SCHOOL LAWS ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA 1915 I rf£7 /^ DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA Montgomery, Ala. BROWN PRINTING COMPANY, State Printers and Binders, 1915. D. of D, NOV 21 I91@ FOREWORD !£l OR the convenience of school officials and the gen- eral public, I am compiling in convenient form the educational measures passed by the 1915 ses- sion of the Legislature, and am giving along with each a brief explanatory statement. All these laws are of importance and three represent the climax of activities on the part of all the educational forces of the State covering a period of more than thirty years — local taxation, better administration and super- vision of schools, and compulsory attendance. All the measures have been worked out with care and delibera- tion and in such a way as to make them all parts of one related scheme. It is my firm conviction that they will bear the closest scrutiny and that no man can give them intelligent con- sideration without arriving at the conclusion that Ala- bama now has upon her statute books as sane and as con- structive educational machinery as is possible under our present Constitution. There will always be differences of opinion about the wisdom of any law, and I do not expect any exception in the case of these measures, but I am fully persuaded that the fair-minded person will be willing to exercise the "suspended judgment" until the test of experience may justify final conclusions. This pamphlet is given to the public, therefore, in the hope that it may serve as a simple and convenient medi- um for first hand acquaintance with the educational leg- islation of 1915. It should be filed as a supplement to the 1915 edition of the General Public School Laws. Wm. p. Feagin^ Supt. of Education. EDUCATIONAL LAWS ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF 1915 Page 1. Providing for the creation of an Illiteracy Commission 5 2. Authorizing women to serve on boards of education 7 3. Authorizing the State Board of Examiners to issue and ex- tend teachers' certificates, and repealing the provision for temporary certificates 8 4. Prohibiting the employment of public school teachers un- der seventeen years of age 11 5. Authorizing the submission of a local tax amendment 12 6. Making local taxation effective 14 7. Making an annual appropriation for a^jf county levying and collecting a special county school tax-..L 19 8. Providing for a change in the method of electing boards of education in cities of 2,000 and less than 6,000 inhabit- ants, and placing the schools of incorporated towns with less than 2,000 inhabitants under the control of the county board of education 21 9. Providing for a county board of education elected by the people from the county-at-large ^ r:!".^. 22 10. Requiring boards of education to admit pupils who live more than three miles from a high school to any public school, and requiring the teacher, if competent, to teach such pupils any subject not beyond the high school grades 28 11. Amending the school textbook commission law 28 12. Requiring private, denominational, and parochial sc^pijls — ""^ to make reports \:l?r 29 13. Compulsory attendance '^beginning October 1, 1917)^^^;^,,„««»r"»°'S0' 14. Providing for an annual appropriation of 'f-l^jOUO for the erection, repair, and equipment of rural schools 38 15. Changing the plan for the holding of teachers' institutes 43 ALABAMA LEGISLATURE Regular Session 1915. No. 37.) (S. 168. AN ACT To provide for the creation of a commission for the removal of adult illiteracy in Alabama, to be known as "The Alabama Il- literacy Commission," and to provide for the duties and. powers thereof. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 1. That there is hereby created a commission to be known as ''The Alabama Illiteracy Commission/' which shall be composed of five persons, both men and women, including the State superintendent of education, who shall be ex-officio a member thereof. The commission- ers shall be appointed by the Governor and shall be se- lected for their fitness, ability and experience in mat- ters of education, and their acquaintance with the con- ditions of illiteracy in the State of Alabama and its va- rious communities. 2. That the members of the commission shall be and are hereby constituted a body corporate with all the powers necessary to carry into effect all the purposes of this act. The commissioners after their appointment and qualification, shall organize by electing from their membership a president and a secretary-treasurer. The secretary-treasurer shall execute a bond to the State of Alabama in a reputable bonding company and in such an amount as the commission may approve, for the faith- ful performance of the duties of his office and for the proper handling and accounting of all properties and monies which may come into his hands by virtue of his office; provided, that the secretary-treasurer may be re- moved by the commission and a successor appointed by the commission in its discretion. 6 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 3. That it shall be the duty of the commission and it shall have the power to make research, collect data, and procure the services of any and all communities of the State looking to the obtaining of a more detailed and definite know^ledge as to the true conditions of the State in regard to its adult illiteracy, and report regularly the results of its labors to the Governor, and to per- form any other act Avhich in its discretion will contrib- ute to the elimination of the State's adult illiteracy by means of the education and enlightenment of illiterate persons in the State of Alabama ; and the commission shall expend any funds or use anything of value which it may receive in acordance with such regula- tions as it may from time to time adopt ; provided, how- ever, that any or all funds which may come into the hands of the commission shall be expended in keeping with the general purposes of this act. 4. That the commission shall adopt such rules and regulations as may seem expedient for carrying on its business in a manner which shall seem to it most satis- factory. 