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never to any great extent avail themselves of the Public
Schools, not only very cheefully give their money to sustain
them, but appear most deeply interested in their success.
This fact clearly evinces the vitality of the present school
system.

Most respectful!v,

Yours. &c ,

T. S. C. SMITH.
Bel Air, Nov. 22, 1866.

HOWARD COUNTY.

Ellicotts Mills, Md ,

October 15th, 1866.
REV. L. VAX BOKKBLEN,

State Superintendent Public Instruction,
Dear Sir:

The undersigned, President of the Board of School Com-
missioners of Howard County, in obedience to the School
law, has the honor to make the following

REPORT.

In August, 1865, as soon as practicable after my appoint-
ment, I called together my associates, Dr. Joel Hopkins and
David Burdett, Esqs., and organized our Board by appoint-
ing Mr. Marshal McCauley, secretary. In obedience to your
suggestion, the Schools were committed to teachers by " per-
mits" until January 1st, 1866, at which time all the teach-
ers were summoned for exaimination; and to them certificates
were granted in accordance with the acquirements of the
applicants, and the prospect of usefulness in the cause of edu-
cation. On the first of September, 1865, I found twenty-
four schools had been in operation in the County, under the
old system; one of which had a department for boys and girls.
An extra appropriation of $300 had been abided to the fund
for that school for the support of the girls department.
This school has been divided by our Board into two sepa-
rate schools. The schools were divided among the members
of the Board as follows : The 1st Election District, compris-
ing seven schools, was assigned to me as first Commissioner's
District; the 2ti atid 5th Election Districts, comprising ten
schools, were assigned to Dr. Joel Hopkins as second Com-
missioner's District; and the 3d and 4th Election Districts;
comprising eight schools, were assigned to David Burdett,
Esq., as third Commissioner's District.

Since our organization in August, 1865, two new schools
have been added in Mr Burdett's district, one in the long
corner, as named many years since, and one near the 19th