The following is the form of a Weekly Report used in several of the Common Schools in Hartford and vicinity. WEEKLY REPORT for M

The Parent or Guardian is requested to examine and sign this Report weekly.

J. T——, Principal.

SIGNATURE.

APPENDIX No. 7.

SCHOOL HOUSES.

"It is pleasantly located on High-st., at the head of 6th-st., on a lot 90 feet front, by 100 feet deep, considerably elevated above the street, the rear of which has a sufficient number of forest trees to afford ample shade. The building was erected in the spring of 1837,-is of wood, 50 ft. front by 30 ft. deep, with two wing entrances 10 ft. by 8 ft.,-is one story high, 12 ft. posts, with a tower for a bell, which is not yet purchased,-16 windows of 24 lights, 9 by 12, each casement having a spring. The outside is painted white, the inside imitation oak. It is divided into 2 rooms, one 30 ft. by 29 ft., the other 19 ft. by 29 ft. Height of the rooms 11 ft., ceiled to the windows, which are 3 ft. from the floor, above which it is plastered. The larger room contains 42 single, framed desks, besides well formed seats, or benches, with reclining backs. The desks are stained and varnished, and are arranged on each side of the room, 3 deep, facing the middle. Sufficient space is left between the tiers of desks for the scholars to pass. The seats are so arranged that the front of one desk is used as the back for the seat in front. The lids are permanent, an opening being left in the

With a view of obtaining accurate information respecting the condition of school houses, a series of inquiries touching their condition in more than forty particulars, were prepared, and have been filled up by teachers and others, for more than 800 districts. The following extracts from these returns and communications exhibits but too faithfully the condition of many of our district school houses. "I have visited 62 school houses in person and give you the following summary of information collected. Location. Nineteen out of the 62 are located entirely in the highway, and that the ground on which the others stand cannot be worth on an average $12 for each. Thirteen were bounded by two roads. Sixteen were in noisy and improper neighborhoods. None had any shade trees or any of those adornments which are resorted to, to make our homes pleasant and healthy. State of Repair. 26 were in good repair; 19 were much out of re-back, in which the scholar deposites his books. The teacher's desk, pair; 176 square of glass were broken; and very few were sufficiently protected from cold air from beneath; 25 had crevices to admit the wind from every quarter.

Interior management. 38 had never been white washed-in none were there blinds and other arrangments to admit the proper degree of light-little or no provisions are made for securing habits of neatness and order by proper places for hats, cloaks, &c. &c.-in 48 instances the desks are attached to the walls so that scholars sit with their backs to the teacher while engaged in their studies—and when they face him they are obliged to lean, if they rest at all, against the edge of the desk for support-in 52, the seats were without backs, and that in most, the seats were not of proper elevation for children of different sizes, nor were they so adapted to the desks that the scholars could not write without violating the laws of this organization, and inducing deformity and ill health-38 out of the 64 were altogether unprovided with the means of ventilation, except through the crevices about the floors and sides of the room.

or table, is situated in front of the inner door, (which is half of glass, giving him a view of the entry) on a platform elevated 14 inches above the floor, which is level. Around the table is room for reciting classes. The other room is for the smaller children, and is well furnished with benches with reclining backs, calculated for 5 or 6, of different heights, corresponding to sizes of the children. The rooms are furnished with black boards, and arrangements are made to provide globes, planetariums, and such other apparatus as shall be thought proper. The rooms are warmed by wood-burning close stoves, having basins of water upon them. The wings are provided with clothes hooks, sinks, wash basins, water pails, &c., with a scraper at each door. A work house, and two other necessary buildings stand in the rear of the lot. In erecting this building, the district intended to provide a convenient, and every way comfortable, and pleasant school house; the cost of which has been about fifteen hundred dollars, exclusive of the lot, estimated at four hundred dollars. Blinds are yet to be attached to the windows, and the ground enclosed. The school In another county out of 50 school houses taken at hazard from the house has beeen occupied nearly two years, and has been kept in fine returns for the county, 40 were all or in part in the public highway-condition. It has not been marred or disfigured, either on the out or 12 were in situations which were wet and disagreeable-not one of inside, and the desks afford abundant testimony that the pride of the these had any play ground except the gardens and orchards" of scholars is in full exercise, for a scratch or mark is hardly to be found neighbors but two were ventilated by an opening in the ceiling-in on one of them." 30 the scholars faced the walls, or the windows which were in all cases without blinds or shades-in 5 only were the seats and desks properly arranged and of proper heights, so as to favor the health, the comfort, or the progress of the pupils-and in all the dimensions of the room were altogether too contracted for even the average attendance of the district." In another county, out of 40 school houses, but one has any provision for ventilation: but seven have seats with backs in any case; the average height of the school rooms is 7 feet; the average breadth 71-2 feet; the average length 18 1-2 feet, while the average attendance is over 30 children to each.