5. That the members of this commission shall re- ceive no compensation for their services nor expenses of any kind out of the State treasury, but they shall be reimbursed out of any funds which may come into the hands of the commission from other sources for the use of the commission for their actual traveling and other necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Approved February 9, 1915. Under the authority of this bill the Governor appointed the fol- lowing members of the Alabama Illiteracy Commission: Ex-Gov- ernor Wm. D. Jelks, Birmingham, Ala.; Hon. Jas. B. Ellis, Selma; Miss Mary N. Moore, Athens; Mrs. W. K. Linscott, Mobile. The Coriimission organized with Hon. W. D. Jelks as president and Hon. Wm. F. Feagin, State Superintendent of Education, as secre- tary-treasurer. Mrs. E. D. Thames was employed as field agent and a campaign was inaugurated in an effort to bring light to the 362,779 persons in Alabama ten years of age and over who can neither read nor write. SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 7 The Commission appointed sub-commissions in the several coun- ties of the State composed usually of the following: county super- intendent of education, principal of the county high school, one bus- iness man and two prominent women. These sub-commissions are undertaking in their own way to eliminate the illiteracy within the bounds of their counties. There are a number of counties in which significant work has been done, and especial credit is due those who have carried on the work in the counties of Dale and Shelby. The results in these counties and in such others as have undertaken the task in serious fashion show conclusively that illiterate gro\vn-ups are ready and willing to learn, can be taught, and will go to school if the opportunity is presented. The work is being financed by the contributions of public spirited men and women throughout the State, and while this necessarily prevents projecting the work on any mammoth scale, it at least in- sures a healthy interest that will be salutary and far-reaching in its final results. It is needless to remark that the brunt of the actual work will fall upon the shoulders of our faithful teachers who have such a degree of patriotism as will make them willing to do this lofty type of missionary work out of their devotion to their more unfortunate brothers and sisters. No. 14.) (H. 63. AN ACT To authorize women to serve on boards of education of counties, and cities and towns. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 1. That on and after the passage of this bill, women shall be eligible to serve on the boards of education of incorporated cities and towns, and on county boards of education. 2. All laws and parts of laws, local, general or spe- cial in conflict with the provisions of this act be and the same are hereby repealed. Appproved February 1, 1915. The purpose of this bill is to bring to the administration of the schools the enthusiasm and help of our women. The fact that a majority of our teachers are women, that they are the mothers of our children, and that the school improvement work is almost 8 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 wholly directed by them, indicates that we ought to give oflPicial recognition to these constant friends. Any county and any incor- porated city or town, or any school district may make use of the services of its women on the school board. No. 64.) (H. 344. AN ACT To authorize the State Board of Examiners to issue first grade cer- tificates to graduates of certain institutions of higher learning of this and other states; to provide for the issuance of teachers' certificates to persons holding certificates granted in other states; to authorize the extension of the terms of first grade certificates, of second grade certificates, and of third grade cer- tificates; and to repeal section 1723 of the Code of Alabama as amended by section 4 of an act approved August 21, 1909. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 1. That the State board of examiners is hereby au- thorized to grant first grade teacliers' certificates with- out further examination to graduates of the class A normal schools of Alabama and to the graduates of such other institutions of higher learning in this and other states as may maintain departments for teacher- training meeting such requirements as may be desig- nated by the State board of examiners; provided, that certificates shall be issued only to such graduates of the different institutions as have successfully passed a min- imum of courses in education designated and approved by the State board of examiners. 2. That the State board of examiners is hereby au- thorized to grant a certificate of qualification to teach in the public schools of the State to any person holding a certificate, license, or diploma authorizing said per- son to teach in the public schools of any other state; provided, that the certificate, license, or diploma shall have been originally issued for and in consideration of qualifications at least equal to those required for a cer- tificate of the same grade in this State; provided fur- ther, that the certificate, license or diploma shall be SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA. 1915 9 valid ill this State for the period for which it shall have been issued in the State where it was originally grant- ed and may, in the discretion of the board of examiners, be made valid for a shorter period. For the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this section, it is hereby made the duty of any county superintendent of educa- tion under such rules and regulations as may be pre- scribed by the State board of examiners, to forward to the State board of examiners within five days after the receipt thereof, any certificate, license, or diploma which may have been issued in any other state and which may be placed in his hands Avith an application for a certifi- cate of qualification to teach in this State. Said county superintendent of education shall accompany the cer- tificate, license, or diploma so forwarded to the State board of examiners with any material facts of which he may have knowledge regarding the holder thereof. Upon receipt of the certificate, license, or diploma and application, the State board of examiners shall examine the same together with any facts relating thereto or to the holder thereof, which may have come to its notice, and shall within ten days thereafter either issue a cer- tificate to applicant or transmit to the county superin- tendent from whom the application shall have been re- ceived, notice that the application is denied. The State board of examiners may, under the authority conferred by this section, issue a first grade certificate, a second grade certificate, or a third grade certificate. 