The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-03-02

makes large increase in this number
certain. This appropriation will cover
the payment Of high school aid IN
May, 1917, but will not cover fully the
applications in the fall. BY opening
the high school grades OF city and
town schools to country boys and
girls, the lawmakers have relieved
scores Of country communities of bur-
densome expense Of trying to pay
high-priced teachers to instruct upper
grades enrolling one, two or three
pupils. Every contract approved by
the State board Of education for the
scholastic year 1867 will be paid in
full.
New Buildings.
"The building appropriation covers
all unpaid applications on file with
the State superintendent. There ar
now in the files of the Office 132
claims, S36.4S4. Districts using new
buildings or erecting buildings this
spring should communicate at once
with their county superintendent and
the Stale superintendent. Trustees
planning to erect schoolhouses after
July l cannot rely on extra State aid
unless especially authorized to do So
in writing by the State superintend-
ent's Office. Forty building claims
could not be paid from the appropria-
ton of 1916, hence the necessity for
this caution in 1917.
Seven Months Term.
"The RectorIFord bill provides the
usual State contingent fund for needy
schools up to June 80, 1917. This
measure makes ample provision for
the needy schools heretofore partlci-
pating in the policy was not defined
heretofore, the legislature adopted
most constructive definition limiting
State aid to needy schools to those
districts that levy an mill tax, en-
ploy teacher for not fewer than 70
or more than so pupils, and seek to
run seven months. Under the Rector
Ford act the State guarantees mini
mum term of seven months to any dis
trict voting an mill tax for current
expenses and using its funds econo-
mically.
"This law is one of the most ser
viceable statutes ever put on the
books. Rural districts with large
white population and small tax values
will certainly secure efficient schools
by availing themselves of its advan-
tages. The act is especially designed
to cover deficits not already covered
by the term extension act, the rural
graded school act and the high school
act.
Agricultural and Vocational Training.
"The appropriation of $4,000 for
agricultural teaching is made under
the Rector-Smoak bill. This measure
amends and strengthens the Toole act
of 1916 by providing aid for agricul-
tural instruction in any rural graded
school employing two teachers, en-
rolling so pupils, voting 4 mill tax
and running not less than six months.
"Since congress has just passed the
important Smith-Hughs bill to en-
courage vocational training. Senator
Laney has done much to stimulate vo-
cational training in our schools by
securing the passage Of a law con-
stituting the State board of education
as the South Carolina State board OF
vocational training. This measure
provides for cooperation among dis
trict, county, State and national agen-
cies. One of it's most important fea-
lures relates to agricultural and do
mestic science It is most timely for
South Carolina to prepare for the far
reaching improvements in industrial
teaching. Discussion of the subject
has so far resulted in little more than
experimentation.
'"The five general acts of most i'm
mediate significance are the appro-