Book -y^^ OB'FICIAL DONATION. 3^f ' A>>-Ajejis^ ■ , -^-^o^MA ^ '^'if^AjJ^^ J kX^ ' LAWS OF 1887, RELATINa TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS Democrat Printing Co., State Printers. JBBAHY OF CONGRESS, KEC&IVED AUG 9i90] DIVISION OF DOCUMENTS. ~ii & LAWS RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SESSIOISr LAWS OF 1887. Office of State Superintendent, Madison, Wis., May 16, 1887. The attention of all officially connected with the public schools of Wisconsin is hereby called to the important changes made in the school laws by the general laws of 1887. A copy of each law amended, as it now reads, and a copy of each additional statute enacted in 1887, is published herein. The changes included in these laws relate to the follow- ing matters: I. Provision for a limited number of the Railroad Map of Wisconsin for distribution among the schools of the state. II. Providing that complaints for violation of the compulsory attendance act may be made by any legal voter of the ^district, or of any town, city or village when the schools are managed by a board of education, and directly to the magistrate having jurisdiction; and repealing the section requiring school officers to prose- cute offenses under the act. III. Providing that teachers' second grade certificates shall remain in force two years, and first grade certificates four years; also for the transfer of examination papers written in one county to any other county, under certain circumstances. III. Authorizing county superintendents of schools to reside at county seats, although not within their jurisdiction, without vacating the office. lY. Requiring district clerks to report the names and ages of children residing in the district in the census annually taken by those officers. V. Providing that when the first Monday in July is a legal holiday, the annual meeting of school districts shall be held on the day next succeeding. YI. Authorizing school districts to borrow money to refund indebtedness, for a period of twenty years. YII. Requiring school districts, at the annual meeting every year, to vote upon the question of fur- nishing text-books free for the use of pupils. YIII. Requiring town clerks to apportion the school money among the districts entitled to share therein in proportion to the number of persons of school age residing therein at the time the apportionment is made. IX. Forbidding apportionment of school money to any town^ city or village which failed to raise by tax during the preceding year an amount equal to that received from the state at the preceding apportionment. X. Township system of school government: 1. Providing for two regular meetings annually of town boards of directors, and the time and places of holding the same. 2. Providing for special meetings of the town boards of directors, manner of calling the same, and for the reimbursement of mem- bers for expenses attending meetings. 3. Defining a quorum, and prescribing the man- ner of electing officers and filling vacancies. 4. Specifying powers and duties of the board of directors and of the executive committee of the board. 5. Specifying duties of the secretary of the board. 6. Providing for annual meetings of sub-districts in July, and annual jeports by sub-district clerks similar to those made by independent district clerks, and annual census of the per- sons of school age in each sub-district. 7. Prescribing the method of collecting and dis- bursing taxes in joint sub-districts. 8. Providing manner of organizing independent district system, when towns vote to abolish the township system. XI. Submitting to the people an amendment of the constitution of the state of Wisconsin, relajiing to education. XII. Authorizing the state superintendent to counter- sign diplomas of graduates of university of Wisconsin who have taken the course in science and art of teaching in that institution, after the holder shall have taught a public school in this state successfully eight months. XIII. Authorizing any school district board insuring district property in a town insurance company to execute a note for the premium. XIV. Providing for a township system of district school libraries. XV. Amending the law of 1883 relating to applications for alterations of boundaries of joint school dis- tricts, so that petition of two-thirds of the voters in any one district interested is sufficient for the purposes of that act. XVI. Providing that where teachers teach school upon a legal holiday, in settlement for wages that day shall be counted but one day. XVII. Authorizing the land commissioners of the state to loan money from the trust funds of the state to school districts, at the rate of six per cent, per annum. A sufficient number of these pamphlets is sent to each town clerk to supply his own office with one copy, and each school district clerk residing in the town with one copy. If any town clerk fails to receive a sufficient number to supply as above indicated, more will be sent on application. J. B. THAYER, State Superintendent. CHAPTER 22. AN ACT to amend chapter 258, of the laws of 1883, entitled an act to provide for the annual publication of a railroad map and appropriating money therefor. The people of the state of Wisconsin,. represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Section 1, of chapter 258, of the laws of 1883, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: There shall be published arnually, under the supervision of the railroad commissioner, four thousand copies of the railroad map of Wisconsin; two thousand copies to be distributed with the annual report of the railroad commissioner, one thousand four hundred copies to be mounted on muslin and provided with rollers, to be distributed by the state superintendent of pub- lic instruction among the schools of the state, and the re- mainder to be distributed by the railroad commissioner. There shall also be published thirty-five hundred copies of said map over and above the number hereinbefore provided for, for the use of each legislature biennially hereafter. Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. The maps herein provided for and designated for the schools are distributed through the county superintendents. It will require several years to supply all the districts with a copy. CHAPTER 73. AN" ACT to amend section 4, of chapter 121, general laws of 1879, entitled, "an act to secure to children the benefit of an elementary education," and to repeal section 5, of the same chapter. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Section 4, of chapter 121, of the general laws of 1879, entitled, "an act to secure to children the benefit of an elementary education," is hereby amended to read as fol- lows: Section 4. In case any parent, guardian or other person shall fail to comply with the provisions of this act, said parent, guardian, or other person shall be liable to a fine of not less than five nor more than ten dollars for the first offense, nor less than ten nor more than twenty dollars for each and every subsequent offense. Complaints for violation of the provisions of this act may be made by any legal voter in the school district wherein the offense is com- mitted; or in cases where the schools are under the manage- ment of a board of education, by any legal voter of the town,, village or city wherein the offense is committed. The action shall be brought in the name of the state of Wiscon- sin, before any justice of the peace, or any court having competent jurisdiction, and all fines collected in such actions shall be paid into the school fund. Section 2. Section 5, of chapter 121, general laws of 1879, is hereby repealed. Section 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. Heretofore school district officers were required to prose- cute delinquents under the compulsory attendance act, when written notice of delinquency was served upon them by any legal voter or tax- payer. Legal voters must now make com- plaint directly to the magistrate, and school officers are relieved of the duty of prosecuting offenses. CHAPTER 79. AN ACT to amend section 449, of chapter 27, of the revised statutes, as amended by chapter 327, general laws of 1885» and section 450, of chapter 27, of the revised statutes, en- titled, " of common schools." The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Section 449, of chapter 27, of the revised stat- utes, as amended by chapter 327, general laws of 1885, is hereby amended to lead as follows: Section 449. There are hereby, established three grades of teachers' certificates, to be known as certificates of the first, second and third grades. Each certificate shall show the branches in which the holder has been examined, and his relative attainments in each branch. No • person shall receive any certificate who is known to the examining officer to be of immoral char- acter, who is deficient in learning or ability to teach, or who does not write and speak the English languagf^ with facility and correctness. Section 2. Section 450, of chapter 27, of the revised stat- utes, entitled, " of common schools," is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 450. Every applicant for a certifi- cate shall be examined in the subjects hereinafter mentioned for the several grades respectively as follows: For the third grade, in orthoepy, orthography, reading, penmanship, arith- metic, English grammar, geography, the history of the United States, the constitution of the United States, the con- 8 'stitution of the state of Wisconsin, physiology and hygiene, with special reference to the effects of stimulants and nar- cotics upon the human system, and the theory and art of teaching. For the second grade in all the foregoing, and also in grammatical analysis, physiology, physical geog- raphy, and elementary algebra. For the first grade in all the foregoing, and also in higher algebra, natural philosophy • and geometry, and if found qualified, shall receive the cer- tificate appropriate to his grade. A third grade certificate shall entitle the holder to teach for such period, not more than one year, as may be specified therein, in any town in the superintendent district in which he is examined, except that it may be limited by the county superintendent to any town or school district therein. A second grade certificate ■ shall entitle the holder to teach in any town in such super- iintendent district, and be in force two years from its date. .A first grade certificate shall entitle the holder to teach in any town in such superintendent district^ and be in force four years from its date; but the county superintendent may limit the same to one year, and remove the limitation upon satisfactory evidence that the holder has successfully taught a public school in this state for at least six months. When- ever any person has passed a satisfactory examination by any county superintendent of any county in this state, and obtained a certificate of either grade herein provided for, and shall purpose to teach in any other county in this state, it shall be lawful for the superintendent holding the papers written, upon the request of any county superintendent, to transfer to the superintendent requesting the same the papers written at the examination at which the certificate was obtained, and if found satisfactory, a certificate thereon may be issued to be co-terminus with the original certificate in the discretion of the county superintendent, of the proper grade, to the same effect as though the applicant had been examined by the superintendent in person. Section 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. Three important changes in the law are made by the ■amendments to sections 449 and 450 contained in this act. (1). County superintendents are authorized to withhold certificates from applicants known to them to be immoral in character, and are forbidden to give certificates to per- sons manifestly deficient in learning, or in ability to teach. (2). Second grade certificates are to be in force two years, and first grade certificates four years; the latter, however, maybe limited to one year at its issue, if the applicant has liad no experience in teaching, and the limitation may be removed when experience evidences that the holder is suc- cessful and apt as a teacher. (3). Papers of applicants for certificates written in one county 'may, in the discretion of the county superintendent, be made the basis of a certifi- cate in another county, under the conditions and restrictions named. CHAPTER 80. AN ACT authorizing county superintendents of schools to reside at the county seat and to keep an office in the court- house or other building provided by the county in certain cases. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Whenever the county seat of any county in this state is located in an independent city, with a separate superintendent of schools having Jurisdiction only in such city, it shall be lawful for the county superintendent of schools to reside in such city and to keep an ofiice in the public building or other place provided for that purpose by the county, notwithstanding such county seat may not be under the jurisdiction of the county superintendent of schools. Section 2. Whenever any county'in this state shall be di- vided into two superintendent districts, and two county su- perintendents of schools shall be elected in and for said county, it shall be lawful for such county superintendents of schools to reside at the county seat of the county in and for which they were elected, and keep an oflSce in the public building belonging to the county, or other place provided for that purpose by the county, notwithstanding such county seat may not be within the jurisdiction of either of such county superintendents of schools. Section 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. This act permits county superintendents to reside at the county seat without vacating the office, if the city is not within his jurisdiction, and avoid all questions that might arise under the general law — section 962, revised statutes. JO CHAPTER 95. AN ACT relating to the duties of the clerks of school dis- tricts in this state. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. That in addition to the duties of the clerks of the several school districts of this state, relating'to the tak- ing of the census of the school children, as now provided by law, the said clerks shall also report the names of the children in their respective districts, and the age of each of them over the age of four and under the age of twenty years. Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. This very important change in the law will involve a large increase of labor and carefulness upon those who take the annual census of the school population, but is justified by the greatly increased amount of public money appor- tioned upon the basis of this census. School officers will find that the blanks for annual reports and the forms of affidavits, sent out the present year, conform to the provis- ions of this act. CHAPTER 96. AN ACT relating to the annual meeting of school districts and to amend section 425, chapter 27,of the revised statute s, entitled ''of common schools," as amended by chapter 69, laws of 1882, and chapter 298, laws of 1883. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Section 425, of chapter 27, of the revised stat - utes, as amended by chapter 29, laws of 1882, and chapter 298, laws of 188^3^, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: Se ction 425. The annual meeting in all school districts in this state shall be held on the first Monday of Jaly in each year. The hour of such meeting shall be seven o'clock in the afternoon, unless otherwise provided by a vote of the district, duly recorded, at the last previous annual meeting. If the first Monday in July is a legal holiday, then said an- nual meeting shall be held on the day next succeeding the first Monday in July. It shall be the duty of the distric t 11 board of each school district in this state to meet on the {Saturday immediately preceding the first Monday of July, in each year, and carefully examine the account'=i of the treasurer, and make up a full and itemized report of all re- ceipts and expenditures since the last annual meeting; the amount in the hands of the treasurer, or the amount of the de- ficit for which the district is liable, and the estimated sum which will be required to be raised by taxes for the support of the school for the ensuing year; and the amount required to pay the interest or principal of any loan due or to become due during such year; which report shall be submitted in writing at the annual meeting, and recorded at length with the action of the meeting thereon, by the clerk, with the records of the proceedings of the annual meeting. Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. Two cases will arise under this law which will postpone the annual meetings until Tuesday evening following the first Monday in July, viz. : when the first Monday in July is the fourth day of July, as will be the fact the present year; and when the fourth day of July occurs on Sunday, imme- diately preceding the first Monday in July, and Monday is then made by law a legal holiday, as the fact was in 1886. CHAPTER 231. AN ACT to provide for refunding the indebtedness of school districts. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Any school district may, by vote at an annual or lawfully called special meeting, authorize the district board to borrow money for the purpose of refunding its in- debtedness upon loans previously made. A written resolu- tion shall be presented and read at such meeting specifying the amount to be borrowed, the rate of interest and the time when each installment of principal shall be paid and the amount of each installment; the last installment of princi- pal, however, shall be payable in not exceeding twenty years from the time the indebtedness was originally contracted. The vote on such resolution shall be taken by ballot. The legal voters favoring the adoption of such resolution shall cast a ballot on which shall be the words, "for the loan;" those op- posed shall cast a ballot on which shall be the words, "against the loan." If a majority of the votes cast are in 12 favor of the loan, the district board shall be thereupon au- thorized to borrow such amount from any person or persons on such terms as may be agreed upon, not in conflict with the directions contained in such resolution and not prohibited by law; and the board shall execute the bonds or other obli- gations of the district, in such sums not exceeding the amount so voted as to the board shall seem best, and deliver the same to the person or persons lending such money. The district shall also levy a tax to be collected annually thereafter sufficient to pay the annual interest on such loan, and the installments of the principal to be paid in any year. Section 3. After any such loan shall have been made, such vo^e shall not be rescinded or reconsidered, nor shall the collection of such tax be obstructed, and the tax when collected shall be applied exclusively to the payment of such indebtedness. Section 3. The money borrowed by authority of this chapter shall be paid into the district treasury, and shall be expended solely for the purposes for which it was borrowed. Section 4, This act shall take effect and be in force from after its passage and publication. This law relates only to refunding loans previously made, not to loans made in the first instance by school districts, and authorizes such districts to extend the period for twenty years during which the loan is to be paid. CHAPTER 266. AN ACT to provide for a vote to be taken on the question of free text-books in public schools. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. At the annual meeting of every school dis- trict in the state, heldin Jaly, 1887, and annually thereafter at such meetings, the question of providing free-text books for the use of all pupils attending the public schools in the district and levying a tax sufficient to meet the expense of furnishing free-text books for the use of such pupils, shall be submitted to the legal voters present at such meeting, and a vote taken thereon. The chairman of each meeting shall direct the vote to be taken before entertaining a mo- tion to adjourn the meeting sine die, and upon demand of any five legal voters present the vote shall be taken by ballot if a written resolution upon the question is submitted, and the ballot of those favoring the resolution submitted 13 shall have thereon the word "yes," and the ballot of those opposed to the resolution submitted shall have thereon the word "no." Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. Subdivision 13 of section 430, of the revised statutes, per- mits school districts to authorize the district board to pur- chase text-books for use in the public schools, to be loaned, or furnished pupils under such conditions as by vote, and regulations of the board thereunder, may be prescribed. Under authority of that provision, districts may byvote authorize the board to purchase books, and loan them to pupils for a stipulated rental per month, term or year, or sell them to pupils at cost or more, or furnish them for use without charge. This law requires districts to vote directly at each annual meeting upon the question of providing the text-books for the use of pupils free, and levying a tax to meet the ex- pense. CHAPTER 275. AN ACT to amend section 558, of chapter 28, of the revised statutes, entitled, " of the distribution of the school fund income." The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Section 558, of chapter 28, of the revised stat- utes, entitled, "' of the distribution of the school fund in- come," is hereby amended so as to read as follows: Section 558. The town clerk shall apportion all school money re- ceived from the state, and also all raised by the town, among the several districts and parts of districts within the town, in proportion to the number of children between the ages of four and twenty years residing in each, taking such number from the last annual reports of their respective clerks. But if, after the date of such reports, any district shall have been altered or a new one formed, so as to render an apportionment founded on such annual reports unjust between any district, the town clerk shall ascertain the number of such children residing in each district thus altered » and formed, by the best evidence within his reach, and ap- portion the school money to such districts in proportion to the number of such children residing therein at the time 14: the apportionment is made; provided, however, that the town clerk shall not include any children in his apportion- ment to such districts who would not have been entitled to share in the apportionment it' they had remained in the dis- tricts divided. No money shall be apportioned to any dis- trict, or part of adistrict, except as herein provided and as provided in section 554, of this chapter, by the discretion of the state superintendent, unless the last annual report thereof, verified by the affidavit of the district clerk, shall show that all school money received from the state during the year ending with the date of such report, has been ap- plied to the payment of the wages of a legally qualified teacher, and that a school has been taught in such district by such a teacher, for at least six months during the year ending with the date of such report; but any time which such report shall show was spent by such teacher in atten- dance on an institute in the county, and given by the dis- trict board without deduction from such teacher's wages therefor, shall be included as part of such six months. Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. This section is amended to provide for the apportionment of public funds by town clerks to districts which are formed or altered after the annual reports are made to him by dis- trict clerks, and before an apportionment is made. The law now requires apportionment to be made to such districts in proportion to the number of persons of school age residing in each at the time the apportionment is made, taking into the account only such children as would have been entitled to be included, if they had not been transferred from one district to another. If children are transferred from a dis- trict which did not maintain the required months of school, by a legally qualified teacher, or from territory not included in any school district, they are not to be counted. CHAPTER 277. AN" ACT to amend section 554, of chapter 28, of the revised statutes, as amended by chapter 124, laws of 1885, entitled, "of the distribution of the school fund income." The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and asssembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Section 554, of chapter 28, -of the revised stat- utes, as amended by chapter 124, laws of 1885, entitled, "of 15 the distribution of the school fund income," is hereby amended so as to read^s follows: Section 554. The school fund income which shall have been received up to and in- cluding the first day of June, shall be apportioned by the state superintendent between the tenth and fifteenth days of June in each year. Such apportionment shall be made among the several counties, and the several to wns, specially incorporated villages and cities in each county, according to the number of children in each over the age of four and under the age of twenty years, as sliDwn by the reports made to the state superintendent during the year preceding; but no apportionment shall be made to any town, village or city which shall have failed to raise by tax during the pre- ceding year, for the support of common schools therein, a sum equal to the amount of its share from the school fund income, as determined by the county board of supervisors, in pursuance of section 1074, revised statutes, unless the town or village board or common council of such city so failing shall have transferred, as they are hereby authorized to do, from the general fund to the school fund of the town, village or city, for such purpose, the amount of deficit in such school tax, and the town, village or city clerk shall have filed with the state superihtendent his certificate, show- ing such transfer to the school fund, and his apportionment thereof to the proper school districts, or transfer to the board of education, before the tenth day of June; and no appor- tionment shall be made to any city, village or town for any school district therein, for any year during which such dis- trict shall not h9,ve maintained a common school, taught by a qualified teacher, for six months, unless the state superin- tendent shall be satisfied that the school was so taught for three months, and the failure to maintain it for the full six months was occasioned by some extraordinary cause, and not arising from neglect or intent to avoid the legal obliga- tion; nor to any town, village or city, nor for any school dis- trict, reports of which as required by law, shall not have been made and transmitted during the preceding year to the state superintendent; nor to any city for any year, the report for which shall not show that the number of children between the ages aforesaid residing therein, has been ascer- tained by an actual census, taken under the direction of the board of education, or other body having the government of common schools therein, by their clerk, or persons of their . appointment for that purpose. Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. The change made by the amendment to this section is in that clause which forbids the state superintendent from making any apportionment to any town, city or village which fails to raise by tax an amount equal to its share of 16 the apportionment for the preceding year^ as determined by the county board of supervisors, in pursuance of section 1074 of the revised statutes. CHAPTER 297. AN ACT relating to the township system of school govern- ment, and to amend sections 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 526, 529, 534, 535, 537, 539, 541, 544, 545, 547, 548 and 552, of chap- ter 27, of the^revised statutes, entitled "of common schools." The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. _ Sections 521, 522, 523, 524, 525 and 526, of chap- 27, of the revised statutes, are hereby amended to read as follows: Section 521. The said board shall hold two regu- lar meetings in each year. The first regular meeting shall be designated the annual meeting, shall occur upon the first Monday in October in each year, and he held at or as near as may be the place where the last annual election was held. The second regular meeting shall be designated the semi-annual meeting, shall occur on the third Monday in March in each year, and be held at such place as the board may designate by rule, or at the preceding annual meeting. The hour of meeting shall be ten o'clock in the forenoon. Section 522. Special meetings may be called by the secre- tary, or in his absence or disability, by the president, upon the application of one-third of the members of the board. Such meetings shall be called by notifying each member of the board personally, or by leaving a written notice at his place of residence or business, stating the time, place and objects of the meeting, at least five days before the time ap- pointed therefor. The members of the board of school di- rectors shall be reimbursed for expenses actually and necessarily incurred in attending all meetings of the board, bills for which shall be audited by the board. Section 523. The members of the board of school directors, a majority of whom shall constitute a quorum, assembled at the first and each succeeding annual meeting, shall elect from their number a president and a vice-president; also a secretary, who may or may not be one of their number, but who shall be a resident of the town to which the board belongs. Such secretary shall receive a compensation for services rendered at not less than two nor more than three dollars per day, and he shall present a statement of his services rendered at the annual meeting of the board. Vacancies in either of the offices herein provided for may be filled at any special meeting of the board, the notice of which shall state the ob- ject of the meeting to be to fill tne vacancy existing, or at 17 any semi-annual meetina:, and persons elected to fill any vacancy shall hold the office for the remainder of the unex- pired term. Section 524. The board of school directors of each town shall have power, out of the funds provided by the town for that purpose, to purchase or hire sites, houses and rooms for the use of schools, and to fence and improve the same, as they may deem proper, and upon such sites to build, enlarge, alter, improve and repair school-houses, out- houses or any other building for school purposes, as they may deem advisable; and also whenever in the opinion of the the board any school-house, or school-house site is no longer needed for school purposes, the same may be sold and con- veyed in the corporate name of the board, such conveyance to be executed by the president and secretary of the board. Sec- tion 525. Said board shall, at the regular meeting in October, estimate and determine the amount of money which will be necessary for the support of schools, and for the building and repairing of school houses in the town, for the year be- ginning on the first day of July next following. Sec- tion 526. Said board shall establish and maintain such •and so many schools in the several subdistricts under their charge as they may deem requisite and expedient, provided, that there shall be at least one common school in each sub- district, and that all such schools shall be kept each year not less than six months. The board shall have, in ail re- spects, the supervision and management of all the schools, with lull power to adopt, enforce, modify and repeal from time to time, all rules and regulations, not inconsistent with the laws of this state, necessary for their organization, gradation and control, and for the instruction given by them in the different branches of education taught therein, and to establish and enforce proper penalties for the violation of such rules. Section 2, Section 529, of chapter 27, of the revised stat- utes is hereby amended so as to read as follows: Section 529. The executive committee shall employ so m'^.ny qualified teachers as they shall deem necessary to give instruction in all the schools under the charge of the board. Each con- tract shall be in writing, shall be signed by the teacher and by the president and secretary, shall specify the wages per week, month or year, agreed upon by the parties, and when completed shall he filed in the office of the secretary of the town board of school directors, with a copy of the teacher's certificate attached thereto. Section 3. Sections 534 and 535, of chapter 27, of the revised statutes are hereby amended, so as to read as fol- lows: Section 534. It shall be the duty of the secretary, at least five days before the annual town meeting or election, each year to make to the board of supervisors of the town a written statement, showing the receipts of money for school purposes from all sources, and the disbursements of the 2 18 same, during the year ending on the last day of June pre- ceding, in which statement shall be given under separate heads: 1. The amount in the treasury at the beginning of the year. 2. Amount received from the state fund. 3. Amount collected by town treasurer. 4. Amount received from all other sources. 5. The manner in which such sums have been expended, specifying the amount paid under each head of expenditure. 6. Amount remaining in the treasury. 7. ' Amount of indebtedness of the township district, and when and how payable. The secretary shall accompany the above statement with estimates of the board of the amount necessary for the sup- port of schools during the year beginning on the first day of July next following, specifying the sums needed, under the following heads: 1. Amount for teachers' wages. 3. Amount for school-house sites, and for building, hiring or purchasing school-houses. 3. Amount for fuel. 4. Amount for incidental expenses, including repairs, maps, globes, charts, and for all needful school-room appur- tenances. 5. An amount not to exceed one hundred dollars to pur- chase library books. Section 535. It shall be the duty of the town board of su- pervisors of each town in the state to present the state- ments and estimates above mentioned to the electors of the town at the annual town meeting or election, and the items of said estimates shall be passed upon separately by a vote of the electors present; but upon motion they may be in- creased or diminished; and if, for any reason, money for the support of schools shall not be voted at the annual town meeting, or a sufficient amount shall not then be voted, the supervisors shall present the estimates before mentioned to ths electors, at the general election in the fall for a vote thereon. Section 4. Section 537, of chapter 27, of the revised stat- utes, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: Section 537. It shall be the duty of the secretary, on or before the fifteenth day of August in each year, to make and transmit to the county superintendent a report in writing, bearing date on the fifteenth day of August in the year of its trans- mission, stating: 1. _ The whole number of subdistricts separately set off within the town, and the number of parts of joint subdis- tricts in which the school-houses belonging thereto are lo- cated in his town. 2. The subdistricts and parts of subdistricts from which 19 reports shall have been made within the time limited for that p urpose. 3. The length of time a school shall have been taught in each of said subdistricts or parts of districts by a qualified teacher. 4. The number of children taught in each, and the num- ber of children over the age of four and under the age of twenty years, residing in each, designating males and fe- males separately. 5. The whole amount of money received in the town for school purposes, since the date of the last preceding report, setting forth separately xhe amount received from the state through the county treasurer, the amount levied by the county board, and the amount raised by the town at its an- nual town meeting or general election. ('). The manner in which said money has been expended, and whether any or what part remains unexpended, with such other information as the state superintendent may from time to time require. Section 5. Section 539, of chapter 27, of the revised stat- utes, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: Section 539. If for any reason the electors of a town shall fail to vote an amount of money sufficient to maintain a school in each subdistrict for the term of six months during the year ensuing, the secretary shall, on or before the third Monday of November of the year in which the electors shall fail to vote as aforesaid, certify to the town clerk the amount esti- mated by the board of directors, necessary for teachers' wages, fuel, repair of school houses, and incidental expen- ses, and the town clerk shall assess the aggregate sum thus certified, upon all the taxable property of the town, in the assessment roll for that year, and the town treasurer shall collect the same as other taxes. Section 6. Section 541, of chapter 27, of the revised stat- utes is hereby amended so as to read as follows: Section 541. The annual meeting of each subdistrict shall be held on the first Monday in July in each year. The time of such meeting shall be seven o'clock in the afternoon. Section 7. Sections 544 and 545, of chapter 27, of the re- vised statutes are hereby amended so as to read as follows: Section 544. The clerk of the subdistrict shall be a member of the town board of school directors, shall attend all meet- ings of the board, and shall carry out all lawful orders of the same having reference to the school-house of his district, or the school maintained therein. It shall be the duty of the subdistrict clerk, between the tenth and fifteenth days of July in each year, to make and transmit to the secretary of the town board of school directors a written report, dated on the tenth day of July of such year, signed by him and verified by his affidavit, showing: 1. The number of children, male and female, designated separately over the age of four and under the age of twenty 20 years, residing in the district, and the names of their par- ents or other persons with whom such children resided, re- spectively on the last day of June preceding. , 2, The whole number of children, males and females des- ignated separately, between the ages of four and twenty years, taught in the district school during the year for which such report is made, by teachers duly qualified. 8. The number attending school during the year, under the age of tour, and the number over the age of twenty years. 4. The whole time, in days, any common school has been taught in the district, including holidays, and the whole number of days, including holidays, such pchool has been taught by teachers qualified according to law. 5. The names of all teachers employed during the year, the number of days taught by each, including holidays, and the monthly wages paid to each; and the time allowed any teacher for attendance on any institute, for which no wages were deducted. 6. The kind of books used in the school. 7. Such other facts and statistics in relation to the schools, public or private, in such district, as the state superintend- ent may from time to time require. The clerk of each joint subdistrict shall report to the secretary of the town board of school directors, or to the town clerk of each town, as the case may require, a part of which is embraced in such subdistrict, the number of children residing in such part, in the manner set forth in this section, and the remainder of the items specified in this section shall be embraced in the report made to the town in which the school-house is situ- ated. Section 545. The subdistrict clerk shall give at least six days' notice of every annual meeting of the electors of his subdistrict, by posting notices therefor in four or more public places in the subdistrict, one of which notices shall be affixed to the outer door of the school house if there be one in the subdistrict; and he shall act as secretary of all meet- ings when present. Section 8. Sections 547 and 548, of chapter 27, of the re- vised statutes are hereby amended so as to read as follows: Section 547. When a subdistrict is composed of parts of two or more towns, the board of directors of the town in which the school house is situated shall have the entire con- trol of said subdistrict, and shall maintain school therein as in other subdistricts; and the clerk of such joint subdistrict shall be a member of the board of directors of said town. At the annual meeting in October, the board of directors shall calculate and determine the cost of maintaining the schools in said joint subdistrict, for the year ending on the ast day of June preceding the meeting of the board, and the secretary shall certify such amount to the secretary of Ihe board of each town, embraced in part in such Coint subdistrict, together with the assessed valuation of 21 said subdistrict, and each part thereof, as found in the assessment roll of the said town for that year; on the receipt of such certificate, the secretary of the board of directors of each of said towns shall draw an order on the treasurer of his town in favor of tiie town in which the school house of said joint subdistrict is situated, for such a proportion of the whole cost of main- taining said school as aforesaid, as the assessed value of the property of his town, embraced in said joint subdistrict is to the whole valuation thereof; unless the proportion of such school district taxes to be assessed in each such town shall have been ascertained, as provided in section 471, in which case he shall draw his order for such proportion; and said order shall be paid out of any money in the hands of said treasurer collected or received by him for the support of schools in his town. Section 548. In case either of the towns embraced in part in said joint subdistrict shall not have adopted the township system of school government, the certificate before mentioned shall be made to the clerk of said subdistrict, and it shall be his duty to incorporate the proportional sum mentioned in the preceding section, in the returns of district taxes made by him to the town clerk of the town not having adopted such system, on the third Monday in November succeeding the receipt of said certifi- cate; and the said sum shall be assessed and collected with the other taxes of that part of the joint subdistrict, and shall be paid over by the town treasurer collecting the same to the treasurer of the town in which the school house of said joint subdistrict is situated. Section 9. Section 552, of chapter 27. of the revised stat- utes, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: Section 552. The legal voters of any town in the state may at any annual town meeting, or at any general election, vote upon the question of township school government. Such voting shall be by ballot, and the ballots used shall have written or printed thereon the words, "township school government, yes;" or the words, "township school government, no," A separate box shall be provided for the reception of said bal- lots, and the votes cast shall be counted, canvassed, and a record thereof made as in case of other votes cast at such election; and if it shall appear that a majority of the ballots cast have Written or printed thereon the words, "township school government, yes," then the provisions of this chapter, providing for the township system, shall immediately be- come operative in such town, otherwise they shall have no force or effect therein. ISlo vote shall be taken on the ques- tion of township school government in pursuance of this chapter unless notice thereof shall be given as hereinafter provided. The town clerk of any town, upon the petition in writing of any ten electors of said town, shall publish, by posting in three of the most public places in said, town, a notice in writing that the question of township school 22 government will be submitted to the electors of said town at the ensuing annual town meeting or general election. Such notice shall be so published and posted at least ten days before the holding of any such town meeting or elec- tion; and any town having adopted the township school government according to the provisions of this chapter, may abolish the same at any town meeting or general election, in the same manner as provided for its adoption in this sec- tion; but when the system of township school government shall be adopted, it shall continue in force two years from the date of its adoption, before the question of abolishing it shall be acted upon. Whenever the electors of any in- corporated village, having a graded school with three or more departments, shall desire to adopt the township system of schools, they may vote upon the question at any charter or general election held in such village; such vote shall be by ballot of the form above described, and upon like notice, and if a majority of the votes cast upon that subject shall be in favor of the adoption of said system, then such village shall become a part of the township system of the town in which the same is situated. Whenever any town having adopted the township system of school government shall vote to abolish the same, it shall be the duty of the town board of supervisors, on or before the first day of June next succeeding the date at which the vote was taken, to meet, and by an order made in pursuance to section 413, of chap- ter 27, of the revised statutes, divide the town into suitable independent school districts, making the order to take effect on the first day of July next following. The subdistrict clerks and the secretary of the town board of directors for the year preceding, shall make the necessary annual reports for the year ending on that day, as required by law, although the offices held by them shall have been abolished. Section 10. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. The changes in the law relating to township system of school government are numerous and important, and should be carefully noted by the administrative officers under that system. Among the more important changes, will be found, a change in the time of holding annual meetings in sub-dis- tricts, to the first Monday in July; one requiring clerks of sub-districts to make an annual report to the secretary of the town board of directors; one requiring contracts with teachers to be in writing, and with a copy of the teacher's certificate attached, filed in the office of the secretary; and one providing for organizing independent school districts, when a town having the township system votes to abolish the same. 23 CHAPTER 3?6. AN ACT relating to countersigning of diplomas of gradu- ates of the university of Wisconsin by the state superin- tendent, in certain cases. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Whenever the diploma of any graduate of the university of Wisconsin shall, by the signature or endorse- ment of the professor of science and art of teaching, in that institution, evidence that the person therein named has completed the full course in pedagogy provided for at the uni- versity, and such person shall have tdught a public school in this state successfully for eight months after receiving such diploma, the state superintendent nqay countersign the diploma thus held, after such examination as to moral char- acter, learning and ability to teach, as to the said superin- tendent may seem proper and reasonable, and such diploma, when countersigned, shall be a certificate of qualification to teach in any public school of this state, until annulled by state superintendent. Section 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. CHAPTER 414. AN ACT in relation to the insuring of school property by district boards. The people of the. state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Any school district board in the state, insur- ing in a town insurance compan]- the school property in its charge, is hereby authorized to execute a note for the pre- mium. Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. CHAPTER 426. AN ACT to appropriate a portion of the common school fund for the purchase of a school library. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. The treasurer of each town may annually withhold from the several school districts of his town, one- 24: twentieth of the school fund income appropriated thereto, together with one-twentieth of all county and town taxes, annually issued [raised] to secure said school fund income. Section 2. Between the first and thirty first days of July in each year, the board of each town shall, pursuant to the directions of the state superintendent, expend all moneys so withheld in the purchase of books for public school libraries in their respective towns, which said books shall be distrib- uted to the several school districts, in proportion to the sums of money so withheld from each school district, and the town clerk of each town, when directed by the said board of supervisors, shall collect from the several school districts all of said books, and redistribute them in the same propor- tion as herein provided for the first distribution. Section 3. It shall be the duty of the town clerk to keep a complete record of the books distributed to the several dis- tricts, in such manner as shall be prescribed by the state su- perintendent. Section 4. The district clerk of each district (unless a librarian shall be chosen by the district at its annual meet- ing) shall be custodian of the books thereof, which he shall issue to the residents of his district in accordance with such rules and regulations as said board of supervisors shall pre- scribe. Section 5. It shall be the duty of the state superintendent to prepare annually lists of such suitable books as he may deem proper for use in a school library, and furnish such lists to each town boards of supervisors, on or before July 1, each year, from which the town board of supervisors shall select and purchase books. Section 6. All acts or parts of acts, inconsistent with this act are hereby repealed. Section 7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. This very important law provides for school libraries. They are to be purchased and managed by the town officers, under the direction of the state superintendent. If selected with good judgment, and managed with intelligence and practical good sense, the system cannot fail of becoming a valuable adjunct of the public school. The hearty co-opera- tion of boards of supervisors, town clerks and town treasur< ers will be necessary to secure the largest possible benefits. A circular will be sent to these officers, together with lists of books from which to select, when these have been pre- pared, giving all necessary information to aid in inaugurat-" ing the system and ordering books. - 25 CHAPTER 439. AN ACT relating to the alteration and formation of joint school districts, and amendatory of chapter 280, laws of 1882. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Chapter 280, of the laws of 1882, is hereby amended bj inserting after the word, " districts," in the fourth line, the words, "or two-thirds of the lawful voters residing in any one of the districts," so that the section as amended shall read as follows: Section 1. Whenever an application in writing for an alteration in the boundaries of any joint school district, signed by not less than one-third of the lawful voters residing in the district, or two-thirds of the lawful voters residing in any one of the districts to be effected by the proposed alteration, shall be presented to the chairman of supervisors of the town in which the school house of such joint district may be situated, such chairman shall thereupon fix a time for the joint meeting of the town boards of the towns in which such joint school district may be situated, which time shall not be less than ten nor more than twenty days after the day of the presentation to him of such application. He shall also cause a notice of the time and place of such meeting to be given to each super- visor entitled to be present thereat, which notice shall be served at least five days prior to the date fixed for such meeting. Such meeting shall be held at the school house in such joint district unless some other convenient place shall be designated in the notice therefor. Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. This act so amends the law of 1882, that when a petition for the alteration of the boundaries of a joint school dis- trict is signed by two- thirds of any one district to be affected by the proposed alteration, and the supervisors shall neglect or refuse to meet, hear and determine upon the matter, such refusal or neglect shall be deemed a denial of the petition, and appeal may be made to the state superintendent. 26 CHAPTER 440. AN ACT to amend section 459, of the revised statutes of 1878, relating to settlement for wages between teachers and school district boards. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Section 459, of the revised statutes of 1878, is hereby amended by inserting the words, " but school taught on a legal holiday shall not be counted for two school days," after the word " taught," where it occurs in the fifth line of said section, so as to make said section read as follows : In settlement for wages between teachers and district boards or other employers of teachers in public schools, twenty days of teaching shall constitute a school month, unless it be otherwise specified in the contract, and all legal holidays occurring on school days shall be counted, although no school be taught; but school taught on a legal holiday shall not be counted for two school days, and no Saturdays shall be counted. The district board may, in their discretion, give to any teacher employed, without deduction from his wages therefor, the whole or any part of his time spent by him in attending the sessions of any institute held in the county, embracing the school district or any part thereof, upon such teacher's furnishing to the district clerk, to be filed by him, a certificate of regular attendance on such institute, signed by the person conducting the same. Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. This amendment does not change the ruling of the state superintendent, that a legal holiday can be counted but one day, whether school is taught or not, and hence teaching on such a day can not compensate for a day of teaching omitted on one which is not a legal holiday. But that ruling is now embodied in the statute. CHAPTER 541. AN ACT to amend chapter 17, of the revised statutes, rela- ting to the trust funds and their management. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Section 2H1, of chapter 17, of the revised stat- utes, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: Section 27 361. Every loan to a school district may be made for such time not exceeding ten years and of such amount which together with all other indebtedness of such district shall not exceed five per centum of the last preceding assessed valuation of the real property in such district and not ex- ceeding in any case ten thousand dollars, as may be agreed upon; the principal shall be payable in equal annual install- ments from a time fixed by said commissioners with inter- est at the rate of six per centum annually in advance. N o such loan shall be made until proof be filed in the office of said commissioners, of the complete performance on the part of such district of each and every act hereinafter re- quired to precede the same; provided, that the amendment herein contained shall not apply to loans heretofore made. Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and publication. Loans to school districts from the trust funds of the state may now be made at the rate of six per cent, per annum, interest, instead of seven per cent, heretofore demanded. IH^^ This pamphlet is folded and trimmed so that it may be inserted in the School Code. If fastened there, with a little mucilage or paste, it will be less liable to get mislaid or lost. LAWS OF 1889, RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS Democeat Printing Co., State Printers. LAWS RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. SESSION LAWS OF 1889. Office of State Superintendent, Madison, Wis., May 16, 1889. The attention of all officially connected with the public schools of Wisconsin is hereby called to the changes made in the school laws by the general laws of 1889. A copy of each law amended, as it now reads, and a copy of each additional statute enacted in 1889, is published herein. The changes included in these laws relate to the follow- ing matters: I. Requiring county superintendents to make an- nual report on or before August 15th, and to make and file with the county clerk and county treasurer statements of the number of persons of school age in each town, city and village under his supervision entitled to share in the apportionment of public money. II. Requiring school district clerks to make annual reports on or before July 15th, and omitting some "details heretofore included in such reports. III. Requiring town clerks to make annual reports on or before August 1. IV. Providing for additional clerical force in the office of the state superintendent. V. Providing that school district treasurers shall hold that office until successors elected or appointed, have filed the bond] required by law. VI. Providing that secretaries of town boards of school directors shall hold that office for one year, or until successors are elected. VII. Providing (a) that the annual meeting of town boards of school directors shall be held on the second Monday in July, (b) That such boards shall make annual estimates at the semi-annual meeting in March, (c) That the secretary of such boards shall make his an- nual report on or before the first day of Au- gust, (d) That such boards at the annual meeting in July shall determine the amount each town shall pay for the support of the school in joint subdistricts. VIII. Authorizing school-boards to purchase and place in each school room a flag of the United States, and to provide for its preservation. IX. Authorizing the state superintendent (a) to pre- scribe rules for management of school libra- ries. (6) To publish and distribute circulars, bulletins, and courses of study for ungraded and for high schools, with needed comments thereon. X. Amending the town school library law. (a) Authorizing town treasurers to withhold an amount equal to ten cents for each person of school age in the town, (b) Authorizing town clerks to purchase books with the money withheld by town treasurers from the school fund income, (c) Providing per diem for town clerks for time spent in connection with school libraries, (d)] Authorizing the state superintendent to^ suspend the law in any town for any year. XI. Providing that a vacancy occurs in any office when a competent tribunal adjudges the in- cumbent insane. XII. Forbidding the enumeration in^school districts of any child residing in or held or cared for at any charitable or penal institution in the state, and authorizing the state superintend- ent to take special means to prevent such enumeration. XIII. Making provision for annual distribution of five thousand mounted railroad maps of the state among the public schools. XIV. Repealing the provision requiring the school districts applying for a loan from the trust funds of the state to vote a tax equal to one- half of the loan applied for to be collected in two years. XV. Authorizing the governor annually to desig- nate a day to be observed as a tree planting or arbor day. ;XVI. Authorizing the state superintendent to appoint a supervisor of free high schools to assist in organizing and inspecting such schools. XVII. Providing that absence from the district for more than sixty days by the incumbent, shall create a vacancy in any school district office held by such absentee. XVIII. Appropriating one thousand dollars annually to maintain a summer school for teachers in connection with the University of Wisconsin. XIX. Providing that the full sum of fifty thousand dollars may be annually used to aid in main- taining free high schools. XX. Providing for the restoration of records of the boundaries of school districts where such records are lost or destroyed. XXI. Providing for compulsory attendance at school of children between seven and fourteen years of age, for at least twelve weeks annually, and relating to employment of such children. XXII. Authorizing the loan of the trust funds of the state at a rate of interest not less than five per cent, per annum. XXIII. Relating to the University of Wisconsin: (a) Establishing certain colleges therein, (b) Ap- propriating one per cent, of the funds received as licenses from incorporations to provide for additional facilities for instruction in me- chanic arts and in railway and electrical engineering, (c) Making the president of the university ex officio member of the board of regents, and of all standing committees of the board, with a vote only in case of a tie. (d) Appropriating five thousand dollars to heat by steam and to light ladies' hall, and requiring that building to be used only as a boarding hall for female students. A sufficient number of these pamphlets is sent to each town clerk to supply his own office with one copy, and each school district clerk residing in the town with one copy. If any town clerk fails to receive a sufficient number to sup- ply as above indicated, more will be sent on application. J. B. THAYER, State Superintendent. Section 464, revised statutes, as amended by chapter 29«, of the general laws of 1883, and chapter 154 of the general laws of 1889. Section 464. Each county superintendent shall, on or before the fifteenth day of August in each year, make and transmit to the state superintendent a report in writing, setting forth the whole number of towns in his dis- trict, distinguishing those from which the required reports have been made to him by the town clerks, and containing an abstract of their reporbs, and also containing an abstract of the annual report of the secretary of each free high school in such district, and of each secretary of town board of school directors of towns having the township system of school government, and of the clerk of each incorporated village and city under his supervision. Each county super- intendent shall also, within the time above mentioned, make and deliver to the county clerk and to the county treasurer, a written statement of the whole number of children in each town^ village and city under his supervision over the age of four and under the age of twenty years returned from districts which have maintained schools for six or more months during the past jear, as appears from the re- ports of town clerks. County superintendents must now make annual reports by August 15, but are no longer required to file a copy with the county clerk. Section 463 of chapter 27 of the revised statutes, entitled, "of common schools," as amended by chapter 298 of the general laws of 1883, chapter 3 55 of the general laws of 1889, and chapter 370, general laws of 1889. Section 462. It shall be the duty of the district clerk be- tween the tenth and fifteenth daj s of July in each year, to make and transmit to the town^ city or village clerk, a writ- ten report, dated on the tenth day of July of such year, signed by him and verified by his affidavit, showing: First. The number of children, male and female desig- nated separately, over the age of four and under the'age of twenty years, residing in the district, and the names of their parents guardians, or other persons with whom such children resided, respectively, on the last day of June preceding. But no such children residing in, held or cared for at any char- itable or penal institution of this state, shall be included in such enumeration or report. And whenever the state su- perintendent shall receive information that any such chil- dren have been enumerated in the school census of any school district included in the reports made to him, on the basis of which apportionment of money from the school fund income is made, he may require from the district clerk or the secretary of the board of education of said district a verified statement of the whole number of children of school age residing in the district not excluded by the provisions of this act, in such form and manner as the said superintend- ent may prescribe. Unless the certificate herein provided for shall be made, no money shall be apportioned for the benefit of said school district. Second. The whole number of children, male and fe- male designated separately, between the ages of four and twenty years taught in the district school during the year for which such report is made, by teachers duly qualified. Third. The number attending school during the year under the age of four and the number over the age of twenty years. Fourth. The whole time, in days, any common school has been taught in the district, including holidays, and the whole number of days such school has been taught by teachers qualified according to law, including holidays and the days the teachers may have attended institute dur- ing the year while the school was in session, for which nO' deduction in wages was made by the district board. Fifth. The names of all teachers employed during the year, the number of days taught by each, incluiiag h oli- days, and the monthly wages paid to each; and the time allowed any teacher for attendance on any institute, for which no wages were deducted . Sixth. The amount of money received from the town treasurer during the year, designating separately the amount received from apportionment of the school fund income, the amount received from tax levied by county board of super- visors, the amount received from tax voted by the district, and the amount received from all other sources during the year, and the manner in which the same has been expended , showing separately the expenditure of school money received from the siate. Ssventh. Such other facts and statistics in relation to the schools, public or private, in such district, as the state superintendent may from time to time require. The clerk of each joint school district shall report to the town clerk of each town, a part of which is embraced in such district, the number of children residing in such part, in the manner set forth in this section, and tbe remainder of the items speci- fied in this section shall be embraced in the report made to the town in which the school house is situated. The changes made in this section, forbid the enumeration by district clerks of any child held or cared for in any char- itable or penal institution; and repeals the clauses mak- ing it obligatory to report the names of the text-books used, and som3 other minor items of schools affairs, hereitofore arbitrarily required by the statute to be reported. Section 463, of chapter 27, of the revised statutes, entitled, "Of common schools," as amended by chapter 298, of the general laws of 1833, and chapter 156 of the general laws of 1889. Section 463. Each town clerk shall, on or before the first day of Auga<5t in each year, make and transmit to the county superintendent of the county or district in which his town is situated a report, bearing date on the tenth [first] day of said month, stating : 1. The whole number of school districts separately set off within the town, and the number of parts of joint districts in which the school-houses belonging thereto are located in his town. 2. The districts and parts of districts from which reports shall have been made within the time limited for that purpose. 3. The length of time a school shall have been taught in €ach such district or parts of districts. 4. The amount of public money received in each. 9 5. The number of children taught in each, and the num- ber of children over the age of four and under the age of twenty years residing in each. 6. The whole amount of money received in the town for school purposes since the date of the last preceding report, setting forth, separately, the amount received from the state through the county treasurer, the amount levied by the county board, the amount raised by the town at its annual meeting, in towns where the township system of school government has been adopted. 7. The amount of money raised by district tax for school purposes. 8. The manner in which said moneys have been expended, and whether any and what part remains unexpended, with such other information as the state superintendent may require, and as may be reported to him by the district clerks. CHAPTER 157. AN ACT to provide for additional clerical force in the office of state superintendent. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. The state superintendent may employ such additional clerks ia his office as shall be necessary to the correct, prompt and efficient discharge of the duties imposed upon him by law, and fix their compensation, which shall be paid out of the state treasury; provided, that the salary of no clerk hereby authorized shall exceed the sum of one thousand dollars per annum, and that the aggregate amount annually expended for such additioual clerical force shall not exceed the sum of sixteen hundred dollars per annum. Section 2. There is hereby appropriated a sufficient sum of money to carry out the provisions of this act. Section 443, of chapter 27, of the revised statutes, entitled, " Of common schools," as amended by chapter 117, of the general laws of 1879, and chapter 254, of the general laws of 1889. Section 443. The treasurer of each district shall, within ten days after his election or appointment, execute to the district, and file with the clerk, a bond with sufficient sureties, in double the amount, as nearly as can be ascer- tained, of all the money to come into his hands as treasurer of the district, conditioned for the faithful discharge of the duty of his office, and approved by the director and clerk. Such treasurer shall hold his office until his successor shall be elected or appointed, and his bond shall be executed, filed and approved as provided by law. Wnenever the director and clerk shall deem the bond of any treasurer insuflScient, 10 they shall demand an additional bond with the like condi- tion, in such sum as they shall fix, which shall thereupon be executed, approved and filed in the manner aforesaid,, within ten days after such demand. The neglect or refusal to file such bond in either case shall vacate the office; pro- vided, that no person employed as school director, clerk or teacher, shall hold the office of school treasurer in the same district, This act provides that school district treasurers shall hold the office until successors are elected or appointed, and qual- ified by filing the required bond. Section 533 of the revised statutes, as amended by chap- ter 297, laws of 1887, and chapter 292 of the general laws of 1889. Section 523. The members of the board of school di- rectors, a majority of whom shall constitute a quoruni, assembled at the first and each succeeding annual meet- ing, shall elect from their number a president and vice- president; also a secretary who may or may not be of their number, but who shall be a resident of the town to which the board belongs, and hold said office for one year, or until his successor is elected. Such secretary shall receive a compensation for services rendered at not less than two nor more than three dollars per day, and he shall present a statement of his services rendered at the annual meeting of the board. Vacancies in either of the offices herein pro- vided for may be filled at any special meeting of the board, the notice for which shall state the object of the meeting to be to fill the vacancy existing, or at any semi-annnal meet- ing, and persons elected to fill any vacancy shall hold the office for the remainder of the unexpired term. Sections 521, 525, 537 and 547, of chapter 27, of the revised statutes, entitled, " Of common schools," as amended by chapter 297 of the general laws of 1887, and by chapter 293 of the general laws of 1889, Section 521. The said board shall hold two regular meet- ings in each year. The first regular meeting shall be des- ignated the annual meeting, shall, occur upon the second Monday in July in each year, and be held at, or as near as may be the place where the last annual election was held. The second regular meeting shall be designated the semiannual meeting, shall occur on the third Monday in March in each year, and be held at such place as the board may designate by rule, or at the preceding annual meeting. The hour of meeting shall be ten o'clock in the forenoon. Section 525. Said board shall, at the regular meeting in March, annually, estimate and determine the amount of money which will be necessary for the support of schools. 11 and for the building and repairing of school-houses in the town, for the year beginning on the first day of July next following. Section 537. It shall be the duty of the secretary, on or before the first day^'of August in each year, to make and transmit to the county superintendent a report in writing bearing date on the first day of August in the year of its transmission, stating : 1. The whole number of subdistricts separately set off within the town, and the number of parts of joint subdis- tricts in which the school-houses belonging thereto are located in his town. 3, The subdistricts and parts of subdistricts from which reports shall have been made within the time limited for that purpose. 3. The length of time a school shall have been taught in each of said subdistricts or parts of districts by a qualified teacher. 4. The number of children taught in each, and the num- ber of children over the age of four and under the age of twenty years, residing in each, designating males and females separately. 5. The whole amount of money received in the town for school purposes, since the date of the last preceding report, setting forth separately the amount received from the state through the county treasurer, the amount levied by the county board, and the amount raised by the town at its annual town meeting or general election. 6. The manner in which said money has been expended, and whether any, or what part remains unexpended, with such other information as the state superintendent may from time to time require. Section 547. When a subdistrict is composed of parts of two or more towns, the board of directors of the town in which the school-house is situated shall have the entire control of said subdistrict, and shall maintain school therein as in other subdistricts ; and the clerk of such joint subdis- trict shall be a member of the board of directors of said town. At the annual meeting in July the board of directors shall calculate and determine the cost of maintaining the schools in said joint subdistrict for the year ending on the last day of June preceding the meeting of the board, and the secretary shall certify such amount to the secretary of the board of each town embraced in part in such joint sub- district, together with the assessed valuation of said subdis- trict, and each part thereof, as found in the assessment roll of the said town for that year ; on the receipt of such certifi- cate, the secretary of the board of directors of each of said towns shall draw an order on the treasurer of his town in favor of the town in which the school-house of said joint subdistrict is situated, for such a proportion of the whole cost of maintaining said school as aforesaid, as the 12 assessed value of the property of his town, embraced in said joint subdistrict is to the whole valuation thereof : unless the proportion of such school district taxes to be assessed in each such town shall have been ascertained, as provided in section 471, in which case he shall draw his order for such prop3rtion, and said order shall be paid out of any money in the hands of said treasurer collected or received by him for the support of schools in his town. The two acts above cited, relate to towns having the township system of school government and require atten- tion of town boards of school directors. CHAPTER 272. AN ACT to authorize school boards to purchase United States flags. The people of the state of Wisconsin represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows : Section 1. The school board of any city or district is hereby authorized to purchase, at public expense, one or more flags of the United States, and place the same in the school roomi or rooms under their charge ] also to purchase such necessary apparatus as may be necessary for properly preserving such flag or flags ; provided, however, that not more than one flag and appurtenances shall be purchased for each department. CHAPTER 279. AN ACT relating to the rate of interest on trust funds. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. The commissioners of public lands of the state of Wisconsin are hereby authorized and enpowered to loan the trust funds of the state at a rate of interest not less than five per centum per annum; provided, all such loans shall be made in accordance with the provisions of chapter 17 of the revised statutes and the several acts amendatory thereof. CHAPTER 284. AN ACT relating to the duties of the state superintendent, and to amend subdivision 3, of section 166, of chapter 11, of the revised statutes, entitled " Of the state officers." 13 The people of the state of Wisconsin^ represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Subdivision 3, of section 166, of chapter 11, of the revised statutes, entitled "Of the state officers," is hereby amended to read as follows: 3. To prescribe rules and regulations for the management of school district libraries, and the penalty which shall be imposed by the district board for any violation of such rules and regulations; he shall prepare for the use of common school officers suitable forms for making reports and conducting all necessary proceedings; he shall cause the laws relafcmg to common schools, with the rules and regulations and forms aforesaid, and such instructions as he shall deem necessary, to be printed in pamphlet form, with a suitable index; and he shall cause such pamphlets to be distributed among the several district and other officers having the care of com- mon schools throughout tbe state; he shall from time to time, by printed circulars and bulletins of information, com- municate with teachers and school officers relating to matters connected with the management of public schools and the administration of his office; he shall prepare and publish from time to time, as occasion may require, courses of study for ungraded and for high schools, with such com- ments and instructions appended as may be deemed neces- sary, for distribution to school officers, teachers and others interested. The printing herein authorized shall be done at the expense of the state, by the person authorized to do the state printing. By the changes made by this law, the scope of the author- ity of the state superintendent is materially enlarged, and means are placed at his command by which he can more effectively reach and inflaence vital points in the school work of the state. CHAPTER 288. A'N ACT to amend chapter 426, laws of 1887, entitled, "an act to appropriate a portioQ of the common school fund income for the purchase of a school library." The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Chapter 426, of the general laws of 1887 enti- tled an act to appropriate a portion of the common school fund for the purchase of a school library, is hereby amended to read as follows: Sectioa I. The treasurer of each town in the state may withhold annually from the money received from the school fund income, for the sev- u eral school districts whose school-houses are located m the town of which he is the treasurer, an amount equal to ten cents for each person of school age re- siding in such school districts, for the purchase of books as hereinafter provided. Section 3. Between the tenth day of July and the thirty -first day of August in each year, the town clerk, with such assistance as he maybe able to ob- tain from the county superintendent of schools, shall expend all money withheld by the town treasurer, as provided in section 1 of this act, in the purchase of books selected from the lists prepared by the state superintendent as hereinafter provided, for the use of the several school districts from which money has been so withheld, and he shall distribute the books thus selected and purchased, among the several school districts in proportion to the sums of money with- held from each. Section 3. It is hereby made the duty of the state superintendent to prepare annually or biennially, as he may deem necessary, lists of books suitable for use in school district libraries, and furnish copies of such lists to each town clerk and each county superintendent, as often as the samg shall be published or revised, from which lists the several town clerks shall select and purchase books for use in the public school libraries in the several towns of the state, as provided in this act. Section 4, It shall be the duty of each town clerk to keep a complete record of the books purchased by him, and distributed to the several school districts, and he is hereby authorized from time to time, as he may deem necessary, to collect and re distribute among the several school districts the books purchased un- der the provisions of this act, in the same manner as pro- vided for first distribution, to the end that each district may have the use of all books purchased for use in the school district libraries of the town. For such services properly rendered, the town clerk shall be allowed the usual per diem of two dollars [per day] for time actually and necessarily spent. Section 5. Unless the school district shall at the annual meeting elect some other person to be librarian of the district, the district clerk shall act as librarian for the district, and shall receive and have the care and custody of the books distributed to the district, pursuant to the provis- ions of this act, and shall loan them to teachers, pupils and other residents of the district in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the state superintendent. The state superintendent shall have the authority to suspend the operation of this act for any year, in any cr every town, by giving due notice of such suspension to the respective town clerks on or before the tenth day of June. Section 2. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed. The important changes in the law providing for town school libraries made by the chapter above ^cited, are three 15 in number: 1. All money withheld for library purposes, during the year is to be withheld at one time, and from one fund — the state school fund income. This is the fund ap- portioned June 15, annually, by the state superintendent, based on the reports received in August of the preceding year. 3. The amount withheld is to equal ten cents for each person of school age residing in the district, whether they all reside in the town where the school-house is situated or not. 3. The town clerk is to make the purchases of books, with the money withheld for that purpose, calling to his aid the county superintendent of schools in making selections of the books to be purchased. The time for the purchases to be made is so adjusted that the new books annually bought, can be on hand ready for use promptly at the opening of the fall or winter terms of school. All questions and difficulties concerning withh old ing money and furnishing books in connection with joint school districts are settled by ignoring the fact that they are joint districts, and requiring the town treasurers and town clerks to treat all joint districts as though they were entire districts belonging to the town where the school-house is located. These changes will very greatly simplify the oper- ation of the library law. Section 963, of chapter 42 of the revised statutes, entitled. Of resignations and vacancies," as amended by chapter 361 of the general laws of 1889. Section 963. Every office shall become vacant on the happening of either of the following events: 1. The death of the incumbent. 2. His resignation. 3. His removal. 4. His ceasing to be an inhabitant of this state; or if the office be local, his ceasing to be an inhabitant of the district, county, town, city or village by or for which he shall have been elected or appointed, or within which the duties of his office are required to be discharged. 5. His conviction of any infamous crime, or of any offense involving violation of his official oath. 6. The decision of a competent tribunal declaring void his election or appointment, or adjudging him insane. 7. The neglect'or refusal of any person elected or ap- pointed or re-elected or re-appointed to any office, to give 16 or renew his official bond, or to deposit the same in the manner and within the time prescribed by law. 8. The neglect or refusal of any officer in office to ex- ecute and file an additional bond, when lawfully required, in the manner and within the time so required or prescribed by law. 9. The death or declination in writing, of any parson elected or appointed to fill a vacancy, or for a full term, be- fore he qualifies, or his death or such declination before the time when, by law, he should enter upon the duties of his oflBce, to which he was elected or appointed. 10. On the happening of any otiier event which is de- clared by any special provision of law to create a vacancy. The only change in this law is the added provision, that^ an office becomes vacant when the incuoabent is adjudged insane by a competent tribunal. CHAPTER 373. AN ACT, to amend chapter 22, of the laws of 1887, entitled, " an act to amend chapter 258, of the laws of 1883," en- titled, " an act to provide for the annual publication of a railroad map, and appropriating money therefor." The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Section 1, of chapter 22, of the laws of 1887, amendatory of chapter 258, of the laws of 1883, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: Section 1. There shall be published annually, under the supervision of the railroad commissioner, ten thousand copies of the railroad map of Wisconsin — of which five thousand copies shall be mounted on muslin and provided with rollers, to be distributed by the state superintendent of public instructiou among the schools of the state, two thousand copies shall b3 like vise m )aated on muslin and provided with rollers to be apportioned and de- livered to the membersof the legislature, and the remaining three thousand copies shall be unmounted and distributed by the railroad commissioner; and a sum of money sufficient to carry out the provisions of this act is hereby appro- priated out of any money in the state treasury not other- wise appropriated. Under this law, about five-sevenths of the schools of this state can annually be supplied with an excellent railroad map of the state. Doubtless, as heretofore, these maps will be distributed through city and county superintendents. The first distribution will take place in the spring of 1890. Section 262, of chapter 17, of the revised statutes, relat- 17 ing to the trust funds and their management, as amended by chapter 393, general laws of 1£89. Section 262. Before applying for such loan, every school dis- trict shall authorize such application by a vote of a majority of the legal voters of said district voting on such question ; and if at a special meeting, the object of such meeting shall be clearly stated in the notice thereof, and such district shall not thereafter rescind said tax, reconsider such vote, or in any wise hinder, delay or postpone the levy and collection of the tax so voted, and shall not expend the money so raised or loaned for any other purpose. Application for such loan shall be made by the district board of such school district in writ- ing, stating the amount required, the assessed valuation of the taxable real property of such district, and the total as- sessed valuation of the taxable property of such district as shown by the last assessment roll; and if such district be a joint district, such assessed valuation in its several parts sep- arately, so that the valuation of so much thereof as lies in each town of which it is a part may be readily known; and the total amount of all the other indebtedness of such district and the facts in detail in respect to the holding of the meet- ing and passing the votes required as aforesaid, and shall be accompanied by a correct map or plat of such district. Such application and map shall be recorded in the office of said commissioners; and such application and the record thereof and such statement shall be conclusive evidence of the facts therein stated. All such applications shall be acted upon by the said commissioners in the order of time in which ttiey shall be filed. By this amendment the clause requiring school districts before obtaining a loan to vote a tax equal to one-half of the amount of the loan asked for, to be collected within two years, and to be used in addition to the amount borrowed for building purposes, is repealed. This, together with the reduction of the rate of interest upon trust funds to five per cent, per annum, provided for by another statute, enables school districts to borrow money for building purposes upon very favorable terms. CHAPTER 417. AN ACT authorizing the governor to designate a day to be known as "Arbor day." The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. The governor is hereby authorized to set apart 18 by proclamation one day in each year to be observed as a tree planting or arbor day, requesting all public schools and colleges to observe the same by suitable exercises, having for their object the imparting of knowledge of horticulture, in the department known as arboriculture, and the adornment of school and public grounds. CHAPTER 426. Aj^ act to provide for more efficient supervision of free high schools, and for promoting and encouraging the or- ganization of town high schools in rural townships. "The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. The state superintendent is hereby authorized to appoint a person of suitable qualifications to assist him in visiting, inspecting and supervising the free high schools of the state, and to aid in giving information and needed assistance to localities in organizing and maintaining free high schools in towns where no graded schools exist. Section 3. The person appointed pursuant to the provis- ions of this act shall receive an annual salary of eighteen hundred dollars, and reimbursement for all actual and necessary expenses incurred, payable monthly, upon the <3ertificate of the state superintendent, from the annual ap- propriation to encourage the establishment of free high schools provided in chapter 352, of the general laws of 1885. Section 3. The person hereby authorized to be appointed by the state superintendent may be assigned such duties in the office of the state superintendent when not engaged in the specific duties enumerated in section 1, of this act, as the said state superintendent may determine and designate. This is a new statute, and provides for an aditional as- sistant, the need of which has been almost universally recog- nized for many years. CHAPTER 437. AN ACT to provide for the office of a school district officer becoming vacant. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. When any school district officer, either clerk, director or treasurer, shall be and remain absent from the district for which he was elected for a period exceeding 19 sixty days, the office shall be deemed vacant by reason of such absence, and the remainder of the board shall have the power to appoint a successor, or in their failure so to do the town clerk shall have the same power to fill the vacancy in said school district office as provided by section 433 of chapter 27, of the revised statutes. By this act a remedy is provided for an evil quite largely experienced in some sections of the state. Persons holding school district offices absent themselves without resigning the office held, thereby greatly embarrassing the legal and orderly management of school district afifairs. An absence by an incumbent exceeding sixty days will hereafter work a vacancy in a school district office, and such vacancies can be filled, and the district relieved from embarrassment. CHAPTER 458. AN ACT to appropriate annually the sum of one thousand dollars to aid in maintainrng a summer school for teachers in connection with the University of Wisconsin. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. There is hereby annually appropriated out of any funds in the state treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of one thousand dollars to aid in maintaining a sum- mer school of science, literature, language and pedagogy, in connection with the University of Wisconsin. Section 2. All teachers employed in the school mentioned in section 1 of this act shall be designated by the state superintendent and the president of the university jointly, and all expenditures for assistants, apparatus and other incidental purposes, together with the salaries of teachers, shall be certified by the same officials. Section 3. Whenever the state superintendent and the president of the University of Wisconsin shall certify that a summer school for teachers has been maintained during the months of July or August in any year for the period of four weeks or more, and the person named in the certificate is entitled to the sum named therein for services or material furnished in connection therewith, the secretary of state shall draw his warrant on the state treasurer in payment thereof. But no warrant shall be drawn in excess of the amount herein appropriated, in any year. By this act Wisconsin becomes a pioneer among the states in recognizing in a material and substantial form a feature of educational work which has in itself the " promise and 20 potency " of great helpfulness to many schools and teachers. This school, which for two years has been supported by volunteer aid wholly, will now be enabled to present induce- ments for attendance in the way of varied and eminent special instructors not practicable heretofore. CHAPTER 466. AN ACT to amend section 496, of the revised statutes, as amended by chapter 245, general laws of 1879, chapter 273, laws of 1883, and chapter 420, laws of 1885, relating to free high schools. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Section 496, of the revised statutes of 1878, as amended by chapter 245, general laws of 1879, chapter 273, general laws of 1883, and chapter 420, general laws of 1885, is hereby amended to read as follows: Section 496. Any high school district which shall have established a free high school, according to the provisions of these statutes, and shall have maintained the same for not less than three months in any school year, shall be entitled to receive from the general fund of the state, annually, one-half the amount actually expended for instruct! m in the high school of such district during such school year, over and above the amount required by law to be expended for common school purposes, but not to exceed in one year five hundred dollars to one district. To obtain such aid, the high school board, or, in cities not under a county superintendent, the president and secretary of the board of education, and the treasurer shall,. on or before the first day of November, report in duplicate to the state superintendent, under their oaths, the amount ac- tually expended for instruction during the previous school year, specifying the several items thereof, with the date and object of each, fully. Thereupon the state superintendent shall fix the amount to be paid such high school district, and certify the same to the secretary of state, with one of such reports annexed. On such certificate at any time after the first day of December, the same shall be paid to the district treasurer out of the state treasury. The secretary of state shall annually include and apportion in the state tax all such sums as shall have been so paid, in addition to all other sums to be levied for the year. Hereafter, when by any neglect or omission, any free high school shall fail to haveapportioced to it its share of state aid under this act, the state superin- tendent may, after the time hereinbefore fixed for such ap- portionment by him, fix an amount ten per cent, less than the amount which such free high school would have been 21 entitled to had it complied with the provisions of this act, and certify the same to the secretary of state, with the re- port of such district or districts annexed thereto, and the secretary shall thereupon draw his warrant for such amount or amounts in favor of such district or districts. The whole amount annually paid uader the provisions of this section shall not exceed the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars, and if more be demanded by such districts, they shall be paid proportionally. Provided, however, that if the whole amount authorized to be paid annually in aid of free high schools in towns having no graded schools, by chapter 353, of the general laws of 1885, is not demanded or expended under the provisions of that law, then the unexpended balance of the amount therein annually authorized to be paid in aid of free high schools in towns having no graded schools, may be added to and apportioned among the free high schools provided for in sections 490 and 491, of the revised statutes; but no more than fifty thousand dollars shall be apportioned to both classes of free high schools in any one year, as now provided by law. The effect of this law will be lo increase materially the amount which free high schools in connection with graded schools will annually receive. But few high schools in towns having no graded schools have as yet been estab- lished. Hence the larger part of the fund provided for that class of high schools will be available for apportionment among the free high schools of the former class. CHAPTER 472. AN ACT relating to the loss or destruction of records per- taining to school districts. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as-follows: Section 1. Whenever the record of the formation or establishment of boundaries of any school district in this state shall be lost or destroyed, the town board of the town, trustees of the village, or common council of the city in which such district lies, shall have power to make a new record of the boundaries of such school district, by written order made and entered in the records of such town, village or city. Whenever the town board, trustees of the village, or common council of the city, shall contemplate making such new record, they shall give at least five days' notice in writing to the clerk of the district to be affected thereby, stating in such notice the time and the place when and where they will be present to decide upon and make such new rec- ord, and such clerk shall immediately notify the other mem- 22 bers of the board. In all cases where such new record shall be made the order constituting the same shall within three days be entered in the record of the proper town, vil- lage or city, and the clerk thereof shall within the same time file a copy of such order with the clerk of the school district affected thereby. Any number of districts as to which the records are so lost or destroyed may be included in one order or notice. In case of the loss or destruction of the records pertaining to a joint school district, the clerk of the town, city or village shall procure and record a certified copy of the records of other towns, cities or villages relating to such joint district, or the common council of the city, trustees of the village, or town boards of the towns in which such joint school district lies, may meet and act together in the mak- ing of any new record of the boundaries of such joint school district. An order made pursuant to this section or the rec- ord thereof shall be presumptive evidence of the regularity of Jthe proceedings prior to the making thereof, of the legality of the formation of the district affected, of the boundaries thereof, and of the loss or destruction of the rec- ord of the formation or establishment of the boundaries of such school district. Parties conceiving themselves ag- grieved by any decision made under the provisions of this act may appeal therefrom in the manner provided by section 497, of the revised statutes. Section 2. This act shall be so construed as to apply to cases of losses or destruction of records which have hereto- fore occurred or may hereafter occur. CHAPTER 519. AN ACT concerning the education and employment of children. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Every parent or other person having under his control a child between the ages of seven and fourteen years, shall annually cause such child to attend some public or private day school in the city, town or district in which he resides for a period not less than twelve, weeks in each year, which number of weeks shall be fixed prior to the first day of September in each year by the board of educa- tion or the board of directors of the city, town or dis- trict, and for a portion or portions thereof to be so fixed by such boards, the attendance shall be consecutive, and such boards shall, at least ten days prior to the beginnmg of such period, publish the time or times of attendance in such man- ner as such boards shall direct; provided, that such board shall not fix such compulsory period at more than twenty- four weeks in each year. 23 Section 2. For every neglect of such duty the person hav- ing such control and so offending shall forfeit to the use of the public schools of such city, town or district a sum not less than three dollars ($3.00) nor more than twenty dollars ($20.00); and failure for each week or portion of a week on the part of any such person to comply with the provisions of this act, shall constitute a distinct offense; provided that any such child shall be excused from attendance at school required by this aot, by the board of education or school directors of the city, town or district in which such child resides, upon its being shown to their satisfaction that the person so neglecting is not able to send such child to school,, or that instruction has otherwise been given for a like period of time to such child in the elementary branches commonly taught in the public schools, or that such child has already acquired such elementary branches of learning, or that hi& physical or mental condition is such as to render attendance inexpedient or impracticable; and in all cases where such child shall be so excused the penalty herein provided shall not be incurred. Section 3. Any person having control of a child who^ with intent to evade the provisions of this act, shall make a willful false statement concerning the age of such child, or the time such child has attended school, shall, for such offense, forfeit a sum of not less than three dollars ($3) nor more than twenty dollars ($20), for the use of the public- schools of such city, town or district. Section 4. Five days prior to the beginning of any prose- cution under this act such board shall cause a written notice to be personally served upon such person having control of any such child, of his duty under this act, and of his default in failing to comply with the provisions hereof, and if, upon the hearing of such prosecution, it shall appear to the satis- faction of the court that before or after the receipt of such notice such person has caused such child to attend a school as provided in this act in good faith and with intent to con- tinue such attendance, then the penalty provided by this act shall not be incurred. Section 5. No school shall be regarded as a school under this act unless there shall be taught therein, as part of the elementary education of children, reading, writing, arith- metic and United States history in the English language. Section 6. Prosecutions under this act shall only be insti- tuted and carried on by the authority of such boards, and shall be brought in the name of said boards, and all fines and penalties, when collected, shall be paid to the school treasurer of such city, town or district, or other officer en- titled to receive school moneys, the same to be held and accounted for as other school moneys received for school purposes. Section 7. Jurisdiction to enforce the penalties herein described in this act is hereby conferred on justices of the- 24: peace and police magistrates within their respective coun- ties. Section 8. Any child between the age o£ nine and four- teen years, who without leave and against the will of his parent, guardian or other person having the right to control such child, habitually absent, himself from the school to which he is sent, or directed to be sent, and is beyond the control of his parent or guardian or other person having the right to control such child in that regard, and wanders or loiters in streets, alleys, or other public places, shall be deemed a truant child, and on such truancy being alleged and proved, such truant child shall be adjudged a dependent child in like manner as is now provided by law for the adjudication of dependent children, and on being so adjudged dependent may be committed in like manner for such time, not exceeding two years, as the judge or court having the jurisdiction of the matter may determine. Any child so committed may upon proof of amendment or for other sufficient cause shown upon a hearing of the case, be dis- charged by such judge or court at any time, but such child shall not be so confined after the age of fourteen years, nor shall he be bound or apprenticed nor placed out of any school to which he sUall be committed. Officers appointed by the board of education or board ot school directors shall have power and authority to take a truant child found on the streets, alleys, or other public places during school hours to such school conveniently located to the home of such child as may be designated and requested by such parent, guardian or other person having the right to control such child, and such officer shall ascertain from such parent, guardian or other person having the right to control such child, the school which he desires such child shall attend; or in case of refusal to designate and request by the parent, guardian or other person having the rigUt to control such child, or in case such child has no parent, guardian or other person in control, then to the public school situated in the district where such child lives, or to such public school as such board may direct. Section 9. No child under thirteen years of age shall be employed or allowed to work by any person, company, firm or corporation at labor or service in any shop, factory, mine, store, place of manufacture, business or amusement, except as hereinafter provided. Section 10. The judge of the county court in the county where the child resides and is to be employed or to work, may, by order of record, grant a permit to any child over ten years to be exempt and iu such county from the opera- tion of this act as to such employment, and to such extent, and for such time and on such terms as may be named in such permit, on its being shown to his satisfaction that such child can read and write the Eoglish language, and that it is fit and proper, considering the lack of means of 25 support of the family of which such child is a member, that such permit should be granted, and such permit may be re- scinded by any such judge on written notice to such child or to any person having control of or employing such child. Such permit must state the age, place of residence, and the amount of school attendance prior to the granting of such permit. A record of such permits to be kept in such court. The court may, when the business of the court requires, ap- point a suitable person to hear and report on all applica- tions for the issuance and recision of permits, and may, on hearing such reports, grant or refuse such application. Such person to be paid a reasonable compensation by the county, to be fixed by the county board. Such person shall be an officer of the court and removable by an order of the court at any time. No charge or fee shall be required in any matter under this section. Section 11. ISTo child shall be so employed or work who does not present such permit, and every person before em- ploying or permitting such child to so labor or be at service, shall require and retain such permit, and shall keep the same, together with a correct list of all children so employed, posted in a conspicuous manner in the place of employment, and shall show such list on demand, to any school officer or teacher or police officer. Section 12. Any person, company or corporation who employs or permits to be employed or to work any child in violation of this act, and any person having the control of any such child who permits such employment or work, shall for every offense forfeit a sum of not less than ten dollars ($10) , nor more than fifty dollars ($50), for the use of the public schools of such city, town or district, and every day of such illegal employment shall constitute a distinct offense. Section 13. Any person having control of or in his em- ploy a child who, with the intent to evade the provisions of this act, shall make a false statement concerning the age of such child or the time such child has attended school, or shall instruct such child to make any false statement, shall, for such offense forfeit a sum of not less than ten dollars ($10), nor more than fifty dollars ($50), for the use of the public schools of such city, town or district. The above is a very important law, and demands the care- ful consideration of every parent or guardian of minor children of the age when they are required to attend school for a certain period annually. It also requires attention on the part of those who employ minor children of the age mentioned in any capacity whatsoever. Under the first section of this act it becomes the duty of school boards annually to fix the number of weeks such minor children shall attend school, which in any case can^not be less 26 than twelve nor more than twenty- four weeks; also to de- termine the number of weeks wherein attendance shall be consecutive, fix the dates between which the periods of com- pulsory attendance shall be observed, and give public notice of the periods they have thus fixed, and of the number of weeks such minor children must attend school. The four following acts relate to the University of Wis- consin, and are included herein for the information of those interested. CHAPTER 273. AIST ACT to amend sections 385 and 386 of the revised stat- utes of 1878, entitled, "Of the university." The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows : Section 1. Section 385, of chapter 25, of the revised stat- utes of 1878, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: The object of the University of Wisconsin* shall be to provide the means of acquiring a thorough knowledge of the va- rious branches of learning connected with literary, scientific, industrial and professional pursuits, and to this" end it shall consist of the following colleges or departments, to- wit: 1. The college of letters and science. 2. The college of mechanics and engineering. 3. The college of agriculture. 4. The college of law. 5. Such other colleges, schools or departments as now are or may from time to time be added thereto or connected therewith. Section 3. Section 386, Of chapter 25, of the revised stat- utes of 1878, is hereby amended so as to read as follows: The college of letters and science shall embrace liberal courses of instruction in language, literature, philosophy and science, and may embrace such other branches as the regents of the university shall prescribe. The college of mechanics and engineering shall embrace practical and theoretical instruction in the various branches of mechanical and engineering science and art, and may embrace such ad- ditional branches as the regents may determine. The college of agriculture shall embrace instruction and experimentation in the science of agriculture and in those sciences which are tributary thereto, and may embrace such additional branches as the board of regents shall determine. The col- lege of law shall consist of courses of instruction in the 27 principles and practice of law, and may include such other branches as the regents may determine. CHAPTER 289. AN ACT to amend section 378 of the revised statutes of 1878, entitled, "Of the university." The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. Section 378 of chapter 25 of the revised stat- utes of 1878 is hereby amended so as to read as follows: The government of the university shall vest in a board of re- gents, to consist of one member from each congressional district of the state, and two members from the state at large, to be appointed by the governor, and of the ex officio members hereinafter mentioned. The term of office of the appointed regents shall be three years from the first Mon- day in February in the year in which they are appointed, unless sooner removed by the governor; but appointments to fill vacancies before the expiration of the term shall be for the residue of the term only. The state superintendent of public instruction shall be ex-officio a member of said board of regents. The president of the university shall also be ex officio a member of the board of regents and a mem- ber of all its standing committees, but he shall have the right to vote only in case of a tie. CHAPTER 282. AN ACT to provide for increasing the facilities of the department of mechanic arts, of the state university, and to establish courses in railway and electrical engineering therein; and making an appropriation therefor. The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. To provide for needed additional facilities for instruction in the department of mechanic arts, of the state university, and for the establishment of courses of instruc- tion in railway and electrical engineering therein, there is hereby annually appropriated to the university fund income one per cent, of the funds derived by the state from the license tax upon railroad companies, railway car companies, or other transportation companies, and upon telegraph. companies, telephone companies, and other electrical com- panies. J 28 CHAPTER 416. AN ACT to amend chapter 25, of the revised statutes of 1878, entitled, " Of the university." The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do enact as follows: Section 1. The regents of the University of Wisconsin shall cause the building known as Ladies' Hall, and now occupied by female students of the university, to be heated throughout by steam on or before the opening of the fall term of 1889 of the university; and said building shall here- after be known as Ladies' Hall, and shall be used hereafter for and by the female students attending said university, and not otherwise. Section 2. The regents of the ' university are hereby authorized and directed to employ a competent preceptress, who shall have charge and general supers* ision of said Ladies' Hall, under the direction and regulations of the said regents, at a salary of not more than fifteen hundred dollars per annum; provided, that said preceptress shall perform such duties and teach such classes as said regents may from time to time require. Section 3. There is hereby appropriated, for the purpose of properly heating and lighting, as hereinbefore provided, out of any money in the treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of five thousand dollars. iW" This pamphlet is folded and trimmed so that it may be inserted in the School Code. If fastened there, with a little mucilage or paste, it will be less liable to get mislaid or lost. ;-ir?,kx-.v...n LAWS OF 1893 RELATING TO Public Schools. Bt^^This sheet is folded and trimmed so that it may be inserted in the School Code. If fastened there, with a little mucilage or paste, it will be less liable to be mislaid or lost. DEMOCB.i.T PKlNTINa COllPANY, STA.TE PRINTERS, MADISON. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, RECEIVED AUG 9 190] DIVISION OF DOCUMENTS. LAWS OF 1893. PENAL FINES. Must be entered in docket— Section 1. (Chapter 146.) It is hereby made the duty of every justice of the peace, police justice, municipal judge or other magistrate, who re- ceives any fine or fines authorized to be received by section 4772, of the revised statutes, to enter the amount so received, with the date when received, upon the docket or other rec- ord required by law to be kept by him. How reported to county board. — Section 2. The chair- man of every town, the supervisor of each ward in every city, and the supervisor of every village shall personally inspect the docket of every justice, police justice, muni- cipal judge, or other magistrate, receiving fines under section 4772, of the revised statutes, whose office is located within the town, ward or village represented by such chairman or supervisor, on or before the first day of November of each year, and ascertain therefrom the amount of such fines received by said justices, police justices, municipal judges, or other magis- trates during the preceding year ending October 31. It is further provided that said chairman or supervisor shall make a separate report in writing for each such officer to the county board, which report shall be verified by his af- fidavit and shall embrace the title of each case in which any such fine was received, the date of conviction, and the amount of fine received during the year covered by said report. Oourity boaril shall compare reports. — Section 3. The county board of every county, at its annual meeting, shall compare the reports, required of its members by this chap- ter, witli the writtt^n reports made by justices, police jus- tices, municipal judges and other magistrates to couaty treasurers, in pursuance of section 4:772 of the revised stat- utes. District attorney to prosecute.— Seotiox 4. The dis- trict attorney of each county shall, by the direction of the county board thereof, prosecute any justice, police justice, municipal judge or other magistrate who shall ^rdl lo com- ply with the lequirements of section 4772 of the revised statutes, or shall neglect or refuse to make the entries in his docket or other records, as provided in this chapter, or who shall neglect or refuse to submit his docket or other record for inspection, as herein provided. Pendty. — Section 5. Every justice of the peace, police justice, municipal judge or other magistrate who shall vio- late any of the provisions of this chapter, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed fifty dollars for each offense. The purpose of this law is to carry into eff<-ct section 2, art. X of the constitution which, among other things, pro- vides that "the clear proceeds of all fiaes collected in the several counties for any breach of the penal laws * * * shall be set apart as a separate fund, to be called the school fund." The necessity for a measure of this character be- came evident as a result of an investigation by the state superintendent as to the annual additions to the school fund from this source. The data collected may be found in the last biennial report of this department, pp. 147-153. The tables published indicate an annual loss to the school fund of thousands of dollars, caused by the failure of the fines collected to reach the state treasury. The books of the secretary of state reveal a great discrepancy in the amounts received from counties having the same popula- tion, and still greater iathe sums received from counties of unequal size. The discrepancy is so marked as to justify the conclusion that large amounts of fines collected are mi-appropriated and lost to the state school fund. The constitutional provision includes all fines imposed for the breach of the penal laws of the state, which em- brace every offense for which the general laws provide a penalty. The citations given below are to the effect ihat the clear proceeds of penal fities cannot be appropriated otherwise than in accordance with the requirements of the constitution. In Lynch v. The Stean^er Economy, 27 Wis.. 69, it was held that an act of ttie legislature giving one-half of the penalty imposed by it upon steamboats navigating certain rivers without any sufficient spark-catcher, etc., lo the county within which the offense was committed, and the remaining half to the party entering the complaint, was contrary to the foregoing provision of the constitution and invalid. In Dutton v. Fowler, 27 Wis., 4,27, the action was to recover certain forfeitures under a statute which de- clared that the person who should enter the complaint should be entitled to the entire amount recovered. It was held that the act was unconstitutional for the reason given above. The officers charged by thi- act with the enforrement of section 2, article X, of the constitution should include in their reports to the county board of supervisors the lines collected under city ordinances for offenses which consti- tute breaches of the penal laws of the state, and for which the general laws prescribe penalties. Although the pro- ceedings are hail under ordinances, the character of the offense is not changed. Anv o her construction would per- mit villages and cities, under ordinances, to evade the con- stitution and deprive the setate school fund of this impor- tant source of revenue. The power to divert the clear proceeds of penal fines from the school fund is denied to the legislature. An au- thority denied to the legislature cannot be delegated by it to villages or cities. Therefore these municipalities cannot in punishing penal offenses as breaches of ordinances, re- tain the proceeds of the fines imposed. The constitution cannot be evaded by indirect means. A statute conferring such authority upon villages or cities must necessarily be unconstitutional. In case of Churchill vs. Herreck, 3i Wis., 361, the supreme court declares that all ordinpnces that contravene sec. 2, art. X, of the constitution are void. Fines imposed under ordinances of this character are penal fines within the meaning of the constitution and belong to the state school fund, ISTo deductions can be made from fines collected for nefraying the expenses of the court or otherwise, unless the power to withhold them is expressly given by the statures. The power of the legislature in this respect is limi'ed to a fraction of the fine or fines collected. The legislature has pro voided for no deduction from such fines except two per cent, thereof, which the county treas- urer may retain. 52 Wis , 488. The passage of this law does not in any way release magistrates from the consequences of former neglect or malfeasance. City and county treasurers obtain no im- munity from it. Counties and municipalities are liable for unlawful diversions and misappropriations. Laws and ordinances in violation of the constitution afford no barrier against prosecution and the recovery of the clear proceeds of all penal fines. The constitutional provision has re- 6 mamed unchanged since its original adoption. The general laws have invariably directed the placing of this money in the school fund. The supreme court has uni- formly held that it could not be otherwise appropriated. Thus triply warned there remains no recourse against a general refunding upon demand. There seems to be no doubt that the general recovery of all these moneys would add many hundreds of thousands of dollars to the school funds. Full compliance with the present law will afford a yearly ga,in of many thousands more. DIPLOMAS. Wisconsin colleg*^s, nniversity and normal school , when a le^al license to tea-h — Section ] (Chapter 156). Any diploma which, by law the state superintendent is authorized to countersign, and which, when so counter- signed. ha.s the force and effect of an unlimited state certificate to teach in the common schools of the state, shall constitute a legal licensf^ to teach in any public school in the state without further examination, fur such period from the date of issuance of said diploma, as, by existing laws, the holder thereof is required to teach before said diploma may be countersigned by the state superin- lendent. C rtificate from normal ^cho ils— When a legal license — Section 2. A certificate from the elementary course of the normal schools shall constitute a legal license to teach for one year in any commcn school without further exam- ination; provided, that a limited state certificate and a certificfcite from the elementary course of the normal schools shall not qualify the holder as principal of a free higb school having a four years' course of stutiy. J)iploma» from otVier colleges and universities when countersigned. — Section 3. Alter any person has gradu- ated at any incorporated college or university, whose courses of study are fu'ly atid fairly equivalent to the correspond- ing courses of study in the state university, and after such graduation has successfully taught a public school for six- teen school months, the state superintendent shall have authority to countersign the diploma of such teacher, after such examination as to moral character, learning and abil- ity to teach as to said superintendent may seem proper and reasonable, and after having ascertained that the course of study from which such person has graduated is fully and fairly equal to the corresponding course in the state university. Countersigned diplomas, qualiflcations to teach. — Sec- tion 4. Any person holding a diploma granted by any such aforesaid college or university, certifying that the person holdiug the same is a graduate of such college or university, shall, after his diploma has been countersigned by the state superintendent, as aforesaid, be deemed qualified to teach any of the pubhc schools of the state, and such diploma shall be a certificate of such qualification, until annulled by the state superintendent. Certificates from oth r states — when countersigned — Section 5. Teachers' certificates, granted by other states, which are fully and fairly equivalent to the Wisconsin un- limited certificate, may be countersisrned by the state superintendent. The holder of such certificate shall fur- nish to the state superirtendent such evidence of good moral character, experience and success in teaching as is required for the unlimited state certificate. When counter- signed, such certificates shall have the force and effect of "the unlimited state certificate. Section 6. All acts or parts of acts in conflict with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed. The only diplomas that the state superintendent was au- thorized to countersign at ihe time of the passage of this act were those granted by Wisconsin universities, colleges and normal schools. The reference in Sec. 1. can, there- fore, include only such diplomas. Graduates of the state university, specified under Sec. 45-c, Sanborn & Berry- man (p. GG, code), and graduates of the normal schools may have their diplomas countersigned by the state superin- tendent after one year's successful teaching in the public schools of the state subsequent to graduation. Graduates of the state university, mentioned under Sec. 387, and the graduates of Wisconsin iostitutions recognized under chap. 209, laws of 188U, may have their diplomas counter- signed after two years' successful teaching as indicated above. Satisfactory testimonials as prescribed by law will be required. The diplomas specified in the first case con- stitute a valid certificate for one year. Those in class two constitute a valid certificate for two years. It is not thought that the remaining sections require in- terpretation or explanation. It should be noted that the diplomas of normal schools located without the state are not includel in the provisions of this law. The holders of such diplomas must obtain legal qualifications as teachers of common schools before they can make a valid contract to teach in a public school. Diplomas from kindergarten training' course^i— Legal certificate for one year.