The times., 1899-08-02
EDUCATION IN PORTO RICO.
An Order ReorsanixinE the Islands
school System

The War Department received yesterday
from the Military Governor OF Porto Rico.
Brig Gen. George w Davis. general orders
70. dated July s, which, in effect, reoT-
ganizes the entire school administration
of the island. One of the results
OF the order is to lessen the ex-
penses of administering the schools. The
further object OF the reorganization Is to
secure the advantage of competent coun-
sci in educational matters. to secure every
necessary advantage in the work of edu-
eating the youth of the island. and upon
the recommendation OF the Director of Pub
lie instruction = establish board of edu-
cation.
The board is to act in a general ad-
visory and experimenting capacity over
the educational interests of Porto Rico.
and is to report directly to the Military
Governor OF the island. It is to consist
OF five members and OF men conversant
with educational affairs. They are to serve
without compensation except for necessary
travelling expenses. Three members are
to constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business. Meetings are to be held
monthly at the office of the president Of
the school board in San Juan. and at such
other times as the board may deem neces-
sary.
The employees of the Bureau Of Educa-
tion. as provided for in the educational
budget for the coming fiscal year, are to
be transferred to the Board of Education.
The bureau will then cease to exist. II is
provided that the president of the school
board shall perform the duties formerly
falling upon the Director of Public Instruc-
tion. except so far as they are modified by
ths1.S Srsf. Ne l.,ff Of 2 ha Roo ri
Of Education are:
First-To receive complaints and peti-
tions from citizens or teachers affecting
public instruction and to act upon same.
Second-To approve the warrants for ap-
preparations due the Bureau OF Education
and to audit and approve the monthly
financial report to the Auditor of Public
Instruction to the Auditor OF the Island
Third-To approve the appointment OF
administrative officers and teachers in sec
ondary and higher schools.
Fourth-To grade schools and determine
the course of studies, examinations, and
standards of requirements to be maintained
in schools of different grades: to grant
charters to private educational institutions
desiring to confer degrees; to grant diplo-
mas to students who have completed re-
quired courses in chartered educational in
stitutions or In public institution under
Fifth-To decide, subject to the approval
of the Governor General. upon the sites and
location OF public educational institutions
under the direct control of the State, and
upon the appropriations necessary for the
support of the same, and to supervise and
control the erection, maintenance, and re-
pairs of buildings occupied by such insti
tutions, and of the furniture and apparatus
employed in the same.
fy,,r IT,
eral suitable. persons as members of the
local boards OF trustees in each munich
pality, 10 perform the duties now performed
by local juntas of public instruction wher-
ever in the judgment of the board such
change is deemed advisable.
Seventh-To make a quarterly return to
the Governor General OF the property of the
Board of Education and the institutions
under its direct charge, with list of their
employees and salaries.
Eighth-To recommend notifications and
to the school laws.
Ninth-Appeals from the decisions OF the
board may be taken to the GOvernor-Gen-
eral.
The board is made up as follows: Vic
tor S. Clark, Phi. D.. Acting Director OF
Public instruction, San Juan Tex oficio):
George G. Croft, NJ. D. Phi. D., former Presl-
dent of Buckneli University, Pennsylvania,
San Juan: Prof Henry Huyke, Arroyo; joss
z. Saldana, NJ. D., San Juan; r. H. Todd,
San Juan.
Under the reorganized bureau, for the
present fiscal year. the salary list will be
81, 200 per annum, and this includes the
salary OF an English bookkeeper and CASH
ter under bond. not previously employed |
as under the new system Of financial ad-
the educational budget is ex-
pended and accounted for to the United |
States Auditor, directly. by the educational |
authorities a duty formerly falling upon |
the Department of Finance