THEODORE R. MCKELDIN, GOVERNOR 83

county board to proceed until the plans and specifications shall
have been approved in writing by the state superintendent of
schools; in case the construction is to be done by contract, the
contract shall be invalid without the written approval of the
state superintendent of schools. In Baltimore County, in addi-
tion to the other requirements of this section, the County Board
of Education shall submit for approval to the Chief Engineer
of the Department of Public Works the plans and specifica-
tions for every school building, including all acquisitions of
land for or in connection with any school building, and for
every addition to the capital plant of any school building. The
Chief Engineer shall examine all such plans and specifications
to ascertain if the same are reasonable and proper. No contract
shall be made and no expenditure shall be incurred in Balti-
more County for any such building, land or capital addition,
unless and until the plans and specifications therefor have
been approved by the said Chief Engineer.

41. All the property, estate, effects, money, funds, claims
and state donations heretofore vested by law in the public
school authorities of any county, for the benefit of public,
primary, free or high schools, are transferred to and vested
in the county boards of education, and their successors in
office. The county boards of education are authorized, em-
powered, directed and required to maintain a uniform and
effective system of public schools throughout their respective
counties. Real and personal estate granted, conveyed, devised
or bequeathed for the use of any particular county or school
district shall be held in trust by the county board of educa-
tion for the benefit of such county or school district. Provided,
however, that in Baltimore County, title to all real property,
now held or hereafter acquired shall be transferred to and
vested in the County Commissioners of said county, who shall
hold the same for the use and benefit of the Board of Education
of Baltimore County. Whenever such property is no longer
needed for school purposes IN THE JUDGMENT OF THE
BOARD OF EDUCATION OF BALTIMORE COUNTY, the
County Commissioners of Baltimore County may dispose of the
same at public sale. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL
BE CONSTRUED TO GIVE THE COUNTY COMMIS-
SIONERS OF BALTIMORE COUNTY THE AUTHORITY
TO LIMIT OR ABRIDGE THE EXISTING AUTHORITY
NOW VESTED IN THE BOARD OF EDUCATION OF
BALTIMORE COUNTY IN ITS OPERATION AND AD-
MINISTRATION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, THE
PERSONNEL THEREOF, THE MAINTENANCE AND RE-
PAIR OF ALL SCHOOL PROPERTY, THE PURCHASE