— Section i. (Chapter 149.) Any diplomas granted by the board of regents of normal schools to persons who complete the kindergarten training course, established by said board in any of the state normal schools, shall be regarded as certificates legally qualifying the holders thereof to teach for one year in any kinder- garten forming a part of the public school system of the state. When countersigned— Effect of countersignature. — Sec- tion -2. When any person has, after receiving the diploma referred to in section 1 of this act, taught in a public kin- dergarten in this state one year, the state superintendent may, after such examination as to moral character, learn- ing and ability to teach, as to him may seem proper, coun - tersign the diploma of such teacher, and thereafter such countersigned diploma shall legally qualify the holder thereof to teach without further examination in any public kindergarten in the state, or until the same shall be an- nulled. The provisions of this chapter are limited in their opera- tion to certain diplomas granted by Wisconsin normal schools. These diplomas are made legal licenses to teach this class of schools for one year only, unless they are countersigned by the state superintendent at the close of that period. The conditions upon which they will be counter- signed are sufficiently stated in the act itself. Ob ELECTION OF DISTEICT OFFICERS. Must he by ballot— Section l. (Chapter 29) Subdivision 3, of section 430, R. S., is hereby amended by adding the following: The election of all officers shall be by ballot. 9 and a majority of all the votes cast shall be necessary for a choice. The amended subdivision shall read as follows: 3. To elect a director, treasiirer and clerk. The election of all officers shall be by ballot, and a majority of all the votes cast shall be necessary for a choice. The amendment to thi«! subdivision of section 430 fur- nishes school districts with a statutory rule governing the election of school district officers. The rule requires the voting to be done by ballot, and requires the successful can- didate to receive a majority of the votes cast. This does not mean a majority of the voters of the district present at the meeting, but a majority of the votes cast for all the candidates for the office to be filled. PURCHA=;ES by school BOA.RDS. How made and approved.— Section 1 (Chapter 56). Chapter 93, of the laws of 1885, amendatory of section 436 of the revised statutes of 1878, be and the same is hereby amended by striking out the word "unanimously," where it occurs in section 1, of said act, so that said section when so amended shall read as follows: Section 436. The said board shall hav^e power to purchase a record book and such other books, blanks and stationery as may be necessary to keep a record of the proceedings of the district meetings, and the account of the treasurer, and for doing the business of the dfstrict in an orderly manner, and such maps, charts, globes and school apparatus as have been or may be approved as suitable for use of the schools by the state superintendent or by the county superintendent of the county, not exceeding seventy-five dollars in value in any one year, and such school books as in their judgment may be necessary for the use of any children attending in their district, whose parents and guardians may not be able to furnish the same. All such purchases shall be approved at a regular meeting of said board at which all the members thereof shall be present. The district board shall keep an accur?.te account of all expenses incurred by them under the provisions of this section, and present an itemized state- ment of the purchases to the annual school district meet- ing. 10 The change effected by this chapter relates to the action of the board. A majority of the board, at a regularly called meeting, may agree to purchase books or apparatus, as provided in this chapter, and their action will bind the dis- trict. I he unanimous consent of all the members is not required. REPORT OF SECRETARY. IVlien made — What to include. — Section 1. (Chapter 215.) Section 534 of the revised statutes of the state of Wisconsin, as amended by section 3, chapter :297, laws of ]887, is hereby amended by striking out the word "June," where it ap]3ears in said section, and inserting in lieu there- of the word "March," and by striking out the word "July" and inserting in place thereof the word "April," so that said section when so amended shall read as follows: Sec- tion 534:. (As amenned b}^ section 3, chapter 297, 1887.) It shall be the duty of the secretary, at least five days before the annual town meeting or election, each year, to make to the board of supervisors of the town a written statement, showing the receipts of money for school purposes from all sources, and the disbursements of the same, during the year ending on the last day of March preceding, in which statement shall be given under separate heads: 1. The amount in the treasury at ihe beginning of the year. 2. Amount received from the state fund. 3. Amount collected by town treasurer. ■i. Amount received from all other sources. 5. T he manner in which such sums have been expended, specifying the amount paid under each head of expend- iture. 6. Amount remaining in the treasury. 7. Amount of indebtedness of the township district, and when and how payable. The secretary shall accompany the above statement with estimates of the loard of the amount neceesaiy for the support of the schools during the year beginning on the first day of April next following, specif.ying the sums needed under the following heads : , 11 1. Amount for teachers' wages. 2. Amount for schoolhouse sites, and for building, hiring or purchasing schoolhouses. 3. Amount for fuel. 4. Amount for incidental expenses, including repairs, maps, globes, charts, and for all needful school-room appurtenances. 5. An amount not to exceed one hundred dollars to purchase library books. This chapter applies only to towns havirg the township system of school government. It relates to ihe reporo required of the secretary by section 534. This report was formerly made for the year ending June 3'Hh. The change requires the report to embrace the financial receipts and disbursements for the year ending with March 31st. This Ooes not modify the secretary's duty under section 537, which requires him to report the items therein named to the county superintendent for the year ending on the 30tli day of Juue. ONE MILL TAX. Appropr ale to S'Ciiool fund income. — Section 1. (Chapter 2M TRUST FUNDS. Section 1. (Chapter i87.) The commisioners of public lands of tbe state of Wisconsin are hereby authorized and empowered to loan the trust funr's of the state at a rate of interest not less than four per centum per annum, but loans to school districts shall be made at a uniform rate of in- terests at four per centum per annum; provided, all such loans shall be made in accordance with the pro- visions of chapter !7 of the revised statutes and the several acts amendatory thereof. Section 2, All acts and parts of acts in conflict with the provisions of thiH act are hereby repealed. NORMAL schools. Appropriati(»n for.— Section 1. (Chapter 185.) There is hereby appropriated to the normal school fund income the sum of money mentioned and described in the fourth subdi- vision of section 1 of chapter 453 of the general laws of Wis- consin for the year 1891, the amount thereof being seventy. thousand nine hundred and thirty-nine dollars and two cents, which sum was, by said act, applied to the drainage fund. This appropriation shall include the said sum of money, and shall also include all earnings thereof that have been made since the ^ame w^as paid into the state treasury, and that may have been received by the stat^ treasurer at the date of the transfer of the said sum of money to the normal school fund income, as provided here- in. Twenty thousand dollars of the sum hereby appropri- ated may be used and expended by the board of regents of normal schools in the repair of present normal buildings and in the maintenance of such normal schools as are now established. The remainder of the said sum herein appro- priated to the normal school fund income shall be applied and used by said board in building and equipping two new normal school buildings, as the board shall hereafter lo- cate, establish and build. The secretary of state shall, im- mediately after the passage and publication of this act. 13 issue his warrant for tlie said amount of seventy thousand nine hundred and thirty-nine dollars and two cents to the s'ate treasurer, and the state treasurer shall, immediately upon the receipt thereof, transfer the said sum of money hereby appropriated from the drainage fund to the normal school fund income, to be used for the purposes hereinbe- fore specified. Section 2. Any person, town, incorporated village, €ity or county lying in Wisconsin, is hereby authorized to donate a site and moneys, for the purpose of aiding in the construction of said additional normal school buildings, and the provisions of chapter ^G of the Revised Statutes of 1878, and the acts amendatory thereof, relating to the establishment of normal schools, and the donation of sites and sums of money for that purpose, shall apply to and govern all donations for the additional normal schools mentioned in this act. Section 3. For the purpose of constructing normal school buildings, and of conducting and maintaining normal schools therein, there shall be levied and collected annually, hereafter, as other state taxes are levied and collected, a state tax of one-twentieth of one mill for each dollar of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the state; which amount so levied and collected, is hereby appropriated to the normal school fund income, for the uses and purposes specified in this section, DEAF AND BLIND CHILDREN. Sections. (Chapter 331, laws of 1891.) It shall be the duty of each county and city superintendent of schools to send to the superintendent of the state school for the deaf at Delavan and to the superintendent of the state school for the blind at Janesville, the address of parents, with the name and age of each deaf or blind child known to be in his county or city, and to inform parents, guardians and custodians of deaf mutes and blind children in his county -or city, respecting the several schools for deaf mutes and the blind in the state, and the conditions of ad- 14 mission to them; and for this purpose, the superintendents of such institutions shall provide each such superintendent with sufficient printed information and with the names and residences of all deaf mutes and blind children known to be in his county or city. And each such superintendent shall include in his annual report to the county board of super- visors or the city board of education, a statement of the number of deaf mutes and of blind children of school age in such county or city then receiving an education, or the number of each not receiving an education, and of the number of personal visits he has made during the year, upon the parents, guardians or custodians of such children, to induce them to give such children a proper education. Supt. J. W. Swiler, of the state school for the deaf at Del- avan, defines the purposes of the school ms follows: The school at Delavan is kept up by the state for the benefir. of all children, applying for a<resented in senate and assembly, do enact as Jolknos : Whereas, The legislature at a session held in the year 1893 passed a joint resolution for the amendment of section 1, of article X, of the constitution of the state of Wisconsin, striking out the following sentence: "Provided, that his compensation shall not exceed the sum of twelve hundred dollars annually, " and Whereas, The legislature of said state for the year 1895 has concurred in said joint resolution, and passed an act submitting the same to a vote of the people at a general election to be held in November, 1896, now, therefore,. Section 1. (Chapter 93.) The annual salary of the state superintendent of public instruction from and after the first Monday in January, 1897, shall be three thousand dollars. Section 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after the first Monday in January, 1897; pro- vided, that the people of this state shall approve and ratify the amendment to the constitution contained in the foregoing resolution. 16 NORMAL SCHOOLS. Section 1. (Chapter 91.) Ihere is hereby appropri- ated to the normal school fund income out of any money in the state treasury not otherwise appropriated the fol- lowing Slims: (1) For current expenses for the year 1894-95, six thousand dollars. (2) For libraries, ten thousand three hundred dollars. (3) For equipment for chemical, physical and biological laboratories, museums of natural history, drawing departments and gymnasia, fourteen thousand seven hundred dollars. (4) For heat- ing apparatus, repairs and furniture, forty-one thousand five hundred dollars. Section 2. Section 3, chapter 185, laws of 1893, is hereby amended so as to read as follows : Section 3. For the purpose of conducting and maintaining the state normal schools, there shall be levied and collected an- nually hereafter as other state taxes are levied and col- lected, a state tax of one-fifth of one mill for each dollar of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the state; which amount so levied and collected is hereby appropriated to the normal school fund income for the uses and purposes specified in this section. Provided, that until the seventh normal is established and put in operation the sum of twenty thousand dollars shall be annually returned to the general fund. Section 3. For the purpose of carrying out the pro- visions of this act, the secretary of state and state treasurer, with the consent and approval of the gover- nor, are hereby authorized and empowered to transfer from the trust funds of the state to the general fund the sum of seventv-two thousand five hundred dollars, to be recurned to the trust funds from the general fund in- come or the fiscal year ending on the 30 th day of Sep- tember, 1896. 17 Section 1. (Chaptei^ 296.) No claim or account shall be hereafter paid by or under the authority of the board of regents of normal schools and the board of regents of the state university unless the said claim or account shall specify the nature and particulars thereof, and be verified by the oath, affidavit or affirmation of the claimant or his agent, in writing, and shall have been certified in writing thereon by the officer or mem- ber of said boai'd designated by resolution of said board to certify claims and accounts for payment. Section 2. It shall be the duty of each of said boards within ten days after the expiration of any quarter to transmit to the secretaiy of state an itemized statement of all payments made by it or under its authority dur- ing the preceding quarter, certified by the president and secretary of said board, which said statement shall be included in the biennial report of the secretary of state. UNIVERSITY. Section 1. (Chapter 241.) There shall be levied and. collected annually for two years an additional state tax of one-fifth of one mill for each dollar of the assessed valuation of the taxable property of the state, which amount so levied and collected is hereby appropriated ta the university fund income of the University of Wiscon- sin, and shall be used by the board of regents of the uni- versity for increased administration expenditures and expenditures for the department of engineering, advanc- ing the work of university extension in the state of Wisconsin, in addition to the horticultural building, en- largement of ladies' hall with gymnasium apartments, changes and repairs in university hall, and the con- struction of a farm barn and purchase of a herd of cat- tle for the agricultural department; any residue which may remain may be applied to such uses as the regertg. 2 18 may deem to be most important to the interests of the university; provided, that out of the income derived from said tax there shall be set apart for the college of agriculture, in addition to its present several incomes, twenty thousand dollars for the completion and equip- ment of the horticultural building, five thousand dol- lars for a dairy barn, two thousand dollars for the pur- chase of a herd of dairy cows, and ten thousand dollars -annually for current expenses. Section 2. The state tax directed to be levied and ■collected by chapter 29 of the general laws of Wiscon- sin of 1891, shall be continued after the lapse of the six years therein mentioned, and so continued shall be levied and collected annually, and is hereby appropri- ated to the university fund income of the University of Wisconsin to meet the current or administration ex- penditures of said university and may be applied in the same manner as other university fund income. Section 3. The commissioners of public lands be and they are hereby authorized to direct the state treasurer from time to time to set apart by way of loan to the fund known as the university fund income of the Uni- versity of Wisconsin or like university uses, such ex- cess of moneys, if any, or part thereof, in the trust -fund not otherwise appropriated or required for antici- pated ordinary expenditure as in their judgment shall be prudent, such loan to be repaid to the trust fund from the portions of state tax hereinbefore appropriated with interest thereon at the rate then required on de- posits in bank made pursuant to chapter 273 of the gen- eral laws of Wisconsin of the year 1891, and the acts amendatory thereof. HOME FOR FEEBLE-MINDED. Section 1. (Chapter 138.) There is hereby created and established for the care, custody and training of the 19 feeble-minded, epileptic and idiotic of this state, an in- stitution to be known as " The Wisconsin Hame for Feeble-minded. " Section 2 The state board of control shall within six months from the passage of this act, select a suita- ble site for such a home, and shall have power to receive proposals for the donation of land to the state for such site, and to i-eceive the same by gift, or they may pur- chase such site if no proper location shall be given for that purpose, and they may receive proposals for dona- tions of money or other securities in behalf of this state for the benefit of such home, and they may locate the same, by and with the consent of the governor of the state, at such point as they, together with the governor, shall deem for the best interests of this state, and re- ceive any donations or bequests which may be made for its maintenance and support. Said board shall as soon as practicable after the location of said institution, cause to be erected on the site so selected, suitable buildings, and make thereon the improvements necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this act. The site selected shall comprise not less than two hundred acres of land, possessing good facilities for drainage and sew- erage, and an abundant supply of pure water. Munici- palities of this state are hereby empowered to make the donations herein mentioned for the establishment and building of such a home. Section 3. The general supervision and government of said home shall be vesetd in the state board of con- trol of reformatory, charitable and penal institutions^ pursuant to the law creating and defining the duties of said board, and said board shall establish a system of government for the institution, and shall make all nec- essary rules and regulations for enforcing discipline, imparting instruction, preserving health, and for the proper care and training of the persons in said home' 20 The said board shall appoint a superintendent, a matron, and such other officers, teachers and employes as shall be necessary, who shall severally hold their offices or places during^ the pleasure of said board, and said board shall prescribe their duties and fix their salaries, and all provisions of chapter 298, of the laws of Wisconsin for the year 1881, and chapter 221, of the laws of Wis- consin for the year 1891, and the acts amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto, shall, as far as practicable, apply to the government and management of said home. Section 4. All feeble-minded, epileptic and idiotic persons, residents of the state, or any such person found therein, whose residence cannot be ascertained, may be admitted to said home and receive the benefit thereof free of charge, subject to such rules and regula- tions as may be made by the said board of control, and said board shall adopt and publish a schhdule of maxi- mum charges and expenses, 'for such feeble-minded, epi- leptic and idiotic persons may be placed in the said home, but who shall not, for any reason, be entitled to be admitted or kept free of charge: provided, that all provisions of chapter 32, of the revised statutes of the •state of Wisconsin, relating to the support of insane persons and the liability of counties therefor, shall also •apply, as far as practicable, to persons admitted to said liome for the feeble-minded. Section 5. All the provisions of chapter 32, of the revised statutes of the state of Wisconsin and the acts amendatory of and supplementary thereto, in re- lation to the admission of patients to the hospi- tals or asylums for the insane, of thisstate and the proceedings to determine such insanity, and all the powers and duties now conferred or devolved by law upon the several judges in this state, in re- lation to the commitment of persons to some hospital or 21 asylum for the insane, shall, as far as practicable, ap- ply to the admission of feeble-minded, epileptic and idi- otic persons in the home hereby established ; and all ap- plications, proceedings, orders and judgments to deter- mine the condition of said insane persons, shall, as far as practicable. apply to the persons committed to the home hereby established; and all the powers and duties con- ferred, or devolved by law upon the said judges are hereby conferred, devolved and charged upon said judges, as to the proceedings and judicial inquiries, or- ders, judgments and commitments for the admission of persons to the said home hereby created. Section 6. Said home for the feeble-minded shall be organized into the following departments: 1. A school department for the educable grades or classes. 2. A custodial department for the helpless and lower types. 3. Such other departments, or colonies, as the needs of the institution may require. As soon as practicable such trades and manual indus- tries as are adapted to these several departments shall be introduced and established by the said board of con- trol. Section 7. All persons now confined in any of the chari- table, reformatory or penal institutions within the state, who, upon proper examination by the said board of con- trol, shall be found to be of the condition and qualifica- tiou described by this act, may, by the order of said board, by and with tho iilvlce and consent of the gov- •ernor, be transferred to the said "Wisconsin Home for Feeble-minded, " to be kept and dealt with as prescribed by this act and the rules and regulations made pursuant thereto; and the said board shall make all rules and regulations relating to their temporary or final discharge. Section 8. For the purpose of carrying into effect the 22 purposes specified in this act, tiiere is hereby appropri- ated, out of any money in the state treasury not other- wise appropriated, the sum of one hundred thousand dollars. Fifty thousand dollars to be paid during the year 1895, and fifty thousand dollars to be paid during; the year 1896; which sums may be drawn by the said board upon their warrants as pi-ovided by law. THE ERECTION OF SCHOOL BUILDINGS. Section 1. (Chapter 141.) Section 118, of chaptei" 14, of the general charter law, is hereby amended by adding thereto: "In cities of the third and fourth classes, where there is no board of public works, the power herein conferred shall be exercised by the board of education. " Section 1. (Chapter 97.) Section 87, of chapter 11^ of the general charter law, is hereby amended as fol- lows: Before the word "all" in the first line prefix the words " in cities of the first and second classes, " after the word "works" in the third line insert the words "and in cities of the third and fourth classes in the charge of the board of education," and insert the words "two hundred" instead of the word "fifty" after the word "than" in the fifth line, and omit the words "directed to be made" in the sixth line and substitute the word "approved," so that the section when so amended shall read as follows: Section, 87. In cities of the first and second classes all repairs and alterations of school build- ings and premises shall be under the charge of the board of public works, and in cities of the third and fourth classes in the charge of the board of education ; but such repairs or alterations, except ordinary repairs costing not more than two hundred dollars, shall first be ap- proved by the common council. 23 APPORTIONMENT OP MONEV. Section 1. (Chapter 39.) Chapter 287, of the laws of 1885, as amended by chapter 389, of the laws of 1891, as amended by chapter 229, of the laws of 1893, is liereby amended by adding to section one thereof as fol- lows: The state superintendent shall apportion the school moneys each county will be entitiled to receive under the provisions of this act, on or before the first day of November of each year, and certify the appor- tionment so made to the secretary of state and state treasurer, and he shall, at the same time, certify to each county clerk and county treasurer, the amount of said tax to which each town, city and village in their respective counties, is entitled. Upon receiving such ap- portionment the secretary of state shall immediately in- form the county clerk and the treasurer of each county of the amount of state school tax such county will be required to levy, and the amount it will be entitled to receive in return as its portion of the school fund accruing un der the provisions of this act. Section 2. At the same time that taxes levied for other state purposes are now required to be paid into the state treasury, the county treasurer of each county shall pay over to the state treasurer the school moneys arising under the provisions of this act, in excess of the amount such county is entitled to receive in return as its portion of the state school tax. But if a larger amount should be due any county than such county was required to pay, the state treasurer shall pay to the treasurer of such county, at the time of the payment of the state tax assessed against the county, the amount due the county in excess of the state school tax levied iipon it. Section 3. At the time of making a settlement be- tween the state and any county, on account of any state 24 school tax levied upon the county, by the treasurers, re- ceipts shall be exchanged by such treasurers, showing- that the full amount assessed against the county as a state school tax has been accounted for to the state, and in turn, that the amount due the county on account of a state school tax, has been accounted for to the county by the state treasurer; and within ten days from the settlement herein specified, the several county treas- urers shall pay over to the several town, city and vil- lage treasurers, the amount to which they are respect- ively entitled by the apportionment made by the state superintendent. Section 4, It is hereby declared to be the true in- tent and meaning of this act, to provide for an earlier distribution to the counties of the moneys collected as a state school tax, and that only the balances that may be due' any county, or the state, as the case may be, shall be paid in money at the time of settling accounts be- tween the county and the state, in so^ far as they relate to the state school tax. 25 TOWNSHIP SYSTEM. Section 1. (Chapter 276.) Section 517, chapter 27, of Sanborn & Berryman's annotated statutes of Wisconsin, is hereby amended by adding at the end of said section the following: "Provided, that no sub-district shall be main- tained or hereafter formed which has residing within its limits less than fifteen children of school age. Pro- vided further, that any sub-district may maintain so many branch schools as the convenience of the school population may require," so that said section when anended shall read as follows : Section 517. New sub- districts may be formed, and the boundaries of any sub- district may be altered by the town board of directors at any regular meeting of said board; but the forma- tion and alteration of any joint sub-district shall be by concurrent action of the boards of directors of all the towns embraced in part in such sub-districts. Pro- vided, that 00 sub-district shall be maintained or here- after formed which has residing within its limits less than fifteen children of school age. Provided further, that any sub-district may maintain so many branch schools as the convenience of the school population may require. ^^ LAWS OK 1899 RELATING TO THE Public Schools of Wisconsin ^W This pamphlet is folded and trimmed so that it may be inserted in any copy of the school code. If fastened there with mucilage or paste of any kind it will not be lost or mislaid. UBRARY OF CONGRESS. :;rcEivED ,. AUG 91901 DIVISION or DOCUMENTS. LAWS RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS Passed by the Legislature of 1899. Office of State Superintendent, Madison, Wis., May 9, 1899. The attention of all interested in or in any way officially con- nected witli the public schools of Wisconsin is hereby called to important changes in and additions to the school laws by the General Laws enacted by the legislature of 1899. Comment has been made upon such sections as seem to de- mand it and in cases where it is desired to call special attention to certain points. The following headings may be of service in directing atten- tion to the different laws. I. The qualifications of teachers in certain cases. II. The issuance of certificates by city superintendents to teachers in special branches. III. The acceptance of standings obtained by the completion of studies in the state normal schools in lieu of an examination by county and city superintendents. TV. The granting of unlimited certificates to persons hold- ing diplomas from colleges, universities, and normal schools in certain cases. V. The increase of the number of months school shall be maintained in each district in the state, — seven months being re- quired hereafter instead of six as heretofore. SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. 3 VI. Kindergartens may be established in certain cases. VII. An increase of the appropriation for free bigli schools from fifty thousand to one hundred thousand dollars. VIII. An increase in the number of manual training depart- ments that may be established in connection with free high schools. IX. Two or more school districts may unite for the purpose of maintaining a free high school. X. County training schools for teachers in the common schools may be established. XI. A special tax may be levied in cities of the third and fourth class for school purposes. XII. Change in the time of levying the school tax in cities. XIII. The organization of school boards in cities or villages which shall adopt a general charter. XIV. An additional sum to be expended in conducting teachers' institutes. XV. Cities of the fourth class (cities having a population of ten thousand or less) and incorporated villages included with towns in the operation of the township library law. XVI. Voters required to reside in the district at least thirty days before being qualified to vote in any school district meeting. XVII. An examination of the accounts of school boards to be made by a committee between the first and fifth days of July^ in each year, and a report to be made in writing at the next reg- ular annual meeting. XVIII. Two county superintendents' conventions to be hereafter held by the state superintendent. XIX. The purposes for which money may be borrowed by school districts from the trust funds of the state extended, and the rate of interest reduced from four to three and a half per cent. XX. The increase in the number of members of school board in cities in certain cases. XXL Obscene books, Kterature, papers and pictures. 4 SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. XXII. A joint resolution providing for the amendment of section 1, article 10, of tlie state constitution relating to educa- tion. Qualifications of teachers. Section 1. (Chapter 120.) After the first day of July, 1900, graduates of colleges and universities, in order that their diplo- mas may become an authorization to teach in the public schools of this state, as now provided by law, must present with them to the state superintendent of public instruction satisfactory evi- dence of having given to psychology and pedagogy at least as much study as is required, in this state, of candidates for a life certificate. This is a new law restricted to graduates of colleges and universities in its application. Certificates for teachers of special branches in cities. Section 1. (Chapter 148.) Any city superintendent of schools may issue certificates to teachers of special branches, qualifying them to teach such branches in the schools under his supervision, after such examination as to their fitness to teach such branches as may be provided by the school board and ap- proved by the state superintendent. By this new law, the powers of city superintendents of schools are somewhat enlarged. Final normal school standings may be accepted by county superintendents. Section 1. (Chapter 104.) Any school superintendent or of- ficer authorized to grant certificates to teachers in the common schools, is hereby authorized, in his discretion, to accept stand- ings obtained by the completion of studies in any normal school of the state, when duly certified by the president of said normal school, in lieu of actual examination by said superintendent or examiner, at any time within three years after such standings were first obtained and recorded in said normal school. The SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. 5 pro^dsions of tliis section shall apply to certificates of tlie first, second or third grades. This is ameaidatory to chapter 27, of the Wisconsin statutes of 1898. By this act additional discretionary powers are given to county super- intendents in certain cases. Diplomas and state certificates. Section 1. (Chapter 237.) The holder of a diploma granted by any incorporated college or university whose regular colle- giate courses are fully and fairly equivalent to corresponding courses of the University of Wisconsin, or the holder of a di- ploma granted by a state normal school whose courses of study are fully and fairly equivalent to the courses of study in the Wis- consin normal, schools, may present such diploma, together with evidence of the required standing of the college, university or normal school granting the same, to the board of examiners. The applicant shall furnish therewith testimonials of good moral character and, if a holder of a diploma granted by any such college or university located within this state, of one year's suc- cessful teaching in a public school after the date of said diploma ; if a holder of a diploma granted by any such college, university or normal school not located within the state, the applicant shall furnish therewith like testimonials of good moral character, and of two years' successful teaching in a public school after the date of said dipoma. The holder of any such diploma recom- mended favorably by the board shall be entitled to receive an unlimited state certificate. The holder of a diploma granted upon the completion of a course of study accredited as herein provided, upon which a state certificate has not been issued, upon the recommendation of the board of examiners made in pursu- ance of such examination as to learning, moral character and ability to teach as said board may require, may be given a special license by the state superintendent to teach for two years in a public school. The above is amendatory to section 458c, of the Wisconsin statutes of 1898, Q SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. Seven months of school to be maintained in each school district in the state. Section 1. (Cliapter 115.) The school fund income whicli shall have been received up to and including the first day of De- cember, including the amount to accrue from the one-mill state tax provided for by section 1072a, to be collected by the several counties of the state before the first Monday in February next succeeding the date of such apportionment, shall be apportioned by the state superintendent between the tenth and fifteenth days of December in each year. Such apportionment shall be made among the several counties, towns, villages and cities according to the number of children in each, over the age of four and under the age of twenty years, as shown by the reports made to the state superintendent for the year preceding, ending June 30. When- ever any town, village or city shall fail in any year to raise by tax, for the support of common schools therein, a sum equal to the amount of its share of such school fund and other income as determined by the county board, in pursuance of section 1074, the amount of the apportionment to such town, village or city for that year shall be withheld from the next succeeding appor- tionment, unless the town or village board or common council shall have transferred, as they are hereby authorized to do, fro^n the general fund to the school fund of the town or village, or to the board of education of the city for such purpose, the amount of deficit in such school tax, and the town, village or city clerk shall have filed with the state superintendnet his certificate show- ing such transfer, and in the case of the town clerk, his appor- tionment thereof to the proper school districts, before the tenth day of December. 'No apportionment shall be made to any city, village or town for any school district therein for any year dur- ing which such" district shall not have maintained a common school, taught by a qualified teacher, for seven months, unless the state superintendent shall be satisfied that suck school was so taught for three months, and the failure to maintain it for the full seven months was occasioned by some extraordinary cause SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. * ^ and not arising from neglect or intent, nor to any town, village or city, nor for any school district, reports of sucli, as required by law, shall not have been made and transmitted during the pre- ceding year to the state superintendent; nor to any city for any jear the report for which shall not show that the number of chil- dren between the ages aforesaid, residing therein, has been as- certained by an actual census taken under the direction of the board of education or other body having the government of com- mon schools therein, by their clerks or persons of their appoint- ment for that purpose; provided that provision by a school dis- trict for the instruction and transportation of its pupils, in ac- cordance with subdivision 15, of section 430, shall entitle the dis- trict to share in the apportionment as though such district had maintained a school. This is an amendment to section 554, chapter 28, of the Wiscooisin statutes for 1898, and requires that school shall hereafter be main- tained in each school district in Wisconsin for at least seven months in each year instead of six months, which has heretofore been the law. Any district failing to comply with this law will, except in cer- tain extraordinary cases, forfeit the right to share in the apportion- ment of the school fund income, including the amount accrui-ng from the one mill state tax. Especial attention must be given to this mat- ter at the annual school meeting and it will be necessary for the elec- tors of each district to make provision for the additional mionth of school. Kindergartens . In any school district under the supervision of the county su- perintendent in which a high school or a graded school having more than two departments is maintained, the question of estab- lishing and maintaining by the levy of a tax therefor as many kindergartens as will be required to accommodate the children of such district between the ages of four and six years, allowing forty pupils to each kindergarten, may be submitted at the an- nual meeting to the legal voters present and a vote taken thereon as in the case of a vote on free text books. 3 • SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. Section 2. A new section is added hereby to tlie statutes of 1898 to be numbered and to read as follows: 430(d). Tbe board of education in any city of the third or fourth class whether organized under the general law or special charter, at the time of certifying to the city clerk its yearly estimate of the expenses of the public schools under its charge, shall certify alsa separately an estimate of the cost for the school year of as many kindergartens as will in their judgment be required for the ac- commodation of the children of said city between the ages of four and six years. The council shall take action thereon. If the whole or a part of the estimate be approved, the council shall make an appropriation of the amount approved by them for that purpose, Avhich shall be in addition to the other funds appropri- ated for school purposes and shall be used only for the support of such kindergartens. This section is new and commends itself to those who are in favor of the establishment of kindergarten departments, either in the coun- try or in cities of the third and fourth classes. Additional appropriation for free high schools. Section 1. (Chapter 214.) Any high school district which shall have established a free high school according to the provi- sions of these statutes, and shall have maintained the same for not less than three months in any school year, shall be entitled to receive from the general fund of the state annually one-half the amount actually expended for instruction in its high school during such year over and above the amount required by law ta be expended for common school purposes, but not to exceed in one year five hundred dollars to one district; provided, this limi- tation shall not apply to the class of high schools designated in section 491a. To obtain such aid the high school board, or in cities not under a county superintendent, the president and sec- retary of the board of education and the treasurer, shall, on or before the first day of IToyember, report in duplicate to the state superintendent, under their oaths, the amount actually expended SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. 9 for instruction during the previous scliool year, specifying the several items thereof, with the date and the object of each fully. Thereupon said superintendent shall fix the amount to be paid such district and certify the same to the secretary of state, with one of such reports annexed; provided, the state superintendent may withhold such certificate from any district for reasons based; upon failure to comply with the law relating to free high schools,, which reasons he shall transmit to the school board thereof on, or before the thirtieth day of the next succeeding June. On such certificate, at any time after the first day of December, the certified amount shall be paid to the district treasurer out of the state treasury. The secretary of state shall annually include and apportion in the state tax all such sums as shall have been so paid. Whenever, by any neglect or omission, any free high, school shall fail to have apportioned to it its share of state aid,.. the state superintendent may, after the time hereinbefore fixed for such apportionment by him, fix an amount ten per centum less than the amount which such school would have been entitled, to had it complied with the provisions of this section, and cer- tify the same to the secretary of state with the report of such dis- trict annexed thereto, and the secretary of state shall thereupon draw his warrant for such amount or amounts in favor of such district. The whole amount annually paid under the pro^dsions. of this section shall not exceed seventy-five thousand dollars, and if more be demanded by such districts they shall be paid propor- tionally; provided, that if the whole amount authorized to be paid annually in aid of free high schools in towns having no graded schools by section 491b is not demanded or expended un- der the provisions of that section, then the unexpended balance of the amount therein annually authorized to be paid in aid of such schools may be added to and apportioned among the free high schools provided for in section 490 and 491; but no more than one hundred thousand dollars shall be apportioned to both classes of schools in any one year. The above is amendatory to section 496, chapter 27, of the Wisconsin statutes for 1898, relating' to free high schools. By this amendment^ 29 SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. the appropriation heretofore allotted to the free high schools of Wis- consin is doubled and one hundred thousand dollars instead of fifty thousand dollars, as heretofore, is, by this act, to be hereafter appor- tioned to the high schools. Manual training schools. Section 1. (Cliapter 273.) Any high school whose course of study or outline of work in manual training has been approved by the state superintendent, and whose teacher has been qualified may, upon application, be placed upon an approved list of schools maintaining manual training departments. A school once entered upon such list may remain there and be entitled to state aid so long as the scope and character of its work are maintained in such manner as to meet the approval of such su- perintendent. On the first day of July in each year the clerk ■of each school board maintaining a school on the approved list or the city superintendent of any city where such an approved school is maintained, shall report to the state superintendent in such form as may be required, setting forth the facts relating to the cost of maintaining the manual training department thereof, the character of the work done, the number and names of teachers employed, and the length of time such department was maintained during the preceding year. And upon the receipt •of such report, if it shall appear that the department has been maintained in a satisfactory manner for a period of not less than six months during the year, the said superintendent shall make a certificate to that effect and file it with the secretary of state. Upon receiving such certificate the secretary of state shall draw his warrant for two hundred and fifty dollars payable to the treas- urer of the district or corporation maintaining the school, pro- vided, that the total amount expended for such purpose shall not ■exceed five thousand dollars in any year. This is an amendment to section 496c, of the Wisconsin statutes, and provides that twenty manual training- departments in connection M^ith high schools may be established and maintained subject to the SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. H approval of the state superintendent. The law formerly provided for but ten such schools. The appropriaticn remains the same, two hun- dred and fifty dollars to each manual training- school lawfully estab- lished and maintained. Joint high school districts. Section 1. (Chapter 57.) Two or more adjoining towns or scliool districts, or one or more towns or school districts and an incorporated village or city; when the same together will make a district of contiguous territory; may unite in establishing and 'maintaining any such high school. The resolution proposing the same shall be approved and submitted and the notice of election signed by at least a majority of the supervisors of each town, the directors of each school district, the common council of such city and trustees of such village, if any, and the election shall be noti- fied and conducted in each town, school district, city or village as provided in the preceding section. Such resolution shall not be adopted unless a majority of the votes cast in each such town, school district, city or village be in favor thereof. The votes shall be canvassed at the first election, and all subsequent elec- tions in the several towns as at town meetings, in the several school districts as at annual school district meetings, in the city, if any, as at a charter election, and in the village, if any, as at village elections; and the supervisors of the several towns, direc- tors of said school districts, common council of such city and trustees of such village shall, within one week after such election, meet and canvass the votes and certify the result to the town <3lerk of each town, the clerk of each school district, the clerk of such city and to the village clerk of such village. If such reso- lution be adopted, the town, or towns, school district or school districts and city and village, so voting, shall constitute a joint high school district. This is an amendment to section 491, of the Wisconsin statutes for 1898, relating to high schools. Heretofore there has been no provision by which two or ntiore school districts could lawfully unite for the purpose of maintaining a free high school. This limitation is re- 12 SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. County training: schools. Section 1. (Cliapter 268.) The county board of any counter within which a state normal school is not located, is hereby au- thorized to appropriate money for the organization, equipment and maintenance of a county training school for teachers of the common schools. Section 2. A board to be known as the county training school board, is hereby created, who shall have charge and control of all. matters pertaining to the organization, equipment and mainten- ance of such school, except as otherwise provided by law. Said board shall consist of three members, one of whom shall be the county superintendent of schools of the county or district, in; which the school is located. The other members of the board shall be elected by the county board, for the term of three yearS' from the date of their election. Vacancies existing in the board from whatever cause, except in the case of the county superin- tendent, shall be filled by appointment made by the chairman of the county board, if the county board is not in session when such vacancy occurs. If the county board is in session, vacancies- shall be filled by election by said board for the unexpired term. Appointments made by the chairman of the county board, as- hereinbefore specified, shall be for the time to elapse until the next regular meeting of the county board. Each person ap- pointed or created a member of the county training school board shall within ten days after the notice of such appointment, take and subscribe an oath, to support the constitution of the United States and the constitution of Wisconsin, and honestly, faithfully and impartially to discharge his duties as a member of said board,, to the best of his ability, which oath shall be filed in the ofiice of the county clerk. He shall also, within the same time, file a bond in such sum as may be fixed by the county board, which bond shall be filed in the office of the county clerk. Within fif- teen days after the appointment of said board, the members thereof shall meet and organize by electing one of their number as president and one as treasurer; the county superintendent of SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. 