Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-04-24

The Legislature of 1903 amended IL
laws relating to educational matters,
repealed one and enacted two new
measures. The first law which was
amended related to the election of su-
perintendents of schools by union of
towns so as to authorize committees of
the towns in the union to elect super
intendent for term not exceeding five
years, in which choice the committee of
each town shall have a vote proper
toned to the towns share of the ex-
penditure for the superintendent sala-
ry. Another provides that State certi-
ficotes of teachers shall be accepted by
school committees, supervisors and SUI
perintendents in lieu of personal eX-
animation and certification.
The law providing for the attendance
of teachers at county conventions for
two days In any one year was amend
ed so that they may attend State teach
ers' convention for the same period
without loss of pay.
Section Is of Chapter 127 of the Re-
vised Statutes, relating to the punish
ment of persons who Injuries books,
pictures or paintings, was repealed.
The following amendment to Section 3
of Chapter so of the Puunc Laws of 1899
was adopted: experimenting school
committees shall have power to fill va
cancies occurring during the year and
shall elect truant officers at their first
meeting after the annual meeting of the
town. in case the town neglects to do so,
or the truant officers elect or any of Them
fail to qualify
The law relating to suspension of schools
was amended so as to provide for the re-
establishment of the same by vote of the
town. at the annual meeting. after the
experimenting school committee shall
have made written recommends ton to
that effect.
An act for the better education OF youth
was passed which provides that scholars
may attend high schools in other towns
than where they reside and their tuition
shall he jointly paid by the towns where
they reside and by the State
The law relating to the election of
superintendent of schools who shall not
be member of the committee was
amended so that vacancies in the Office
can be filled at any time. This law was
also amended so as to strike out the pro-
vision that towns may elect superinten-
dent
An additional appropriation of $500 a
year was made for schooling children in
unorganized townships and the per capita
tax per inhabitant was raised from % to
10 cents.
Section / of Chapter 1856 of the Public
Laws of 1901 was amended by striking out
the words Every child between the ages
OF and IA inclusive shall attend some pub
lie day school" and inserting the follow
ing: Every child between the seventh
and fifteenth anniversaries of his birth
shall attend seine public day school"
The law in relation to the taking of
land for the use of school building was
amended by adding the following: And
all school house lots and play grounds
that require fencing shall be fenced by
the town or city"
Section of Chapter II of the Revised
Statutes relating to raising and expending
the school fund was amended by adding
the following: And all moneys pro-
vided by towns, or apportioned by the
State for the support of common schools,
shall be expended for the maintenance of
common schools established and coa-
trolled by the town by which said moneys
are provided or to which said moneys are
apportioned.
A law was passed providing that super
intendents of schools shall have the power
and it shall be their duty to examine and
certificate teachers and employ teachers
subject to the approval of the superintend-
ing school committee.
The departments at the State capitol
were closed. yesterday, and officials and
clerks had day off.
Frank Rand was one of the lucky