HERBERT R. O'CONOR, GOVERNOR. 1905

SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Mary-
land, That the County Commissioners of Washington County
are hereby authored and empowered to prepare plans, or to
adopt plans prepaid by the Board of Education of Washing-
ton County, for a five-year program of school building construc-
tion and improvement. The program shall make provision,
before any other work, for all necessary alterations, improve-
ments, and additions to the Winter St. Elementary School in
Hagerstown; the North St. Elementary and High School in
Hagerstown and the Washington St. Junior High School in
Hagerstown. The program shall also include such plans as the
County Commissioners deem necessary to construct, alter, re-
condition and enlarge other school buildings in Hagerstown
and Washington county, and to furnish and equip the same for
school purposes, including the purchase of land, if necessary.

SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That in each of the fiscal
years beginning in 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950 the County
Commissioners of Washington County are hereby authorized
and empowered to levy and collect taxes in an amount not
exceeding $100, 000 per year, to cover all expenditures for
said school construction and improvement program. The
amount so collected shall be set aside in a special fund to be
known as the "School Improvement Fund", and shall be
expended only for the purposes set forth in this Act.

SEC. 3. And be it further enacted, That all money in the
School Improvement Fund shall be deposited in a separate and
special account in some bank or banks, savings institution or
institutions or trust company or companies by the said Board
of County Commissioners of Washington County at the best
rate of interest obtainable, and the said money shall be paid
out only on checks, signed by the President of the said Board
of County Commissioners of Washington County, counter-
signed by the Clerk of said Board.

SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the said Board of
Education of Washington County shall award the contracts
for the construction, alteration, repair, addition and equip-
ment of the school buildings hereinbefore mentioned as well
as other school buildings in the City of Hagerstown and in
Washington County, Maryland, and for all equipment and
supplies for the same to the lowest responsible bidder therefor
after the said Board shall have had competitive bids submitted
to it; provided, however, that the said Board shall have the
right to reject any and all bids. Said Board of Education shall
require the successful bidder or bidders to whom said con-
tracts are awarded to make a contract in writing for the
faithful performance of the work and said contractors shall