St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1915-02-03
EDUCATIONAL BILL
Complete Reorganization Of Yer
mOnt's School System Proposed
And Laws COdified.

of Arlington in the General Assem-
bly, embodies the recommendations
of the Carnegie Foundation which
made an educational survey of the
state in 1913 and in addition the ex-
| listing statutes relating to school
matters have been codified. The
main features of the measure are
outlined in the following abstract:
There are eight subdivisions in
the bill: Agencies for administration,
| public schools, teachers, school prop
erty and equipment, specially incor-
porated school districts, financial
support of schools, reports, etc. The
act provides that the educational
system of the state shall include all
institutions, maintained at public
expense and includes kindergartens,
vocational and Misunderstanding
schools.
Provision is made for a state
board of education, five members, ap-
pointed by governor; no member
shall be engaged in other education
al service; act provides for reorgani-
zation of present board of education;
the public educational interests shall
be under the management of the
board of education.
Existing board shall be reorganiz-
ed; members whose terms expire
January 1, 1917, to be members for
five and four years, respectively, as
governor may select, from February
1, 1915; member whose term expires
January /, 1919, to be member for
three years from February 1, 1915;
members whose terms expire Janu-
airy 1, 1921, to be members for two
years and one year, from February
1, 1915, as governor may select.
Vacancies on board shall be filled
by governor; appointments, except
to fill vacancies, shall be made an
nually in January, term of five years;
governor may remove member for
cause; board shall organize annually;
shall hold at least four regular meet
ings each year; members of board
shall serve without pay; be reimburs-
ed for expenses when officially en-
ployed.
Board to have exclusive control of
public educational system, employ
trained executive officers, prepare
and supervise courses of study in ell
ementary, secondary, vocational and
courses, courses of study in institu-
alton of teachers for secondary
schools and teachers of agriculture,
make regulations regarding atten-
dance and instruction in elementary
and secondary schools.
The act provides for classified ton,
uni1catiOn and separation of schools;
board determine qualification of
teachers, superintends expenditure of
all state money for educational pur-
poses, inspects institutions receiving
state money, prepares budget for ed
ucational expenses, establishes uni
form system of supervision by reor-
ganiZing or discontinuing present
supervision unions; to cooperate
with state board of health regarding
sanitation and construction of school
buildings; keep citizens informed of
educational conditions; arrange in
stitutes, ETC.; cooperate with free Ii
brary commissions; board to promuI-
gate its regulations.
The board shall report annually
on September 1 to the governor and
give detailed expenditures.
Chief executive officer to be Com
missioner of Education, appointed
for indefinite term; may be removed
upon four-ffths vote of board shall
be specially trained; to be secretary
of board.
Board may name two expert depu-
ty commissioners.
Town System of Schools.
Town shall constitute district;
present district system to be abolish
ed; take charge of school houses and
property; school directors to be elect
ed; women FL years of age shall have
same right as men to vote on school |
matters; may hold elective and ap-
pointive school Offices; each town to |
have three school directors, elected
for three years; directors
have care of school property, man
agement of schools, assign pupils, |
subject to union superintendent ap-
proval; directors determine number |
and location of schools; employ |
teachers and fix compensation, sub
ject to provisions of act; directors
shall recommend annually amount |
necessary for schools.
Supervision.
State board shall designate towns |
in school unions, territory included |
in union shall, if practicable, be con-
tiguous; may designate single town |
union; unions formed under act to |
continue at least one year; unions to |
be formed by August 1, 1915; di- |
rectors in towns forming union to
constitute school union committee
and elect superintendent, certified by
state board of education; salaries, |
fixed by state board, paid by state;
state board to regulate superinten-
dents; commissioner of education
shall employ state supervisors, upon
approval of state board, to cooper
ate with union superintendent.
Public Schools.
In classifying public schools act
provides kindergartens shah receive
under five years of age; eIe-
nentary schools of six-year course
,or pupils between and IL years;
secondary schools to include junior
Ind senior high schools; provide ele-
nentary schools enough to qualify i
pupils for secondary schools.
Act prescribes course in element
Try schools to include special instruc- 4
ion in the geography, history, con-
and principles of govern