FROM THE CODE OF 1897, THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE

CODE, 1913, AND THE SUPPLEMENTAL

SUPPLEMENT, 1915.

WITH THE

ACTS OF THE THIRTY-SEVENTH AND THIRTY-EIGHTH

PREFACE

The Department of Public Instruction is sending to county superintendents and school officers a copy of all school laws without annotations or decisions. The Thirty-seventh and Thirtyeighth General Assemblies amended many of the sections therefore it was thought advisable to put out this publication for temporary use. You will observe that the amendments have been written into the law thus giving you the amended text of each section. Such a plan seemed advisable in view of the fact that next year the Recodification Committee will report with a complete revision of the laws. This will necessitate a regular publication of the school code at an early date thereafter.

We trust that school officers will retain the 1915 edition of the school laws and transmit them to their successors for future use as they will be especially valuable on account of the annotations and decisions.

A. M. DEYOE,

Superintendent of Public Instruction.

MAY 4 1920

SCHOOL LAWS OF IOWA

SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

Sec. 2627-a. Elective by people-term-vacancy. That the office of superintendent of public instruction is hereby made elective, and the election of said officer shall be submitted to the qualified voters of Iowa at the general election of 1918 and every four years thereafter. The term of such officer so elected shall commence at the expiration of the term of the superintendent of public instruction now in office, and continue until his successor is elected and qualified. Section twenty-six hundred twentyseven-a (2627-a) supplement to the code, 1913, and all acts and parts of acts inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. [37 G A., ch. 318; 35 G. A., ch. 103, §1; 35 G. A., ch. 103.]

Sec. 2627-b. Qualifications-oath. The superintendent of public instruction shall, at the time of his appointment, be a graduate of an accredited university or college, or of a four-year course above high school grade in an accredited normal school, and shall have had at least five years' experience as a teacher or school superintendent. He shall, before entering upon his du ties, take and subscribe the constitutional oath of office, which shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state. [35 G. A. ch. 103 § 2.]

The superintend

Sec. 2627-c. General supervision-duties. ent of public instruction shall have general supervision and con trol over the rural, graded and high schools of the state, and over such other state and public schools as are not under the control of the state board of education, or board of control of state institutions, and his office shall be known as the department of public instruction. It shall be his duty:

1. Inspection. To ascertain, so far as practicable, by inspection or otherwise, the conditions, needs and progress of the schools belonging to his department.

2. Recommendations. To suggest, through public addresses, pamphlets, bulletins, and by meetings and conferences with school officers, teachers, parents, and the public generally, such changes and improvements as he may think desirable, and may publish and distribute such views and information as he may deem important.

3. Promotion of interest in education. To endeavor to promote among the people of the state a proper interest in the general sub

ject of education, including industrial and commercial education, agriculture, manual and vocational training, domestic science and continuation work.

4. Classification. To classify and define the various schools belonging to his department, and to formulate suitable courses of study therefor, and to publish and distribute such classifications and courses of study.

To prescribe the re

5. Officers' and teachers' reports-forms. ports, both regular and special, which shall be made by public school officers, superintendents and teachers, and other persons or officers having the custody or control of public school funds or property, and to prepare suitable forms therefor, and to furnish blanks for such reports as are to be made to him.

6. Days for special observance. To publish and distribute from time to time leaflets and circulars relative to such days and occasions as he may deem worthy of special observance in the public schools.

7. Appeals opinions. To examine and determine all appeals made to him according to law and the rules relating thereto, and to prescribe rules of practice therefor not inconsistent with law. He shall also render written opinions upon questions submitted by school officers pertaining to their duties.

8. Reports. He shall, on the first day of January of each year, report to the auditor of state the number of persons of school age in each county. He shall report biennially to the governor the conditions of the schools under his supervision, including the number and kind of school districts, the number of schools of each kind, the number and value of schoolhouses, the enrollment and attendance in each county for the previous year, any plans matured or measures proposed for the improvement of the public schools, and such financial and statistical information as may be of public importance; he may also include such general information relating to educational affairs and conditions within the state or elsewhere, as he may deem necessary.

9. Plans and specifications for buildings. He shall, when deemed necessary, cause to be prepared and published a pamphlet containing suitable plans and specifications for public school buildings, including the most approved means and methods of heating, lighting and ventilating the same, together with information and suggestions for the proper and economical construction thereof. It is hereby made the duty of the state architect to render such assistance and to perform such services in preparing such plans and specifications as may be requested by the superintendent of public instruction.

10. Institutes. He shall appoint county educational meetings or institutes to be held in each county once each year and not more

than twice, and shall designate the time and place for holding them. The program therefor, and the instructors and lecturers therein, shall be subject to his approval.

11. Examinations. He shall prepare and supply questions for the examination of applicants for teachers' certificates and for the examination of pupils completing the eighth grade in the rural schools.

12. Placement of teachers. (a) He shall assist in the placement of employment of teachers in public schools as hereinafter provided.

(b) Any person having a certificate to teach in this state and who is deemed by this department to be a suitable person for teaching, shall on written application be entitled to enroll with the superintendent of public instruction under such regulations as he may prescribe.

(c) Upon request he shall furnish information to boards of education, superintendents, principals, and other proper authorities of public schools, desiring to employ teachers, and under such regulations as he may prescribe, furnish teachers enrolled with the information relative to vacancies in public schools; but no person connected with the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall be held responsible or be understood to vouch for the fitness or success of any teacher who may secure a position through the agencies herein provided.

(d) The superintendent of public instruction may employ such additional clerical help as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this act, and shall make and publish the necessary rules and regulations for carrying out said provisions, and for obtaining information as to the experience, qualifications and character of persons enrolled or seeking enrollment.

(e) There is hereby appropriated from any funds in the state treasury not otherwise appropriated, the sum of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) annually, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this act. [38 G. A., ch. 298, 35 G. A., ch. 103.]

In effect by publication April 29, 1919.

Sec. 2627-d. Office-records-clerks-supplies. The superintendent of public instruction shall have an office in the capitol. He shall file and preserve all reports, documents and correspondence that may be of permanent value, which shall be open to inspection under reasonable conditions, by any citizen of the state. He shall keep a record of the business transacted by him, and shall turn over to his successor all records, papers, reports, documents, books and other state property pertaining to his office. He shall be furnished by the executive council with sufficient office room and clerical and stenographic help, and with all necessary books, blanks, stationery, printing, postage and