3. That the State board of examiners is hereby au- thorized to extend consecutively from year to year for a period of one year at a time and for a total of not more than four consecutive years, any first grade cer- tificate, any second grade certificate, or any third grade certificate ; provided, that the holder of any such certifi- cate shall have attended some institution of higher learn- ing for at least six weeks and shall have pursued a course of professional study designated and approved by the State board of examiners during the year next preced- ing the one for w^hich extension of certificate for one year is sought to be granted. 10 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 4. The applicant for a certificate or for the exten- sion of any certificate under the provisions of this act shall pay the same fees as are now charged applicants for certificates of the same grade. [ 5. That section 1723 of the Code of Alabama of 1907, as amended by section 4 of an act approved August 21, 1909, be and the same is hereby repealed. 6. All laws or parts of laws in conflict with the pro- visions of this act be and the same are hereby repealed. Approved February 17, 1915. Under section 1 of the act, the board of examiners is authorized to issue first grade certificates without further examination: 1. To graduates of the Class A normal schools of Alabama who shall complete the course of study prescribed by the normal school board in July, 1914. This course limits the work of these schools to the preparation of teachers for the elementary schools. It should be noted that the provisions of this law are not retroactive and can- not be made to apply to former graduates. 2. To such graduates of other institutions of higher learning as have successfully pursued a minimum number of courses in educa- tion designated and approved by the board of examiners. The char- acter of the institutions to be recognized and the natur c-## tfuu work to be required are explicitly set forth in the rules and regulations issued April 15, 1915. Under the authority of section 2 of the act, the license or certifi- cate which is the authority of the holder to teach in the public schools of any other state may be accepted for its unexpired legal period as a certificate of the same grade in Alabama, or for a shorter period, at the discretion of the State Board of Examiners; except that life or permanent certificates f rom •Wther states may be validated in Alabama as first grade certificates, and that the hold- ers of such certificates may be admitted to .gi^inations for life certificates upon such terms as are prescribed for the holders of Alabama first grade certificates. By the authority of section 3, the Board of Examiners may ex- tend for a period of one year at a time, any first, second, or third grade certificate whose holder shall present a statement on a blank approved or furnished by the State Board of Examiners from the president or dean of the faculty of the institution of higher learning in which the applicant has been a student, to the effect that he has pursued for a minimum period of six weeks within the year next preceding that for which extension is sought, a course of profes- SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 11 sional study either designated or approved by the State Board of Examiners. All applicants for certificates under the provisions of this section shall pay the usual fees* required for certificates as for those here- tofore issued, namely, $1.00, $1.50, and $2.00 for third, second, and first grade certificates, respectively. No temporary certificates can hereafter be issued under any condition whatsoever, the lav^^ au- thorizing issuance of the same being expressly repealed by section 5 of this act. ♦This fee must be remitted by postoflfice or express money order. No. 119.) (S. 182. AN ACT To prohibit the employment of public school teachers of less than seventeen years of age, and to provide for the education of pupils of any school having less than ten pupils. Be if cuitctcd hy the LegislaiuvG of Alahama: l.^^,3:JUat oil and after October 1, 1915, no person shall be employed as a teaeher in any pnblic school in the State who is not at least seventeen years of age, and after December 1, 1915, if the attendance in any school shall fall below ten, then the county board of educa- tion is autliorized to make the best arrangements it can for the education of those children. Approved February 20, 1915. This bill makes it unlawful for any board of education to enter into contract with"" Shy teacher in any public school, who is not at least seventeen years of age, but it does not forbid persons under this age from standing any teachers' examination. There is also a strong implication that no school where the aver- age attendance falls below ten pupils, should be continued by any county board of education. It may be that conditions are such that this provision in rare instances could not be enforced without hard- ships, but the reports that come to the Department from month to month from county superintendents of education clearly indicate that many schools falling below this attendance are maintained, and it is difficult to see how county boards of education, in the light of 12 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 this act, will feel authorized to continue schools falling under the average attendance indicated, unless there be extraordinary condi- tions. No. 21.) (S. 130. AN ACT To submit to the qualified electors of the State at the general elec- tion' to be held in November, 1916, for their consideration an amendment to the Constitution for the purpose of authorizing the several counties of the State and the several districts of any county to levy and collect a special tax, not exceeding thirty cents on each one hundred dollars worth of taxable property in such counties and in the several districts of any county, under such regulations as the Legislature may have prescribed or may hereafter prescribe. