The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-15
IMPORTANT CHANGE MADE IN EDUCATION LAWS OF ALABAMA Nathan l.. Miller Calls At tentiOn to Duties of the
 County Boards FAVORS AMENDMENT ON LOCAL TAXATION Points Out That Duties of Board Have Been Enlarged and Offer
 Fine Opportunity for Con
 structive Work


 Fine Opportunity for Con-
 structive Work
 Changes in the public school system of the state made by the recent legis- lature are explained briefly by Nathan l.. Miller, candidate for the county board of education, in an interview writ teen at the request of The Age-Herald.
 MT. Miller gives the duties of the board made in the methods of selecting this board. His statement follows
 "Great advancements in our public schools have been made and the recent alterations in our public school system will, I hope prove beneficial These im- provements are source of pleasure and pride to all our citizens.
 "One of the changes made by the last legislature in our school system is the method of selecting the county board of education. It's powers were also en- larged. Heretofore this board has been composed of the county superintendent and four county trustees, elected by the chairmen of the several boards of dis trict trustees.
 PERSONNEL OF BOARD
 Under the present statute the coun- ty board of education will be composed of five members elected at the regular election in November. 1916. Women are IL The two members receiving the highest vote will hold for a term of six years; the two receiving the next highest will, hold for four years; and the one re- ceiving the lowest vote will hold for two years. The county superintendent is made the secretary and executive of ficer of the board. No member of the board is eligible to the office of county superintendent.
 This board is made business board and is given control of the public schools in the county, outside of cities and towns having city board of educa- ton. Among it's powers are: The elec- ton and removal of the county super intendent; the election of a treasurer of the school fund; election of district trustees, and filling of vacancies on the county board to select, on the nom-
 of the county superintendent, as- sistant superintendents, supervisors, and the teachers for the several schools and fix their salaries: erect, repair and fur nsh schoolhouses, determine incidental expenses and have charge of the public school funds of the county; fix boun- daries of districts, locate and consoli- T +1H tro,1 reno, ,foti iov at public expense; adjust the attend ance of pupils living near county boun- daries and those near city boundaries enforce compulsory attendance; cause enumerations of school children to be made, etc
 OTHER DUTIES
 Tt is also made the duty of this board to consider and make recommendations upon applications for state aid in erec- ton, repair and furnishing of school buildings; to investigate and report upon the subscriptions offered to induce the state aid; recommend the location of such buildings. and pass upon the title to the lands upon which it is proposed to locate the several schools, and where such state aid is granted to look after the expendi- ture of the money furnished by the state as well as that contributed by the com munity.
 These are some of the duties imposed upon the county board of education. and it will be readily seen that there is an ample field for service.
 NO financial compensation will be paid to the members of the board, and no one should seek or accept the office who is not ready and willing to make large contribution of service, and who will not feel fully repaid in seeing the cause of education advanced.
 "A number of my friends were kind enough to say that they thought my in- terest in education and my abilities and experiences as business lawyer would make me a useful member of that board and on such solicitation I agreed to stand for membership. At that time sufficient announcements of candidacy had not been made to complete the board and it looked as though it would be necessary to draft men or women to fill the board Since then one lady and a number o1 gentlemen have offered for membership on the board.
 FAVORS NEW AMENDMENT
 There is also to be voted on at the November, 1916, election a proposed amendment to the constitution authoriz- ing after a vote of approval by the cleo tors of the county, or of any district within the county, the levy and collec- ton of special school tax of % cents on the hundred dollars, for use in such county or district so levying such tax I sincerely hope this amendment will be adopted and such tax authorized When this is done nine months schools should be held throughout the county, in both county schools and city schools.
 But pending the time when such ad- ditional local tax shall be levied the very best use should be made of the means at hand to improve all our schools, and generally to further awaken our people to the needs of education and foster their interest in our public schools. Great Improvements have been made in the last few years, but the opportunity lies before us for still greater improvement in the near future. l have ambition tC have an honorable part in such advance ment."
 LOOK OUT!
 Washington, March 14.-A cold way,