"In 104 districts which I have visited in New London County, there are 31 school houses which may be considered as being in very good repair, and 73 of which are more or less out of repair. Among them there are but 7 which are constructed in such a manner as to be comfortable and convenient. In 3 the scholars all face the teacher, and in 6 or 7 others, they sit so as to face the centre of the room. others the desks are confined to the walls on three sides of the room, In the and have seats in front of them. By this arrangement the larger scholars sit with their backs to the teacher, except while engaged in reading and spelling. In the first position they have no support at all for the back, and in the latter the edge of the desk is all that is afforded. The younger scholars are seated in the centre of the room on low seats, which in 80 districts are provided with backs. In the remaining 24 districts, these seats have not backs. In 8 districts 2 rooms are occupied by the school, and in 96 districts only one room. The rooms used, will average about 20 feet square, and 8 feet in height. In 75 districts close stoves are used for warming the houses, and in 23, stoves and fire places, and in 6, fire places alone. In none of these houses has any provision been made for ventilation. In 4, the windows let down from the top, and 2 have green blinds. In 39 districts the windows are furnished with outside shutters.

individuals.

Description of a school house in the CENTRE DISTRICT of

"It is located near the foot of a very steep hill, on wet, muddy ground, in the middle of the highway, some 40 rods below the church, spared no pains or money to make neat and comfortable for themselves. where the good people of the town worship, and which they have In answer to the question, "how long has it been built?" as far as I can ascertain, it has always stood there "the memory of the oldest insents a broadside to the most travelled road in the town. habitant runneth not to the contrary." It is one story high, and preand a door. One window, sash and all, is gone, but is partly closed scend the hill from the church, it presents one end with three windows As you deup by some boards on the inside. The other two are only in part broken. The clapboards are off some distance from the ground, and thereby very uncharitably exposing to view rotten timbers. The The district could not afford a broom, nor a shovel and tongs for the entrance is near the corner. The floor is neither a slope nor a level, but undulating, and affords free ventilation for fresh air, from beneath. first three weel s, and wood was so scarce in the depth of winter, that the teacher declares he was obliged to suspend his school twice" for the the seats are without backs and so high that the pupils must sit in an want thereof." The desks are ranged round the sides of the room— uncomfortable position when they write-there is no provision for ventilation by an opening in the ceiling, although there is no lack of fresh air from innumerable crevices from below and around-there is which every school-house should be furnished.” none of the ordinary conveniences in the house or out of it, with

Extract from a communication from one of the most experienced and devoted friends of education in Middlesex county. In no case is a scraper, or a mat for the feet provided. In 100 dis- school houses where the stove doors were without hinges and fasten"There are many cases in which repairs in the school houses, and tricts they have no play ground except the highway, or the land of ings. I know of a school house which has stood about half a century, a proper provision of fuel, have not been made. I have been in several In about 40 districts a few shade trees may be found in which there has not been for several winters, and in which it is inwithin 20 or 30 rods of the school house. 89 houses stand in the high-sinuated there never was such a thing, as a pair of tongs or a shovel. way, in all or in part. One district has provided globes for the use In not a few cases there are only parts of what may have once been a of the school, and made arrangements for proeuring philosophical pair of tongs or a shovel, or one or other of them; but how long it was and chemical apparatus. 29 districts have black boards, and 3 have after Tubal Cain instructed men in iron and brass they were made, it some maps, and 1, a clock. All are destitute of a library, thermome- would have puzzled an antiquarian to tell. Sometimes benches are ter, and recitation rooms. wood room, and place for hats and cloaks. In country towns from 30 ever had desks, they are wholly or partly split off. New panes of In country districts the entry serves as a found with three legs, if they have more than two or one; and if they to 50 scholars are usually crowded into a room calculated for only 20 glass are not put into the windows where the old ones are lost, and the The following descriptions are selected, contrasting a good and a-bad windy storm and tempest, at the risk of having them frozen to their boys are called upon to volunteer their hats and caps to keep out the school house. I wish it was in my power to refer to many as pleas- heads while going home. antly located, properly furnished and arranged, as the first, and that ably, cut, split, housed and dried, is permitted to be brought when incould pronounce the last an exaggerated account of an extreme case, dividuals' in the district see fit to bring it, and that may not be until the The wood, instead of being brought reason but, alas, there are too many liable to the same condemnation. school is out of wood, and suspended for the want of it, one, two, or

or 25,"

