Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1888-10-12
FRIDAY, OCTOBER u, 1888.
The EDUCATIONAL BILL.

The most important of the subjects to
be considered by the Legislature now in
session is the educational bill. Two
years ago an act was passed directing the
governor to appoint committee of three
who should take into consideration the
whole matter of schools and thoroughly
revise the school laws. Gov. Ormsbee
named as such committee Hon. James NJ
Tyler of Brattleboro, President Brainerd
of Middlebury college and Mr.. Sealand
w. Landon, principal of the Burlington
high school, Before the committee had
entered upon their duties to any extent
the chairman was made judge of the
supreme court and the governor appoint
ed Hon. Loveland Munson of Manches-
ter in his stead. The makeup of the
committee gave assurance of good work,
and they did it, Their aim was to find
out what the needs of the State were and
to so frame their bill as to meet those
needs in the best possible manner. They
did Hnot desire to change existing law
merely for the sake of change, but tried
to discover in what points it could be i'm
proved. 1t was difficult task for vari-
Gus reasons, but that it has been success
fully accomplished must be apparent to
every one who, knowing how matters
stand in the average town, reads the bill
carefully.
The bill is in sixteen chapters. 1t COW
.hol of ha Ia
Such portions of the laws now in force as
seemed to be wise are incorporated, with
such amendments only as are required to
make them harmonize with the rest of
the proposed law. The bill provides for
the election by the general assembly at
each biennial session of a superintendent
of education, who shall receive salary
of $1,000 year and expenses. He shall
hold teachers institutes in each county,
deliver lectures on educational topics and
shall report his doings and the condition
of the schools to the general assembly.
The second chapter is one which will
attract much attention. 1t provides that
upon the passage of the act the governor
shall, with the advice and consent of the
Senate, appoint supervisor of schools
for each county. The annual salaries of
these officials range from 5000 in Grand
Isle county to S1200 in the others, except
Essex and Lamoille, where they are $500
and $500 respectively. The supervisors
Of Rutland and Windsor counties may
each appoint an assistant. The supervi-
sors are to have immediate supervision
of the schools, and may, subject to the
approval of the superintendent of edu-
cation, adopt measures necessary for
their examination, regulation and i'm
proyement. They are to visit the schools
advise teachers as may be needed; in
spect school buildings, grounds and ap-
paratus and call attention to deficiencies
and meet and instruct the teachers OF
each town.
One normal school is to be maintained
by the State, of which school the gov
ernor, the superintendent of education
and the several county supervisors are to
constitute the board of trustees.
Teachers examinations are to be held
three times year in each county by the
supervisors of the several counties; but
no certificate shall be granted to per-
son not eighteen years of age.
The school age is made from five to Is
years, instead of 90; attendance of those
of this age is compulsory.
Two persOns Zone a teacher) are to h,
appointed by the county court at its frs
term after June l, 1889, and the persons
so appointed, with the county supervisor
compose the board for the selection o
textbooks for use in the county for tn,
term Of five years.
Both the district and town systems ar
retained.
Each district must maintain schoo
for not less than "A weeks each year.
1t is provided that If in any year tn
income appropriated for the use o