Little Falls herald., 1913-12-12
RELIGIOUS TEACHING BARS AID
HIGH SCHOOL BOARD ANNoUNC.
# Es NEW RULE, EFFECTIVE
.li Ei * AUGUST /, 1914.

-
I AUGUST l, 1914.
Minneapolis Journal:-Basing it's &C.
tion ON reports that, in three public
schools in Stearns county and one in
Morrison county religious instruction
has been given in school hours, re.
ligious 'garb worn by teachers and re.
ligions symbols displayed, the state
high school board today sent out a cir
ealar letter, directing, on pain Of a
discontinuance Of school aid, that after
August, 1914, no teacher in a public
school will be permitted during school
hours to wear the garb of relig-
i0us order; that no religious emblem
or symbol will be permitted in public
school buildings; that no school nor it's
teachers, pupils or property may be
used in the interest of any church or
religious order and that no teachers
shall give any sectarian instruction
during the usual school hours nor i'm
mediate]y preceding or following the
same.
Il The board has been wrestling with
the problem more than year and the
members regard its new rules as mark
ing an: epoch in the school history of
Minnesota .'
courts and carried up until passed upon
by the state supreme court is the con-
viction Of the board members and in
fact it is their desire that such
course be adopted, as the question then
will be settled for all time, and if the
rules are sustained the board will
be relieved Of any suspicion that it has
acted in an arbitrary manner.
That all possible counsel has been
taken, all possible information obtained
and due consideration has been given
is the belief of members of the board.
It's action was prompted by the man
ner in which the graded schools at
Pierz, ID Morrison county, Melrose, st.
Joseph and Richmond in Stearns coun-
ty, had been conducted, the charge hav-
ing been made that the schools rather
were parochial institutions than secu-
lar schools.
- Inspectors Report
About year ago, following instruc-
tions given two months earlier, s. A.
Challman, inspector of graded schools,
reported: ~-:r, -,~
"That in each Of these schools teach
ers are employed who are members of
the Benedictine order; that some part
of the school day has been devoted to
religious instruction, given either by
the teachers or by some other persons
not connected with the public schools;
thatsips each of the schools there were
Kspt religious emblehis and symbols; !;
that the teachers did not receive indi-
vdual salaries, but at the end of the
month a check or warrant was issued
for the full amount Of their contract
services, and made payable to the Sis
ter Superior.'
This individual report was sent to
the respective school boards for verifi-
cation and was verified in writing and
in the case of the Pierz district by the
officers of the school board in person.
After hearing at length from the school
districts the question arose as to wheth-
er the methods in vogue in the four
schools mentioned were compatible with
the state school idea and If the schools
in question are entitled to special state
aid.
Rules Promulgated
The matter was taken up with At
torney General Lyndon A. Smith and
Just a year after Mr.. Challman made
his report to the ssate high school
board that body adopted the following
rules governing the conditions existing
at Melrose, Pierz, St. Joseph and Rich
| mond:
First-Whereas, it appears from the
report of the graded school inspector
verified by the oral and written state
ments of representatives Of the boards
in certain graded schools, that the or
! ganization and management of these
schools may properly be questioned
and ..
second-Whereas, the law, Judicial
decisions, and the opinion Of the at
torney general, together with the facts
ascertained with reference to these
schools, raise serious doubts az to tn.
authority of the higA board to contin
ne the granting Of state aid to these
or similar schools and
Third-Whereas, the final determine
ton of the merits of these and simila,
cases should properly be settled by {
judicial rendering Of the state supreme
court, the following regulations ar
hereby adopted, to take effect Aug. ]
1914, respecting the granting Of aid b.
this board to high and graded schools
A complete observance of these rule
will be REQUIRED Of all schools unde
the supervision Of this board for tn
earning of annual aid.
First-The school board must hav
exclusive control over buildings use'
permanently for public school.
Second-In buildings used durin!
emergencies the school board mus
have exclusive control over rooms use'
for school purposes during hours o
school.
Third-The use C any schooiroon
for religious instruction during the us
/ ual hours public s'bool is in session
/ - A.. ~