The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-08-18
SCHOOL LAWS OF THE STATE.
Some Things Which the Pennsylvania Stat.
utes Require Concerning Education

BY acts of the Pennsylvania legislature
it is lawful that school boards Of districts,
not cities of the first and second class,
may give aid to any free non -sectarian
library already established or to be here
after established. instead of providing
another public library.
That school directors may establish
treasury, free kindergsrtens for children
between the ages of three and six years,
residing in the district.
That il shall be unlawful for any in
dustrial establishment to employ any
minor who can not read and write in the
English language, unless he has attend
ed in the preceding year, an evening or
day school for a period of sixteen weeks.
That school boards shall have the pow
es 10 levy per capita tax of one dollar
annually on every male inhabitant who
is of age.
That a copy of Smull's Legislative
Handbook shall now and hereafter fol-
lowing each decennial census, be placed
in each public school of the common
wealth, and bi-ennially copy of the
School Laws and Decisions, by the state
superintendent.
That independent school districts now
existing may be abolished by the courts
whenever a majority of the taxable citi-
zens Of any school district. out of which
any Independent district may be created,
petition for such action.
That in cities of the third class whose
school districts are co-extensive with the
city, school taxes shall he levied on the
assessment made for city purposes.
That school boards may levy a special
tax once a year not exceeding the regular
tax for the year for other purposes than
to purchase or pay for ground and to
erect buildings thereon; namely, (s) for
the accumulation of fund for purchas-
ing and erecting buildings; (b) for the
payment Of debt contracted for grounds
or building; (cl for completing school
buildings; Id for fencing and improving
grounds in connection with the erection
of buildings; (e) for the payment of fueI
and janitors.
That school children shall have the use
OF the books of the board during vacation
for pay or select school, provided the
teacher has valid certificate.
That the Indebtedness of school dis.
tricts in boroughs and townships, created
in excess Of two per cent. and less thar
seven per cent. on the valuation of prop
erty. with the assent of the electors there
of. where such assent has not been frs
obtained, shall he valid.
That the state superintendent shal
have 1000 additional copies of the schoo
laws printed bi-ennially.
That school directors shall be author
lied 10 provide transportation for schoo
children, at the expense of the district
to the public schools Of the district il
which they reside or t. the schools o
neighboring districts.
That teachers of stenography and type
writing may be employed without re
quiring teachers certificate, provide,
such teachers teach no other branche
and have the approval of the proper su
perintendent, which approval must hav
been submitted and approved by tn
state superintendent.
That school boards may purchase flag
and shall display them whenever the,
deem proper.
That the compulsory school law be $
amended as to increase the compulsor,
age to 10 years. to require attendance con
tinuously during at least 20 per cent. O
the term, which period shall begin q
the beginning of the school term, or at
time to oe fixed by the school board a
their organization: that between the age
of Is and Is a child shall he excused if b
has regular employment.
That the appropriation shall be dis
tributed as follows: One-third on tn
basis of number of teachers, no: in
Guiding substitutes: one-third on mum
Der Of children of school age; and one
third on number of taxables.