UC-NRLF LB SB b? C'vJ tr- LO O GIFT OF SCHOOL LAWS OF WASHINGTON ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF 1915 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY MRS. JOSEPHINE CORLISS PRESTON Superintendent of Public Instruction OLYMPIA 1915 OLYMPIA FRANK M. LAMBORN ugg^^ PUBLIC PRINTER. 1915 STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, OLYMPIA. For the benefit of school officers I have compiled the school laws enacted at the last session of the legislature. This pam- phlet should be used in connection with the 1913 Code of Public Instruction. After amendatory acts, annotations have been made referring to the numbers of sections in the 1913 Code of Public Instruction which have been affected by the new act. MRS. JOSEPHINE CORLISS PRESTON, Superintendent of Public Instruction. August 15, 1915. COINTEINTS Page Powers and duties of directors, establishment of night schools.... 5 Transfers of territory 7 Creation of university building fund, tuition fees 9 Display of flag, flag salute 12 County auditors to issue warrants for second and third class districts 12 Schoolhouses and sites in second class districts 13 Dates of school elections 14 Authorizing state college to co-operate in extension work 15 Making school districts subject to garnishment 16 Creating commission for educational survey 16 Relating to accrediting of institutions 18 Dates of teachers' examinations 19 Formation, etc., of consolidated districts 20 Commission on financial management of public schools 22 313880 SCHOOL LAWS ENACTED 1915 CHAPTER 44. [H. B. 113.] AN ACT relating to the powers and duties of school directors and amending section 4481 of Remington & Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. That section 4481 of Rem. & Bal. Code be amended to read as follows : Section 4481. Every board of directors, unless otherwise specially provided by law, shall have power and it shall be its duty: First. To employ, for not more than one year, and for suf- ficient cause to discharge, teachers, and to fix, alter, allow and order paid their salaries and compensation. The directors, ex- cept in districts of the first class, shall make with each teacher employed by them a written or printed contract, which shall be in conformity with the laws of this state, and every such contract shall be made in duplicate, one copy of which shall be retained by the school district clerk and the other shall be delivered to the teacher after having been approved and registered by the county superintendent as by law required. Second. To enforce the rules and regulations prescribed by the superintendent of public instruction and state board of education for the government of schools, pupils and teachers, and to enforce the course of study lawfully prescribed for the schools of their district. Third. To rent, repair, furnish and insure school houses, to employ janitors, laborers and mechanics. Fourth. To cause all school houses to be properly heated, lighted and ventilated, and to cause all school premises to be maintained in a cleanly and sanitary condition. Fifth. To purchase personal property in the name of the district and to receive, lease and hold for their district any real or personal property. 6 '? .**;** School Laws of Washington Sixth. To suspend or expel pupils from school who refuse to obey the rules thereof, and they shall exclude from school all children under six years of age. Seventh. To provide free text-books and supplies to be loaned to the pupils of the school, when in their judgment the best interests of their district will be subserved thereby, and to prescribe such rules and regulations as they shall deem necessary to preserve such books and supplies from unnecessary damage. Eighth. To require all pupils to be furnished with such books as may have been adopted by the lawful authority of this state, as a condition to membership in the schools. Ninth. To exclude from schools and school libraries all books, tracts, papers and other publications of an immoral or pernicious tendency. Tenth. To authorize the school room to be used for summer or night schools, or for public, literary, scientific, religious, po- litical, mechanical and agricultural meetings, under such regula- tions as the board of directors may adopt. Eleventh. To provide and pay for transportation of chil- dren to and from school when in their judgment the best interests of their district will be subserved thereby, but, in case trans- portation is provided, the directors shall not be compelled to transport children who live within two miles of the school house. Twelfth. To establish and maintain night schools. Passed the House March 1, 1915. Passed the Senate March 4, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 8, 1915. This act amends Section 163 of the Code of Public Instruction. The only change is the addition of the twelfth paragraph. School Laws of Washington CHAPTER 50. [S. B. 39.] AN ACT relating to the transfer of territory from one school district to another and amending section 4433 of Remington & Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. That section 4433 of Remington & Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington be amended to read as follows : Section 4433. For the purpose of transferring territory from one district to another or enlarging the boundaries of any school district, a petition in writing shall be presented to the county superintendent, signed by a majority of heads of fam- ilies residing in the territory which it is proposed to transfer or include, or in case there be no family resident in such terri- tory then by the board of directors in one of the districts affected by such proposed change, which petition shall describe the change which it is proposed to have made. It shall also state the reason for desiring said change, and the number of children of school age if any residing in the territory to be transferred. For such proposed transfer of territory the notices