Evening journal., 1921-03-08
Change SEEN
IN FAVOR OF
SCHOOL BILL
loonllnned from nage onel

members who would like To vote
for the actual school control sec
tions Of the bill will no doubt vote
against it and others are undecided
because Of this taxation feature.
They fear that il would greatly in
jure the charter business Of the
State. as il is the opinion Of the
majority Of lawyers that II would
have that effect
But for this provision there is no
doubt but what the bill would be
sure Of passage probably by both
houses.
There is a growing sentiment on
the part Of some of the members in
favor of a movement TO separate the
tax provisions from the other sec
tions Of the school bill and provide
separate school tax bill.
One amendment TO be offered to
the bill at the conclusion Of the
reading will be relative TO the mem
bers OF the State Board Of Educa-
ton. The bill provides that four
members Of the State Board be
elected and the fifth appointed by
the Governor.
Representative Mednl. who is
/ deeply Interested in trying TO get a
progressive bill, will likely offer an
amendment 20 provide for all the
State Board members to be appoint
ed by the Governor.
/ Mr. Medil as well as other MEM
bers argue that while the PROPOSE
ton to elect the members would ap-
] I.r.AaraHfn ltI
they doubt that the class Of men
who should serve on the State Board
would allow their names TO be used
10 go into a fight at an election for
| membership Of the Board, especial
ly when it is considered that they
| only receive $40 for each meeting
and meet probably once a month.
Changes Suggested.
During the reading OF the bill
several members suggested changes
of which notes were made and
amendments will probably be pre-
pared.
Representative Lord suggested
the county board elections which
would be held the third Saturday in
June be from . TO 6 o'clock in the
NaNNtNMOUn AHNAEAu UA 10 = % AAOLn
as provided in the bill
Mr.. Lord also objected TO the pro.
vision OF the bill which would give
the county boards authority 10 es'
tablish kindergartens and play.
grounds and such other types o
schools. subject to the approval o
the State board. as in its judgmen
will promote the educational inter
ests OF the county.
Representative J. r. Wilson OBJ
jected TO the provision whereby th'
Levy Court would pay for the bal
lot and other election supplies fo
the school elections.
Representative Megginson object
ed to the provision in section &c tina
vacancies on board OF school trus
tees, for any cause. shall be file
by the county board OF education
, for the unexpired term, and suggest
ed as an amendment that vacancie
be filled at special election callel
by the remaining members OF tn
board OF trustees.
. Al 70 o'clock the House recessei
for one hour.
Most Of the afternoon session
yesteray was taken up by James II
Hughes and DR.. r. W. Cooper, tw
t members OF the executive commit
tee who drew the bill. in explainin
its provisions.
b After going into the history o
b how the executive committee Of tn
e citizens committee was named {
a draft a new school bill. Mr.. Hughe
said in part:
70 "Our committee was instructed b
o members OF the legislature to draf
d a new school bill and provide for
e reduction OF tax on real estate an
y personal property Of at least one
!. half We were instructed to ON
10 provisions for the transportation q
r pupils and provide for county pub
70 lie schools TO 20 above the sixt
grade il required by the people {
20 such districts
r with these instructions we hay
=, attempted TO draw a new bill. W
have not followed out our own idea
-, entirely but, have sought to draft
bill in accordance with these instru,
tions
you now have before you n
u best that we could prepare and "
believe that you have a good scho,
bill for Delaware. We have left ol
% the provision providing for II
transportation of pupils and ha'
i cut down the tax rate on real esta.
? to 25 cents on the 500 assessC
g. value. We have met the obiectic
Ie made TO the old bill and have pr
l. vided for graded schools above n
It sixth grade in the rural sections.
m I'm drawing the bill we have II
l. tened as far as possible to the d.
mand that the schools be returned
p the people Of the State. ProvisiC
"A has been made for a State Boar
~ four Of the five members Of whiS
: shall be elected by the people. Pr
vision is also made that the coun
boards and the district boards sha
also be elected by the people.
1T Is true that broad powers ha'
of been provided in some instances 4
nj the State board. Such powers mu
Is, be placed somewhere. but il must
" remembered that four out OF the r.
d, of those State board members mu
d, be elected by the people. The cou
d. ~ boards and the district boards
a, some instances are also Civ
- broad powers but that had to
e. done and as is the case with Il
- State board. the members OF tho
boards are elected by the people v
n think we have gone as far as q
b. people Of Delaware demanded
ig making the law Democratic by pla
lg ing it in the hands Of the people.
New Taxation Scheme.
But. this law or any other Ia