I

three days, or a week. Then when in fact brought, in addition to the foregoing evils, it may not be at once cut and split, but left for the scholars to prepare, and the neighbors may be fretting because the boys are teazing them for their axes, dulling, and breaking them. Perhaps most is left out until a snow comes down from Canada and buries it in | a bank, or until it is incased in ice. After all, it may be green, soft wood, much of it, perhaps, chestnut, which lightning will scarcely ignite.

APPENDIX No. 8.

REPORTS OF SCHOOL VISITERS, EXTRACTS
COMMUNICATIONS, LETTERS, &c.
GUILFORD, SECOND SCHOOL SOCIETY.

flourish under such teachers? While here and there a man may be come a good teacher without regular training, and in some rare instances a man may become a good mechanic without serving an appren ticeship, yet it is quite too much to expect that teachers generally will be skillful and efficient unless they are trained for their work.” "It seems to me desirable that the examination of teachers should be by a different board from the present; when the children of professional men, of influential parishioners, clients, and patrons, come before them, there are too many professional and local considerations at work to permit the examiners to be as independent as it is desirable they should be. Were a board of examiners appointed for each county, FROM were the teachers to appear before them on a given day, and at a speci fied place or places, the prospect of examination under such circumstances, would lead to a more thorough preparation, and the examiners "The common schools in our society have never sunk so low as they such a board, could be made sufficient for the county, and for a longer would be more likely to be strictly impartial. A certificate given by are represented to have done in some plac's in our State. A part of time than now." The same plan is suggested in a letter from Abingthe present board of visiters have been in office more than thirty years, ton, Windham county. "The appointment of a general committee, and we can perceive a manifest though gradual improvement in that either state or county-wise, to examine and certify to the qualification time. Grammar, geography, and arithmetic, which were scarcely of all applicants, at their expense, and under proper regulations, would taught at all, are now taught, to some extent, in all our schools, while tend much to advance common school education. The present mode at the same time, the pupils are better readers and spellers than former is somewhat objectionable, from neighborhood, family, local and interly. Our schools have also been visited almost uniformly according ested influences. The painful duty of rejecting a young man, with to law, and a degree of interest has been kept up in them. Our schools influential connections, a popular character, but of unsuitable qualificafor the last season, have felt some impulse from the general movement tions, who may wish to devote the winter to teaching, is seldom perin the State. The visiters and teachers were organized into an asso- formed. Rather than incur the displeasure of wealthy and respectable ciation, which met weekly for more than three months. At these individuals, the visiters will allow him to enter the school on trial, and meetings, modes of instruction, government, and general managment, the same motives will continue him there till the expiration of the term, were discussed; questions brought up by the teachers were solved; to the utter loss of time to the pupils, and money to the state and disexercises in reading and parsing were practised; and if we mistake trict. Besides, it is difficult to find, in most of our school societies, a not, a spirit of emulation and enterprize was excited in the teachers, sufficient number of visiters, (however sound may be their judgment. which in some degree reached the schools. Our schools have appear- in other respects,) competent properly to examine teachers; those who are competent, have become tired of the thankless and unpaid office, and are excused from serving. Now if a committee of three for each county could be appointed, who should examine critically, and certify distinctly the branches which each applicant is qualified to teach, the school visiters could tell by the certificate whether he had been found to possess the qualifications which they wanted, either for summer or winter, for common or high schools." These are most important suggestions, I have no doubt of their wisdom or their practicability; this is done in Ohio, and works well.

ed better at the last examination than we have known them to do at any previous time, and we are encouraged to hope for much greater improvement hereafter.

We would express it as our deliberate opinion, that the great thing needed to advance education in our common schools, is well qualified teachers, and we see no prospect of a supply of such teachers without seminaries for the purpose. The art of instruction and government is not instinctive. The qualified teacher must have learned the art from others or be self-taught. The process of learning by one's own expeence is slow, and the majority will not have ingenuity and enterprize to learn in this way at all."

