Evening journal., 1920-03-30
MIR. DU PONT FOR
CODE AMENDMENT
Outlines Some Changes to
Meet Objections to New
School Law
FAVORS MEASURE TO
REDUCE TAX RATE
Stan Correspondent.

SthH correspondent.
STATE HOUSE, DOVER. March 30
Pierre S. dupont. vice-president OF the
State Board OF Education and giver OF
more than s2,000000 10 carry out a
school building program under the new
school code, discussed with members oi
the House Committee on Education yes
lerday afternoon some Of the oDjec-
tions that he has heard raised 10 the
new law and which he thoughs could
be incorporated into amendments to the
code.
Mr. dupont was before the committee
for more than an hour in Speaker Cor
bits room and made an excellent i'm
preston on the members. Henry p.
Scott, vice-chairman OF the Delaware
Auxiliary Association which has charge
OF the distribution OF the dupont fund
for new buildings was also al the meet
ing but took no active part In the dis
cussions.
The personnel OF the House Commit
Zee on Education is, S. j. Warrington,
chairman; Lester. Clendanlel. Jones
Hart. Hardesty and Mulvena. All mem
bors OF the committee were present
with the exception OF Mr. Mulvena. II
WAS expected that the committee would
take up Representative soper's school
code repeater but that bin was not
touched on. Mr.. dupont desires to see
the code given a fair chance. While
he opposes It being repealed at thi.
time he says II should be amended anc
went over with the committee obiec-
tions that have been made that could
be adjusted by amendments.
Some amendments suggested by hin
to meet objections were as follows:
Right OF local boards 10 reject any
teachers. The local boards under the
code have not this. authority.
Reducing maxium tax rate to 81, II
being $50 now under the code.
Consolidation OF schools left TO the
decision OF the districts being consoli-
dated. Under the code consolidation
could be forced on them.
Reduction OF the compulsory attend
ance feature from $50 10 i40 DAYS.
Giving self-made teacher same chance
as college graduate providing she
passes examinations.
Mr.. dupont thought all the above OBJ
jections TO the code could be met with
amendment such as ne suggested.
Another objection heard by Mr.. du>
Pont and which he brought 10 the at
tention OF the committee was that the
members OF the State Board OF Edu-
cation and the State Commissioner OF
Education should be elected at large in
stead OF being appointed. He said as he
was appointed he did not feel that he
should say anything as 10 that objec-
tion.
Mr.. dupont said he had also heard
objection TO the tax system under the
code and the unit system suggested as
the better method. He did not think
some OF the districts under a unit sys-
tenn would be able 10 build school
houses. II is learned that this is one
OF the strongest objections 10 the code.
In many OF the districts II Is claimed
that under the code district here and
there Will raise much more money
than II will require 10 operate the
school OF that district and the tax
ables object TO raising the ex-
ira amount which goes into the general
county fund. Those who have investi-
gated the matter. however. doubt that
many districts raise more than enough
to look after a building program and all
other expenses.
Mr.. dupont promised the committee
to furnish a copy OF the budget for the
coming year TO be compared with the
last years budget. He stated that In case
the bill TO divert $4,000 from the gen.
eral State fund to the school fund, be-
comes a law the tax rate in the coun-
ties will not exceed 50 cents.
Later In the afternoon Mr.. dupont.
George B. Miller. president OF the State
Board Of Education, and other mem
bers OF the board went before the Sen
ate finance and the House approprla-
tions committee insioint session. This
hearing was on ~ bill introduced in
the House by Representative Gregg.
providing for the diverting Of $780, 900
Continued on Page Thirteen.