Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1883-03-17
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
More Questions Answcred By the
state superintendent.

JEFFERSON CITY. Feb. &c Finding
that the quickest way to get iDforma-
tlon from this Office IN circulation
throughout the state is to give it
TO the press, the folio wiug answers are
submitted TO questions now on my desk
awaiting reply:
First-Why are the blanks hot sent
out from your office to supply the
county commissioners
Answer-On December 18th an order
was sent to the printer Tor 1872, 900
blanks; that order ls not yet filed.
The blanks are sent just as fast as
furnished to this Office. Sixty-eight
counties have been supplied. twenty
packages are at the express Office
and the remainder will be sent in
few days.
Sscond-Why can we get 10 copies
OF the school law for distribution?
Ans.-The supply Of old copies is
exhausted; there were amend
ments made in 1881: aud vii, d
present session; but as they will
not 90 into effect until ninety days
after the adjournment OF the legisla-
ture. there will be no new law printed
until all tue amendments eau be iu-
serted.
Third-Why can we not get the re-
port Of the schools for 1881 and 1922
Ans.-The report that should have
been made the first week of the present
session of the legislature by my prede-
cessor is yet in his hands why the
delay caunot answer.
Fourth-Will any change made in the
law at this session affect the annual
nesting In April2
Aus.-No; the actions Of the annual
meeting in April must be governed by
the old law and the amendments OF
1881.
Finh-What part of section 1901.
as amended in 1881, are unconsti,u-
tionalP
Aus.-The fourth dvision--"to In
crease the time over tour mouths"-
requires "majority of the voters who
are taxpayers. voting at an election
held to decide the question. [Sec. IL,
art. 10, con-. aud sec. 7,059. r. 81
The ninth dlvision-"to direct q
loan of money to liquidate present in
debtednsss"-is imperative by virtue
of its only referring to the debts Of 1874
when tho law was enacted and is in
antagonism to the constitution. Sec.
IL, art. 10.
And the tenth-sto direct the levy
OF such tax as may be deemed suffi.
cieut to purchase q suitable site, erect
a school house thereon and furnish the
same"-requires two.thirds vote Of
those voting. [Sec. 1850. and sec. IL,
art. 10 OF the conssit ntion.l
Sixth-Can q majority OF board
elect teacher2
Aus.-Thsy can provided the board
was in session. A majority of such
board voted for the teacher, and re.
cord was made of the same. Directors
signing teachers application when
not i'll session cannot constitute an elec.
tion. [67 Mo-, page Sl9, also 26 Mo-,
page lO2. sec. 7046, Il. 8.
Seyenth-When are teachers war
rants legally drawn?
/ Ans-When the board, at regular
~ organized meeting, by majority
vote, orders the clerk to draw war
rant in favor OF legally qualified and
commissioned teacher, tor services
actually rendered. report of the same
flied with the clerk of the bonrd-upon
the proper fund, and the same attested
by the signature of The clerk and pres.
,den. Of such bosEsas ssSss. i6bss bs tie 'ssfmount
due the distrlct for that school year.
[Sec. 7,046. 7.071, R. S.; % Mo-. p. 102 |;
67 Mo-, p. S19, and art. 10, sec. IL, con-
stitution.l
Eighth-How much tax can school
board levy without the vote of the
peoplep
Aus.-Enough to maintain school
, for FIVE months iu districts organized
r in cities and towns, and four months In
> other districts, provided such levy ts
. not in excess of forty cents on the 500
, valuation.
Nmth-Can districts that fail to re-
t port the children enumerated draw any
of the public funds?
Ans.-They canuot. [Sectlon z. 122,
/. r. S
3 Tsnth-When may teacher be dis.
o charged by the board of directors
Ans.-When the provisions OF the
o contract have been violated; when the
r teachers certificate has expired, or for
l gross, immoral conduct. Iu IS Mo-. p.
t 149, it is said: "The local directors
l Of school district have no authority
8 to DISMISS teacher therein unless tor
= good and sufficient cause showu." The
e practice OF peremptorily dismissing
teachers without a hearing should
g be deprecated. Directors should
know what to require OF . teacher
s aud place the same in the contract.
j. Ali communications addressed to this
o office en- official business should be
@. marked 20. B." OIL the envelope, 40
h my clerk attends to the business OF the
e Office in my absence. Those intended
IL to be strictly private should be mark
e ed ''Private" or "Psrsonal" ON the Gu.
8 vclope. VIM. E. COLEMAN.