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama : 1. That the following amendment to the Constitu- tion of Alabama is proposed to be submitted to the qual ified electors of the State for their ratification or rejec- tion at the general election, to be held in November, 1916, to-wit: Article XIX, Section 1. The several counties in the State shall have power to levy and col- lect a special county tax not exceeding thirty cents on each one hundred dollars worth of taxable property in such counties in addition to that now authorized or that may hereafter be authorized, for public school purposes, and in addition to that now authorized under section 260 of article XIV of the Constitution; provided, that the rate of such tax, the time it is to continue and the purpose thereof shall have been first submitted to the vote of the qualified electors of the county, and voted for by a majority of those voting at such election. Section 2. The several school districts of any county in the State shall have power to levy and collect a special district tax not exceeding thirty cents on each one hundred dollars worth of taxable property in such district for public school purposes ; provided, that a school district under the meaning of this section shall SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 13 incliKlc incorporated cities or towns, or any school dis- trict of wiiich an incorporated city or town is a part, or snch other scliool districts now existing or hereafter formed, as may be approved by the county board of edu- cation : provided further, that the rate of such tax, the time it is to continue and the purpose thereof shall have been first submitted to the vote of the qualified eh'ctors of the district and voted for by a majority of those vot- ing at such election ; provided further, that no district tax shall be voted or collected except in such connties as are levying and collecting not less than a three-mill special county school tax. ' Section 3. The funds aris- ing from the* special county school tax levied and c(d- lected by any county shall be apportioned and expend- ed as the law may direct; and the funds arising from the special school tax levied in any district which votes the same independently of the connty shall be expended for the exclusive benefit of the district, as the law may direct. This bill provides for the submission of an amendment to the Constitution to the voters of the State at the general election to be held in November, 1916, the purpose of the amendment being to au- thorize any county by a majority vote of the electors therein to levy a tax for educational purposes, not to exceed three mills on the property of the county as a whole, and to further authorize any dis- trict in any county which is levying and collecting a three-mill county tax, to levy and collect a district tax for school purposes, not to exceed three mills. A careful reading of the bill will show: 1. That the maximum county tax* for school purposes allowed under this amendment is three mills, though any less amount may be voted. 2. That no district tax can be levied unless the county of which the district is a part is levying and collecting a county tax for school purposes amounting to three mills. 3. That the maximum tax for school purposes that any district can levy is three mills. 4. That a district under the meaning of this amendment is *The limit imposed under this amendment does not interfere with the amounts already authorized under the Constitution, namely, the one mill county tax for the State as a whole and such other millage as is permitted in the case of three or four counties in the State. 14 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 a. An incorporated city. b. An incorporated town. c. Any school district now existing that may be approved by the county board of education. d. Any district hereafter formed that may be approved by the county board of education. 5. That the funds derived from the county tax for school pur- poses shall be apportioned and expended as the law may direct. 6. That the funds arising from the special school district tax shall be used exclusively for the benefit of the district levying and collecting such tax, as the law may direct. It will be seen from the wording of the bill that the county tax must be voted before the district is authorized to levy the tax. By this means the interests of the poorer districts are fully guarded and the corporate wealth of the county is compelled within reasona- ble bounds to contribute in giving equal educational opportunities to the children of the entire county. At the same time any school district that desires better educational opportunities than the State and county funds provide, may vote upon itself an additional tax to provide better schools, the revenue from such a source being avail- able for longer terms, better equipment and other school expenses, thereby making it possible for any district voting the tax to rid itself of the burdens and inequalities arising from the collection of tuition fees, supplements and incidentals which, as a rule, occasion serious embarrassment to the more needy people in the county, for whose children it is the duty of the State, the county and the com- munity to furnish reasonably adequate educational opportunity. The enactment of this amendment into law is fundamental to