Smyrna times., 1921-01-19
BOARD OF EDUCATION SHOWS
NEED OF SCHOOL LAW CHANGES
LETTER FROM STATE BOARD
SUBMITTED TO ASSEMBLY,
Referred to Committee Until After
the New School Bill Is Presented
and Taken Up For Consideration


and Taken Up For Consideration
The Citizens Committee appointed
by the holdover State Senators to
draft a new school law for Delaware
met in the Supreme Court chamber
Wednesday afternoon and approved
the action of the executive committee,
which has completed all the provisions
eexcpt .hose. relating to high schools,
bonds and taxes, and instructed the
executive committee to submit the
proposed law to the General Assem-
bly,.
The following communication from
A. R. Spaid, commissioner of educa-
ton, was received and filed Wy the
Legislature Thursday.
"Acting under section of the
school laws of 1920, the State board
of education desires to inform you
that at special meeting held on jan
uary Z, 1921, the following recommen-
dations concerning additional legisla
ton were made. A brief outline of
each subject is herein given and ref
erences made to the sections in the
present law and to the annual report
of -..e o.ate Department of Education
for the school year ending June 80,
1920, mimeograph copy of which
has been presented to each member of
the legislature. At later date these
recommendations will be presented to
re governor and the General Assem-
bly, in Jne form of prepared bills. The
list follows:
al. That the boards of education of
the special districts and of the coun-
Ties may establish klndergartens and
shall do so on petition of 25 voters of
the district having children of kinder
ten age, provided there are at least
20 pupils of kindergarten age availa-
bic at that school.
"2. That the State establish so free
scholarships covering all expenses for
a two year course in the teachers
training department of the Women's
College of Delaware on condition that
each person receiving a scholarship
shall enter into an agreement to teach
for at least three years in the State
of Delaware after completing the
course.
"3 That the State set aside suffi-
cient funds to supply the said teacher
training department in Women's Col
lege with competent instructors and
up-to-date equipment.
"a. That article IL, page 96, of the
school laws of 1920 be repealed and 6
new law be drawn, placing the super
vision of dependant children under the
control of the State Board Of Chair
ties.
"5. That section 1877 of the schoO
laws be amended by restoring the Ian
guage as found in section 1873 of .n'
School Code of 1919.
rs. That section 130 of the schoo
laws of 1920 be amended so that spe
cial districts, which may bond for new
school buildings, shall have the powe
to levy an additional tax not to ex
ceed one-half of one per cent of tn
assessed value of the proprty in tn
said special school districts, provide,
the regular rate of one per cent is in
adequate to cover current expense an,
to provide for the sinking fund ant
interest on bonds.
81. An act to require boards of ed
ucation Of the counties and special dis
tricts to provide part time educationa
opportunities in general civic and vo
cational subjects for all persons unde
IS years Of age who are not in attend
ance upon full time day school.
"8. That the General Assembly D,
urged to adopt the Federal rehabi1fta
ton act approved by the President ol
June 2, 1920.
SO. That medical inspection be mad'
"a State function and that an appro
priation be made for expenses o.
school nurses and medical inspectors
80. That an appropriation of $40,
900 per annum is necessary to carr.
on the Americanization classes.
al. That the annual appropriation
for instructional purposes in the tw
summer schools be increased.
"12. That the State give prope
support to the vocational educatio
classes under the Smith, Hughes ac
by increasing the annual appropris
ton.
estate Board of Education,
"A. R. Spaid, Secretary"