shall be posted and the hearing and appeal shall be the same as for the formation of a new district: Provided, That whenever any part of a school district of the third class in which no high school is maintained is bounded on three sides by a school district of the second class in which a high school is situated and maintained, the county superintendent of schools may without petition, transfer the territory of the school district of the third class so bounded to the school district of the second class in which said high school is situated and maintained: Provided, That the county superintendent of schools, shall hold a hearing upon the advisability of said transfer, and shall give notice of the time and place of said hearing to the parties in- terested, by causing notices to be posted at least twenty (20) days prior to the time appointed by him for said hearing, in at least three of the most public places in the territory proposed 8 School Laws of Washington to be transferred, and one on the school house door of each district affected by the proposed change. On the day, and at the place fixed in the notice, he shall hold said hearing, and if he deem it advisable to make such transfer, he shall make an order establishing said transfer, and shall certify his action to the board of county commissioners at their next regular meeting. Upon making such transfer of territory the county superintendent of schools shall fix a time and place for adjusting the assets and liabilities of the school districts affected, and shall give notice thereof by posting said notice at least twenty days prior to the appointed time in not less than three of the most public places in the district from which the territory was transferred (at least one of which shall be in the territory transferred), and a like number in the district to which the territory is transferred. At the time and place fixed he shall hear the testimony offered by any interested party or district, and make an equitable adjustment of all property, debts and liabilities among the districts affected in the same manner and to the same effect as is provided in section 4434 of Remington & Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington. Passed the Senate February 15, 1915. Passed the House February 24, 1915. NOTE BY SECRETARY OF STATE. The above act filed in the office of the secretary of state, March 9, 1915, and allowed to become a law without the approval of the Governor. I. M. HOWELL, Secretary of State. This act amends Section 114 of the Code of Public Instruction. This act provides that whenever any part of a third class district which has no high school, is bounded on three sides by a second class district having a high school, the county superintendent may transfer the territory of the third class district so bounded to the second without a petition. School Laws of Washington 9 CHAPTER 66. [S. B. 310.] AN ACT for the support of the University of Washington and relating to the erection and equipment of two buildings at the university, making appropriations therefor and providing a system of student fees and creating a building fund. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. There is hereby created in the state treasury a fund which shall he known and designated as the "University of Washington Building Fund." SEC. 2. The University of Washington shall charge to and collect from each of the students matriculating and registering therein, the following fees : (a) A matriculation fee of ten dollars. (b) A tuition fee of ten dollars per semester. (c) A tuition fee of ten dollars for Summer Session, Short Course and Marine Station students. The students mentioned in this subdivision shall not be charged for such work any fees mentioned in subdivisions (a) and (b) of this section, but may in proper cases, be charged the fees mentioned in subdivisions (d) and (e) ; but upon subsequent matriculation and registra- tion for regular semester work such students must pay the matriculation fee and also such fees as are required for the work for which they register. (d) An additional tuition fee of twelve and one-half dol- lars per semester for law, for the law library. (e) Student deposit, disciplinary and special or individual instruction fees and fees for extension work and fees for night work, shall be as determined by the board of regents. The board of regents is hereby empowered to return unused or unearned portions of the fees collected under the terms of this subdivision. SEC. 3. All fees mentioned in subdivision (a) of section two of this act shall be paid into the state treasury within five days from the collection thereof, and all fees mentioned in sub- division (b) of said section except such as shall be returned 10 School Laws of Washington as provided in section five of this act shall be paid into the state treasury within sixty-five days from the collection thereof, and by the state treasurer shall be credited to the "University of Washington Building Fund," to be used exclusively for the purpose of erecting, maintaining, equipping and furnishing new buildings, and altering, repairing, equipping and furnishing existing buildings for the University of Washington. SEC. 4. All fees paid in accordance with subdivisions (c), (d) and (e) of said section two shall be held by the board of regents as a revolving fund and expended by it for the purposes for which collected and be accounted for in accordance with existing law. SEC. 5. Fees paid in accordance with subdivision (a) of section two of this act are not returnable to the student in whole or in part. Fees paid in accordance with subdivision (b) of said section two are not returnable except in case of sickness or causes entirely beyond the control of the student. No por- tion of the fees shall be returned for voluntary or enforced with- drawal after sixty days from the date of registration of the student. Students withdrawing under discipline forfeit all rights to the