WALLINGFORD.

LITCHFIELD." In some of the towns of our county the friends of the cause have taken hold of the subject with commendable zeal and efficiency the past season, and the result of their labors are such as to cheer the hearts not only of those who have labored, but of all who have witnessed their efforts.

In several of the towns, public examinations were had of all the schools collectively, near the close of the winter term. These examinations were attended by large collections of the parents of the scholars, and of the communities generally; and if I may be permitted to speak of them all from the one I attended in Salisbury, I must think, with the

"The visiters are of the opinion that the present method of visiting the schools is decidedly faulty and disadvantageous. The usual plan and the one which was followed this year, is to divide as equally as possible, the business of visiting the several schools among the committee of nine, and thus no one visits more than two or three of the ten different schools, and as a matter of course, no comparison can be drawn among them either in regard to excellence, proficiency or order, and indeed the present plan can be considered little more than a formal-happiest effect. ity. As a substitute for this plan, the visiters would recommend that It was truly interesting to witness the spirit manifested by all con the committeee of nine be hereafter authorized to depute two of their cerned on the occasion to which I allude. The examination was such number, or such other persons as it may be thought expedient, to visit as reflected very great credit to both teachers and pupils, as well as all the schools, and take a general supervision of the schools and school the school visiters. It may perhaps be questionable whether an equal books. If the school society should think proper to adopt this sugges-number of what may emphatically be called good schools, could have tion in the future management of the schools, they will doubtless feel it been assembled in any town in the state. And children, teachers, incumbent upon them to allow a reasonable compensation to the sub-parents, and the whole community, seemed to participate in the joy and committee for their services. This plan has been practised in some good feeling the occasion was calculated to inspire. The morning sestowns of the State, and is thought with marked advantage. sion was occupied with the examination; and in the afternoon approWhere two or three small districts can be associated, it seems advi-priate rel gious exercises and addresses; the singing both morning and sable that they should have one good competent male teacher who afternoon was performed by the scholars of two of the schools under should take charge of the larger scholars, (during the winter season the direction of their teachers, much to the satisfaction of the audience. at least) whilst one or two or more females may be employed to take In this town (Salisbury) the board of visiters choose two of their charge of the smaller ones. This plan might be followed during the number to take the whole oversight of the schools, and the town paid winter season, and the present one during the summer, if it is thought them for their services at the rate of one dollar per day; thus an effi. advisable. This plan we think might be adopted by the first, second, cient and energetic supervision was secured to the schools, and the benand tenth districts, with decided advantage. eficial effects were clearly manifest.

The visiters esteem it essential to the well-being of our schools, that It has been a question with some, whether we most need better qualisome standard, uniform elementary works on all the various branch-fied teachers for our schools, or a more healthful tone of public senties taught in common schools, should be introduced and universally ment, attended by corresponding action on the part of the proprietors adopted." and overseers of the schools. The result of my observation in the HADDAM." School-houses must be made more convenient; a choice matter is, that one can hardly exist without the other-that a correct selection of elementary books must in some way be secured; teachers public feeling will create a demand for competent teachers—and that must be more thoroughly trained and more amply rewarded; and child-demand will, as a matter of course, create a supply. On the other ren must be kept at school a greater portion of the year. To drop a hand, nothing is so well calculated to bring into exercise this correct thought or two upon the third particular. public sentiment, as the persevering, untiring efforts of laborious, competent teachers acting on the minds of their pupils, and through them on the parents.

"Young men now seek employment in schools in very many instances, not because they have made any special preparation for this business, or because they expect to pursue it as the means of living or usefulness, but just to help themselves to a little ready money that they may prosecute an education for some other employment, or which they may expend for some other object. They do not lay themselves out as they would were teaching contemplated as an employment for years, or for life. They may have but little acquaintance with books, and with men may have never read a treatise on teaching, or the government of children, or any kindred topic. How can the schools

:

The truth is, we must have both, or our common schools will never be what the exigencies of the case demands. The philanthropist and the legislator who would effect anything salutary in this department, must keep both in his eye, assured that when he touches one efficiently, he by a sympathetic chord moves the other also. Teachers' seminaries, or departments of this sort, attached to schools now existing, are very much needed; where the art of teaching may be taught, as also the art of governing-and the philosophy of mind may be studied."

