The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-05-20
ATTENDANCE IN
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
QUESTION ESPECIALLY IMpop.
TANT IN SMALL DISTRICTS
Provisions of the New Law Relative
to Levy of Special Tax in Order
to Share In Apportionment OF
State School Funds.

to Share In ApPortionment OF
State School Funds.
Editor ISLANDER:
II you will kindly give space in
your valuable paper for the follow
ing, it may be OF Importance to un-
thinking parents who for any reason
fail to send their children to school,
especially so in small and weak dis
tricts.
| The 2,OOO-day law going out Of
force and effect on June 1st and act
ual attendance only being allowed for
in apportionments, it appears that
where there is an attendance of thir-
teen pupils, for instance, as is the
case in our school at present, the
total tionment for one month
would approximately be 5000, leav-
ing shortage of about $24.2O, less
incidentals, sum which could not be
realized on 5-mill levy in district
No. Is for five-month term, the
minimum of the school year and the
maximum of the levy by the school
board. It appears to me the danger
of closing districts, many being iso-
lated, is too apparent to be ques-
toned, and as few roads, and bad at
that, are a conspicuous feature in
otr midst, it would certainly work
hardship on many children. The sit
uation calls for the exercise of the
better judgment of all parents and
all persons having the best interests
of this great country at heart, for
the boys and girls of today will sooner
or later be called upon to take the
helm aud steer the ship of life, and
whether they will be able to steer it
Alright depends largely upon the
start we give them. It would, there
fore, seem that all parents should
strive to maintain the highest stan
dard of attendance, and thereby get
as large an apportionment as
possible and hold the district and
give the children the advantage of
an education, which this great state
proudly offers to its humblest child.
Lay prejudices and differences aside,
which you will find are more imagin-
ary than real, and take advantage,
for your child's sake, of what the
American people justly pride them
selves upon the opportunity for an
education for all.
d. B. SKULL.
[The editor is under the impression
that Mr. Shull is in error in his statement
that small districts will not hereafter be
credited with minimum attendance of
1000 days, whether they have it or not.
The new law, however, provides that any
district, in order to share in the appor-
tionment of the state funds, must levy a.
special tax of at least three mills, unfes
it has had more than six months
school. in which case the levy at such
special tax is not compulsory. Without
the credit of 2, 900 days. heretofore allowed
under what is known as the barefoot
law scores of small districts in all parts
of the state would be unable to maintain
five months school, even by making the
maximum special school levy of ten
mills. which can only be done by author
ity Of majority vote at district elec-
ton, the directors authority, without
such vote, being limited to half that
amount. The importance OF increasing
the attendance, wherever possible, above
the 1000 days allowance should be
apparent to all parents. The new COM
pulsory. attendance law is strict and pa
rents who have not sufficient interest in
their children,s welfare to send them 70 !
school voluntarily can easily be compelled
to do SOL
The revenue cutter Arcata was u
port Wednesday night. Lieut.. Mnn
ter. her temporary commander, took
away his personal effects from here
a. he has been ordered to report for
duty ON the cutter Manning, which
v;,i leave San Francisco for the north
*1rs