The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-08-05
Action New Law Passed BY
The Legislature
PROVISIONS OF THE ACT
State Board Education In Ses-
sion Today To Adopt
- Regulations
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatch.l

regulations necessary for the admin
istration of the recently enacted ed
vocational laws were adopted at the
annual meeting OF the state board of
education today in the office or ].
NJ. Mcconnell, commissioner of edu-
cation. The new law does not create
any new school funds, but, accord
ing TO Mr.. Mcconnell, defines them
more clearly and definitely. The law
passed by the last legislature places
the school funds into three divisions;
the endowment. the current and the
special state aid funds.
The endowment, fund which con-
sists Of the income from the perma-
nent school fund, Is distributed semi
annually by the state board of edu-
cation to- school districts whose
schools have been in sessions at
least six months in proportion to the
number Of scholars Of school age
who have attended school at least
forty days during the preceding year.
The permanent school fund now
amounts to approximately thirty two
and one half million dollars, the in
come from which was approximately
81 200 900, according to reports for
the past year. Under the terms OF the
state constitution no part of the per-
manent fund can be expended.
The Current School Fund.
The current school fund is obtain
ed from the collection of the state
one mill tax, and is distributed on
the same basis and at the same per-
iods as the endowment fund. ex-
cept such part of the fund as is set
aside by the state auditor on the re-
commentator Of the board of edu
cation for distribution with the spe-
cial state aid fund.
The special state aid fund, which
consists OF the sums appropriated
by the legislature for special aid to
public schools or departments of the
schools is distributed by the board
in such manner and upon such con-
ditions as will enable school districts
to perform efficiently the services re
quired by law, and to further the
educational interests Of the state"
The purpose Of the special state
aid is primarily to assist in provid
ing equal educational opportunities
for all the school children of the
state. Mr.. Mcconnell said. In giving
these equal educational opportunities
the special state aid Is used to assist
in establishing certain generally &C.
cepted minimum standards for all the
public schools Of the state; assist
school districts whose tax levies FOL
maintenance are exceptionally high;
flciency and high standards and for
desirable educational undertakings
not yet generally established; and
teacher training in high schools.
Board Fixes Rates.
In assisting to give pupils equal
educational opportunities the entire
cost Of transportation for pupils in
consolidated schools at rates fixed
by the state board, and not exceed
ing $4,000 for any school district will
be provided; forty percent of the
cost Of the construction of a con
solidated school building will be
furnished by this fund providing that
this amount does not exceed $4,000;
tuition at the rate of $500 the pupil
the month will be collected of non
resident high school students; library
aid to the amount of $50 per teacher
but not exceeding $40 per school
paid to assist in providing for school
attendance Of isolated pupils, as may
be provided by the board.
To assist in establishing certain
generally accepted minimum stand
ards for all the public schools of the
state. special aid is granted as fol
lows: For each graded elementary
school OF six years with a school year
Of at least nine months, $500 an
elementary school of six years with
a year of at least nine months, $500
will be paid the district; for each
ungraded elementary school with a
school year of at least eight months
the state shall pay the district $15C
for each first grade teacher employed
and 500 for each second grade
teacher, while for school year Of al
least seven months three quarters OF
the aid provided for a school with
an eight months year will be paid
months, $1,000 annually will be paid
high school department, nine months
$500 will be paid; junior high schools
nine months will also receive $500
and a senior high school, nine mon
tbs Will receive $500.
Will Assist School Districts
To assist school districts whose tai
levies for maintenance are excep-
tionally high, the law provides: "Tc
any school district whose tax levy
for maintenance lies between 20 mills
and 80 mills, the state shall pay as
supplemental aid one third of the
excess above 20 mills. If the tai
levy for maintenance exceeds 80 mills
then in addition to the above amour
the state shall pay as supplemental
aid one half of such excess above 8:
mills, provided that no school district
shall receive supplemental aid if tai
levy of so mills in such district will
yield an equivalent of 500 for each
enrolled in the public schools of such
districts, and provided also that nc
school district shall receive supple
mental aid equivalent to more thar
5000 for each elementary teacher EN-
ployed and $3.50 for each high schoo
or special teacher employed. Ir
school districts maintaining only un
graded elementary schools. If 2(
mill tax levy does not raise the equiv
elent Of $500 for each teacher EN-
ployed for at least seven months dul
ing tne school year then the board
OF education at it's discretion may
grant TO such school districts ar
ar2cunt which together with the pro.
ccsds Of 30-mill tax levy will give
sUch school districts the equivalent
c. $500 for each teacher employed as
...cY.6ed, hut such state aid shall in
10 c2ss exceed the equivalent of $20(
Co each teacher employed but shallir
Icd.t;cG to al othr state aid includ
~ -rnpleuap1taI aid &C othar wjcf