Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-12-13
COMPULSORY SCHOOL

See Sections 4O.73 and 4O.74 Stat
utes Of 1919.
The compulsory attendance law is
much abused, but slightly used, and
greatly misunderstood law. Nearly
everyone knows there is such law,
but altogether too few know what the
requirements of the law are, or how to
use it. Many have vague and general
ideas of the law and what it ought TO
do, but most people act as though
they expected the law to- work auto
matically with a self-starter.
As matter of fact every teacher is
required to report monthly to the
County Superintendent upon the nom
attendance in her school. The Coun-
ty superintendent is then required to
correspond with parents or guardians
to learn the reason, if any, for the
non-attendance. If no legal reason is
given, she county superintendent is
then required to report to the district
attorney, who if after due considera-
ton, deems it necessary to issue
complaint, which is sent to the county
Judge, who issues a warrant for the
arrest of the parent or guardian. The
warrant is given to the sheriff or de-
putty, who serves the warrant causing
the defendant to appear before the
Judge. Upon conviction, with fine and
costs paid, the child is generally fore
ed into school, and in most cases all
goes well. In some extreme cases, a
willful or obstinate child does not CO.
operate for the good Of the school. In
such cases, attention of the district at
torney is again called to the case and
when the child and parent or guardian
are acquainted with the fact that, the
child has his choice of regular and
obedient attendanceat the public school
or full and complete attendance at the
reform school. Most obstinate and I'M
ruly cases settle down and become de-
cent attendants in the public school,
but each year one or more incorrigi-
bles are committed to the reform
school.
Any person who knows of non-at-
tendance may and should notify either
the teacher, county superintendent, or
district attorney, giving all of the ex-
act information possible. No atten-
ton can be paid to unsigned letters.
Call in person or send signed letter
giving all the details possible. Even
then it often takes considerable time
to get results, because of lacking de-
tails which must go in the complaint.
Following is brief clear skeleton
outline of the compulsory attendance
requirements, as issued by Taylor
Frye, Deputy, Industrial Commission,
January 1, 1922.
(A) Children to ID, of state wide
application, 6 school months in towns
and villages, 8 months in cities, ex-
cept Milwaukee.
ficate of i'll health.
3 Those having legal excuses.
4 Those receiving instruction, in
compliance with the statute, else
where than at school.
5 Those living more than two
miles from school in country dis
tricts in absence of transportation,
except as modified by OBJ.
(B) Children 8 to 4living between
two and three miles from school in
country districts, must attend regular
ly at least go days during the school
year. duplication limited to country
districts.l Exceptions; l 2, and a
in { A) above.
(C) Children Ia to Is, state wide
in application, 6 school months in towns
and villages, s months in cities except
Milwaukee. Exceptions: 1, 2, 3, and
in (A) above and in addition those
who are regularly and lawfully en-
ployed in some useful service at home
or elsewhere.
Note-At present there are no day
vocational schools maintained in YER
non county. Therefore, the Compul-
sorry Part-Time School Attendance law
is not applicable in Vernon county.