The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1900-10-20

provement on ourselves, and is this not
peculiarly the work of women? IL this
Federation. numbering more than three
thousand women. determined today to
resolve itself into huge educational
committee, with each woman working
member, such an impetus would be
given tn school work as would rank our
schools among the foremost in the
United States. Not infrequently we
might discover a need for some reform
at home for the benefit of tho school, il
we took to school visiting. Educators
recognize the need of the closest CO.
operation between home and school.
1t is dwelt upon at their gatherings.
1t is discussed in the last published re-
port of the state superintendent where
an active interest in the schools and an
aroused public sentiment in their behalf
is asked.
The present superintendent OF school
funds is in certain respects inequitable.
The public school system derives rsve-
nue. from two sources-known as the
permanent and the temporary school
funds-besides the taxes levied for its
support. These funds are both provid-
ed constitutionally. The Enabling Act
provides a common school fund to be
derived from Sections 16 and 36 set
apart in every township for this pur-
pose. The permanent school fund is
derived from five sources-frst: Such
percent as granted by congress on sale
of lands in this state; second: money
arising from sale or lease Of school land;
third: proceeds Of all lands granted to
this state and not otherwise appropriate
ed: fourth: proceeds Of property coming
to the state by escheat and forfeiture,
unclaimed dividends or estates OF de-
ceased persons; fifth: all property now
belonging to the common school fund.
The temporary school fund comes
from all gifts to the state not otherwise
appropriated. interest Of the permanent
fund, rents of un, old lands, and all fines,
penalties and license moneys. The
school funds are managed by Board Of
Educational Lands ard Funds consist
ing OF the Governor and four OF the
State Officers. A school district may
levy tax for the support of its school
not to exceed Is mills. There is state
tax for this purpose not to exceed IL
miles. In cities an estimate is made by
the Board OF Education to the County
Commissioners who levy aud collect the
tax. The state funds are apportioned
pro rata by the State Superintendent.
He divides the whole amount OF money
as certified to him by the State Treas
urer by the number OF children OF
school age in the state as shown by the
school census of that year. This cen
sus must be taken annually by one Of
of the school district officers or his ap.
pointee. The money is sent to the
County Treasurer by the State Treas
urer. divided on this basis. The Coun.
Nv Superintendent distributes it to the
school districts in two parts Of 4 and "a
each. The a is divided equally among
all the districts in the county, the "A
pro rata among the pupils in the coun-
ty. 1t will be seen that inequitable
division occurs where the 7 share is
the same for districts OF 5, 800. or
5000 children. Again, railroad runs
through school district. The taxes it
pays enable the district to maintain q
longer term of school at less levy than
the adjoining district having no railroad