942                               LAWS OF MARYLAND                       [CH. 405

appointment, assignment, compensation, promotion, transfer, dis-
missal, and all other matters pertaining to the employment of
teachers in the public schools in the State of Maryland.

114. Suspension or dismissal of teachers, principals, supervisors,
or assistant superintendents.

Any county board of education may, on the recommendation of
the county superintendent of schools suspend or dismiss any teacher,
principal, supervisor, assistant superintendent, or other professional
assistant for immorality, misconduct in office, insubordination, in-
competency, or wilful neglect of duty, provided that the charge or
charges be stated, in writing, to such person and that such person
be given an opportunity to be heard by the said board of education
upon not less than 10 days' notice; that such person be allowed to
bring counsel and witnesses, if so desired; and provided further that
an appeal from the board's decision may be made to the State Board
of Education. Nothing in this section shall preclude the State Board
of Education from adopting bylaws providing for a probationary
period of employment not to exceed two years.

115.    Teachers' Associations.

Teachers' professional organizations are recommended as impor-
tant means of elevating the standard of public education by mutual
conference, interchange of views, and suggestions as to systems of
teaching and discipline.

116.    Teachers in Institutions.

Persons employed as teachers, principals, directors of education,
and supervisors of vocational education on the staffs of Boys' Village
of Maryland, Maryland Training School for Boys, Montrose School
for Girls, Maryland Children's Center, Victor Cullen School, and any
and all other institutions which are under the supervision, direction,
control, and general management of the State Department of Social
Services, shall be paid an annual salary not less than that received by
public school teachers of similar training and experience in the partic-
ular political subdivision in which located. The State Department
of Education or the superintendent of schools in the county in which
the institution is located shall be responsible for reviewing the in-
dividual's background to determine the appropriate salary that should
be paid to the individual based on his prior training and experience.

Chapter 9. Finance and Reports

117.    Annual school budget; county school tax.

(a) The county board of education shall, subject to the rules and
regulations of the State Board of Education and on and with the
advice of the county superintendent of schools, prepare an annual
budget according to the following major categories, and such other
major categories as may be prescribed by the State Board of Educa-
tion from time to time with such reasonable supporting detail as may
be required by county fiscal authorities.

&