The Wrangell sentinel., 1929-05-09
School Legislation
ENACTED BY l92a LEGlsAAI A1

School legislation enacted by the 1929 legislature made many changes in the present school law and will have a far-reachlng erect on AL aska school children. Brefly, the changes are as follow:
 School Code
 An Act to revise and codify the laws relating to public schools in the Territory of Alaska, and repeal ing certain acts in conflict there with"
 This Act assemblies and rearranges the general school laws enacted at previous sessions of the legislature with certain amendments thereto and the addition of some new mate rial. The most important additions and amendments are as follow:
 The establishment of special schools in communities having a less number of children than re- Quired by law for the establishment of a special school. The commits sioner of education exercises func- tions usually devolving upon mem bers of a school board.
 Fertilization Laws
 Qualification laws were amended to require that after September l, 1880, no teachers certificate shall be issued to any person who has not completed at least a two year course in an approved college or normal school in which has been in- cluded a minimum of 12 semester hours of credits in education; or who has not completed a two years course of some Normal High Schoo of the Territory of Alaska" Provi- sion is made for the issuance of el. ementary school certificates, high school certificates, life certificates, and temporary certificates. The provision in the previous certifica- tion law to the effect that certifi- cates may be issued upon examina- tion in certain subjects was re- pealed.
 Support of City Schools
 This Act provides for the support of schools in corporated cities and incorporated school districts. Under it's terms cities and districts are di- vided into three classes-those hay ing a school enrolment of less than 15O, those having an enrolment or 150 or over and less than 300, those having an enrolment of 300 pupils or over. The Territorial refund to the respective classes is 80 percent, 75 percent, and TO percent of cur rent expenses up to maximum or $40,00O to any one city annually. The Act provides further for the payment of a tuition fee of $3.5O Der month or major fraction thereof in the case of pupils residing out outside the city limits and attend ing school therein.
 Compulsory Education
 The Compulsory Education Act was amended to apply to all chil- dren between the ages of seven ane sixteen who reside within two mile of a school building. Children with in these ages are required to attend school until they have completed the work of the highest grade of fered, unless excused from such at tendance.
 Transportation of Pupils
 The commissioner of education, with the approval of the governor, is empowered to authorize school boards to enter into contracts for the transportation of pupils who re- side more than two miles from school.
 Election of Commissioner
 This Act provides that at the general election in November, l93O, a commissioner of education shall be elected by popular vote to take of- flee on March 1, 1881. The per- son so elected is to serve for term of two years, and after and begin ming with the general election in November, 1892, a commissioner of education is to be elected for a term of four years to take office on March 1.
 Teachers Pension Fund
 This Act creates a teachers pen sion board consisting of the govern or, commissioner of education, and the territorial treasurer. Teachers who have had twenty-five years teaching experience, fifteen years of which must have been in the Ter ritory of Alaska, and who are fifty-five years of age are eli gible to apply for a pension. The annuity granted by the Act is $SOO' payable quarterly. Applicants Tor