AN ACT CONCERNING SCHOOLS.

Passed May Session, 1839.

and until the district committee shall certify that the public money received by such district, for they ear previous, has SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-been faithfully applied and expended in paying the wages of sentatives in General Assembly convened, That each school such teacher or teachers, and for no other purpose whatever. society shall have power to establish and maintain common SEC. 9. The inhabitants of school districts in lawful meetschools of different grades, to build and repair school houses, ing. assembled, shall have power to lay taxes on all the to lay taxes, and make all lawful agreements and by-laws to real estate situated in their respective districts, and upon the secure the free, equal, and useful instruction of all the youth polls and other rateable estate, except real estate situate without the limits of such district, of those persons who are resi

thereof.

SEC. 2. No school district shall hereafter be formed out dents therein, at the time of laying such tax, and said real esof any existing district or districts, with less than forty child-tate shall not be taxed by any school district besides the one in ren between the ages of four and sixteen, nor shall any existing which the same is situated; and said tax shall be made out district, by the formation of a new one, be reduced below the and signed by the district committee from the assessment list same number. of said town or towns, to which said district belongs, last com

SEC. 3. Whenever any school district shall be formed or pleted or next to be completed, as said district may direct, altered in any school society, it shall be the duty of the com-and be collected by the collector of the district in the same mittee of the society to fix and describe the boundary lines of manner as town taxes.

such district, and cause the same to be entered on the records SEC. 10. Whenever real estate situated in one school disof the society; and in any case where such boundary lines are trict, is so assessed and entered in the grand list in common not now fixed and described, it shall be the duty of said com- with other estate situated out of said district, that there is no mittee, on application of the district, to designate and define the distinct or separate value put by the assessors upon the part same, as above specified. lying in said district, then said district wishing to lay a tax as

SEC. 4. Every legally constituted school district shall be aforesaid, may call upon the assessors for the time being of a body corporate, so far as to be able to purchase, receive, hold the town in which said district is situated, to assess, and they and convey any estate real or personal for the support of school-are hereby authorized and directed on such application to ing in the same, to prosecute and defend in all actions relating to assess, the value of that part of said estate which lies in said the property and affairs of the district, and to make all lawful district, and to return the same to the clerk of said town; and agreements and regulations for the management of schools notice thereof, shall be given in the same way and manner as within said district. school meetings are warned; and at the end of fifteen days after

SEC. 5. There shall be a meeting in each school district said assessment has been lodged as aforesaid, said assessors and annually on the last Tuesday of August, at the school house of society's committee shall meet in such place in said district as such district, or, if there be no school house, at such other said committee shall designate in their notice, and shall have place as the district committee may designate; and notice the same power in relation to such list as the board of relief thereof shall be given at least five day's previous, by the district have in relation to lists of towns. When such list shall be committee, in one or more newspapers published therein, or by equalized and adjusted by said assessors and society's commitputting the same on the school house, or on the sign post, or on tee the same shall be lodged with the town clerk, and said such other places, and in such other mode as the district may assessments shall be the rule of taxation for said estate by said designate for this purpose. district for the year ensuing; and said assessors shall be paid by SEC. 6. A special meeting shall be held in each district said district, a reasonable compensation for their services. whenever called by the district committee, in the manner spe- SEC. 11. The visiters or overseers appointed by any cified in the case of annual meetings; and it shall be the duty School Society, may prescribe rules and regulations for the of said committee, or any member thereof, or in case of failure management, studies, books, and discipline of the schools in or refusal of the same, of the clerk of said district, to call afsaid society, and may appoint two persons, one or both of meeting on the written application of any five residents there whom shall be a committee to examine into the qualifications in who pay taxes; and every notice of a district meeting, shall of all candidates who may apply for employment as teachers state the purpose for which said meeting is called. in the common schools of such society, and shall give to such

