Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-27

Des Moines, Jan. 27-Chairman Paul
Stillman, of the house committee on
schools and text books, has prepared
a digest of the new school commits
sion bill, recently introduced in both
the senate and house. The bill will
probably attract more attention from
the people of the state than any other
measure to be considered this win
ter
The public school system is so near
to the hearts of the people that any
considerable changes therein, such as
are proposed, will awaken a storm of
discussion pro and con. The bill itself
comprises over one hundred typewrit-
ten pages, and Mr.. Stillman's idea is
that the people Of the state ought to
be taken into the full confidence Of the
committees, and that the best and
surest way to get the provisions of this
measure into the hands and minds of
the public is thru the newspapers. Mr..
Stillman's digest has been examined
by State superintendent Riggs, who
pronounces it a comprehensive sum
mary of the bill, reduced to its lowest
and simplest terms.
There is an erroneous impression
prevalent concerning this bill-that it
involves the arbitrary consolidation Of
rural schools without the consent Of
the communities involved. This is not
the case. The matter of consolidation
at all, by the county board of educa-
ton, with the full approval of the peo-
Pie interested. The only provision in
the bill tending toward arbitrary con-
solidation is the one which states that
no school shall be maintained with an
average attendance turnout the year
of less than six pupils.
A resolution has been adopted in
both the senate and house, providing
for the printing Of extra copies of this
bill, and any persons interested who
wish to make more careful study Of
It's conditions, may obtain copies on
making request Of their senators and
representatives.
The senate and house committees on
schools have decided to meet jointly to
consider the bill.
Mr.. Stillman's digest follows:
Common School Laws Repealed.
All the heretofore existing laws rel
alive to the public schools of the state
are repealed, and q complete new body
Of laws relating to the public schools
are enacted. The main body of the
proposed act is a mere rewriting and
recodification in better form of the
laws heretofore existing. The purpose
Of this digest is to set forth in con-
densed shape the new features which
the proposed act contemplates.
State Board Provided.
A state board of education is created
to consist Of seven ca members. Its
president shall be the state superin-
tendent of public instruction; the other
members shall be the three presidents
of the state university, state normal
school, state college of agriculture, re-
spectively, and three other persons as
follows, to be appointed by the gov
ernor: One county superintendent, one
city superintendent and one member
Of the faculty Of . college Of liberal
arts within the state.
The powers and duties of the state
board Of education shall be as foltows:
They shall meet at least three times
annually; shall act as a board of ex-
aminers for all legal licenses to teach;
inspect and classify all public schools,
school libraries and higher institutions
Of learning; shall appoint a state sup
ervisor Of schools at $4,000 per year
and travelling expenses, who shall be
under the direct supervision of the
superintendent of public instruction.
They may appoint assistant supervis-
ors; the salaries and expenses of such
assistants never to exceed SIS 900 in any
one year.
The state board of education shall
audit all accounts of state treasurer
relative to school affairs; employ per-
sons to examine papers, and for other
clerical duties. They shall have in
charge the conduct of the state uni
form certificate law, which is re-en-
acted substantially as passed by the
Thirty first general assembly
They shall be sole judges Of the
qualifications Of all teachers; shall pre-
pare lists Of subjects for examinations
and shall carry out the various rules
and regulations connected with the
working Of the uniform certificate sys-
tenn; the board in general performing
the duties heretofore imposed upon
the body known as the state board Of
educational examiners.
Superintendent OF Public instruction.
The superintendent Of public instruc-
ton shall be charged with a. general
supervision over all the schools and
school affairs Of the state. He shall
confer with school officers at various
meetings and conventions; assist in ar
ranging institutes, publish and distrib-
ute literature, make tours of inspec-
ton, deliver addresses. make reports
as required by law, hear appeals and
in general his powers. and duties shall
be substantially as heretofore, and his
salary shall be $1,000 per year and
necessary travelling expenses.
For school purposes the territory Of
the state shall be divided into county
school districts, each Of which shall
embrace the territory Of county, ex-
cept In special cases where by reason
of natural conditions some changes
from such boundaries may be neces-
sary or desirable.
Each such county school district
shall be a body polite distinct from the
organization OF the county for other