the proper financing of our schools and it behooves every man, woman and child to do his best to secure its adoption by an overwhelming majority. The five preceding laws were enacted during the twenty-day session of the 1915 Legislature and are found in the latest edition of the General Public School Laws. The laws which follow were enacted too late to be included and are found in this supplement. No. 403.) (H. 1428. AN ACT To provide for elections, to authorize any county in the State and any school district now existing or hereafter formed in any county, to levy and collect a special county tax for public school purposes, not exceeding thirty (30) cents on each one hundred dollars ($100) worth of taxable property in such county and in such school district. SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 15 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alahaiiia : 1. That upon a petition signed by two hnndied or more qualified electors of any county, to the c(Hirt of county commissioners or other <>()yerning body, in any county within the State of Alabama, said court of coun- ty commissioners or other goyernino- body shall order an election to determine whetlun- or not a special tax shall be levied for public school purposes within said county, and upon request of the county board of educa- tion to the court of county commissioners or other goy- erning body, said court shall ordiM- an election to deter- mine whether or not a special tax shall be ley led for public school purposes within any school district in any county; provided that no election in any school dis- trict shall be held for the purpose of levying and collect- ing a special school tax for school purposes unless the county in which said district is located shall be levying and collecting a special county tax for school purposes of not less than thirty (30) cents on each one hundred dollai-s (flOO) worth of taxable property in such coun- ty. Publication shall be made of any election to be held under the provisions of this act in some newspaper of the county for three successive issues preceding the date of said election, and when an election is to be held for a special tax for school purposes in any district, written notices shall be posted in three public places within said district at least twenty days prior to said election. Said publications and notices shall shoAv the rate of such proposed tax, the time it is proposed to be continued, and the purpose for which the levy is pro- posed to be made. 2. That the inspectors and officers of th-e special county election shall be appointed and such election shall be held, and the results of such election shall be declared in the same manner and by the same officers as the results of the regular election for county officers under the general elections laws of the State; provide; provided, that the apjdication shall show that bona tide donations of at least twice the amount for which aid is asked have al- ready l)een secured, and the application shall also con- tain a description of the plot of land uytim which the jtublic school' buildinij;' for which aid is souiiht is located or is to be erected; provided further, that the maximum amount for which application is made for the erection and equipment of a school building shall not exceed three hundred dollars for a school building with one class room, four hundred fifty dollars for a school build- ing with two class rooms, six hundred dollars for a school building with three class rooms, eight hundred dollars for a school building with four class rooms, and one thousand dollars for a school building with five or more class rooms. 3. That the county board of education shall consider all applications filed, shall approve such as seem most worthy under such regulations, as may be prescribed by the State superintendent of education, and shall keep a record of the proceedings showing the applications ap- proved by the board, the amount of the bona fide dona- tions and the amount which the board recommends to be given to any school. The county board of education shall certify to the State superintendent of educatitm the amount of donations which have been paid over to the county treasurer of public school funds; and that a deed in fee simple to not less than two acres of land, if for the repair or equipment of any school building or for the erection of a school building with not more than two class rooms^ and of not less than live acres of land for a school building containing three or more classrooms has been executed to the vState of Alabama; and said certiticate shall also show the amount of money recom- mended to be given to the school ; provided, that the deed 40 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 or deeds conveying the title to the property shall accom- pany the certification made to the State superintendent of education and shall remain on file in his office. 4. That before approving any application for aid which has been properly certified to him the State super- intendent of education shall satisfy himself that the conditions of this act have been fully complied with. If he approves the application as certified to him by the county board of education he shall request the State au- ditor to draw his warrant on the State treasurer for the amount for which the application is approved. The State auditor shall draw his warrant on the State treasurer for the amount of money to be given to the school as shown by the requisition of the State superintendent, making the warrant payable to the county treasurer of public school funds of the county wherein the school is located and shall indicate thereon for the benefit of what public school the same is issued. The warrant shall be delivered to the State superintendent of education who shall forward the same to the county treasurer of public school funds of the county wherein the school receiving the aid is located and shall also notify the county board of education of that fact, provided, that all persons re- ceiving any warrant or the proceeds thereof issued under this act shall