SEC. 7. At the annual meeting of any district the legal persons, with the evidence of whose moral character, and voters thereof shall elect, in addition to the officers now requi-literary attainments they are satisfied, a certificate setting forth red, a committee, to consist of not more than three residents the branches he or she is found capable of teaching, provided of the district;—and said committee shall discharge all the that no certificate shall be given to any person not found qualiduties now required of the district committee appointed by the fied to teach reading, writing and arithmetic, thoroughly-and school society; shall employ unless otherwise directed by the the rudiments at least, of grammar, geography, and history;-to district one or more qualified teachers; provide suitable school visit each of the district schools in said society, during the first rooms; visit the schools by one or more of their number, twice two weeks after the opening of such schools, and also during at least, during each season of schooling; see that the scholars the two weeks preceding the close of the same, at which visits are properly supplied with books, and in case they are not, and the committee may examine the record or register of the the parents, guardians, or masters have been notified thereof teacher, and other matters touching the situation, discipline, by the teacher, to provide the same at the expense of the dis-mode of teaching, and improvement of the school;-and trict, and add the price thereof to the next school tax or rate of subject to the rules and regulations of the school visiters, may such parents, guardians, or masters; suspend during pleasure or exercise all the powers, and discharge all the duties of said visexpel during the current season from school, all pupils found iters; and such committee shall receive one dollar each per guilty on full hearing of incorrigbly bad conduct; and give such day for the time actually employed in discharging the duties information and assistance to the school committees and visiters of their office, and such other compensation as said society of the society, as they may require, and perform all other lawful may allow, to be paid out of the income of the town deposite acts as may from time to time be required of them by the dis- Fund accruing to said society, or in any other way which said trict, or which may be necessary to carry into full effect the society may provide. powers and duties of school districts. SEC. 12. No teacher shall be employed in any school supSEC. 8. Each school district shall have power at the an- ported by any portion of the public money, until he or she has nual, or any lawful meeting, to build, or otherwise provide received a certificate of examination and approbation, signed suitable school rooms; to employ one or more teachers; to fix by a majority of visiters of the school society, or by the committhe different periods of the year at which the school shall be tee by them appointed, nor shall any teacher be entitled to taught; to appropriate such portions of the public moneys ac-draw any portion of his or her wages, so far as the same is cruing to such district for the use of schools, to such parts of the paid out of any public money appropriated by law to schools, year, as the convenience of the district may require; provided unless he or she can produce such certificate, dated previous to that no school district shall after the first day of January next, the opening of his or her school-provided that no new certificate be entitled to any portion of the public money, unless the shall be necessary, when the teacher is continued in the same school or schools of such district have been kept by a teacher school more than a year, unless the visiters or overseers shall reor teachers duly qualified, for at least four months in the year-quire it.

SEC. 13. It shall be the duty of every teacher in any SEc. 22. The committees of the respective districts forming common district school, to enter in a book, or a register to be the union district, shall constitute the school committee of said provided by the district clerk, the names of all the scholars at- district, with power to appoint their own clerk, treasurer, and tending school, their ages, the date when they commenced, collector-and said officers shall have all the powers, and disthe length of time they continue, and their daily attendance charge all the duties in reference to such district, as the same together with the day of the month on which such school was officers bave in the case of school districts. visited by the school visiters of the society or committee by SEC. 23. The committee aforesaid shall also determine the them appointed, which book, or register, shall be open at all ages and qualifications of the children of the associated distimes to the inspection of all persons interested, and be de trict, who may attend the union school, and make all rules and livered over by the teacher at the close of the terin, to the dis-regulations for the studies, books and discipline of the school, trict clerk, together with a certified abstract, showing the subject to the approbation of the visiters of the school sociwhole number of pupils enrolled, the number of males and ety in which said union district may be located, and to any females, and the average daily attendance and it shall be votes that may be passed in any legal meeting of said disunlawful to pay any teacher more than two-thirds the amount trict.

due for any term of tuition, until said book and abstract shall SEC. 24. Such union school shall receive such proporbe placed in the hands of the district clerk, as aforesaid, and tion of all money accruing to the use of each of the associated certified to under oath. districts, as the children between the ages of 4 and 16 attending SEC. 14. Any school society, in lawful meeting, may au- the union school from each of said districts, bear to the numthorize the committee of the society to draw an order on the ber attending the district schools in each-and the expense of society treasurer, in favor of such school district, or parts of dis-sustaining the school beyond the amount thus received shall tricts as have kept their schools in all respects according to law, be borne by the union district, in such manner as the legal for their proportion of all the public money apppropriated to voters of the same shall prescribe; and a tax or rate for this the use of schools, in the hands of said treasurer either accord-purpose shall be assessed and collected in the same manner as ing to the number of persons between the ages of 4 and 16 in in the case of any other school district.

such districts or parts of districts, or according as the amount SEC. 25. The visiters or overseers of schools, shall have of attendance for a period of six month's schooling in such the same power and perform the same duties in relation to such districts or parts of districts, shall bear to the whole amount of union schools, as are prescribed to them in relation to other disattendance in all the districts for the same period. trict schools.

