The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-02-25
The New Educational Code

The twelfth legislative assembly au-
thorized the appointment of an educa-
tional code commission to consist OF
five members. The governor appoint
ed on this commission Superintendent
John Dietrich of Helena, Superintend-
ent T. ]. Troy of Havre, Su%perintend-
ent Grant E. Finch of Dillon, Super
intendent of Public instruction w. Z
Harmon and B. f. Maiden of Libby
This commission has had frequent
meetings during the past year and
We're in almost continuous session
during the month of December. The
law authorizing the creation of this
commission provides for the codifica-
ton and revision of the school laws
This the commission has done in a
most admirable way.
The bill which has just passed the
house, and is now before the senate,
contains none of the radical measures
which some have advocated, and lacks
some of the progressive measures
which other states have. 1t is con-
sentative all the way through, the in
tention being to remedy the inconsist-
encies and make for a better and more
equitable administration of these laws.
The bill provides for the repeal of all
existing school laws and the substitu-
ton in their place of an entirely new
body of laws, most of which is a re-
enactment OF the old law harmonized
throughout. The bill is divided into
% chapters, each chapter being com
plete as to subject matter. 1t is so
arranged that any layman can read
it's provisions and understand the
same.
Some of the new provisions are
given in the chapter headings below:
Chapter I. State Board of Educa-
tion.-This board consists Of IL mem
bers, three ex-offico and eight are
appointed by the governor. 1t pro-
vides that no person shall be appoints
ed a member of the board who re-
sides in a county wherein is located
any one Of the institutions under the
control of the state board. This pro-
vision was put in hoping to do away
with the political log rolling which
has sometimes crept into the man
agement of these institutions
Chapter ii. Superintendent of Pub
lie Instruction-The state superintend-
ent is authorized to appoint a rural
school inspector, which, it is hoped,
will aid greatly in creating greater in
terest in rural life and be of great
assistance to the county superin-
tendents in the organization of the
work in the several counties.
Chapter III. County Superintendent
of Scfools.-The county superintendent
Is given greater authority and greater
discretionary power in many particu-
lars and especially in the creation of
new districts.
Realizing that this officer Is much
overworked in many of the counties
of the state, provision is made for the
appointment of clerical assistance.
Chapter w. School Districts-The
provision concerning the organization
of new districts has been so changed
that the county superintendent has
more discretion in the matter of
granting petitions, and it gives both
the old and the new district an appeal
to- the county commissioners. and
further provides that the old district
must lave at least 10 census children
and a property valuation of not less
than 81, 500. Under the old law, when
a petition for a new district was regu-
larly presented to the county super
%intendent, she must grant the petition
even though it should leave the old
district practically bankrupt, and 1t
would have no appeal to the county
commissioners.
Chapter T.. School Trustees.-Their
powers and duties are more specific
ally stated, and some additional au-
thority is given.
The trustees have power to organ
iZe and maintain night schools when
ever in their Judgment such schools
are necessary.
They are authorized to provide
books, clothing and medical aid to in
digent children when it shall be made
to appear that such is needed
Clerk.-The duties of the clerk have
beer more accurately defined, and
some additional duties enumerated.
School trustees in districts of the
third class are not permitted to pur-
chase charts without the permission
of the county superintendent. The
object of this is to do away with The
shark" chart agent.
Chapter vi. Schools.-Th chapter
defines the public school and pre-
scribes the courses which may be
given therein.
Chapter VII. Pupils.-One most ex
cellent provision in this chapter is tina
prohibiting secret fraternities in the
public high schools of the state. 1t i
we'll that this provision is put in a
this time, before our high schools hav'
been ruined by these pernicious so
cieties.
Chapter VIII. Teachers-Under thi
law the teachers are given more per
manent tenure of office. 1t provide
that after the election of any teache
for a second consecutive year, he shall
be deemed reelected from year t
year thereafter. unless the board o
trustees, by a majority vote. on o
before the first of May, shall Civ
notice in writing to such teacher tina
his services are not required for tn
ensuing year.
Chapter TX. County Examination
and Certificates.-This does away wit
the third-grade certificate and make
all county certificates good in an
county in the state, upon being regis