Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1919-11-14

of primary Importance in any system
of education. Nine and one-haf to
ten millions will be required for
teachers, salaries. This means that
the total cost of running the school
system, including instruction, opsr-
alton and maintanoe, Will :nmoans, 10
about, fEtsga fnidllon dollars. w I
It IS urged most emp atfcally that
the increase in the State tax and the
increase in local tax for school pur-
poses will not net this amount of
money unless the property assess
ment is made on more equitable
basis. The present assessment over
the State is in the equalization of
property values. AS basis of any
system of taxation, liberalization OF
property must be fair and equitable.
Firth. The Commission that just as
soon as the finances of the State
will permit it without substracting
from the amount for teachers salar-
les, school books for the elemantary
grades shall be furnished free to
pupils. This conclusion is reached
after careful study of the plan of
distribution in Virginia as we'll as in
other states. Many of the rural
schools in Virginia operate for weeks
and sometimes for months without
an adequate supply of school books.
This means loss of time in instruction
and delay in thep rogress of the pu-
pills. 1t means great inconvenience
to parents and more or less dissatis-
faction with the schools. The only
means by which this evil can be cured
is for the State Board of Education
to supply books from the publishers
of their depository in Richmond on
acquisitions of the local school
boards. The local school board, it is
recommended, shall furnish for each
school room locked bookcase Ii,
which all of the texts for q given
school shall be placed before the
school actually opens, and these books
shall be given out by the teacher on
the opening day, with. proper in
structions as to their care and re-
turn. 1t is believed that by this
arrangement there will be saved in
loss of time and training an amount
sufficient tn pay for the supply of
textbooks.
Most unfortunately the Constiton
of Virginia has many detailed pro-
visions in reference to public edu-
cation. 1t is therefore, necessary to
have constitutional amendments in
order for the most important rec
concentrations of the Commission to
be made effective. The Commission.
sincerely regrets that the Constit-
ion has dealt not only with general
principles but with many particulas.
Many reforms must, therefore, await
the delay of constitutional amend
ment rather than be made immeda-
tely effective by statute.
Some of the other recommendations
of the Commission provide for:
l. A more equitable manner of dis
tributing school funds.
2. A really effective compulsory
school law.
3. A standard nine months term
for rural as we'll as city schools.
A. The age of school attendance
to be to Is inclusive.
5. The operation of institutions of
higher Tearing on all year basis with
degree credits from the summer
quarter.
6. That physical education and COM
munity sanitation be emphasized.
Z. That rural schools receive ade-
quate support to guarantee trained
instructors.
S.Adequate financial support FOR
the salaries Of teachers and cost of
operation and maintenance.
Published at the request Of A. S.
Greever, Division Superintendent of
Tazewell County.