The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-03-19
GREAT WORK FOR
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Continued from First Page.)

T s. r (
as we'll as the richest districts in the
State.
..rhcse measures are distinct, and each
stands for one thing. But another bill.
which was very fortunately enacted Into
law. was what is known as the Curlctt
bill, introduced by Delegate John Curlett.
OF Richmond county. This measure COW
ers a multitude OF subjects and improves
a number OF our school laws; and ITS
influence for good will be felt throughout
the State. Some of its provisions do not
go so far as they might. and. in fact.
do not go so far as Mr.. Curlett ana
others wished. hut the majority OF the
provisions are excellent.
1T enables district school boards to
purchase school desks and other furniture
through tho State Board OF Education 1T
greatly reduced prices, saving the cost Ut
the travelling expenses of agents. who
now charge these expenses against the
orders booked Under this provision the
district boards can order. and. In fact.
must order, such furniture through the
State Board, or. at least, from the man.
ufacturcrs with whom the State Board
contracts. 1t is estimated that an aver
age saving of at least one dollar can
be made on each desk so ordered.
Pay Them Monthly.
thereafter county supcrintcndents win.
receive their pay monthly, instead Of
quarterly. as heretofore. 1T Is a strange
thing that these school officers should
have been paid only once IN three
monthly or, bi-monthly. Thanks to Mr.
Curlett, this has been changed. School
trustees will receive ten dollars. instead
of five, dollars a year for their services.
Tho member Of tho School Trustee lIlcc-
storal Board. appointed by tho circuit
Judge, is to receive two dollars q day.
for each day actually employed in school
work. RI q .s "a ne 4
.,rhe county superintendent is made
clerk OF this board Instead OF chairman.
The time OF the appointment Of school
trustees is changed. and hereafter they
will 80 into onlcc on September list in
stead of May list.
"One great relief to trustees and SUI.
perintendcnts is the provision which al,
lows trustees to take the oath of office
before tho superintendent or any officer
authorized to administer an oath. The
officer administering tho oath Is to cer-.
tify tho same to the clerk OF tho Circuit
Court, and no charge is to DO made for
either service. Tho provision empower
ing the State Board to invest tho literary
fund In district school bonds accords With
tho Wlllamsg bill, already referred to-;
, Section 4 465 all lows he clerk of tho dis
trlcty board two dola rs a. yea r. for ath
teach her employ III, Tie district, After
July list every teacher whose certificate
has expired must have II certificate Is
lsued by the State Board Of Examiners,
and approved by tho county superintend-
lent OF schools for tho division within
which such teacher Is to 10 employed.
Summer Normals.
1'.'r he sum OF IS. 900 Is ven for sum
ynlsrs schools, On tho condition, that not
Hess than eight such Schools Of at least
four weeks each shall be L held, 4 In the
State each year. This Is a step in the
fright direction. With tho pay our teach
eTs are getting. 1t is impossible for the
great majority OF them to attend summer
schools Mt distance. Tho idea In tho
|,Curlett bill lis to have good summer IN
isatIt,ltes I'll. every section Of tho state.
Accessible to the gre> bulk OF our teach
ers. Ill wls tho Id en- f'of tho committees
|sof tic two branch s sof the Assembly that
the codnttes Or cit tiles In which, or near
whlcf, these Institutes are to be held
shal I' s,upplenent.s5 he State fund, 1t. Is
sbelieyed tina many places will ask for
thcssc instithtes under these conditions.
Mn Ii, al en- I7rede rickshnrg and Norfolk
have al r0ndy a IKE I. u I, 4