The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-09-17
STATE AID SCHOOLS
WRITES TO SUPERINTENDENT
AND TRUSTEES.
Superintendent Swearingen Calls
Their Attention to the Different
Funds Available.

Funds Available.
State Superintendent Of Education
J. E. Swearinger, in circular letter
to the county superintendents OF edu-
cation and school trustees, calls at
tention to school finances and the
State appropriation for I'D to schols.
Says he in his letter:
Every board Of district trustees in
your county has probably formulated
by this time its educational program
for the scholastic year 1884. One
of the most important features Of
such a program is clear under
standing of the finances Of the dis
trict.
At this date it is possible only to
estimate school receipts for the cur
rent session. The cash balance or
overdraft existing in each district on
July is the only fixed item In the
funds Of the district at present. I
regret to see that too large number
Of district schools. with the approval
Of few county superintendents, per-
sist in the illegal practice Of over
drawing their school funds. can
not urge too strongly the observance
OF the law prohibiting school officers
from running in debt Contracts for
1854 should be made only upon
the basis of cash payment for claims
to be incurred during the session. I
recommend that the approval Of the
county superintendent be withheld
from all overdrafts for whatsoever
purpose this year, in order that tax
collections during each fall may be
used in meeting the expenses Of the
current year, rather than in paying
past indebtedness. Unless this princi-
pie Is observed, the time will soon
come in many districts when their
schools will suffer.
State aid for the year should be
used wherever possible. The legisla-
ture makes four appropriations for
the public schools:
l. 100000 for high schools.
2. 100000 for lengthening the
school term.
8. $4,000 for graded schools in
country districts.
4. $4,000 for libraries.
ANY community with fifteen pupils
above the seventh grade, three teach
ers, a three-room building. a two
mill tax, and an eight-month's term,
might we'll consider the advisability
Of applying for state high school aid.
All high school applications should
be filed Immediately.
Rural graded schools receiving
state aid are Of two classes:
/. A school with seyenty-five pu-
pills enrolled, forty pupils in regular
attendance, a three-room building,
three teachers, q seven months term,
a four-mill local tax, and the mini
mum equipment prescribed by the
state board CT education, is entitled
to $500.
2. A school with an enrolment Of
fifty pupils, thirty pupils in regular
attendance, two teachers, and a six
months term, four-mill local tax
and the minimum equipment pre-
scribed by the State board Of educa-
ton. is entitled to $500.
This type OF State aid is especially
serviceable in building up efficient
country schools. Any community
with fifty pupils and a two-room
school house can not afford to over
look this means of improving its
school facilities.
The appropriation Of 100000 to
lengthen the school term is intended
primarily to help weak, one-room,
one teacher schools in the country.
Any district levying two-miil local
tax and unable to run its schools five
months on it's regular school funds.
is entitled to State aid equal to the
proceeds of the tax, up to maxi
mum Of 500. 1t is, therefore, posi-
BILE for every progressive board OF
trustees to maintain session Of at
least six months if proper use IS
made of local taxation and State aid.
The rural graded school appropria-
ton for 1913 was practically e1-
hausted in May. Every application
in excess Of the appropriation shall
be submitted to the Legislature in
January. In my opinion. the law
makers will continue their wise pol
icy of Strengthening and developing
these schools. I recommend that
every claim from your county be filed
as soon as the average attendance for
the first month Of the session 1913
"A can be ascertained.
Term extension applications should
be fled as soon as the teachers for
the session 1914 have been en-
ployed and have entered upon their
work. In each case the enrolment
for 1928 will be accepted, but the
salary schedule for the current year
will be given.
Under separate cover a supply of
blanks is sent the county superinten-
dent. Additional copies will be fur
nished upon request.
The Drys Win Out.
Following a long executive session