The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1903-06-13
TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS.
Some Of the Important Changes
Brought About BY the
New Law.

An amendment adopted by the
legislature at its present session
and recently signed by the govern
or, altering the law OF 1901 provid.
ing for the organization of township
school districts in the Upper PENN
sula of Michigan, makes some i'm
portant changes affecting every
township north of the straits, with
the exception Of those in Iron county.
The amendments are the result Of
an increasing desire on the part Of
the people to have school affairs
removed as far as possible from the
influences which are popularity sup
posed to enter into contest for muni-
cipal or town Offices. and it is hoped
thereby to vastly increase the ef-
ficiency of the smaller schools.
The first step in the direction OF
the reform sought is the changing OF
the time OF election of members of
the school board. Instead OF being
included on the ticket with town
ship officers, at the April election,
the members OF the board OF educa-
tion will be chosen at the annual
township school meeting, which it
is provided shall be held on the
second Monday of July. Under the
old law the school board was made
up of the township clerk, two inspect
ors and two trustees, and the officers
of the board were designated by law;
whereas there are thenceforth to be
five trustees, the same as in the
cities, and the board is permitted to
choose its own officers.
At the first election to be held un-
der the new law, which will be on
Monday, July 13, the five members
are to be chosen for odd terms, but
thereafter the term Of Office OF each
shall be three years. The township
board will officiate as a board of
election at the meeting this year,
but afterwards any three qualified
electors may be designated to serve.
The polls are open at 3 p. m. and re-
main open for four hours, during
the last hour of which time the vot-
ers shall transact such other bust.
ness as may lawfully come before the
meeting.
1t is provided that the board Of
education shall meet on the fourth
Monday in July and elect from their
number president, secretary and
treasurer. The duties of these Of
ficers are the same as under the old
law, except in the case of the secre-
tary, who shall have general super
visory charge OF the schools of the
township.
Regular meetings of the board are
to be held on the fourth Monday of
March, June, September and Decem-
Der Of each year, though special
meetings may be called by the presi-
dent or any two members of the
board. The compensation of the
secretary and treasurer is to be de-
termined by the board, though it is
not to exceed 500 for the treasurer
and $125 for the secretary, per an
mum. The other members shall re-
ceive 50 for attendance at each re-
gular meeting of the board.
BY the new law the Importance of
the position of the secretary is con-
siderably increased. The new act
makes it the duty of the secretary
to personally inspect and look after
all the schools of the township; to
make repairs and provide teachers,
books and necessary supplies; and
make reports to the superintendent
and county commissioner.
Still another feature OF the alter
ed law is that the board of education
may fill vacancies by appointment,
whereas specialization was neces-
sary heretofore.