return of any portion of the fees. In no case shall more than one-half of the fee be refunded. SEC. 6. The board of regents may appoint to free scholar- ships those deserving students who after a semester in residence have shown a marked capacity for the work done by them in school. The number of free scholarships shall not in any semester exceed ten per centum of the attendance. The appoint- ment of a free scholarship shall release the student appointed from the payment of the fees mentioned in subdivision (b) of section two of this act. SEC. 7. On and after March 1, 1916, all rentals received on account of that certain lease of the former university site in the city of Seattle, known as the "Old University Grounds," made and entered into on the first day of February, 1907, by School Laws of Washington 11 and between the State of Washington, lessor, and James A. Moore, lessee, and thereafter assigned by said lessee to the Metropolitan Building Company, a corporation, shall be paid into and credited to said "University of Washington Building Fund," to be used exclusively for the purposes mentioned in sec- tion three of this act. SEC. 8. This act shall not apply to or affect any student fee or charge which the students voluntarily maintain upon themselves for student purposes only. SEC. 9. There is hereby appropriated out of any moneys in the general fund the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00) to be used in the construction of a class "A" building for the University of Washington and for furnish- ing and equipment therefor. SEC. 10. There is hereby appropriated from the said "Uni- versity of Washington Building Fund" the sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000.00), or so much thereof as may be necessary, for the erection, equipment and furnishing of one class "A" building upon the campus for the use of the University of Washington. Said building to be built by and under the supervision of the board of regents of the university. SEC. 11. All acts and parts of acts in any way in conflict with this act be and the same are hereby repealed. Passed the Senate March 1, 1915. Passed the House March 8, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 15, 1915. School Laws of Washington CHAPTER 71. [S. B. 235.] AN ACT relating to common schools and amending section 4482 of Rem- ington & Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. That section 4482 of Remington & Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington be amended to read as follows : Section 4482. Every board of directors of the several school districts of this state shall procure a United States flag, and shall display said flag upon or near each public school build- ing during school hours, except in unsuitable weather, and at such other times as to said board may seem proper, and shall cause appropriate flag exercises to be held in every school at least once in each week at which exercises the pupils shall recite the following salute to the flag: "I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the republic for which it stands. One nation in- divisible with liberty and justice to all." Passed the Senate February 26, 1915. Passed the House March 10, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 15, 1915. This act amends Section 164 of the Code of Public Instruction. Provides that flag salute must be given once each week. CHAPTER 74. [S. B. 374.] AN ACT relating to and requiring that all warrants for the payment of claims against diking, ditch, drainage and irrigation districts and school districts of the second and third class shall be issued by the county auditor of the county wherein such district is located. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. All warrants for the payment of claims against diking, ditch, drainage and irrigation districts and school dis- tricts of the second and third class shall be drawn and issued School Laws of Washington 13 by the county auditor of the county wherein such district is located, upon vouchers properly approved by the respective commissioners, trustees or directors of such district. Passed the Senate March 5, 1915. Passed the House March 9, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 15, 1915. CHAPTER 116. [H. B. 85.] AN ACT relating to school houses and school sites in school districts of the second class and amending section 4522 of Remington & Bal- linger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. That section 4522 of Rem. & Bal. Code be amended to read as follows : Section 4522. The board shall build or remove school houses, purchase or sell lots or other real estate when directed by a vote of the district to do so and where the district shall possess a school house upon a site owned by such district the board may by a unanimous vote of all the members thereof purchase or lease additional real estate adjacent to such site: Provided, That a school house already built on a site which has been selected by a majority vote of the legal school electors of a district shall not be removed to a new site without a two- thirds vote of the school electors voting at an annual or special election; nor shall a school house site that has been selected by a majority vote of the legal school electors, but upon which no school house has been built, be changed except by a two- thirds vote of the legal school electors voting at an annual or special election as hereinbefore provided. Passed the House February 16, 1915. Passed the Senate March 9, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 17, 1915. This act amends Section 204 of the Code of Public Instruction. 