issi.ie a receipt to the person from whom he receives the same. 5. That the erection, repair, and equipment of any school building under the provisions of this act shall be under the direction and control of the county board of education. To this end the board shall authorize all con- tracts and shall order the county treasurer of public school funds to make payment of the amount due under any contract, provided, that not more than two-thirds of the total amount for the erection, repair, or equipment of any school building, including the donations and the amount received from the State, shall be paid out until the inspection required under section 6 of this act has been made and approval certified to the county treasurer of public school funds and to the county board of educa- SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 41 tion ; and provided further, that the State warrant, is- sued under the provisions of this act, shall not be cashed until inspection has been made and approval certified by the State superintendent of education. 6. That whenever the county board of education shall certify to the State superintendent of education that the school building for which State aid is appropriated is completed and all equipment is in place or repairs made and that all indebtedness on the school building, equip- ment or repairs has been paid except such an amount as will be satisfied by the funds remaining in the hands of the county treasurer of public school funds, the State superintendent of education shall inspect or delegate some one to inspect the work done and equipment in- stalled, and if such meets all requirements of the provis- ions under which State aid was granted, he shall author- ize the county treasurer of public school funds in writ- ing to pay out the remainder of the funds upon the order of the county board of education. 7. The State superintendent of education shall open an account with each county in the State in a book kept by him for that purpose and shall charge against the county the amount of each warrant issued under this act for the benefit of the public schools of such county ; provided, that any warrant not cashed by the county treasurer of public school funds by reason of failure to comply with the requirements of this act shall, after the lapse of twelve months from the issuance of the same, be by him returned to the State. superintendent of educa- ion, who shall mark the same "cancelled'' and shall also make in the book kept by him in accordance with the preceding section a credit entry in favor of the county for which the warrant was originally drawn for the amount of any warrant so cancelled. 8. That the unexpended balances, as shown by the book kept by the State superintendent of education which have accrued to the several counties of the State from the rural school house fund provided in sections 1975 to 1993 inclusive of article 81 of the Code of Ala- 42 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 bama of 1907, shall upon the first day of October, 1915, be re-apportioned equally to the several counties of the State, and thereafter the unexpended balances, as shown by the books kept by the State superintendent of educa- tion in accordance with section 7 of this act, at the end of each and every fiscal year shall be re-apportioned equally among all the counties of the State in addition to the regular annual appropriation of $2,000; provid- ed, that the State superintendent of education shall on the first day of October, or as early thereafter as prac- ticable, make the apportionment herein required and certify the same to the State auditor. 9. That any person or persons who shall knowingly use or apply, or authorize the use or application of the proceeds or any part thereof of any funds authorized un- der this act for any purpose or purposes other than as re- quired by said act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction shall be fined not less than |200 nor more than .|1,000 and may also be sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than twelve months, 10. That this act shall become effective the first day of October, 1915, and all laws or parts of laws in conflict with the provisions of the same be and are hereby re- pealed. Approved September 22, 1915. Under this law the annual appropriation for rural schoolhouses is increased from $1,000 to each county to $2,000 to each county, and the fund may be used not- only for the erection and repair but also for the equipment of rural school buildings. Under the old law, $200 was the maximum appropriation to any school without regard to size; under this law, aid in the erection and equipment of a building is given according to its size, the maximum being as follows: For a one-room building, $300; for a two-room building, $450; for a three-room building, $600; for a four-room building, $800; for a building of five or more classrooms, $1,000. Before re- ceiving aid, however, the county board of education must have in hand not less than twice the amount for which aid is sought, and a deed in fee simple to not less than two acres of land for a building with fewer than three classrooms, and to five acres of land for a building with three or more classrooms. SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA. 1915 43 For the repair and equipment of a public school building, the min- imum is $50.00 and the maximum $200, with the sAme requirements as to a deed to property as in the case of applications for the erec- tion and repair of school buildings. This law, unlike the one it dis- places, will encourage the consolidation of schools in the rural sec- tions of the State. In granting aid the law recognizes the principle of self-help, and for each dollar donated by the State, the commu- nity must raise at least two dollars. The machinery for giving aid has been strengthened in such a way as to avoid imposition, which often resulted under the old law, there being no authority for checking up the improvements before aid was granted. Aside from the larger bonus and the recognition given to the larger type of building, the law has also been strength- ened so as to guarantee a businesslike expenditure of the funds to be used. At the end of every year the money remaining to the credit of every county is not allowed to accumulate in the treasury, but is reapportioned to all the counties of the State so as to extend its benefits as widely and as rapidly as possible. No. 673.) (H. 1554. AN ACT To provide for the holding of teachers' institutes in this State, to authorize the employment of institute conductors, and to make necessary appropriations for the same. Be it enacted by the Legislature of Alabama: 1. That the sum of $6,500 be appropriated annually out of the general educational fund for the purpose of defraying the expenses of holding and conducting insti- tutes for the teachers of this State. 