of the permanent State school fund and the revenues derived from the county levy. It is quite predictable that the amounts and rates of the district levies will vary and be modified from time to time. This additional district levy was to purchase, lease, or build a schoolhouse, to purchase a site, or to purchase maps, globes, apparatus, or a district library. The books were to be specified by the district meeting.13 During the session of 1857-58 the legislature authorized districts to levy a special tax by special vote to defray the "amount actually required to furnish fuel for the year." 14 This did not repeal the previous legislation providing for building and equipment. On January 24, 1860, the legislature decreed that "no tax shall be levied by any dis trict for the hiring of a teacher." The district tax was to be expended only for building or equipment. The rate was not limited.1 purpose In 1863 this was amended by adding that districts were further empowered to assess parents or guardians "for tuition, fuel, etc."16 The law of 1866 stated that the district might vote a tax "for any whatever connected with and for the benefit of the schools and the promotion of education in the district." 17 On January 27, 1866, the legislature authorized districts to levy a tax (not specified) for the purchase of a site, to construct or repair buildings, to purchase libraries, or apparatus, provided that they first "try to obtain the amount required by voluntary subscription."18 These apparently seemed a little too liberal and on January 29, 1868, the legislature specified that the district upon petition of the parents and guardians might vote a tax of "not to exceed 2 mills for the purpose of defraying the expenses of sustaining a school."19 By 1871 the fear of squandering money had apparently vanished and the law was modified to permit by vote of the district any tax for any purpose.20 In 1873 the necessity for restiction again appeared and the legislature specified that by vote of the district a tax not exceeding 10 mills for building and repairs might be levied." The law of November 12, 1875, fixed the amount to be "not exceeding 2 mills", but eliminated the restrictions as to use.22 11 Laws of Washington, 1854, ch. III, sec. 16, p. 326. 14 Laws of Washington, 1857-58, sec. 7. p. 20 Laws of Washington, 1859-63, ch. IV, sec. 20, p. 316. 1 Laws of Washington, 1857-68, sec. 1, p. 18. * On November 9, 1877, an entirely new school code was enacted. The changes in school finance, however, were not very great. Dis tricts were authorized to levy special taxes "not to exceed 10 mills" -to furnish additional facilities or for buildings, maps, globes, or apparatus. Only one special tax was permitted.2 23 In 1881 the statute was enacted to permit districts in incorporated cities or towns the levy of a tax "not exceeding 10 mills for building" and an additional special tax "not exceeding 5 mills * *for tuition purposes." This was especially intended to encourage the establishment and maintenance of graded schools.24 24 In 1883 the rate limitation was removed and the purpose not specified. The only restriction was that only two special meetings could be held in any one year.25 The last change in district or county school taxation before statehood was enacted on February 4, 1886. That law authorized districts to raise by special vote not to exceed 10 mills "to furnish additional school facilities' or for buildings or equipment.26 Certification of teachers.-The law of 1854 provided that county superintendents should examine teachers and issue certificates to those of good moral character and otherwise deemed worthy. These subjects for the examination were not specified. On January 26, 1855, a law was enacted requiring the county superintendent to be at his office at cer tain times to give examinations. For each examination he was to receive $1.7 The law did not state that teachers must possess certificates issued by the county superintendent. It seems to have been implied. Evidently some district board members coveted the authority and possibly the dollar fee. On January 20, 1857, an additional statute was enacted, which did not apparently withdraw the authority from the county superintendent but clearly gave permissive right to district boards also to determine the qualifications of teachers. The statute was as follows: School directors may be competent judges of the qualifications of teachers in their respective districts, and a certificate from the board of directors of any district shall be sufficient evidence of the qualifications of teachers employed by them.28 Laws of Washington, 1877, title XV, sec. 81, pp. 280–281. Laws of Washington, 1881, sec. 5, p. 28. #Laws of Washington, 1883, t tle XV, se.. 80, p. 21. *Laws of Washington, 1885-86, title XV, sec. 80, p. 25. 17 Laws of Washington, 1854-55, sec. 4, p. 13. Laws of Washington, 1856-57, sec. 3, p. 34. 65757°-35-8 In order to be more certain of their rights district boards were accorded mandatory powers in the matter a year hence. The act passed on January 30, 1858, reads: School directors shall be judges of the qualifications of teachers in their districts, but may require a teacher to get a certificate from under the hand of the county superintendent.29 On January 24, 1860, the words "shall be the judges" were changed to "may be the judges" but the directors were still permitted to require a teacher to secure a certificate from the county superintendent.30 On January 27, 1866, an important change was made establishing the mandate that teachers should be certificated by a professionally com petent officer and not by school boards. The law stated that school directors are authorized to contract with and employ teachers; and they shall require a teacher to get a certificate from under the hand of the county superintendent.31 That principle has not been changed again to the present day. The following year, January 17, 1867, the same statute was reenacted and the subjects required in the examination were slightly modified. History of the United States, defining, and English composition were listed for the first time. The others were: Orthography, reading, arithmetic, writing, English grammar, and geography.32 By the law enacted, November 29, 1871, and effective January 1, 1872, reestablishing the position of Territorial superintendent, the right to grant certificates was vested in that office also. Just how the powers were to be shared was not stated. At a considerably later time answers to these questions were given. English composition was added to the subjects included for county certificates. The law of 1877 extended the subjects, adding four to the list required in 1872. English composition was omitted. The statute specified "reading, writing, orthography, arithmetic, geography, English grammar, physiology, history of the United States, Constitution of the United States, school law of the Territory and theory and practice of teaching." 