The Alaska citizen., 1915-02-08
Phone 262 Phone
RIGHTS OF SCHOOL BOARDS.

council is the opinion of one of the leading legal authorities in Far banks. and his contention seems to be fully carried out by the law ana by d decision of the United States court concerning case in Nome.
 The trouble in our schools seems to be largely due to the oppositiou of some members of the council ;o the school board. and if the inter pretation of the law. as above quoted is correct. then the difficulty in Fairbanks between the school board and the city can easily be settled.
 It is just possible that the school board here in order to establish it's rights in the matter. would have 70 bring case in court in the form Of a mandamus proceeding to force the council to pay necessary funds and that is probably what will finally result
 In 1901, the city treasurer of Nome was enjoined by the school board of that place from expending cei- tain funds that it was supposed be- longed to the school and this brought into court case in which the court decided that the council has no au- thority over the school board. Since that time the law has been changed 10 the extent that instead of a Cer- tain amount of license money in in corporated towns being set aside for school purposes. the council is re quired to provide the school with the funds necessary for salaries. but il is Leld that the change in the the right of the council to deter mine how much money the school board can use or to what uses the board puts it's money.
 There is no just reason why the members of the school board. who are elected by the people, should not have as much responsibility in the matter Of handling funds as do the councilmen. and il seems now that they have full right to all the money necessary for the work for which they are elected
 Following is part of the law. as it is now enforced describing the duties of the school board in an incorporated town:
 Twelfth To establish school districts. to provide the same with suitable schoolhouses. and to main tain public schools therein and to provide the necessary funds for the schools; but such schools when es- abolished shall be under the super vision of a school board of three members. consisting of a director. a treasurer and clerk. to be elect ed annually by the vote of all adults who are citizens Of the United States, or who have declared their inter- tiuit to ueNolle SuNH anu "nO dIS residents of the school district.
 In case a vacancy in the member ship of said board occurs from death. resignation, removal. or other cause. such vacancy may be filled by a special election. upon ten days no tice called by the remaining mem bers of the board upon the petition of five qualified voters. All money available for school purposes. except for the construction and equipment of school houses, and the acquisition of sites for the same shall be ex- pended under the direction of said board. and the treasurer of said board shall be a custodian of said money. and he shall, before entering upon the duties of his office. give his bond, with sufficient securities. 70 the school district, in such sum aa the common council may direct. and subject to it's approval, but not less than twice the amount that may come into his hands as treasurer, conditioned that he will honestly and faithfully dishurse and account for all money that. may come into his hands as such treasurer. The said board shall have the power to hire and employ the necessary teachers. to provide for heating and lighting the schoolhouse. and in general to do and perform everything necessary for the due maintenance of proper school"
 In the case brought by the school board of Nome against the town treasurer of that place, the court de- cided that the council had no all thority over the school board. Con corning this case. Volume l, of the Alaska reports, says in part:
 The school board has the ex elusive supervision. management. and control of the public school and school property within the school district, including the power and