The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1884-04-27


STATE SUPER'NT. PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, April %, 1884. J
Hon. DENJ. HARRISON,
PALATKA NEWS:
DEAR SIR-YOur favor Of the 18th has
just been read upon my return to this
Office. l beg to say to you in reply that
1 have for a long time regretted, not
only the character of the building for the
public school in the beautiful and thriv-
ing city of Paiatka but also the charac-
ter of the school Itself. as described to
me by some c. vour citizens.
a city such as Palatka, in the midst Of
so prosperous a country, a centre OF so
much travel and observation, annually
under the inspection Of $50 great a cloud
of witnesses" =" should in deed, as well as
word, be an exempIar of all that is good
and noble, especially in such causes and
enterprises as commend themselves to
the intelligent and refnement-lOving
among the many thousands who are con-
templating homes in our midst from all
the other States in our country, and
prominently among these public enter
prises stands our system of public p0pu-
lar education, and also stands foremost
in commencing any community or local
ity to these hOme-seekers and investors
in lands and other property. In refer
ence to the law in the matter / am clear
ly of the opinion that Boards of Public
Instruction, not only have the power or
authority to provide suitable buildings for
school purposes, but that it is made their
duty to do so in the intent and spirit of
the law.
In support of this opinion I cite below
the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and
sixth clauses of Section 20, of an Act of
the Legislature, entitled an Act to estab-
lish a Uniform System Of Common
Schools and University, specially the
1st, 5th and 9th clauses
Section 90 1t is the duty of each
Board of Public instruction. and they
are hereby authorized and directed
1st. To obtain possession Of, accept and
hold, under proper title as a corporation,
all property possessed, acquired or held
by the county for educational purposes,
and to manage and dispose of the same
for the best interests of education.
Cd. To have the charge, oversight and
management of all lands lying in the
county which may belong to any public
educational fund, and Of the common
school moneys, with a view to the proper
care of the lands, and just distribution
and use of the funds.
Sd. To locate and maintain schools
in every locality in the county where
they may be needed, to accommodate, as
far as practicable, all the youth between
the ages of six and twenty-one years du-
ring not less than three months in each
year
4th. To appoint one and not more than
five trustees, ON the recommendation of
the natrons, to have charge of the affairs
Of one IT more schools, and to employ
such teachers as may be satisfactory to
the trustees.
9Th. To select and provide a site for
each school-hOuse of not less than an
acre of ground in the rural districts. and
as nearly that amount as practicable in
the villages o. cities; the situation to be
dry. airy, health15l.i and pleasant, also
reasonably central aid convenient of ac-
cess for all who should attend the school.
9th. To do whatever they may Judge
expedient with regard to purchasing or
renting school sites or premises con
structing, repairing, furnishing, warm
ing, ventilating, keeping in order or i'm
proving the school-hOuses, buildings
fences, lands and movable property
procuring the proper apparatus, text
books for the schools books and station
cry for the teachers use ; grading an6
classifying the pupils, and providing sep
arate schools for the different classes il
such manner as will secure the larges
attendance of pupils, promote harmony
and advancement of the school, when re
quired by the patrons establishing
schools of higher grades of instruction
where the advancement and number OF
pupils require them, and establishing anC
maintaining school libraries.
In this Section 20. and its clauses which
quote, you will see that these board
are to SELECT AND PROVIDE SITES FOL
EACH SCHOOL HOUSE. The selection of
site certainly implies building, and on
which shall be furnished with all the ne
cessities of a school, such as proper sit
tings, maps, blackboards, etc, etc. Tn
less, indeed, we are to reuograde instea
of advancing, and teach as did the oil
Greeks and Romans, in groves and O
the banks of rivers, under which circm
stances, am of opinion it would be
difficult task to control and regulate tn
ordinary American youth.
But to still further indicate the inter
and meaning of the law as heretofor
and at present construed, I cite you t
the blank form issued to County Board