Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-10-26

further provides, that whenever it
shall be made to appear to the Govern
or and Council that the pupils attend
ing an academy, seminary or insti-
tute are qualified to receive such in
Struction then such academy shall be
entitled to receive annually from the
State" etc.
Section 7, of the same chapter, pro-
vides that the officers and teachers of
every academy receiving money from
the State shall make such further re-
port to the State Educational Depart
ment as may, from time to time, be re-
Quired."
Section 35th, in speaking of second
| airy schools, says that, ANY teacher,
agent. or superintendent, who in any
way aids or abets in defrauding the
State into the payment in support of
said schools, of more than is cOntem-
plated by this chapter, shall foreit not
less than $500 Or be imprisoned in the
county Jail not less than one year."
We have given this somewhat lengthy
statement of the statutes that directly,
or indirectly, bear upon the practical
working of the law which has recently
| been enacted in order that all may see
| that this law is only part of our edu-
cational system, and can only be APP
piled in harmony with existing laws.
| Having seen a letter sent by Mr.. Stet-
son, State Superintendent of Schools.
regarding the application of this law,
containing some specific directions and
| a few suggestions. and knowing that
l bo 10, hot ,al
attend no school or schools of standard
grade which are rot approved by the
State Superintendent of Public Schools
1 have asked this State official for an
| expression of his opinion of this law for
the better education of youth. He
writes, under date of Oct 21st:
"If the law is administered according
to its intent and in harmony with
other sections of the statutes relating
| to schools, it will be of great financial
advantage to the smaller towns, as it
provides advanced instruction without
subjecting these towns to the expense
of maintaining a free high school.
1T may be of the highest service t
the youth of the State who are qualified
to pursue secondary school studies.
ut has had from the first. and it has
at the present time, the unqualified APP
prevail and support of the State super
intendent of public schools.
at is his earnest desire that Maine
shall make an enviable record in the
number of students enrolled in it's
secondary schools. We are all proud Of
the fact that the towns and the State
has assumed the responsibility of pro-
viding free instruction in secondary
schoo! studies for all students who are
prepared to attend schools of this
grade.
This law does not contemplate Grip
ping the common schools by admitting
pupils to secondary schools before they
| have completed the studies prescribed
| for the common schools. Neither is it
the intention of the law to burden the
towns with the payment of the tuition
Of common school pupils in secondary
schools. See Sec. 81, lines 1916 and Sec
81 lines and I.
Some one must have authority to de-
eide what pupils have completed the
common school course of study and are
therefore entitled to the aid provided in
| Chap. 6S of Public Laws of 1903 This
power is vested in the school officials of
the towns See Sec. SO. line I'll. Sec
| 81 Pars. ], A and II. Chap. 14S Public
Laws 1901, lines1-S.
'"rhese officials are required by law to
make returns to the State superin-
tendent as he may desire and direct, to
Go this properly these officials must fol-
low the directions given by the State
educational department. Sec SO, Par. Z,
last sentence.
"Princpals of secondary schools, re-
ceiving State aid. must also make re-
turns as above. and must comply with
the directions given by the department.
See Chap. c46, Public Laws 1897.
"All funds raised by taxation to pay
tuition in secondary schools and all aid
received from the State for their sup
port must be expended for the pur-
poses for which they are appropriated
This statute has heavy penalty at
tached to it. See Sec. 90, last IL lines.
Sec. 81, last lines.
Minimum courses of study have been
prepared for the common and second
airy schools of the State as provided by
the statutes. These courses must be
used in the schools for which they are
prepared. See Sec. 104 Par. s and Sec.
81. Par. 1, lines is.
Common school funds must not be
used to pay tuition in secondary
schools. See Chap. 165, Public Laws
1903, last 8 lines.
Funds appropriated for the support
Of secondary schools must not be used
to pay for instruction in common school
studies. See Sec. 81. lines Is. Chap.
las, lines 14-16.
I'm brief. Chapter IS and the other
sections referred to above provide that
pupils must do the work prescribed in
the common school course of study in
the common schools, and that the
towns must not be required to pay for
instruction in these studies in schools