1719

167

sired advantage to all sections of the County, and if parents
were compelled to send their children from home to educate
them, they would more likely send them out of the State or
County, than send them to the High School of the County.
In view of this, we concluded to establish, in the three
centres of population (provided suitable buildings and fur-
niture were furnished by the districts for that purpose,) such
schools as would afford all the advantages of a High School
education to those several districts. With such a proffer,
we advertised for proposals for High Schools. Berlin has ac-
cepted the terms proposed, and we have established a High
School there.

Under our arrangement, the High School is made to em-
brace the different departments of Primary, Grammar, and
High School. The principal has the supervision of each of
these departments. Tuition is furnished free in them all,
even in the highest department, and in the most advanced
studies taught therein.

In my previous report, I suggested a change in the law,
such as would require a larger bond to be given by the treas-
urer, when there was a large County school fund. This,
now, appears the more important, as our lawyers have pro-
nounced, that under the existing law, any larger bond, than
that specified in the law, would be void.

I would further suggest a provision requiring School
Commissioners to give bond for the faithful appropriation of
all school funds entrusted to them. It often occurs that
large sums of money are paid over to them for disbursement,
and large amount of books are in their hands. It would be
well that there should be some security for the faithful dis-
charge of this trust. And it would be much better to make
such provision now, when there are good and faithful men
in those positions, than to wait for some future time, when
losses may have occurred.

One other amendment of the law I would propose. It has
been suggested to me by a County Commissioner, (and the
suggestion meets with the approval of all I have heard
speak on the subject) that it would be better to make the
school tax such as will cover all the expenses of the schools,
and not to make one tax for the support of the schools, and
another to pay the salaries of the School Commissioners.

SAML. K. STEWART,

President of the Board.