The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-28
STATE PAYS FARE
NEW JERSEY LIBERAL TO
PUBLIC SCHOOL PUPILS.
Half a Million Dollars Spent Yearly to
Half a Million Dollars Spent Yearly to
Transport Youngsters to and
from Their Homes.

TRENTON, Oct. 28.-The constitution of
New Jersey says that "the Legislature
shall provide a thorough and efficient sys-
tenn of free public schools for the instruc-
ton Of all children In this State between
the ages of s and is years"
This has been interpreted by the State
Board of Education as a mandatory obli-
CATION upon the part of the State, not
only to provide teachers, text books and
school buildings, but a direct command to
provide transportation for all pupils who
are remote from adequate instruction,
which would enable them to complete,
academic course Of study.
And because of this view Of the mandate
of the constitution, backed up with a SYM
pathetic public, contracts have been made
with Eail7oad corporations, interurban troll
ley companies and stage coach drivers to
transport nearly 10000 pupils between the
ages of 5 and IS years" from their homes
to school and back again daily.
So important and popular is this reading
of what has been a dead law for years,
that, under existing legislation, which
came into life early in the present year,
81, 279, 519.42 is available to haul pupils to
the public schools throughout the State.
There is no possibility of this vast sum
being required to cover the expense of the
innovation during the present year, but
the twenty-one county superintendent
may apportion that sum for the purpose
Indicated.
From meager reports, which have been
collected by Charles ]. Baxter, State SUI
perintendent of public instruction, the ex-
pertinent spoken OF, which began with the
opening of the present scholastic year in
September last, 1t is estimated hat at
laa ~ Sb00 O00 will ha rnuuirad m nav fbp
contractors for transporting the pupils
from remote sections to school dlctricts,
where the facilities are In keeping with
the spirit Of the constitution.
Although not limited by grades of pupils,
who may be hauled free of charge, stats
tics demonstrate that almost all the money
expended as indicated is upon pupils who
are availing themselves of a high school
education. They range in age from u to
Is years, but primary and grammar
students are given free transportation
where the age Of the pupils is but 6 years
and as high as 20 years, the latter a limit
fixed by a new statute which passed the
last Legislature.
In some instances, the change in the in
terDretation OF the law has proved eco
nomical in a pecuniary sense to the small
school district boards of education and
productive of vastly superior educational
facilities for the children.
But the cost Of the transportation is nol
primarily considered. State Superintendent
Baxter relates an Instance of a single
pupil in a particularly remote section of
the State who was entitled, under the
law, to receive higher educational facili-
ties than were provided in his township.
Bids were asked to transport him to the
nearest approved High School,. The lowest
bid was $500 for the school year Of ten
months. The township board thought this
excessive. The State board did likewise.
But they also decided that even though
he was but one pupil, he had to be pro-
vided for.
Instead Of accepting the bid offered, an
arrangement was made by which $3.50 was
appropriated to his use. This enables him
to travel from his home on Monday morn
ing to his school, board in the town where
the school Is located and return to his
own home on Friday evening after school
closes for the week
Thus, In this instance, it costs the State
$3.50 to give this solitary pupil what the
constitution declares he has a right to.
And he is getting 1t.
But that Is not the only expense of this
pupil to the State. In addition to the 70
per cent. of the cost of hi. transportation,
the State allots his district SIS. which
about pays for the tuition fees of the pupil
referred to in the school outside of his
own district.
This sum is RENTED to the school dis
trict board, and the pupil does not handle
the money. 1t was a difficult case to solve,
but, with the cooperation of the parents,
the State. saved money and still complied
With the law.