14 School Laws of Washington CHAPTER 117. [H. B. 25.] AN ACT relating to school elections and amending section 4657 of Rem- ington & Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. That section 4657 of Remington & Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington be and hereby is amended to read as follows : Section 4657. The election of school district directors shall, except as otherwise provided by law, be held on the first Satur- day in March of each year, at the district school house, if there be one, or if there be none, or more than one, then at a place to be designated by the board of directors : Provided, That if a petition signed by not less than twenty-five per cent, of the legal voters in any district asking that the date of the next annual election therein be changed, shall be filed with the county superintendent of schools not less than twenty days before such election, said superintendent shall fix a date within the first seven days of March, other than a Saturday, for the holding of such election and forthwith notify the clerk thereof and such election shall then be held upon the date so fixed in the manner and upon the notice that other like elections are held. Special school elections shall be called and conducted in the manner provided for calling and conducting annual elections. Passed the House March 8, 1915. Passed the Senate March 10, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 17, 1915. This act amends Section 338 of the Code of Public Instruction. School Laws of Washington 15 CHAPTER 125. [H. B. 70.] AN ACT authorizing and empowering the board of regents of the State College of Washington to receive and expend the monies appro- priated by the Congress of the United States under an act entitled "An act to provide for cooperative agricultural extension work be- tween the agricultural colleges in the several states receiving the benefits of the act of Congress approved July 2, 1862, and of acts supplemental thereto, and the United States Department of Agri- culture," approved May 8, 1914, and making an appropriation for the purpose of complying with the terms of said act of Congress. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. The board of regents of the State College of Washington is hereby authorized and empowered to receive and expend the monies appropriated under the act of Congress ap- proved May 8, 1914, and entitled "An act to provide for co- operative agricultural extension work between the agricultural colleges in the several states receiving the benefits of the act of Congress approved July 2, 1862, and of acts supplemental thereto, and the United States Department of Agriculture," and to organize and conduct agricultural extension work in connection with the State College of Washington in accordance with the terms and conditions expressed in said act of Congress. SEC. 2. For the purpose of complying with the conditions expressed in said act of Congress approved May 8, 1914, there is hereby appropriated out of the general fund the sum of eighteen thousand four hundred eighty-one dollars. Passed the House March 6, 1915. Passed the Senate March 9, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 17, 1915. 16 School Laws of Washington CHAPTER 130. [S. H. B. 111.] AN ACT making counties, cities, towns, school districts and other mu- nicipal corporations subject to garnishment. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. Counties, cities, towns, school districts and other municipal corporations shall be subject to garnishment in the superior and justice courts, but only after judgment shall have been entered against the defendant in the main action. SEC. 2. No regular judgment in garnishment shall be entered against any municipal corporation, but the judge of the superior court, or justice of the peace shall by written order command the auditing officer, or body of such municipal cor- poration to audit and pay to the judgment creditor the amount due from the garnishee to the principal defendant, not exceed- ing the amount of the judgment in the main action, whereupon the same shall be paid by the garnishee, provided, nothing in this act shall be construed to impair the rights of defendants to claim exemptions of wages as provided by law. Passed the House March 1, 1915. Passed the Senate March 9, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 17, 1915. CHAPTER 143. [S. B. 405.] AN ACT creating a commission to make an educational survey, denning its powers and duties, appointing the members thereof and making an appropriation therefor. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. There is hereby created a commission consist- ing of six members to be known as "The Commission of Educa- tional Survey of Washington," and it shall be the duty of such School Laws of Washington 17 commission to make a comprehensive survey of the organization and work of the University of Washington, the State College of Washington and the State Normal Schools at Ellensburg, Cheney and Bellingham, and a general survey of the public system of the state, both urban and rural, elementary and secondary, and of the educational development and possibilities of the state, and to determine more definitely the purpose, sphere and functions of the University, the State College and the State Normal Schools, and the lines along which each should be en- couraged to develop for the better service of the state. In the performance of its duties, said commission shall have power to employ experts and to fix and authorize the payment of their compensation. Upon the completion of such survey and on or before April 30, 1916, said commission shall make and file with the governor a report of its findings and recommendations, which report shall be published for general distribution throughout the state, and shall contain such recommendations to the legislature in regard to the enactment or amendment of the statutes re- lating to the several institutions as may be found advisable, in- cluding any necessary changes in the distribution of the millage tax for the support of such institutions and such additional appropriations as the commission may deem advisable. SEC. 2. The members of the sub-committee of the joint committee on Educational Institutions and Education of the 14th