SEC. 15. Whenever the expense of keeping a common school SEC. 26. No child shall be excluded from any school supby a teacher or teachers duly qualified, shall exceed the ported in all or in part out of any money appropriated or raised by amount of all monies appropriated by law to defray the ex-law for this purpose, in the district to which such child belongs, pense of such school, the committee in such district for the on account of the inability of the parent, guardian, or master of time being, may examine, adjust, and allow all bills of ex-the same to pay his or her tax or assessment for any schoolpense incurred for the support of said school, and assess the purpose whatever; and the school committee of such district, same upon the parents, guardians, and masters of such children and the select men, or a majority of the same, of the town or as attended the same, according to the number and time sent by towns in which such district shall be located, shall constitute a each. Board with power to abate the taxes or assessments of such SEC. 16. Whenever the contingent expenses of any school persons, as are unable to pay the same in all or in part, and district, arising from repairs of school house or its appendages, said select men shall draw an order for the amount of such books, costs, damages, or any other source, shall not exceed abatements upon the treasurer of the town in which such perthe sum of twenty dollars in one year, the same may be inclu-sons reside, in favor of said district. ded in the above assessment. SEC. 27. All the school officers, both of the school soci

SEC. 17. Any school district, in lawful meeting warned ety and school districts shall hold their respective offices until for this purpose, is hereby authorized to lay a tax, not exceed the annual meeting of such society and district next following ing thirty dollars the first year, or ten dollars any subsequent the time of their appointment, and until others shall be duly year, on the district, for the purpose of establishing and main-elected in their places.

taining a Common School Library and apparatus for the use of SEC. 28. In case any district shall fail or neglect to appoint the children of such district, under such rules and regulations any or all of the officers authorized and directed to be apas said district may adopt; and any sum of money thus raised, pointed by this Act at the annual meeting, or any vacancy shall be assessed and collected in the same manner as other shall occur by death, removal from the district, or otherwise, district taxes. it shall be the duty of the committee of the school society in

SEC. 18. Any two or more adjoining school districts, may which such district may be located, to make such appointment, associate together and form a union district with power to and to fill such vacancy, on receiving written notice thereof maintain a union school, to be kept for the benefit of the older from any three members of the district, and lodge the name or and more advanced children of such associated districts, if the names of such officers so appointed, with the district clerk. inhabitants of each of such districts, shall at legal meetings SEC. 29. The Governor is hereby authorized to fill any called for that purpose, agree to form such union by a vote of vacancy in the Board of Commisioners of Common Schools, two thirds of the legal voters present. occasioned by death, resignation, or otherwise.

SEC. 19. Any union district thus formed shall have all the SEC. 30. All acts or parts of acts relating to school societies corporate powers of school districts, and shall hold its first or schools, inconsistent with the provisions of this act, are meeting on such notice, and at such time and place as may hereby repealed. be agreed upon by the associated districts respectively by a vote of the same at the time of forming the union.

The present number of the Journal contains the Report

SEC. 20. The annual meeting of such union district shall of the Board of Commissioners of Common Schools, with be held at such time and place, and upon such notice, as the all of the accompanying documents, except appendix No. 1, district may at its first meeting prescribe--and notice of all spe- annexed to the Report of the Secretary of the Board. It also cial or adjourned meetings shall be given as provided for in the contains the "act concerning schools," which was reported

case of school districts.

SEC. 21. The legal voters of such union district shall have by the Joint Select Committee on Common Schools, and with power to designate, and purchase or lease, the site for a schoolja few amendments in the Senate, passed both Houses with an house for the union school, and to build, hire, or purchase a almost unanimous vote. building for such school house, and to keep in repair and fur

for the use of said school-and to assess and collect a tax for

The first volume of the Journal is now completed. A

nish the same with fuel, furniture and other necessary articles title page and index to this volume, will accompany the first the above purpose, in the same manner as is prescribed by law number of volume second--which will be issued in the course of the month of July. It will be forwarded to all of the presfor other school districts-and in case the district shall not be able unanimously to agree on the location of the union school ent subscribers unless otherwise directed. The friends of the house, the school society committee shall on application deterJournal are requested to give their co-operation to extend its mine the same. circulation, and consequently its power to do good.