13 scliools sliall be ex-officio secretary of tlie said board. Tbe said .board shall prescribe the duties of the several officers, except as fixed by law. Section 3. All moneys appropriated and expended under the 3)rovisions of this act, shall be expended by the county training school board, and shall be paid by the county treasurer on orders issued by said board. Section 4. The state superintendent shall give such informa- tion and assistance as may seem necessary in organizing and maintaining such training schools. He shall prescribe the courses of study to be pursued, and shall determine the qualifica- tions of all teachers employed in such schools. He shall have Tthe general supervision of all schools established under this act; ishall from time to time inspect the same, make such recommen- 'dations relating to their management as he may deem necessary, .and make such report thereon as shall give full information con- •cerning theii* number, character and efficiency. Section 5. Any school established under the provisions of this act, whose courses of study and the qualifications of whose teachers have been approved by the state superintendent, may upon application, be placed upon an approved list of county training schools for teachers. A school once entered upon such list may remain listed and be entitled to state aid so long as the scope and character of its work are maintained in such manner as to meet the approval of the state superintendent ; provided that he shall not place upon said list more than two schools. On the first day of July in each year the secretary of each county training school board maintaining a school on the approved list, :shall repoTt to the state superintendent, setting forth the facts relating to the cost of maintaining the school, the character of the work done, the number and names of teachers employed and such other matters as may be required. Upon the receipt of such report, if it shall appear that the school has been maintained in a satisfactory manner for a period of not less than ten months during; the year closing on the thirtieth day of the preceding 24 SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. June, tlie said superintendent shall make a certificate to that ef- fect and file it with the secretary of state. Upon receiving such certificate, the secretary of state shall draw his warrant, payable to the treasurer of the county maintaining such school^ for a sum equal to one-half the aniount actually expended for instruction in such school during the year; provided, that the total amount so apportioned shall not exceed twenty-five hundred dollars in any year and if more be demanded by such schools, they shall be paid proportionally. The secretary of state shall annually in^ elude and apportion in the state tax such sum as shall have been so paid. This is a new^ law the operation of which is restricted in as much as but two counties may, under its provisions, establish training schools for teachers and receive state aid. Special school tax in cities of the third and fourth classes. Section 1. (Chapter 81.) All cities of the third and fourth class operating under a special or general charter are hereby au- thorized to levy annually a special tax for school purposes not ex- ceeding one mill on the dollar of the assessed valuation! of all th^. real and personal property in said city for that year in addition to the total tax now authorized to be levied by such cities. This is a nev^^ law. Cities of the third class contain a populatio^i of ten thousand or over and less than forty thousand. Cities of the fourth class contain a population of ten thousand or less. This popu'- lation shall be determined by the last national or state censua. School taxes in cities. Section 1. (Chapter 186.) The board of education shall prior to the first day of March each year make an estimate of the expenses of the public schools for the ensuing year, including all necessary incidental expenses and the amount thereof which it will be necessary to raise by city taxation and certify the same to the city clerk who shall lay the same before the common council SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. 15 at the first regular meeting thereof in March. It shall be the duty of the common council to consider such estimate and by resolution duly adopted prior to the first day of April, determine the amount to be raised by city taxation for school purposes f or^ the ensuing year, which amount so fiLxed shall be included in the annual budget to be raised by a tax called the city school tax, which shall be collected the same as other taxes. It shall be the duty of the city treasurer to set aside and keep all moneys raised in any way for school purposes, whether by the state, the county or the city, coming into his hands in a separate fund to be called the school fund, and to pay out the same upon the orders of the board of education, signed by its president and certified by its secretary; provided that teachers' and janitors' salaries may be included in a single order each month in the form of a pay roU to be signed and certified as aforesaid ; provided further, that in any city adopting this chapter, if at the time of such adoption the board of education or school board shall have power to levy the city school tax or the district school taxes, such power shall con- tinue unaffected by this chapter, and this section shall not apply to such city nor be in force therein until specially adopted by a vote of three-fourths of the members ©f the council. Section 2. On or before the first day of October in each year the board of public works, if there be one, shall file with the city clerk a detailed statement of the amount of money that will be required for the ensuing fiscal year in such department, and the city comptroller or the ofiicer performing his duties shall like- wise file a statement of the amount required by the police and fire departments, the general and library fund, and for the pur- pose of paying interest for the ensuing year on the public debt and five per cent, of the principal thereof. The city clerk shall place such estimates before the council at its next regular meet- ing, and the council shall thereupon by resolution, levy such sums of money as may be sufiScient for the several purposes for which taxes are authorized not exceeding the amount provided by sec- tion 925-142a. And in making such levy they shall take into 1(3 SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. consideration the estimated amount that will be received by the •city during the fiscal year from licenses or from any other source. This is an amendment of section 925, paragraph 119, and 925, para- graph 142, of the Wisconsin statutes for 1898, requiring the board of education to make an estimate of the expenses for the public schools in cities for the ensuing year and to certify the amount which it will be necessary to raise by city taxation to the city clerk before the first •day of March instead of October. School boards in cities. Section 1. (Chapter 287.) In every city or village which shall adopt this chapter for its government, or shall have become newly organized under it by reason of the provisions of section 92 5g, Wisconsin statutes of 1898, if there shall be or shall have been at the time of such adoption, a board of education or school board elected by the people under the provisions of its charter, or the school district system is in force, and in all cases of such- cities or villages which have heretofore adopted the provisions of this act, or become newly organized as aforesaid, and which shall have continued to act under the old school district or school board system, the election and organization, powers and duties of such board shall not be affected by this chapter; and such system shall continue until changed by a vote of the electors of such school district, provided that whenever such school district shall em- brace within its limits a portion of the township outside of the limits of such city or village, the said school district shall there- after constitute a joint school district of such city and township until changed by a vote of the electors of such joint school dis- trict. In all other cities governed by this chapter, the board of education shall consist of one commissioner from each ward and three from the city at large, to be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the common council, or elected by the council if determined by ordinance. The mayor, in appointing, or coun- cil in electing the first board, shall divide the members into three classes, as nearly equal as may be, one of the commissioners at large being in each class, and shall appoint those of one class for SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. ^^ one year, those of another class for two years, and those of the re- maining class for three years. Each commissioner shall hold his office for the term designated in such classification, and until his successor shall have qualified. Thereafter, all commissioners shall be appointed or elected, and hold their offices for three years, and until their successors shall have qualified. This is an amendment to subdivision 113, of section 925, of the Wis- consin statutes of 1898 relating to cities. Teachers' institutes. Section 1. (Chapter 179.) For the purpose mentioned in the preceding section the said board may use such sum, not ex- ceeding twelve thousand dollars in any year, as it may deem nec- •essary, of which not exceeding six thousand dollars shall be paid from the normal school fund income and not exceeding six thou- sand dollars from the general fund, and the state superintendent may use such additional sum, not exceeding one thousand dollars, to be also paid from the general fund, as he shall deem proper for the purpose of j)roviding public lectures in connection with such institutes by the professor of the theory and art of teaching of the imiversity, or such other competent persons as the state superin- tendent may designate, and such amounts as shall be so expended are hereby annually appropriated from the said funds respec- tively. The secretary of state shall, annually, upon presentation to him of the certificate of the president and secretary of the board of regents of the amount expended for the purpose men- tioned in this section, drav^ his warrant in favor of the treasurer of said board for one-half of the amount so certified to as actually •expended. This is an amendment to section 408, of the Wisconsin statutes of 1898, and increases the appropriation for teachers' institutes. Township libraries. Section 1. (Chapter 276.) The treasurer of every town, in- corporated village, or city of the fourth class in this state, shall withhold annually from the apportionment received from the 18 SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. school fund or other income for the school district or districts, the schoolhouse or schoolhouses of which are located in his town, village or city, an amount equal to ten cents per capita for each person of school age residing therein, for the purchase of library books as hereinafter provided. Between the first days of May and September of each year, the town, village, or city clerk ex- cept that in cities having a board of education such board of edu- cation, or a majority thereof, shall act in place of the city clerk, shall, with the assistance and advice of the county or city super- intendent of schools, as the case may be, expend all such money in the purchase of books selected from the list prepared by tha state superintendent, for the use of the several schools districts. from which money has been so withheld, said books to be distrib- uted among said districts, in proportion to the amount of money withheld from each. In the case of joint districts between one or more towns, a town or towns and an incorporated village or city, the treasurer or treasurers of the town or towns, shall trans- mit to the treasurer of the town, village or city in which the schoolhouse or houses may be located, on or before the first day of June of each year, an amount equal to ten cents per capita for each person of school age residing in that part of the joint district in his town at the time of the last annual school census. The state superintendent shall prepare, as often as he shall deem necessary, lists of books suitable for school district libraries, and furnish copies of such list to each town, village or city clerk, or secretary of the board of education, and to each county or city superintendent, from which lists the above designated officers shall select and purchase books for use in such school libraries. Each town, village or city clerk, or secretary of the board of edu- cation, shall keep a record of the books so purchased and distrib- uted in a book provided for that purpose. Tor such services properly performed, each clerk or secretary shall be allowed two dollars per day for each day actually and necessarily devoted thereto, such sum to be paid out of the town, village or city treas- ure. SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. . ^9 Section 2. The state superintendent shall liave authority to suspend the operation of this act in any school district, town, vil- lage or city which shall maintain a free public library by giving due notice of such suspension to the clerk of such school district, toAvn, callage or city. This amendment to section 486a, chapter 27, extends the opera- tion of the township library law. Hereafter, cities of the fourth class (cities having" a population of ten thousand or less) and incorporated villages are brought wdthin the provisions of the law. Voters at district school meetings. Section 1. (Chapter 233.) Every resident elector of the dis- trict shall be entitled to vote in any meeting, provided such elec- tor has resided therein for at least thirty days next preceding any meeting. Section 2. Every woman who is a citizen of this state, of the age of twenty-one years or upwards, except paupers, persons under guardianship and persons otherwise excluded by section 2 of ar- ticle 3 of the constitution of Wisconsin, who has resided in the state one year, and in the election district where she offers to vote, thirty days next preceding any election pertaining to any school matters, shall have a right to vote at such election. This is an amendment to sections 428 and 428a of the Wisconsin stat- utes of 1898. By this law all voters at school district meetings, either annual or special, are required to reside at least thirty days in tho district previous to the date of the school meeting. This is a radical change in the election law and should receive especial attention in or- der that difficult and annoying questions may not arise in the man- agement of school district matters. Accounts of school boards to be examined. Section 1. (Chapter 162.) It shall be the duty of every school district in the state of Wisconsin at its annual meeting to appoint three competent men, who shall be tax payers in the district, to examine all accounts, books, vouchers, moneys and property of whatever kind belonging to said district, between the 20 SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. first and fifth, days of July of eacli year and report tlie finding, in writing, at the next regular annual meeting. Section 2. Said report shall be recorded in the school rec- ords, properly signed by the committee. TMs is a new law. Its provisions are plain. This law does not in- terfere with that part of secticn 425, W. S., which makes it the duty of the district board to meet on the Saturday immediately preceding the annual meeting for the purpose of making a careful examination of the accounts of the treasurer and compiling a full and itemized report of all receipts and expe-mditures since the last annual meeting, of the amount in the hands of the treasurer, or the amount of the deficit, if any, for which the district is liable, of the amount necessary to be raised by taxes for the support of the school for the coming year and of the amount required to pay the interest or principal of any debt due or to become due during the year. These reports are to be submitted in writing at the annual meeting. Town clerks and county superintendents have heretofore found difficulty in compiling correct financial reports for the schools under their respective jurisdictions. It. is hoped that by the operation of the law printed above correct re- ports may be obtained from each school district in the state. Over five million three htindred thousand dollars are annually expended in the management of the public schools and it is not unreasonable to require a strict accounting from each district for the sums annually received and expended in the management of its school affairs. County superintendents' conventions. Section 1. (Chapter 59.) It shall be the duty of the state su- perintendent to hold at least two conventions annually in as many different and most convenient and accessible points in the state for the purpose of consultation, advice and instruction with county superintendents in regard to the supervision and manage- ment of the public schools. This is an amendment of subdivision 9, of section 166, of the Wis- consin statutes of 1898. While the number of conventions annually held by the state superintendent for the purpose of consulting with the county superintendents is by this act reduced from four to two each convention under this act w^ill remain in session an increased number of days. SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. 21 Xoaus to school districts. Section 1. (Chapter 129.) In loans to school districts in the -state, or to the school directors of any town therein in which the township system of schools exists, as hereinafter provided, for the purpose of erecting school buildings or refunding their in- debtedness, but for no other purpose. Section 2. Eyery loan to a school district may be made for :such time, not exceeding fifteen years, and of such amount which, together with all other indebtedness of such district, shall not exceed five per centum of the last preceding assesseid valua- "tion of the real property in such district and not exceeding in any •case ten thousand dollars, as may be agreed upon; the principal :shall be payable in equal annual installments from a time fixed by said commissioners with interest at a uniform rate of three ■and one half per centum annually. 'No such loan shall be made until proof be filed in the ofiice of said commissioners of the com- plete performance on the part of such district of each and every ;act hereinafter required to precede the same. This is an amendinent to subdivision 2, of section 258, and of section '261, of chapter 17, of the Wisconsin statutes. By this act the pur- poses for which money may be borrowed from the trust funds of the state hy school districts are extended, and the rate of interest reduced from four per cent, to three and one-half per cent, per annum. Jilembers of school boards. Section 1. (Chapter 317.) Any school district containing within its boundaries a city with a population according to the state census of 1895 exceeding fifteen hundred, in which a high school is maintained, and which expended in the year ending- July 1st, 1898, in the maintenance of its schools, a sum exceed- ing four thousand dollars, may upon determining so to do by the vote of the electors present at any annual school meeting held in such school district, have a district board comprising seven members w^hich shall be known as the school board of the city, 'comprising in whole or in part such district, three of whom shall 22 SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. be tlie director, treasurer and clerk, as now provided by law, wbo- shall each discharge the separate duties now imposed upon hini by law, and shall be elected and hold office for the term now pro- vided by law. And all directors, clerk& and treasurers now im office in such districts, shall continue in their respective officer during the full term for which they were elected. The remain- ing four members of such district board, shall be elected as school district officers are now required to be elected, at the annual school meeting which may adopt this act; two of said four shall be elected for the period of one jear and the remaining two for the period of two years, and until their successors have been elected or appointed. At every succeeding annual school meet- ing in such district, there shall be elected in addition to a direc- tor, clerk or treasurer, as the case may be, two of such additional members of such board who shall hold their office for two years and until their successors are elected or appointed. In case of vacancies in the said board, such vacancies shall be filled as now provided for filling vacancies in district boards. All members of said board so elected shall be residents of such school district. Such school boards shall exercise all the powers, and discharge all the duties now imposed upon the district boards of such dis- tricts. Regular meetings of said board shall be held, and special meetings thereof may be called upon request of any three mem- bers of such board to the clerk, who shall thereupon, at least twenty-four hours before such special meeting is held, give writ- ten notice thereof to the remaining members of the board. This is a new law restricted in its operation. Obscene books, literature, papers, and pictures. Section 1. (Chapter 128.) "Any person who shall, in a pub- lic place, or on any fence or wall,'-^r other surface, contiguous to the public street or highway, or on the floor, or ceiling, or on the inner or outer wall, closet, room, passage, hall, or any part of any hotel, inn, or tavern, court house, church, school, station house, depot for freight or passengers, capitol or other buildings de- SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. 23. voted or open to other or like public uses, or on tlie walls of any- outbuildings, or other structure pertaining thereto, make or cause to be made any obscene drawing or picture or obscene or inde- cent writing, or print, liable to be seen by others passing, or com- ing near the same, such person so offending, shall in every such. case, be guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail not to ex- ceed one year or by fine not exceeding five hundred dollars. "Any person or persons, who shall put up, in any public place,, any indecent, lewd or obscene picture or character^ representing the human form in a nude or semi-nude condition, or shall ad- vertise by circulars or posters any indecent, lewd or immoral show, play or representation, shall be deemed guilty of a misde- meanor, and, on conviction thereof, shall be fined not less than. twenty-five dollars, nor more than three hundred dollars; pro- vided, that nothing in this act shall be construed as to interf ere- with purely scientific works, written on the subject of sexual physiology or works of art." This is an amendment to section 4590, of the Wisconsin statutes. School officers should take especial care to inform pupils of the force- and effect of this law. Much serious difficulty and expensive litigation may be easily avoided by so doing. It is the duty of every school board to see that the directions given, in the above law are made generally known to school children. Joint resolution Proposing an amendment to Section 1 of Article 10 of the- constitution of the state of Wisconsin relating to education. Resolved by the Senate, the Assembly concurring. That Sec- tion one of Article ten of the constitution of the state of Wiscon- sin be amended so as to read as follows : Section 1. The supervision of public instruction shall be vested in a state superintendent and such other officers as the legislature shall^ direct; and their qualifications, powers, duties, and compensation shall be prescribed by law. The state super- intendent shall be chosen by the qualified electors of the state at; 24 SCHOOL LAWS OF WISCONSIN, 1899. the same time and in tlie same manner as members of the su- preme court, and shall hold his office for four years from the succeeding first Monday in July. The state superintendent €hosen at the general election in JSTovember, 1902, shall hold and continue in his office until the first Monday in July, 1905, and his successor shall be chosen at the time of the judicial election in April 1905. The term of office, time and manner of elect- ing or appointing all other officers of supervision of public in- struction shall be fixed by law. The effect of changing the election to the spring and extending the ierm will be to remove the office of state superintendent as far as pos- sible from the influences of partisan politics and to place it upon the same basis as judicial offices. The change in the date of beginning the term will obviate a serious ■difficulty which now appears at every change of administration. The newly elected officer finds it impossible to prepare and have printed ^nd issued oji time, the Library List, Arbor Day Annual, and Memorial Day Annual; whereas if he entered upon the discharge of his duties July 1, no such delay would occur. That date is also the beginning of the school year; each term would close at the end of a school year, "thus making the records in the superintendent's office co-term'inous with the records of the school year throughout the state. This proposed amendment to the constitution provides for the elec- tion of the state superintendent of public instruction at the time of the judicial or spring- election instead of at the general election in November when all other state officers are elected. The object of this is to as far as possible remove the office of state superintendent Jrom the influences of partisan politics. Library of Congress