legislature, to-wit: Senators W. J. Sutton, E. E. Boner, and A. H. Imus, and Representatives Tom Brown, Charles Tim- blin, and Victor Zednick, are hereby appointed members of said commission, who shall receive as compensation five dollars ($5.00) for each day while actually engaged in the performance of their duties. SEC. 3. For the payment of the actual and necessary travel- ing expenses of the members of the said commission, the com- pensation of the members of said commission and the experts employed, and expenses incidental to the work of said com- mission, there is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the state treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of five 18 School Laws of Washington thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or so much thereof as may be necessary. Passed the Senate March 9, 1915. Passed the House March 9, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 18, 1915. CHAPTER 161. [S. B. 395.] Ax ACT relating to accrediting of institutions. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. The state board of education shall investigate the character of the work required to be performed as a condi- tion of entrance to and graduation from normal schools, col- leges, universities and other institutions of higher education and to prepare an accredited list of those higher institutions of learning of this and other states whose graduates may be awarded teachers' certificates by the superintendent of public instruction without examination except upon the state manual of Washington: Provided, That graduates of accredited col- leges and universities must present evidence that they have com- pleted satisfactorily twelve semester hours in professional study in an accredited institution or else pass examination in such professional subj ects as the state board of education may direct : And provided further, That the entrance and graduation re- quirements of all colleges and universities whose diplomas are accredited must be equal to those of the University of Washing- ton ; and the requirements for normal schools shall be equal to the advanced courses of the state normal schools of this state. Passed the Senate March 6, 1915. Passed the House March 10, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 18, 1915. This act supersedes paragraph third, Section 11 of the Code of Public In- struction. School Laws of Washington 19 CHAPTER 162. [S. B. 350.] AN ACT relating to teachers' examinations and amending sections 4641 and 4642 of Remington & Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. That section 4641 of Remington & Bal- linger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington be amended to read as follows : Section 4641. An examination for the certification of teachers of the State of Washington for third, second, first grade primary and first grade certificates shall be held at the county seat of each county by the county superintendent in accordance with the rules and regulations of the state board of education, on the first Thursday of August, November, and March and the Friday and Saturday next following; and for professional and life certificates on the above named days of August and March only. SEC. 2. That section 4642 of Remington & Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Washington be amended to read as follows : Section 4642. The county superintendent shall within three days following the close of the examinations provided for in section 1 of this article, transmit to the state superintendent of public instruction all papers written at such examination, together with such other reports as shall by him be required The superintendent of public instruction shall keep all manu- scripts on file for a period of at least sixty (60) days from the date of the examinations. Passed the Senate March 2, 1915. Passed the House March 10, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 18, 1915. This act amends Section 322 and 323 of the Code of Public Instruction. 20 School Laws of Washington CHAPTER 182. [H. B. 78.] AN ACT relating to consolidated school districts, the election, powers and duties of directors thereof, the acquisition and disposition of property thereof, and amending sections 4440, 4444, and 4447 of Remington & Ballinger's Annotated Codes and Statutes of Wash- ington. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Washington: SECTION 1. That section 4440 of Rem. & Bal. Code be amended to read as follows : Upon receipt of a petition signed by five heads of families requesting the consolidation of two or more adjoining districts in the same county, the county superintendent shall call a special election of the voters of such school districts at some convenient place, by posting written or printed notices in like manner as is provided for calling annual school district elections, and said notices shall state the object for which the election is called. If a majority of the voters of each district shall vote to con- solidate, the clerk of each district so proposing to con- solidate, shall within ten days after the election notify the county superintendent of the holding of and the result of the election and the county superintendent shall, immediately after receipt of said notice organize and establish a consolidated school district and when such consolidated district shall have been established no new district shall be established out of any portion thereof, or any portion thereof changed to another district within five years from such consolidation. SEC. 2. That section 4444 of Rem. & Bal. Code be amended to read as follows : Section 4444. The county superintendent of any county in which new districts are formed by the uniting of ten or more districts, or by the incorporating of any city or town lying partly in two or more school districts, shall upon being notified of such action by the board of directors of such new district, proceed to designate such new district by a number