Case ID: wis_143/html/0124-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "WiNsnow, C. J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Sheboygan County, Appellant, vs. Gaffron, Respondent.
    
      April 27 —
    May 24, 1910.
    
    
      County superintendents: Term of office: Increase of salary.
    
    
      1. A county superintendent of schools, even though his jurisdiction be confined to a district less than the whole county, is a county officer whose term of office continues for two years and until Ms successor is qualified, and under sec. 694, Stats. (1898), his salary cannot he increased or diminished during such term.
    2. Where, pursuant to ch. 307, Laws of 1903, changing the time for election of county superintendents, a superintendent continued in office for six months after the two years for which he was originally elected, such six months were part of his original term, and an increase of salary which had been voted by the county hoard during such two years had no application to such six month
    Appeal from a judgment of the circuit court for Sheboy-gan county: Michael KibwaN, Circuit Judge.
    
      Reversed.
    
    
      
      Edward Voigt, district attorney, for tbe appellant.
    
      M. 0. Mead, for tbe respondent.
   WiNsnow, C. J.

Action to recover an alleged overpayment of salary. Tbe facts are simple. Tbe defendant was-appointed comity superintendent of schools for Sheboygan comity for tbe two-year term beginning on the first Monday of January, 1903', the county board having previously fixed: tbe salary at $1,000 per annum. In November, 1904, the-county board fixed tbe salary at $1,200 per annum. The-defendant held office two years and six months; i. e. until July, 1905. He was paid $600 for tbe last six months. Was be entitled to that sum, or should be have been paidi $500 only? Tbe circuit court decided that be was entitled to $600, and tbe county appeals.

We think it clear that tbe trial court erred. Tbe superintendent of schools, even though bis jurisdiction be confined, to a district and does not cover tbe whole county, is a county officer, and bis term of office, like that of other county officers, continues for two years and until bis successor is qualified. Sec. 698, Stats. (1898). Tbe salary of no county officer can be increased or diminished during bis-term of office. Sec. 694, Stats. (1898). Tbe defendant held office until July, 1905, because tbe legislature, by cb. 307" of tbe Laws of 1903, changed the time of electing county superintendents from tbe fall to tbe spring, and provided that tbe first superintendent elected under tbe new law should’ be elected in April, 1905, and take bis office tbe first Monday in July following. This law also provided that the superintendent elected in 1902 should continue in office until the last-named date, but this latter clause gave tbe defendant no new term. It was entirely superfluous and accomplished nothing. Under bis original appointment bis term ran until bis successor was qualified. Tbe increase of salary voted by-tbe county board in November, 1904, bad no application to» the last six months of bis bolding because that six months was a part of his original term of office and there could be no increase during his term. Ch. 307 of the Laws of 1903 neither expressly nor impliedly repeals the provisions of see. 694 preventing the change of salary during the term.

These considerations render it unnecessary to consider the ■question whether under the provisions of sec. 9 of art. XIII ■of the constitution the legislature had the power to extend the term of defendant’s office. O’Connor v. Fond du Lac, 109 Wis. 253, 85 N. W. 327.

By the Court. — Judgment reversed, and action remanded with directions to render judgment for the plaintiff according to the prayer of the complaint.