The age-herald., 1899-10-01
THE NEW SCHOOL
 
 LAWS EXPLAINED
Supt. Abercrombie Addresses Cir
 cuIar to SubordinateS.
CROP REPORT ENCOURAGING
The Promised Conference of Political Contreres Does Not Materialize as Was Expected = Gubernatorial
 Candidates Are Hustling

Age-Herald Bureau, Hotel Mabson. Mont- gomery, September 3o.-(Special) )-Superin- tendent of Education John W. Abercrom- bic today issued to the county superintend- ents an important circular letter bearing on the work of the new school law. The de- partment of education daily receives many queries from teachers and school trustees relative to the operations of the new law, and the superintendent has framed this last letter addressed to the superintendents so as to cover many important points most sought by the army of teachers and trus- tees.
 Superintendent Abercrombie daily grows more enthusiastic in the work of his de- partment, and he Is lending his enthusiasm to all connected with the public school sys- tenn in the state. The fuh text of the cir cular is quoted below:
 T wish to ask your careful consideration of the matter in this letter. l am inclined to believe that in a great many instances county superintendents do not carefully read circular letters sent to them from this department. l desire to say, therefore, that whenever circular letter is sent out from this department to county superintendents a definite object is in view, and il is pected that the same will be read carefully and filed
 T. The special tax of 10 cents on the hun dred dollars for school purposes crea ted by the last legislature will not be available for the scholastic year beginning October l, 1899. The school fund for the next schol- astic year will be increased $200,00O, making a total of Ss50,000 including poll taxes.
 '2. The object in increasing the appro- priation was not much to increase the salaries of teachers as to lengthen the school term. When the bills increasing the appropriation for public school purposes were before the legislature l pledged the members thereof that this increased appro- priation would not be carelessly given to the teachers, but that the children would receive the benefit of it. l therefore re- quest that you instruct your trustees not to make contracts for any school where the term has not been heightened at least one month. You can force compliance With this ruling by refusing to approve contracts where the term has not been heightened.
 "3 I desire to urge the policy of consoli- ating schools where possible. In many communities there are two or three snort term schools where there should De one long-term school. You can force consoli- dation where necessary by refusing to ap- prove contracts, and this department VIII , sustain your action.
 A. The code of 1896, which repeals all oth- CT general laws passed before its adoptloh' {. he held on the last Monday in October. You will notice that this conflicts with the pam nhlet school laws. The code provision IS the law, and must be obeyed
 '.5. I find 1t will be impossible for super. intepdents to make their annual reports at the time required by the code. 1t Will De agreeable with this department Tor tnese renorts to be made as soon as poss1ple apeer the October pay day. .,
 .6 On account of the demand TOT .eaoh
 tt If examine the papers submitted at the sep tember examination, county superlntehu- ents are authorized to approve contracts with teachers with the understanolhs "ia' said teachers can receive no pupirc lunus until certificates are procured ieacheis who teach under this conditional contract can take the examination in Decehoe'' Their names can go on the December pay roll and If they procure a ceruhcate pc fore the pay day in January tne aiiioui'' of their contracts can be paid 10 'heni If the county supeTtntendents WIFI sVe the hoard of examiners at the December exam nation the names of those who are teach- ing on conditional contracts and who take the December examination, their papers will be examined at once, so that certlh- cates can be issued to them, IT they oe- serve the same, before the January pay day Please notify your teachers or tnls ruling and also instruct your township trustees.
 ..7. I wish to call your attention again to sections 359O-9 -9l-s2-93 of the code of 1856 Tn regard to teachers institutes. l trust you will carry out enthusiastically the pro visions of these sections and that you Will notify this department of the time anu place of all your institutes. Do this as soon as the matter is arranged so that, If pos shle, I can be with you.
 ..S. The school fund will apportioned as soon after the 1st of October as possHble The law requires that the auditor, on the 1st day of October, certify to this depart ment inc amount of money available for school purposes. It will require some time to make the apportionment. As soon as this is done however, an apportionment sheet will be mailed to each county superintend- ent. Yours very truly,
 JOHN w. ABERCROMBIE,'
 1.fU rd.,no tin,aJI