Smyrna times., 1919-05-28
SMYRNA BOARD EDUCATION
ADOPT NEW SCOOL CODE
UNANIMOUSLY VOTE TO COME
IN WITH STATE MOVEMENT.
Prof. c. Leland HarmOnsOn Tenders
His Resignation to Take Effect
End School Term-COde Talk.

End School Term-COde Talk.
On Wednesday evening last, Coun-
tv Superintendent John Schilling, of
Dover, met with the Smyrna School
Board for a discussion of the new
Code. After Mr.. Schilling had made
a very clear and concise statement of
the operation of the Code, as it ap-
niles to a community like Smyrna,
the Board, by unanimous vote, de-
cided to adopt the new School Code.
Smyrna, therefore, becomes one of the
possible five Special School Districts
of Kent county. Larger and better
equipped buildings, more pupils and
teachers, and higher standards, are
thus assured to us for the years to
come. Just as soon as the new
School Board is named, they will no
doubt get busy planning and prepar-
ing for the changes that must be
brought about at once. In order that
anv community may become a Spe-
cial District under the new law, GER
tain requirements are necessary.
Among them being, that there shall
be provided "Ample grounds, build
ings and equipment We have at
the present time none of these-or at
the most. one. Our building will not
mass the test even for Grammar
School. and it will not begin to ac-
conmodate the pupils and teachers
of the High School for another year.
Our equipment, with the exception OF
that furnished during the past year
for the two new departments, is
woefully inadequate. Our grounds
might be stretched out enough to
answer. A new High School build
ing containing at least eight rooms
and an assembly hall, will have to be
provided at once.
Two Additional Instructors Needed.
With the exception of an additional
teacher in the High School proper
and an instructor for Manual Train
ing. Smyrna meets the requirement.
in full. Temporary quarters cal
possibly be secured by the time o
opening in the Fall, and the frs
wears work done in the first yeal
Smv1na always "goes over" IN any
thing she undertakes. According I
the new law, School Board OF thre
members will be appointed by tn
Governor to serve until July 1, 192'
At the regular school election in Jun
next year, any three men in the DIS
trict may be elected, one for one yea
one for two, and one for three year
In the meantime the Governor WI
appoint three from the members
the old Board. This new Board mu'
select. first of all, a Superintendel
of Schools for the District. He WI
have the supervision of all the schoo
in the District, both white and CO
orad IIpon his recommendation, Il
Board will then select teachers a
range course of studies, secure su
plies and provide buildings.
Five Sources For Financing PrOIe'
One very decided difference fro
the old system is in the manner
financing the schools. There are n
sources of revenue:-First, the Sta
Aid for High Schools. Second, Sta
Aid for Elementary Schools. Thil
Government Aid under the Sml'
Hughes Act. Fourth, Tuition tr'
county for pupils from outside
District. Fifth, Taxes. A budget
the amount necessary over and abe
the first four items, is made up
the Board and presented to the LIE
Court Commissioners; the assessm'
is made by the Commissioners,
the money collected by the Coui
tax collector, just as other coul
taxes are collected. 1t is hoped Il
agreement can be reached where
CLAYTON will become a part OF t
consolidated district, for mutual b
eft.
Principal c. L. HarmOnsOn Resie
At the meeting of the School Bo
there was much disappointment
the announced intention Of Super
ing Principal C. Leland Harmon
to end his connection with the sch'
at the close of the present term. z
Harmonson would no doubt have b
elected Superintendent for this
trict under the new school code,
could have retained the head of
schools without any effort, but
has long been apparent to his frie
his ambition has been to read
and with the change in the Sc
system, fattering offer came to
to accept an opening in the law