Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-01-06
PROPOSED NEW SCHOOL LAW.

columns a few weeks ago, 1t is a
pamphlet of forty five pages and is
therefore much too long for us to do
anything with, except comment on
some of the most important points.
First, we will state that this draft
has been approved by the state
educational association, and By the
county superintendents' association.
1t is fair to assume that the educators
have given the matter considerable
study and that the draft embodies
what their experience and observation
tells them will bring the best results
in school work. The endorsement
seems to be unanimous, which is a
further recommendation
It provides first of all an entirely
new business management for the
schools. Each county is to be the
school unit, and to b. known as a
district, except cities of the first and
second class. There would be a
school board consisting of FIVE mem
bers elected at large from the county.
This county board of five would have
charge of all the schools in the coun-
ty, would hire the teachers, care for
school property, and dicide all ques-
tions arising in any and all local
school districts in the county. The
patrons of each school would be al
lowed to elect representative who
would 60 before the county board
and talk with the right to be heard,
and make suggestions in the interest
uf his par ocular school
1t makes it obligatory upon the
board of education to furnish free
transportation for al pupils who live
more than two and a half miles from
their designated school, and it may
provide transportation for those who
live at less distance.
Under this new law the board of
regents is to be appointed by the
governor, as now. The regents shall
have charge of all funds leived or set
aside for high schools. 1t has the
sole right of certitication of teachers,
and is directed TO establish a service
pension for teachers.
The regents shall control farmers
institutes, and may establish and
maintain experimental farms in con-
nection with high schools in the
county in which agriculture is taught.
The state board of regents has the
sole power to grant certificates. The
lowest grade of certificate requires on
the part of the applicant an evidence
Of scholarship equal to that required
/ for graduation from normal schooi,
being at least two years work beyond
the standard high school, and must
include professional instruction or
prac,ice work for two years. A higher
certificate can be issued upon evidence
of scholarship equal to that required
for bachelors degree, and to include
professional instruction or practice
work for two years
1t will thus be seen that no standard
certificate can be had short of a
normal school training
A provisional certificate NAV be
had, upon evidence of scholarship
equivalent to that required for high
school graduation, with the additional
requirement of pedagogical instruction
and practice for one year. This pro-
visional certificate is good for two
years, but not renewable. The young
teacher must then qualify under the
other class or step down and out.
Vocal music, including singing by
note aesc, sh!i;sii! sh!iasi!! be taught II schools af
South Dakota. .In all single room
schools the teacher must qualify to
teach the subject.
The state board of regents shall
/ levy tax not to exceed two mills on
the dollar for the support OF the
educational institutions and for carry
1 ing ON the work of the corporation for
the fiscal year next ensuing.
All cities under 1000 population
would come under the county district
system.
The balance of the law is much the
same as that now in force.
There are some good features in
this proposed law among which are
the higher requirements for certifi-
Gates, and he levy of a tax for all
adncational purDOSeS. The latter