2. That a teachers' institute shall be held each year in the several counties of the State or such groups of counties as the State superintendent of education may designate. The time for holding the institutes shall be fixed by the State superintendent of education after con- sultations with the county boards of education con- cerned. 3. That for the purpose of conducting these institutes, the State superintendent of education is authorized to 44 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 employ persons of recognized ability to conduct the same under his direction, and to pay the persons so employed such salaries and expenses as may be required and as the funds will permit. 4. That it is hereby made the duty of teachers to at- tend an institute for four full days in each scholastic year, and no teacher shall be employed in any elemen- tary or high school supported" in whole or in part from public funds, unless such teacher shall file with the board of education of the county or the incorporated city or town, as the case may be, a certificate showing that such teacher has attended a county institute for four full days within twelve months next preceding the date such teacher is to begin work under his contract, or that such teacher has attended an institution of higher learn- ing and pursued a course of professional study for at least three weeks during the scholastic year in which the institute is held ; provided that the State superinten- dent of education shall have power to excuse teachers from institute attendance for extraordinary reasons, and to this end he shall make rules and regulations govern- ing the same; provided further, that the signed state- ment of the State superintendent of education that any teacher is excused by him shall be accepted in lieu of the certificate of institute attendance required in this sec- tion. 5. That the county board of education and the boards of education of all incorporated cities and towns shall cause all the schools under their control for any race for which a teachers' institute is being held in a county or in a group of counties, to be suspended during the time of the holding of such institute, and the contract of any teacher who fails to attend an institute so held shall thereby be voided, unless the person conducting said institute shall file with the county superintendent of ed- ucation a written statement that he has excused, for good and sufficient reasons, the teacher failing to attend said institute. The conductor of any institute shall issue a certificate of attendance to each teacher attending the sessions of the institue, and shall make in duplicate a SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 45 list of all teachers present at the institute for the re- quired time and of those excused by him, and he shall file a copy of said list with the county superintendent of ed- ucation and shall send the original to the State superin- tendent of education. 6. That each teacher attending an institute shall pay to the county superintendent of education a fee of not less than fifty cents and not more than a dollar, which shall be used to supplement the State fund appropriated by this act for the maintenance of teachers' institutes. 7. That the funds appropriated under this act shall be used for the payment of the salaries and expenses of the institute conductors and for such other expenses as may be necessary to make this act of the greatest benefit to the teachers of the State; and the State auditor shall, upon the approval of the State superintendent of educa- tion, issue warrants on the State treasury for said sala- ries and expenses ; provided that the institute conductor shall be paid as other State officers are paid; provided further that all unexpended balances remaining to the credit of the institute fund for the year ending Sept. 30, 1915, shall be conveyed into the State treasury, to be drawn out upon the requisition of the State superinten- dent of education in the same manner that the appropri- ation under this act is drawn, and all unexpended bal- ances after the above date at the end of any fiscal year shall remain to the credit of said institute fund, to be expended in any following year. 8. That all laws and parts of laws in conflict with this act be and the same are hereby repealed. Approved Sept. 23, 1915. This law makes no additional appropriation to the State institute fund, but it does change somewhat the plan for the conduct of the institutes. Heretofore they could be held only in the months of July, August, September and October. Under this law the insti- tutes may be held in any county of the State at such a time during the year as the State Superintendent of Education, after advising with the county board of education, may designate. It also pro- 46 SCHOOL LAWS OF ALABAMA, 1915 vides that schools in any county where an institute its being held, shall be suspended during the week of the institute, and the county board may in its discretion grant teachers so attending whose schools have been suspended, pay as for time taught. It is be- lieved that by the operation of this law the few defects in the old plan will be remedied, and that the law will be much more practical and helpful since the institutes may be held during term time. '^A