SCHOOL GRANTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 999, 14 December 1910, Page 8

SCHOOL GRANTS.

TriEIR EXPENDITURE DEFINED. "SHALL" AND "MAY." Under the latest s.vstfcm adopted for the allocation of school grants to committees for administrative expenses, it is proposed to define the' scope of the expenditure. A school committee will- receive so much liy way of grant, and will also be informed iiiat the money must' he spent upon this, that, and tho other item which the regulations propose to define. At its meeting yesterday, tho Wellington Education Board received a copv of "the dratt regulations defining incidental expenses of school committees approved by tho Education Committee of tho House of Representatives for any remarks and suggestions which the hoard might make regarding them. A copy of the Education Act' Amendment of 1910 in its final form as passed was also enclosed, and attention drawn to the fact that Sections 2 and 4, relating to tho payment of the allowanco for administrative purposes and incidental expenses of school committees, would come into operation on January 1 next. The draft regulations were reviewed clause by clause, and with certain amendments, adopted after some discussion. They are as follow:— What "Shall" be Included. . 1. Cleaning: Tho complete and regular cleaning and keeping ,in order of buildings, furniture, fixtures, apparatus, and'appliances in all the school premises including class-rooms, teachers' rooms, passages, lavatories, libraries, laboratories, workshops, 'outbuildings, drains, water-tanks, wells, etc.; sanitary and other offices, cost of requisites for cleaning; cost, of fumigation when ordered by the Health Department or otherwise deemed necessary. 2. Heating: Cost of fuel and other items-connected with the heating of tho school premises, sweeping chimneys, replacing of coalscuttles, fire-irons, etc. 3.- ■ Lighting: Water service and sanitary service;, all expenditure on these items when necessary. .

4. Grounds: Kepair and keeping order of the school grounds, fences, hedges, gates, paths,' etc., and including the clearing of gorse, broom, briar, and all noxious weeds, 'but docs not include the cost of replacing worn-out fences and gates. 5. Repairs of all buildings, furniture, fixtures, apparatus; and appliances on | school premises that aro rendered necessary by wilful' or careless damage, and generally all small repairs other than those due to wear and- tear, fire, earthquake. or storm. 6. Stationery: . The cost of all stationery, such as ink, pens,'slates, slate-pen-ciis, lead-pencils, erasers, chalk, blackboard dusters, blotting paper;, and other similar requisites. used in school for school purposes, 'Hmt (quoted words inserted by way of amendment) not necessarily writing paper and exercise books required by the children except'" all paper required for examination purposes; cost of stationery used for the transaction of tho business of the school committee. What "May" be Included. Pnrlher, the incidental expenses of school committees may include, at' the discretion of the board:— (a) The cost of all paper and other stationery used in school for school purposes'. . On tho motion of Mr. H. Lee (chairman), seconded by Mr. J. Kibbell, it was resolved-.—"That tho Department bo re-

commended to make a special grant to cover the liberal supply of necessary/writing paper for all .schools." • ' (It) The salary of a caretaker appointed to have custody of the school buildings aild to perform all or any of the duties specified above; rent of caretaker's quarters, and all repairs to the same. C. Further, if provision has been made for the most of all the items specified in A, school committee allowances may be expended as the board shall direct for school libraries; for pictures for tho school walls; for asphalting and other improvements of the school premises.