The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1905-02-03

To Aid High Schools
A bill recently introduced in
the state senate by Senator
Amsden for the purpose of
securing state aid to the high
schools, is a measure that will
be heartily approved by the
friends of the schools. Large
amounts are being appropriated
at every session of the legisla.
ture for the different normal
schools and colleges, from which
but a small proportion of the
beople of the state receive a d.
rect benefit. 1t is but fair that
the high schools should receive
the financial encouragement
which the bill provides, AS they
are more directly in touch with
the people of all classes and
parts of the state. Under the
limited tax levy many of the
city schools are unable to keep
up a proper high school stan,
dard, and the benefit of this
state aid which the bill provides,
would be d very welcome aid to
the crippled financial condition
of most Of the school districts.
The state of Minnesota has for
a number of years had a similar
law on its statute books. The
text of the bill is:
sENATE BILL NO 10
Introduced by Mr.. Amsden.
A bill for an Act Entitled An Act to
Provide State Aid for High Schools,
Be it enacted by the Legislature Of
the State Of South Dakota:
SECTION l. The schools denom-
mated high schools for the purpose
of this act shall be divided into four
classes as follows: Class l. One year
high schools, where the entire school
system Of the district is doing credit
ably, nine years of consecutive work,
OF at least nine months in each year
and having at least three teachers.
Glass 2. Two year high schools, do
ing ten years Of creditable work and
having at least four teachers. Glass
3. Three year high schools, doing
eleven years of creditable work and
having at least five teachers. Class
4. Four year high schools, doing
twelve years of creditable work and
having at least six teachers, Pro-
vided, that the ninth, tenth, eleventh
and twelfth years IN every school to
be benefited by this act shall pursue
substantially the course or courses of
study provided by the superintendent
of public instruction. Provided fur
Their, that the aid defined by this act
may be granted to schools employing
a less number of teachers than speci-
fled by this section when in the iudg-
ment of the superintendent of public
instruction the public interest will be
advanced thereby.
SECTION 2. Every school coming
within the definition of section one of
this act shall be entitled to aid from
the state as follows: Glass l. One
hundred dollars annually. Glass 9.
Two hundred dollars annually. Glass
). Three hundred dollars annually.
Glass +. Four hundred dollars an
nually. Provided that such schools
shall be equipped with such facilities,
appliances and apparatus as are, in
the judgment of h superintendent
of public instr %uction, necessary for
proper instruction in the course or
courses of study prescribed for such
school: provided further, that such
high schools shall be free to all pupils
residents of South Dakota, who have
satisfactorily completed the eighth
grade.
SECTION 3. 1t is made the duty of
the superintendent of public instruc-
ton to at east once annually inspect
each of the schools receiving aid
under the provisions of this act and
to satisfy himself that such school is
being conducted creditably for the
period of time and for the character
OF work prescribed in this act for
schools of its class, and is equipped
with proper facilities and apparatus,
n he may suspend any school from
the benefits of this act at any time
cording to the standards prescribed
by this act or is lacking in necessary
facilities and apparatus.
SECTION f.. Whenever the superin-
tendent of public instruction shall find
d SCHOOL ellglDl6 10 secure ala unQer
the provisions of this act he shall
certify the same to the state auditor,
who shall thereafter. on the first Mon
day in July in each year issue his
warrant to said school for such sum
as it may be entitled to receive, until
such time as the super intendent of
public instruction shall certify t o him
that such school is not longer eligible.
Provided, that the payments due for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1906,
may be made at any time during said
year, when the superintendent of
public instruction shall certify the
eligibility of the school to be benefit
ted
SECTION 5. In case the sum of
money appropriated by the legislature
for the aid of high schools shall in
any year be less than the amount to
which each school shall be entitled
under this act, then the total amount
of money SO appropriated shall be
divided pro ra'a among the schools
so entitled to receive aid, the meaning
~ <hiS npouiciOr ho:-- 49, 49,.