33 The law of 1877 made provision for a Territorial board of education, one function of which was to act as a board of examiners for teachers' certification. A county board of education was also provided for in the the same law. The board was composed of the county superintend 29 Laws of Washington, 1857-58. sec. 6, p 20. 30 Laws of Washington, 1859-60, sec. 5, p. 310. 81 Laws of Washington, 1865-66, ch. III, sec. 5, p. 10. 32 Laws of Washington, 1866-67. p. 27. 33 Laws of Washington, 1877, title XVII, sec. 89, p. 283. ent and two teachers of the county chosen by him and possessing the highest grade of county certificates. The sole function of that board as specified was to assist the county superintendent in preparing questions and reading papers of candidates for teachers' certificates.34 In the same law three grades of county certificates were authorized. The first grade was valid for 3 years, the second for 2 years, and the third grade for 1 year. Holders of the first grade were required to have had 1 year of successful teaching. They were also eligible to take the examination for the Territorial certificate if they had taught successfully for 3 years.35 Territorial certificates, valid anywhere in the commonwealth were authorized to be issued on examination to persons with 3 years of experience in teaching, by the Territorial board of education. Discretionary power was given to grant credentials without examination, to persons with 3 years of teaching experience who presented "authenticated diplomas, or certificates from other States, of the like grade and kind as those granted by the board of education for the Territory." 36 On November 28, 1883, the conditions for granting Territorial certificates were made more specific and a little more rigid. They were to be issued only to applicants who had "taught successfully twentyseven months, at least nine of which shall have been in the public schools of the Territory." Candidates were obliged to pass an examination in all branches taught in the public schools, or to present "a diploma from some State normal school, or a State or Territorial certificate from some State or Territory" equivalent to those issued inWashington. These were valid for 5 years. Life diplomas were issued on the same conditions except that 10 years of successful teaching, 1 in Washington, were required. The Territorial board was authorized to prepare uniform questions for teachers' examinations to be used by the county superintendents.37 In the same year provision was made whereby it became mandatory for county superintendents to endorse certificates from any other county, thus validating the certificate until the next meeting of the county board. This was an important step toward State-wide recog nition of certificates.38 On February 4, 1886, another important point was gained, viz, the recognition of the professional training given in the university. The "Laws of Washington, 1877, title III, sec. 25, p. 265. statute provided that county boards "may in their discretion issue certificates without examination to the graduates of the normal department of the University of Washington Territory, or to any applicant presenting a certificate of like grade, issued in this or any other State or Territory." **39 Territorial university. On January 29, 1855, the legislature established a Territorial university and located one branch of it at Seattle and the other on Boisfort Plains. On January 30, 1858, it was relocated on the Cowlitz Farm Prairie and again on January 12, 1860, it was relocated in Seattle. It was opened for instruction on Novem ber 4, 1861, and incorporated on January 24, 1862. This subject will be more fully discussed in a separate chapter. Territorial superintendent. On January 30, 1861, the legislature created the position of Territorial superintendent of common schools. On January 15, 1862, the position was abolished. The legislature did not see fit to reestablish the position again until November 29, 1871. A fuller discussion of this topic is given under the head of "Territorial Superintendents." County superintendent.-The detailed changes in the enactments regarding the county superintendent will not be recounted here. A fuller statement of his powers and duties as authorized in the law of 1877 appears elsewhere. The certification changes have also been traced and discussed in a separate section. 4. Miscellaneous Provisions The qualifications of voters were changed several times during Territorial days. On admission as a Territory in 1854 the law said every "legal voter" had the right to participate in school elections. In 1858 this was changed to "every inhabitant over the age of twenty-one years." On January 24, 1860, it was specified that "every white male inhabitant" who had resided in the district and was liable to any tax, except the road tax, was eligible to vote at school meetings. The law of 1871 again said "every inhabitant" as in 1860. The law of 1877 made it explicit that women had the right to vote by saying “every inhabitant, male or female", together with the other qualifi cations previously designated. Sale or lease of school lands.-On January 24, 1861, the legislature provided that "The land shall be sold to the highest bidder, in legal subdivisions of not more than 160 acres in a lot, the minimum price being $200 ($1.25 per acre)." On December 2, 1869, county com 40 'Laws of Washington, 1860, title III, sec. 26, p. 11. Laws of Washington, 1860-1, sec. 3, D. 474. |