The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1909-03-05
SCHOOLS ARE AIDED
County High Schools Small Districts
May Draw on General
County Fund.

schools were passed at the recent leg
islative session, the most important
being one increasing the minimum
school year to six months, and an
other providing for an apportionment
of 500 to each district before the per
capita distribution is made. The
present first apportionent is $50. The
change favors the small districts.
Superintendent Ackerman gives the
following summary of new school
laws:
First, the Hawley bill: Every dis
triot in the state must maintain at
least six months Of school each year.
A County Court of each county must
levy tax for school purposes that
will produce an amount which will
aggregate at least 81 for each Chi Id of
school age. to 20 years. II a dis
trict's share of this sum does not
amount to $500, six months at $50 per
month, then the county court must
levy upon the property of such dis
trict special tax large enough to pro-
duce the difference between such dis
trict apportionment of the county
fund and $500; provided that such
special levy does not exceed 5-milr
tax. If the districts share of the
county school fund and the amount
raised by 5mill tax Especial school
tax) does not amount to $500, then the
county court must transfer from the
general county fund to the special
fund of such district an amount that
will equal the difference
Second, the Philpott bill: This bill
makes change in the manner of ap.
portioning the county and state fands.
As the law now is the County Super
intendent apportions the money by
first giving each district $50 and then
distributing the balance according to
the number of pupils in each district.
Third, the bill introduced by the
Lane County delegation, providing for
a county high school fund. This bill
provides that a county at any general
election may vote upon the question
of creating county high school fund.
When such fund has teen created it is
placed under the control of county
high school board, consisting of mem
bers Of the county Court, the County
Treasurer and the County School
superintendent. Every high school in
such county that maintains school
up to the standard prescribed by the
State Board of Education is entitled
to receive tuition from this fund for
all pupils attending such high school.
The basis of the distribution is the ave-
rage daily attendance during the
school year. A high school shall re-
ceive not less than $40 per pupil for
the first 20, $50 per pupil for the Sec
ond 30, and $12 per pupil for all the
remaining pupils, provided that the
total paid any district shall not exceed
the samount paid by the district to
the high school teachers.
Fourth. the Dodd bill: Gives the
County Superintendent authority to
make partial apportionment of the
money to any district upon the request
of the toard of directors of such dis
trict.
Fifth, the Cole Bill: Declares un-
lawful any secret societies, including
fraternities and sororities, which may
now or hereafter exist in any of the
public schools OF this state, including
high schools. It makes 1t the duty Of
each School board in the state to ex-
anime into the condition of all schools
under its charge and to suppress all
secret societies therein. The aot does
not apply to the Oregon Agricultural
College or to the State University.
Sixth, the Macarthur bill: The
Governor shall appoint by the first
Monday in July 1909. a board of five
mem bers. called the Board of Higher
Currieula. The members shall serve
without pay, excepting travelling ex-
penses This board shall first meet on
the first Monday in July, 1909. The