St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-01-19
THE NEW SCHOOL LAW.


whom it's administration is to be en-
trusted are to be elected at the an
nual meetings in March, the readers
OF the CALIFORNIAN will be interested
at this time in a reference to the
salient points of the new statute.
Every town becomes a single dis
trict for school purposes, all dividing
lines between school districts being
abolished. An exception is made,
however, in the case of any district
organized under special act of the
legislature, and districts in morgan
lied towns and cores; these are not
affected by the new law unless they
decide, by majority vote, to be-
come a part of the town system.
The towns take full charge Of all the
school houses and other district
property, and assume all debts that
may have been incurred in the pur-
chase ofland and the erection or re-
pairs of school houses; the districts
themselves settle any other indebted
ness in the winding up of their
legal existence. A point which
the new law does not make very
clear, however, is the disposition to
he made by the school districts of
whatever funds may remain in their
treasures after the final settlement
of their affairs under the old regime.
At the annual meeting in March
next three or six school directors
are to be elected, one-third of them
for one year, one-third for two
years and onc-third for three years;
and the authority which the law
confers upon this board Ct directors
makes their selection a matter of
great importance to the welfare of
the schools. These directors have
the care of the property, the man
agement of the schools, determine
the number and location of the
school buildings, employ the teach
ers and fix their compensation, ex-
anime and allow claims arising in
school matters; they have all the
powers and perform all the duties
hitherto devolving upon the pruden-
tial committee and district clerk,
and may make regulations, not in
consistent with the law, for carry
ing the powers given them into ei-
feet. The schools are to be located
at such places within the town linn
its as will best subserve the interests
OF education AMI give the scholars
equal advantages; and certain
portion of the school money may be
used for conveying scholars to and
from such schools. The directors
may provide for the instruction of
advanced pupils in the graded
schools Of the town, or NAV pro-
vide schooling for legal pupils of the
town in the public schools of an adj
joining town.
The directors are to appoint, prior
to April list, town superintendent
whose duties shall be as formerly !;
aud they are to appoint a clerk of
their board, who shall make regis
tration and census returns to the
town clerk, as district clerks are now
required to do. The directors an
nually recommend to the selectmen
the amount Of money necessary for
the support of the schools, and the
selectmen are to appropriate a sum
not exceeding one.half nor less than
one'hlth OF the grand list, for school
expenses, and this account is to be
Kept separate from other town ex-
pcnses. The school year is to begin
ON April LIST and end March 31st,
aud the directors are to receive such
compensation for time actually
spent in the performance Of their
duties as the town shall vote to al.
low them.
The selectmcn are this year to ap.
PRAISE the school houses and proper.
~ OF the districts, and record tn,
= me with, the districts indie btedness
IN the town clerks Office.
The school officers provided for by
Jaw are to be voted Tor on separ
ate ballot, and voters in pradec
school districts chartered by specia
act cannot participate in the ballo
ior town school officers or in the dis
cnSsion OF matters pertaining to tn,
schools.
In any two or more towns wher
there IS An aggregate OF not NOR
than go nor less than 80 schools
the directors thereof may, if the,
choose. unite in the election n