The Forrest City times., 1899-06-02


This is the question which is ag.ta-
ting the public mind at present, and 1t
is one Of such Importance and magni-
tude, as relates to the education of the
children and the welfare of the COM
munity, that ii may well enlist the IN
terest of every man. woman and child
in the district. There has been Il-
NOR going the rounds for a week or
more that there is to be no free school
next fall and winter. THE TIMES has
had it in mind to investigate the mat
ter for the purpose of keeping the pub
lie informed, and on Monday Mr.. Fon-
dren. secretary of the board, called at
our office and handed US copy of
recent act OF the legislature, which we
print below, and which is self'explana-
tory
An act to prohibit school directors from
employing teachers in certain cases.
Be it enacted by the general assembly
of the State of Arkansas.
Sec. /. That hereafter it shall be I'M
lawful for any director or board of d.
rect0rs in any school district in this state
to employ a teacher to teach school in
any district in this state, unless said dis
trict has iaoney To its credit in treasury of
the county ia which said district is located.
to pay said teacher fer such work pro-
yded. that II the amount OF taxes To be
paid in by the collector of any county
shall be sufficient To have n school Taught
IA any district in which such taxes are to
be paid, then the directors shall have the
power to employ a teacher To teach
school in'such district; provided further,
that majority OF the patrons of any
school district in this state shall at all
times have the right to petition the board
of directors to employ teacher and cause
a school TO lie taught in any district wheL-
ever they so desire. Provided further
that said directors do not pay more for
services OF said teacher than would be
necessary to pay said teacher for said
service II said money were in treasury.
See. = That any board of directors
violating this law shall be fined i'm any
sum not less than ten nor more than one
hundred dollars.
Sec. B. That all laws and parts of
laws conflicting with this act be and are
hereby repealed, and that this act take ef-
feet and be in force from and after its
passage.
Approved May S, 1890
Following up the investigation, we
lind the following in the Commercial
Appeal of Tuesday:
State Superintendent OF Public In
struction Doyne made this official an
nouncement today: Judging from
comments on the act regulating the
hiring OF teachers by directors, the
opinion seems to prevail that the money
must be In the treasury before direct
ors can enter into contracts with teach
els. This is not the case. The law
provides that there must either be
money IN the treasury OF Il tax levied
which when collected will, with the
state apportionment, be sufficient to
pay for the services of the teachers.
IL further provides that even though
the above provisions are not met ma
Jority of the patrons may on petition
nave a school taught, provided the
sum to be paid be not greater than
would be paid if there were money in
the treasury.
This would seem to indicate that the
matter lies entirely with the people,
and they cannot afford to ignore the
right OF petition here mentioned. The
board had meeting last night at
which this matter was discussed. The
Ladies Auxiliary Committee was rep.
resented at this meeting, and offered
to do everything they could to aid the
board in its dilemma.
Forrest City can i'll afford to pass
another year without free school, anG
we fell sure that the means will bt
provided by which the obstacles ma,
be overcome.