The intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1887-1891, 1888-08-18
QUESTIONS ANSWERED.


/. Can the board compel pupils to
pursue the regular adopted course OF
study?
Answcr-Thc only discussion on this
point is given In the ID Alb. l.. journal,
40 and the court holds that boards can
compel each pupil to pursue the adopt
ed course so tar as il harmOniZes with
the subjects required by the statutes.
2. Must the board maintain II color
cd school in the district when the num-
Der of coIored children III such DISTRICT
fails below fifteen?
Ana.-N0. Only where there are
fifteen cOlOrcd children of school age
III the district is the board required
and compelled by section 1852 TO main
tain separate school for such chill
drcm. And whenever the number of
cOlored children, by actual count,
reaches fifteen, the board must furnish
them with school facilities the emu
Mcration of May previous has nothing
to do with it.
3. Is II the duty of the commissioner
to examine applicants whenever they
apply to him for such examination?
Ans. No. Most commissioners have
| to follow some calling for a livelihood,
| and they cannot be compelled to ex-
anime applicants except at their regu
lar examinations. The commissioner
should hold monthly examinations and
give notice of the time and place OF
such examination through the county
papers. II he does it is sufficient;
| applicants must govern themselves
accordingly. If the commissioner is
not busy and sees fit to examine an
applicant at some other time than his
regular examination, that is his right
and his own business.
4. Should director refuse to per-
form bis duty, whose duty is it to ell
force the provisions of section 7066?
Ans.-The provisions of section 706G
can be enforced by any citizen of the
district by mandamus proceedings to
compel him to do his duty, or by an in
junction to restrain him when he is
proceeding illegally.
3. May the county commissioner act
as agent for an educational journal?
Ans. He can, provided he receives
no commission for his services.
6 For what can the incidental fund
be used?
Ans.-It can be used to furnish the
!, things incidental to running q school,
viz: fuel, brooms, buckets, chalk
erasers, and the employing of a janitor
BY an order of the board the clerk may
receive small compensation for his
| services; this is paid from SAID fund
, When small repairs are necessary, such
as mendiDg u seat, replacing glass, fit
ting The doors or windows, or to sup
) i'll repairing the pastering or procur'
ing new stove when the old one
proves inadequate. But should yOr
desire to re-roOf the house, build al
I addition, or furnish room with new
, furniture, you must draw on the build
ing fund, as you cannot legally pay
such expenses from the Incidental fund
These funds are voted differently, anC
2 must therefore be kept separate. Set
, sections 1859 and 7060
Z Why does the school year end il
June when the annual meeting is il
April?
, Ans.-The school year used to enc
, in April tins cut the school term III
q two parts, thereby having TO report il
, April liz one year and after April i'll tn,
next. The law was changed in 1888
a making the school year end June 80, 81
that all the school term would fall il
, the same year. The annual meeting
remains unchanged, as every count,
, clerk will tell you it is Just as late a
the annual meeting can be held, tina
, all reports and estimates may come Ii
I by July LIST, the time at which they
, have 10 make up their tax books. Tbt
school law is made subservient to tn,
, revenue law.
8. Who has the right TO change o.
adopt text books for the district, ant
! under what conditions?
Ans.-The school board is the only
, power in the district that can change
. the text books now III use or adopt new
ones. This must be done "by order o
, the board" and must be made Il nat
a ter of record by the district clerk
The teacher has 10 right to adOp
school books, nor TO change those nov
in use. lie must use the ones adopted
, by the board; and parents must pro
cure the books adopted by the board
p Only one book of a kind should b.
adopted or allowed taught. The boart
, can adopt text books and require then
, used until bv order of the board all
, other change is made, which the mex
/ board can do, or even the same bOart
, may do legally, though it would b.
p unwise and ioolish-unleSs the book
t adopted prove to be wholly worthless
A board has no right or authority t
contract with any publishing oompan,
to adopt its books and use them tor
q term Of years. One company has at
tempted this and thcu brought sui
because subsequent board saw prope
4 to change the books thus adopted
: Such work can do the company H.
good, but much harm will be the ulti
! mate result. 1t cannot hold the dis
!, trict responsible for an illegal act o
;, the board. One board cannot adop
. books and bind its action upon its sue
p oessors; the next board an do as
!, plcascs about retaining them.
: The teacher cannot compel pupils f
/ furnish books unless the board, as
:. board, has adopted such books. Board
o. should be careful in changing books
+, changes should he made when Tia
wants of the district demand changes
and not otherwise.