Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-10-03
STATE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM
Some Radical Changes Suggested
by Committee Of Nine.
Recommendation Will He Submitt ed
to the Legislature. with Request
That Laws Ne Amended
Accordingly.

Recommendations Tor proposed changes |
in the State department Of education
were made Saturday by the committee
of nine representative educators of
Vermont appointed at Queen City Park
last summer, and these suggestions will
be introduced at the coming session of
the general assembly for enactment into
law.
| At the time Of the meeting Of union
school super1ntendents, held a few weeks
ago, large number of the supernten-
dents teachers and other educators of
the State held a meeting In response to
general call that had been given wide
publicity. AS result OF this gathering.
committee consisting of President Ben
ton of the University of Vermont Pres-
dent Thomas Of Middlebury College.
President SpOoner OF Norwich Univer-
sity. Frank c. Partridge of Proctor. rep
resenting business men, Principal E. b.
Smith of the Brattleboro high school.
Superintendent A. w. Eddy Of Middle
bury. Superintendent Ernest A. Hamil
ton of Newport. Principal Merritt y.
Chittenden of the Burlington high school
and Principal c. A. Adams of the Cas-
tleton Normal school was charged with
the task Of drawing up the recommen-
dations. The various opinions Of the
educators present were given free ex-
preston at the meeting
The committee Of nine appointed a sub
committee Of three. consisting OF Prin-
cipals Chittenden and Smith and Super
intendent Eddy. This committee met in
Burlington early in September, in Rut-
land later in the month, and in Burllng-
ton again Saturday morning. Saturday
afternoon the full committee met at the
high school building In this city and re-
ceived the report of the subcommittee.
which. with several changes. was finally
adopted. At three o'clock the meeting
was declared open. and the legislative
committee Of the Vermont Teachers
association, the Vermont Schoolmasters'
club and the women teachers club to-
gether with the members of the State
board of education. except Governor
Mead. were admitted. Superintendent
George S. Wright. president of the State
Teachers association, was also pres
ient.
Definite announcement of the commit
tees recommenda tons will be made pub
lie in a few days. but it is understood
that in a general way the resolutions
include declarations in favor of the fol-
lowing proposals:
That a State board of education be es-
: tablished. consisting Of seven members
appointed by the governor with the con-
currence Of the Senate, the members hold
ing office six years.
That the board OF education consti-
tuted shall appoint the State superfnten-
dent Of education for a term OF three
years and fix hts salary. At present the
to ala cd h,, ha
general assembly.
That the board of education have full
power to control the matter OF certifica-
, ton OF teachers.
That 1t inspect and report upon the ex-
penditure Of State funds appointed for
the use OF schools and colleges in the
State.
That it control the State normal schools.
, and have power to employ inspectors.
clerks. lecturers and other officers deemed
necessary for the administration OF the
, State school system.
That 1t determine the courses of study
in the schools of the State, and have
power to determine the classification of
, high schools and academies and grant
approval Of the same,
That II may arrange for summer
. schools. teachers institutes. and educa-
. tional institutes in accordance with ex-
listing statutes
That II shall make a biennial report to
the general assembly with recommends
: tons for the improvement of education
al conditions in the State and budget or
estimate Of expenses for the succeeding
biennial term.
u That the members Of the board OF edu-
cation shall serve without pay. excep,
for actual expenses incurred
i That the legal school year shall con.
n sist OF not less than 80 school days in.
Guiding holidays and others allowed by
s. law.
: That existing statutes H:As me com
3 pulsory age OF school attendance shall
u be made consistent. Some of these read l;
u years others l6. 1t is proposed that the
= age be uniformly fixed at 16 years
II In regard to high school tuition, II II
d recommended that this may be collect tee
l. from towns not maintaining high school
'. to the extent of $50 per year for each non
II resident pupil. The amount now permit
lie ted to be collected IL $24.
= 1t is further recommended.
r That the local superintendents hav,
lie power to dismiss from school pupils
d whose personal habits or infirmites ar,
ID suSH as W name tHelT presence unueSlr
II able and may give necessary assistance
- to teachers IN preserving order and main
% tanning discipline.
" That the board OF education SHAH SCI
" that the statutes of tine State and tn
r. regulations OF the board regarding edu
NJ cation. courses of study. school atten
dance. certifcation, equipment. etc, ar
enforced, and they are hereby authorize
=, to withhold all or any part OF the pub
- lie money from any town violating O
evading said requirements or statutes
lie A resolution was also adopted in favo
OF the formation of a fund for the bene
fit Of retired teachers. with provision 10
=, its increase at stated intervals. the Stat
-. board of education TO have control @
20 the distribution Of the income from thI
fund.
- The recommendations Of the committe
-, of nine were adopted as an expression @
~ Its judgment as to changes that will ten
to improve the educational system of III
State. These suggestions will be brougf
a.. to the attention OF the committees O
education Of the House and Senate earl
-, In the coming session of the general a.
~ sembly.
I'd
IT. LAVIGNE-BEAUCHEMIN.