The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1901-09-06
NEW JERSEY
SCHOOLS
Assist .-Supt. Belts Interesting
Resume for Pan-AmeriCan.

First School Organized in 1902 Early
School Laws Later Legislation
322,575 Pupils Enrolled in 1900,
81 per cent. of Children in State.
! j. Brognard Belts, the assistant su-
perintendent of the public schools OF
| New Jersey, has an interesting review
of the educational interests of the state
| in the Handbook of New Jersey, (which
is being very generally distributed at
ithe American Exposition, from
which we quote:
HISTORICAL.
The records of the schools of New
Jersey during the early days of its exist
ence as colony ere very meagre, but
/ it is probable that the first schoolmaster
certainly the first in the eastern part of
the State, was Englebart Steenhuysen.
He taught in what was then known as
the Clown of Bergen" now part OF
Jersey City. The school was establish
in 1862. Steenhuysen was also minis
ter, and on Sundays preached in the
same building in which, on other days,
he taught the parents of those who did
SO much to make our State what it is
today-the pride of all its sons.
About ten years later the first school,
of which there is any record, was estab-
lished in Newark.
Other schools were established in East
Jersey about this period, among them
being those at Woodbridge, Perth Am
boy, Elizabethtown, Freehold and Pts
Getaway.
The first school established in West
Jersey OF which there is any record, was
at Burlington in 1888.
The first legislation relative to public
schools was in 1898, when an act was
passed authorizing the inhabitants in the
several towns and townships to establish
schools and maintain the same by taxa
ton.
In 1917 the Legislature enacted law
creating school fund, the income from
which was to be devoted exclusively to
school purposes.
Certain United States bonds, bank
stocks and other securities were set
apart for the fund. In 1871 the moneys
received from the sale and rental of
lands under water owned by the State
were made part of the fund. BY an
amendment to the State Constitution the
principal of the fund must be kept in.
vested and the income devoted exclusive
ly to the support of free public schools.
The principal of the fund now amounts
to So, 800, 6S2.6S, and 100000 of the in
come is appropriated annually for the
support of public schools. The fund is
now under the control of the "Trustees
of the Fund for the Support of Free
Schools" the board being composed OF
the Governor, Attorney General, Secre-
tary of State, State Comptroller and
State Treasurer.
In 1871 legislation was enacted pro.
viding for State school tax, and max
ing the schools absolutely free to all
the children in the State.
PRESENT SCHOOL SYSTEM.
There is State Board of Education,
appointed by the Governor and con-
firmed by the Senate. The board is
composed of two members from each
Congressional district, who shall not be-
long to the same political party. The
term of office is five years.
This board appoints the county super
intendents of school, makes rules for
the holding of teachers Institutes, the
examination of teachers and for carry
ing into effect the School laws of the
State. 1t has the control Eand manage
ment of the State Normal School, the
School for the Deaf, the Farnum Pre-.
paratory School, and the Manual Train
ing and Industrial School for Colored
Youth.
The State Superintendent of Public
instruction is appointed by the Cover
nor and confirmed by the Senate.
The County Superintendent have su
pervIsion over the schools in their re-
spective counties. apportion the school
moneys, license teachers, and, together
with the local boards of education, pres
cribe the courses of study for their
respective counties. Their salaries are
paid by the State and range from 81 900
to 81 300 per annum. In addition to
their saleries, they are allowed their
actual expenses to an amount not ex-
ceeding $3.50 per annum. The term of
Office is three years.
The State Normal School is located at
Trenton and was established in 1855
There is, in connection with it, Model
School, which affords to the pupils in
the Normal School an opportunity for
practice teaching. The law requires
that each graduate of the Normal
School shall pledge himself to teach in
this State for at least two years after
graduation. This pledge is more than
fulfilled, for, during the last year 1881
graduates of the school were teaching IN
the State The total expenses of the
school last year amounted to $74, 708.
The School for the Deaf is located in
Trenton and was established in 1882