Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1895-06-13
SCHOOL CLERKS.

There Is something wrong with the preacher
that won't hit sinner somewhere.
SCHOOL CLERKS.
A Circular issued by Oscar }. Smith
to the School Clerks.
A few pointers given by Supt. Smith
to the clerks Of school districts regard
ing their duties and opportunities will
be of interest to our readers:
All necessary blanks have been, or
soon will be sent.
II you have not made your census re-
port, please attend To 1t at once, AS your
depends upon it.
June 8 post notices of annual school
election, which occurs ON the third
Tuesday of June. A sentence in the
law of 1895 reads as follows: "The
polls shall be opened at 2 p. M, and
kept open two hours in districts hav-
ing but one school, and four hours in
districts having more than one school. -
At this election there shall be elected
in each district chairman for three
years, and any other officers whose
term expires by appointment the clerk
for one year, and the treasurer for two,
and each officer SO elected shall qualify
on or before the second Tuesday Of July
following his election.
Women who possess the cOnstitu-
tional qualifications are voters,
Voting must be by ballot. Clerks
have power to administer Oaths to
school officers.
The annual meeting of the board &C.
ours on the second Tuesday of July.
The clerk must report the tax levy to
the county auditor on or before July 20.
On or before August l see that re-
ports are filed with proper officers, not
later than this date. 1t is the duty of
the county superintendent to certify to
the district director that the reports oil
clerk and treasurer have been filed on
or before August and found correct.
Upon this certificate depends the sal
airy OF Is for each clerk and treasurer.
II the report Is incorrect or not on
file. as required, the salary Is forfeited.
On the second Tuesday In July at the
annual meeting Of the board, the in.
coming board shall make settlement
with the treasurer, who Is required to
make his annual report at that meet
ing. This report Is to be made in trip
llcate-One recorded by treasurer. one
delivered to clerk, and one transmitted
to the county superintendent. Clerks
also are to make annual reports to SUI
perintendents, and it must first be care.
fully recorded in the clerks book.
The reports of clerk and treasurer
must be compared and approved by the
board. ALL blanks must be AcCU.
RATELY filled out. A sentence in the
law Of 1895 reads: 1.-The board shall
cause to be posted In three public
places or published in q newspaper Of
general circulation in the county, ar
ilemized statement Of receipts and OK
penditures for the preceding schoO
year." To comply with this law, blank
statements have been issued to clerks,
which may be filed and posted.
The school board is required to levy
the number Of dollars required for each
fund instead Of voting Sd many mills al
required prior to 1891. The basis 70,
tax levy will be the valuation of the
previous year.
The minimum school year fixed BY
law is six months, and districts failing
to maintain six months school will for
felt the quarters appOrtionment end
ing September 30. Let me urgently
request that you maintain more thar
six months school whenever your re-
sources will permit. Here let me say
however, that good school for six
months Is better than q poor one fOl
nine months.
The winter term should begin abou,
November 4, and the summer term
about April /. In order to properly su
pervise the classification, it ia import
ant for all the schools to begin abOu,
the same time.
Please see that all officers, elected
qualify promptly, and that the clerk &
and treasurer's bonds are fle0 will. the
county auditor. The oath OF Office Il
on the bond.
Employing teachers and supervising
the schools are the most important du
ties OF school officers, and these duties
should be discharged with an eye single
to the welfare Of the children en-.
trusted to our care.
Preference should always be given tc
those teachers who make teaching u
profession, who are faithful in attend.
Ing institutes and associations, and who
are constantly striving to better their
preparation. II Is better to continue
the same teacher when the work is sat
isfactOry. Constant change OF teachers
is the bane of the rural school work.
Employ the hest teacher you can afford
Before employing, 1t Is we'll to consult
the superintendent. He is supposed tc
be acquainted with both teacher and
school. No contract is valid when made
with party not holding valid Ger.
tificate.
Let us keep the school house and out
buildings clean and in good repair. I,
Is better to spend money this way thar
on expensive apparatus.
In the purchase Of furniture and an
paratus It Is we'll to consult the super
intendent. He IL supposed 10 know
what Ia needed, and where the best ma,
be had for the least money. 1t 10 one
Of his duties 10 inquire into such mat
ters. DO not deal with agents. Thous
ands OF dollars have been lost TO the
schools of Union county in this manner
Please read the above carefully.
Your Obedient Servant.
OSCAR J. SMITH,
Superintendent