The Dickinson press., 1913-07-12
A Profitable
Gathering
School Officers Enjoy Meeting. Bet.
ter Teachers, Better Wages, Better
Equipment. Supt. Taylor Favors
Dickinson Normal.

The first meeting of Stark county
8 chool officers opened in the court room
Wednesday morning when some fifty
answered to roll call. Several more
came in later.
Senator Mcbride. who was to give the
address of welcome, was unavoidably
absent and Supt. Ward opened the pro-
gram with general discussion of the
school laws passed by the last leeisla-
ture-all effective July 1st-as affect
ing conditions in Stark county schools.
Following are some of the new laws
Increased aid has been given to
classified and consolidated rural
schools. School house sites must in
clude not less than two acres and may
have five and the title must be approv-
ed and the deed filed before a school
house is started. Teachers who have
taught Is years-18 in the state-may
receive the benefits of the teachers in
surance. sum not less than $3.50 OF
more than $3.50 yearly. After Janu ary
1st, 1914 joining this fund and paying
the required assessments is made man
datory. Teachers in the state at the
time of the passage of the law may
join or not as they choose. The public
drinking cup is prohibited and school
boards must provide either separate
cups, costing about penny each. or
some sort of drinking fountain. Con-
cerning the new law regarding high
school aid, Mr.. Ward said that Taylor.
Gladstone and Bel6eld were all plan
ming to comply with the law and join
the high school class. The new law
regarding elections does not affect any
districts in this county. applying :only
to special districts.
School houses must have exits open
ing outward and for new buildings a
larger door is required and fire escapes
for buildings of more than one story.
The state board of education replaces
the several former educational boards.
In districts where there are not free
text books it has been made mandatory
that the person in charge of child
furnish such books.
A step has been taken toward school
inspection. The county superintendent
may report unsafe or unsanitary condi-
tion of buildings, or pupils or persons.
if school age defective in mind or body
to the county board of health who must,
without delay. examine into the case
and take measures to relieve and cor
rect the situation.
School boards must expend not less
than $40 or more than SIS Annually fol-
each school for school library. In the
matter of apparatus, furniture, etc.,
the law provides that any agent mus,
have the recommendation of the county
superintendent.
The law now requires seven months
of school yearly and provides that in
any school having an average attend
ance of eight or more for three mon tbs.
il petitioned by majority of the pat.
rons, the board must continue the
school if there are funds to do so.
Mr.. Ward urged medical inspection.
State Superintendent Taylor was the
second and last speaker of the moru-
ing. He spoke of the pleasure it gave
him to meet personally so many inter-
ested in the county schools, so much of
his work being correspondence. He dis
cussed at some length the peculiar con-
ditions in the state. The school laws
were framed and state educational in
stitutions founded for the eastern part
OF the state. the idea prevailing that
this part would always be cattle
country. With the rapid development
there has come need for new laws and
laws have been enacted to cure local
ills, but effective throughout the whole
state. 1t becomes necessary 10
repeal such and make more and the
school laws change faster than one can
keep a working knowledge of them. He
urged fewer and more comprehensive
laws and the giving of sufficient time
to find out if they are good or bad be-
fore repeating them and enactina new
ones. Mr.. Taylor urged school boards
to 60 slowly in contractine..with agents.
He spoke also Of the transportation of
pupils living at distance from school.
This matter is now solely in the hands
Of the school board. ,s
In the afternoon a business session
was held at which School Officers AS
sociation of Stark cou nty was formed.
W. L. Richards of Dickinson was
chosen, president A. S. Ward Of Bel.
field. vice president and G. S. Cryne