not the School Laws of Washington same as that of either component district or of any existing district, and to make a record of the boundaries thereof, and he shall certify such facts to the board of county commissioners, to the county treasurer, and to the clerk of the new district formed. The county superintendent shall also divide such consolidated district into three directors' districts which shall each comprise as nearly as possible one-third of the population of the con- solidated district, and thereafter one director shall be elected from among the qualified electors of each such directors' dis- trict by the qualified electors of the consolidated district. SEC. 3. That section 4447 of Rem. & Bal. Code be amended to read as follows : Section 4447. When two or more school districts shall be united by the provisions of this act, the board of directors of the several districts shall, within thirty days thereafter, meet and organize the new board by the election of one of their num- ber as president of the board. The board shall elect a clerk for said district, and the clerks of the several districts so united shall deliver to said clerk all books, papers and records belong- ing to their respective offices. The board may in its discretion require the superintendent, if there be one, of such consolidated district to act as clerk. The clerk of the new district thus formed shall immediately notify the county superintendent of the organization of the board of the new district. Passed the House March 1, 1915. Passed the Senate March 9, 1915. Approved by the Governor March 19, 1915. This act amends Sections 121, 125, and 128 of the Code of Public In- struction. SEC. 1. This act requires a special election to form a consolidated district. After being formed, it cannot be changed for 5 years. SEC. 2. When a town which lies partly within two or more districts incor- porates, or when 10 or more districts are consolidated, the county superintendent must divide the new districts into three equally populated parts, each part to be a "director's district." One director is to be elected from each part by the electors of the whole consolidated district. SEC. 3. The school board of the consolidated district may require the Superintendent of the district to act as clerk. ERRATA. In the fourth line of Sec. 2, page 20, ten should read two. In Sec. 2 of explanatory note, page 21, 10 should read 2. School Laws of Washington SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 15. WHEREAS, it appears that the public school system is one of the most important departments of government, and WHEREAS, it appears that the cost of the public schools ex- ceeds one-third of all the revenues raised by taxation m the state of Washington, and WHEREAS, it further appears that the cost of the support and maintenance of the public school system has increased fifty per cent. (50%) in the last five (5) years, while the daily attendance has only increased fifteen per cent. (15%), and WHEREAS, it appears by the last biennial report of the state superintendent of public instruction that the basis of appor- tionment of the state current school fund and the county school fund is in need of radical readjustment on the basis of actual attendance instead of on the present basis. Now Therefore, Be It Resolved, by the legislature of the State of Washington, that a state commission on the financial management of public schools is hereby created, whose duty it shall be to examine into the methods for the business management of the public schools ; to inquire into and devise ways and means for raising revenues for the support of the pub- lic schools ; to devise an economical, efficient and comprehensive system of school districts ; to recodify, rearrange and bring into harmony all laws and parts of laws pertaining to the finan- cial management and business adjustment of the public school system of the state of Washington ; to suggest such amendments to existing laws as it may deem proper for the best interests of the educational system of this state, and for this purpose it may conduct hearings and assemble data in different parts of the state. Be It Further Resolved, that it shall be the duty of such commission to make a careful study of the distribution of the state current school fund and the county school funds for the purpose of presenting to the next session of the legis- lature a proper solution of the apportionment problem. School Laws of Washington Be It Resolved, Further, that such commission shall con- sist of five (5) members, one member to be appointed by the president of the Senate from among the members thereof ; one member to be appointed by the speaker of the House from among the members thereof; the superintendent of public in- struction; one member to be appointed by the state auditor from the bureau of inspection and supervision of public offices, and one member who shall be appointed by the attorney general and who shall also serve as legal advisor of the commission. All members of the commission shall serve without compensation. Be It Resolved, Further, that it shall be the duty of the commission to meet in the office of the superintendent of public instruction immediately after the adjournment of the legislature and make preliminary arrangements for performing its duties and it shall have power to meet at such other times and places as it shall deem necessary to carry out the purposes of this resolution, and Be it Further Resolved, that it shall be the duty of such commission to draft its conclusions in the form of a bill to be submitted to the members elect of the state legislature of 1917 on or before December first, 1916, together with a re- port of the facts and conditions of the financial management of the public school system as revealed by the investigations of the commission. Passed the Senate March 5, 1915. Passed the House March 6, 1915. 313880 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY