330           Joint Resolutions

Whereas, problems concerning the public school system
have required the close consideration of the people of this
State during the past several years, as new and unprece-
dented difficulties have been encountered; and

Whereas, these difficulties have included a rapidly ex-
panding school population, requiring additional teachers
and new buildings, and also a series of readjustments in
salary levels in order to assure teachers a decent standard
of living and to meet salary competition from the Federal
Government and from private industry; and

Whereas, to assist in meeting these pressing problems,
the State has increased its expenditures for operating the
public schools and also for the first time has inaugurated
a policy of assisting the political sub-divisions in the con-
struction and enlargement of school buildings; and

Whereas, the passage of H. B. 610 of 1951, known gen-
erally as the "Teachers' Salary Bill", its veto by the Gover-
nor, and its subsequent reconsideration by the General
Assembly have raised sharp questions of public policy as
to the future administration and financing of the public
school system; and

Whereas, independently of the matters raised in H. B.
610 of 1951, other questions of equal importance are being
discussed throughout the State, concerning the purposes
and functions of public schools, their curriculum and phy-
sical facilities, and related matters; and

Whereas, there is need for a fresh study and reconsid-
eration of the entire structure and operation of the public
school system of this State, to cover all phases of the cur-
riculum, physical plant, workings and administration of
the public schools; and to determine in particular the
proper division of responsibility as to the administration
and financing of the public schools, between the State and
the several political sub-divisions; now therefore be it

Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland, That the
Governor of Maryland, the President of the Senate and
the Speaker of the House of Delegates be requested jointly
to appoint a commission to study and re-evaluate the public
school system of this State, this commission to include in
its study and re-evaluation such topics as curriculum, phy-
sical facilities, administration, salaries, THE PROPER
DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITY AS TO THE AD-
MINISTRATION AND FINANCING OF THE PUBLIC