Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1916-05-12
Revolutionary Changes In The
Public School System Made
By The Last legislature.

BY The Last legislature.
Westminster Advocate. Carroll County.
Following will be found portions Of the
new school law. which should be weighed
and considered by every taxpayer. The
Advocate has published these extracts fol
the information Of its readers, who proba-
bly, are unaware of what was proposed by
this legislation. II will be found that the
last Legislature made complete and radi-
cal revision Of the public school system.
Supervision and control have been CEN
tralized. A number Of new positions have
been created. and salaries have been pro-
vided with an indulgent liberality to the
educators Of the State. The district school
trustees have less authority and control,
the County School Commissioners under
the new name Of County Board Of Edu-
cation" possess less power; and the County
School Superintendent is exalted to the
chief figure and central authority in the
altered educational system Of the county.
Whether or not these drastic steps will
improve the methods Of education remains
for experience to disclose. 1t is no gift Of
prophecy to foretell that the taxpayers
will have to pay for the new administra-
tive methods to an extent which will make
them critical of the latest education ex-
pertinent in Maryland. If the innovations
are to have fair test, 1t is imperative
that the County School Superintendent,
the official primarily responsible for the
results OF the present school law. should
be possessed Of the requisite capacity.
An able. energetic, educated and courage
Gus man must be selected by the School
Board
DISTRICT SCHOOL TRUSTEES.
District boards OF school trustees shall each
be composed Of three members. appointed
from the residents Of the school district by
the county boards Of education on or be-
fore the third Tuesday in May. for term
of three years from the third Saturday in
May next succeeding their appointment.
and they shall hold Office until their sue
cessors qualify. Provided that in the first
instance the county boards Of education
shall each appoint one member for the
term Of one year. one member for the term
Of two years. and one member for the term
9 zee years. from the third Saturday in
May. 1917 Thereafter the term Of each
member appo ted to the board shall be
three years
Cgssus o. Gu -sEE.
She State board Of educstc shall pre-
scribe. With snd On the advice OF te State
superintendent Of schools, the rules nd
regulation Tor taking a biennial school
census Of ali tie children within The state
between six and eighteen years OF age.
inclusive; also the forms and blanks 70 be
employed In taking such census and in
compiling the reports thereon.
New OFFICES AND DUTIES.
- The State department of education shall
hereafter be provided with the following
professional assistants:
I. An assistant State superintendent Of
schools, who shall represent the State su-
perintendent Of schools in his absence
shall have charge Of the department, the
correspondence. publications. records. re-
ports, and educational and financial sta.
tistics; shall audit the accounts of the
county boards of education, and shall per
form such other duties as may be assigned
to him by the State superintendent oil
schools.
2. A supervisor Of rural schools, who
shall have supervision Of the State aided
high schools, shall aid the instructors In
all other schools above the seventh Grade
and shall perform such other duties as ma,
be assigned to him by the State superin
tendent Of schools.
8. A supervisor Of rural schools, VIII,
shall devote his energies to helping teach
ers. superintendents and interestedc citizens
TO formulate program Of rural education
adapted to the specific and general need
Of the State. and who shall perform sucl
other duties as may be assigned to hin
by the State superintendent Of schools.
4. A white supervisor of colored schools
who shall have supervision Of all cclore,
schools, and shall perform such other dutie
as may be assigned to him by the Stat
superintendent Of schools.
5. And such other clerical and profes
sional assistants and agents as may b
authorized by the State board Of educa
ton within the limits of the appropriate
for State department Of education.
A New NAME For SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS.
The county board Of education shall hol
an annual meeting each year on the SCI
ond Tuesday in May, or as near as poss
BILE thereto in May. At this meeting Ii
board shall elect one of its members
serve as president and one to serve as vic,
president. Other meetings shall be held
least once in each school term. and sue
special meetings may be held as the duti,
and business Of the board may reQuir
The members Of the county boards Of ed
cation shall receive no salary. but eaC
member shall receive the sum Of one hui
dred dollars annually for travelling ar
other expenses incident to attending Il
meetings and transactine the business
the board within the county.
DUTIES Or SUPERINTENDENT.
The county superintendent Of schoC
shall be the executive officer, the secreta
and treasurer OF the county board Of ed
cation. He shall attend all meetings
the board and Its committees, except VIII,
his own tenure, salary. or the administr
tion Of his Office are under considerable
and shall have the right to advise on al
question under consideration. but sh,
have no right to vote.
The COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT Or School
APPOINTMENTS.
The county board Of education Of ca
county shall appoint during the month
May q superintendent Of schools for a tel
a.