The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-05-27

Pnblic School Textbooks.
IN BOARD OF rDucAT1oN on THE SUBJECT OF

20
Thu BOARD OF EDUCATION ON THE SUBJECT OF
TEXTBOOKS FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
Atameeting of the Board of Education held
May 18th for the purpose of considering the
matter of textbooks. to be used in the public
tions were adopted:
WHEREAS. The Constitution of Virginia (article
8, section 81 contains the following provision,
viz: The Board OF Education shall provide for
ton So page 695, Code of 1879 the following,
viz: Uniformity OF textbooks
shall be provided for by some gradual system by
the Board OF Education; and whereas these Sec
tions of the Constitution and laws have been
construed by high authority torequlre absolute
uniformity of textbooks in the entire State,
and not III. individual cities, counties, or dis
tricts; and whereas, the people Of Virginia,
through their representatives, in the House OF
Delegates. and by repeated expression OF op1n-
ion, have indicated a preference for single
series of textbooks; and whereas frequent
Seamges o. 70
tenn, and Involving an expense 10 patrons,
which, TO many of them, in the present de-
pressed and unsettled condition of our finances
proves heavy tax; and whereas change OF
textbooks should mainly, If not eXclusiveiy,
be considered with reference to the certainty
of securing better books, or books of equal
merit at lower rates than those already IN use !;
and whereas, by the adoption OF single series
of books, the cost thereof as sold py retail
to patrons in the counties can be materially
reduced; therefore, " ~ -, J.
ReSOtr4Q, l..
be adopted for use in the public schools OF the
State for the ensuing four yeara, beginning
August LIST. 1886, VIZ: McGuffey's speller. NC
Guffey Readers, Venable's arithmetlcs, Har-
vey's grammers,. Maurys biographies, Wen
ster's dictionaries Magills History Of virginia.
Holmes New History of the United STATES, me
Graphic copy-books. Cooks Virginia efor sup
Elementary reading. $50 s'4fi.3ile - =,
2. That. while no requirement. = here 70
made that cities or counties Shdtt change Inc
textbooks previously adopted and in use, All
text books which shall be adopted at any Time
within the ensuing four years in place OF those
hitherto or now in use, shall be taken from tne
list above prescribed: This provision 1or grao u,
ual changes of textbooks through period OF
four years, according as such changes may oe
deemed expedient will, it is believed. reuuce
to minimum the inconvenience TO the
schools and the expense to the people.
3. That the action of the Board OF EducatlSon
in adopting the single series of text-DooKs
above specified shall not be final and IN luli
effect until the publishing houses haylng
books in the series file with the. Board of Edu-
cation contracts duly executed, obllgatlng
themselves to provide supply of books In
for the wants of the schools thereof at q cost to
the pupils not to exceed the present wholesale
prices named in the price-1ists presented to
this Board.
The policy of the Board of Education as indi-
Gated by the above resolutions does not enforce
changes in the books used in the public schools.
and city school boards. They can continue
any or all the. books now in use or can adopt III
place thereof any or'allof the books prescribed
The contracts proposed to be made with pub
fishing houses will secure reduction in prices
and save cost to the people. 1t will be remem-
bered that at the recent session of the General
Assembly bill requiring the Board o OF Ed cI
majority of votes in the House OF Delegates.
The policy adopted by the Board of allowing
changes to be gradually made curing Inc neX *,
this point 1t is worthy OF note that the authors
OF the books are mostly Yirginians.