The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1911-09-13
NEW GEORGIA SCHOOL LAW
MAIN FEATURES OF MEASURE
PASSED BY LEGISLATURE.
Another State School Board Created
With Enlarged Powers and More
Officers and Salaries.

Officers and Salaries.
In view of the general interest in
the educational law that was passed
| by the legislature at its recent ses-
sion The News prints below the main
features of the measure, which may
be briefly grouped under six heads.
! l. In place of the old state board
of education, composed mainly Of ex-
officio members, there is now a body
| increased as to number, duties and
power. On this board are the gov
ernor, state superintendent Of
schools and four men appointed by
! the governor. At least three of these
men shall have had practical expert
ence and be of high standing in edu-
cational work. They receive a NOM
inal salary of $3.50 annually. The
state board provides rules and
courses of study for the schools of
the state with the exception of the
independent municipal systems.
2. The state school commissioner
is made state superintendent of the
schools, and in addition to previous
duties is secretary and executive
agent of the new state board, receiv-
ing a salary of $4,000 annually. Eli
gibility for this office under the new
law requires three years practical
experience as a teacher, or diplo-
ma from college or normal school
and high educational standing in the
state. He has the power to suspend
a county superintendent for neglect
OF duty or misconduct and is charg-
ed with the enforcement of the rules
and regulations of the state board.
3. The title of county school COM
missioner is changed to county super
intendent of schools. The minimum
salary is $3.50 annually, with the
provision of $3.50 for expenses be-
sides. This official is required to Wis
it every school in his county at least
once every sixty days. There is no
limit to the maximum salary, as
provided by the old law, and hence
a county board of education has the
right to pay the superintendent in
accordance with the value of his
services. This new law does not
change in any way the election and
tenure of office of the officials re-
Gently elected who enter upon their
work for the most part in the spring
of next year.
4. Three school supervisors and
one auditor are to be appointed by
the state superintendent in connec-
ton with the state board. The su-
pervisOrs are charged with the duty
of conducting Institutes, which have
! been heretofore under the direction
of miscellaneous leaders. In addi-
| ton these supervisors are to inspect
and familiarize themselves with act
ual school conditions in the various
counties and endeavor to remedy
these under the advice and direction
of the state superintendent of
schools.
The supervisors shall have had
at least three years experience in
teaching, diploma from a college
or normal school, or five years ex-
perience in actual supervision.
The auditor is also appointed by
the state superintendent with the
duty of auditing the books and ac-
counts Of the county superintend-
ents, local school systems and all
other schools receiving state aid. He
is allowed travelling expenses and
a salary of $4,000 annually.
5. County boards of education
are permitted to consolidate schools
and to provide transportation when
necessary, thus giving opportunity
for strong central institutions when
ever possible in place of one-room
schools. They have the right to con-
solidate districts as we'll as schools,
although they are required to sub
NIT the matter to the vote of the
patrons when as many as ten object
to the consolidation.
6. Certi1cation of teachers re-
ceiyes attention public school
teachers being required to pass ex-
animation and to have license as pro-
vided by the state board of education.
However, local municipal schools
may be delegated the authority to
examine and license, the state board
preserving the right to revoke this
authority whenever a system of
schools relaXes the standard or fails
to give examination.