sections are given
entire; the purport Of the minor provisions is
briefly distracted. The law Is found in chapter
| 80 OF the Revised Laws Of Vermont The first
section ia as follows;
SECTION $50 town may, lts annual meeting abolish
OF town shall insert an article for that purpose in the
three voters in The town When town 40 voiss ihe school
districts therein shall after the nst day Of the April
cease 10 rs except for the purpose OF settling their
MARY affairs
The four following sections provide for the dis
posal OF district property, the essential fea-
lures OF the means provided being the appraisal
OF the property by three persons appointed by the
assistant judges OF the county court for the
county, the amount Of such appraisal to stand to
the credit OF the several districts to be adjusted,
allowed and equalzed between such districts by
applying such valuations upon the taxes thereafter
assessed, under the provisions Of this chapter,
upon the grand list Of the several school districts
aud such school-houses and other property shall
become the property of such town. Provision is
made for proceedings as to school-houses in frac-
tional districts.
Sections 5oi to 600 provide for the election Of a
board Of school directors. II town votes to
adopt the town system, at the same meeting 1t is
required to elect board OF three or six directors
citizens Of the town, one-third OF whom shall be
elected for one year, one-thrd for two years. and
| one-third for three years from the close OF the
school year At each annual town meeting
successor to the director whose term expires
that year is to be elected. The board Of
directors elect one Of their number chairman,
who has the powers and performs the duties Of
town superintendent. A clerk is appointed from
outside the board, who keeps record Of its pro-
ceedings and makes the returns to the town clerk
required to be made by the district clerks. The
duties of school directors are thus defined.
SECTION ST. The board Of school directors shall be
the public schools Of me town shall prescribe The number
have the management Of he public schools, examine Snd
allow claims arising therefrom and draw warrants for the
general sha have the powers and perform ne duties q the
may establish graded schools and provide for the nstruc
ton Of scholars in the higher branches and may make
| ers granted them into effect.
The three following sections provide for re-
ceiving students from other towns upon terms
deemed proper, for directors report, and for COM
pensation Of directors,-the chairman receiving
the pay allowed town superintendent and such
sums as the town votes to allow him. The pay
OF the other members Is fixed by the town at the
time Of their election.
For the support OF the schools the seectmen Of
a town using the town system are required to APP
proprate sum not exceeding one half nor less
than one fourth OF the grand list OF such town.
The town treasurer is required to keep separate
account the moneys received for school purposes
and to pay out of such moneys the warrants drawn
for the use OF the schools
The town is required to provide and maintain
suitable school houses, and the location, construc.
ton and sale of the same is under the control
of the board of directors. The provisions OF this
law do not apply to graded school districts incor-
porated by act Of the legislature unless accepted
by two-thrds Of the voters therein, nor to dis
tricts formed by the concurrent votes Of adjoining
towns without the consent OF such towns.
The remaining sections of the law establish the
mode OF abolshing the town system and restoring
the districts, with all the former district property
rights and machinery. This may be done by
majority vote Of the town at any fifth annua
town meeting after the adoption of the town sys
tenn For this purpose the selectmen are required
to insert article In the warning for any sucl
fifth annual town meeting, upon the application
in writing Of twenty legal voters in the town.