The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-01-20
And RepeaIs 81 Sections of
Laws on Statute Books.
HAVE EIGHT MEMBERS
One to Come From Each Con.
gressionaI District.
Powers Over State Schools
Absolute.

One of the most sweeping educa-
tional bills to be presented to the Kan
sas legislature was offered in the
mouse this afternoon by w. r. Dow
ling of Norton county, who would
abolish the present state board of
education, state text book commission,
the boards of regents of the state nor
mails, the agricultural college and
Kansas university and create state
board of education composed of one
member from each of the eight con-
gressional districts and the state su-
perintendent- Bowling would estab-
lish this new board at once. The first
board would be appointed by the gov
ernor, but beginning with the 1914
election one member would be elected
from each congressional district in
the manner now provided for cor
gressional elections
There are many drastic features
about the Bowling bill, which by its
creation would repeal 81 sections IT
the existing school laws of the state.
The new board would perform all the
functions and be vested with all the
powers of the bodies which IL would
succeed; and on its recommendation
alone would be based the educational
appropriations for Kansas schools.
DoWling'S law would require regular
meetings to be held in the state house
tuesday of each week. Failure to at
tend two consecutive regular sessions
except for sickness, would create n
vacancy on the board and a successor
might be appointed by the governor.
Members of the new board would re-
ceive $4,000 annually and all actual
ana necessary expenses.
No person would be eligible IN a
place on the board who is under the
age of 80 years or has been a resident
OF the state less than five years. Nor
shall any members hold any other
a
profit in the state or the United States
and any appointment to any other
position or office would in itself
create vacancy within so days of
The state superintendent shall he
the chairman of the new board and
AIDED By a regular stenographer in his
oLIice snaIl keep all books and ree-
ords of the board and it's proceedings.
This board shall have the sole power
TO determine which of the high schools
snail be accredited for admission to
the state university by certificato aad
all other reports and inspectjons shafi
be null and void. No Committees shall
De created among the nine members
or the board, but each member shall
pass on every matter presented
Full power is vested in the boo-5 -
enact rules and regulations for the GOV
ernment of all state educa tfonaI inst,
tutions and schools, to make Contracts
to appoint the teaching force and en1.
pofntees whenever the individual inter-
est of an institution may seem to re-
qu1re, to determine the amount of sal
aries when not otherwise regulated bv
law. the right to bring or defend ac-
tions concerning matter under their
jurisdiction, either by the attorney gem
eral, special attorney or both; and the
right to sign or abrogate all contracts.
orders and papers of a valuable con-
sideration.
On or before the first day of Novem-
Der, preceding the session of the Iegfs-
lature, the board shall report to the
governor setting forth I'm full the ef-
fairs of the various schools, concerning
appointees. compensation, students en-
rolled, actual attendance, expense
equipment and all needs and require
ments of the various educational in
st.tutions. Regular meetings must be
held in the state house Tuesday morn
ing of each week. Failure of a member
from any congressional district shSll be
construed as the creation of vacancy:
except for sickness or unavoidable
cause and a successor shall be ap-
pointed by the governor
Dowling's bill further provides that
no fee of any kind shall be made to
any student attending the state normal
for the purpose of qualifying for pro-
fessional teaching in Kansas, or for any
bona fide student who attends the agri-
cultural college of Kansas University.
following the passage of
the bill and its publication in the
official state paper, the text book COM
the board of education and the
various boards of regents which shall
give way to the administration of the
new board. one member of which shall
be appointed by the governor from each
of the eight congressional districts. Sue
cessors to members of this board shall
be named in the 1914 election. Dowling's
bill then cites 81 conflicting sections
of the Kansas law to be repealed by
the passage of this act