Supervision of high school.

265. High schools established in accordance with this act of assembly shall be under the supervision of the superintendent of the city, borough or county in which they are situated.19

Approval of courses of study.

266. The courses of study in high schools receiving state aid shall be subject to the approval of the superintendent of public instruction.20

Centralization of township schools and provision for township high schools. Definition of "Centralization."

267. The word, "centralization" is hereby defined as a system of schools in a township, providing for the abolishment of all sub-districts, and the conveyance of pupils to one or more central schools. 21

Petition and duty of school board.

268. A township board of school directors, upon the petition of a majority of the qualified electors representing or owning property to the amount of not less than onefourth of the assessed valuation of such township district, must submit such question to a vote of the qualified electors of such township district, and if more votes are cast in favor of centralization than against it at such election, it shall then become the duty of the board of school directors, and such board of school directors is required, to proceed at once to the centralization of the schools of the township, and if necessary purchase a site or sites and erect a suitable building or buildings thereon: Provided, That if at the said election more votes are cast against the proposition for centralization than for it, the question shall not again be submitted to the electors of said township for a period of two years.22

Elections and ballots.

269. All elections ordered by a board of school directors, in pursuance of section 2 of this act, shall be held at the usual place or places of holding township elections at a regular election, and notice shall be given and the election conducted in all respects as provided by law for the election of township officers, and the ballots shall have printed thereon For centralization-Yes, For centralization-No.23

Issuing of bonds.

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270. Should the board of school directors deem it necessary to issue bonds to purchase a site or sites, or erect a building or buildings, for the purpose of such centralization, then the election shall be conducted as provided in section 3 of this act, but in such cases the ballots shall also have printed thereon: For levying a tax to purchase -site (or sites) and erect(building or buildings) for the centralization of schools, at a cost not to exceed -Yes, for levying a tax to purchase-site (or sites) and erect-building (or buildings) for the centralization of schools, at a cost not to exceed ▬▬▬No; and if more votes are cast in favor of levying said tax for said purpose than against said proposition at such election, it shall be the duty of the said board of school directors, and the board of school directors is authorized, to issue bonds and sell the same as provided by law, and to levy a special tax to provide for the payment of the same, together with interest thereon, provided said levy shall not in any one year exceed five mills on the dollar valuation, and said bonds shall not bear more than five per centum interest, and shall not be sold at less than their face value.24

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Course of Instruction and transportation of pupils.

271. In a township in which proceedings have been had under the preceding sections of this act and the vote has been favorable for centralization, the board of school

directors are required to maintain and support a graded course of instruction, and may include a high school course of not less than two years; they are also required to furnish transportation to and from school to all pupils living more than three-fourths of a mile from the central building, said distance to be measured from the enclosure immediately surrounding their residence to the school house property, along the nearest public highway: Provided, That no such school shall be abolished or discontinued in any sub-district where, on account of the geography of the district, it is impracticable for the pupils to be conveyed to the school established at the point of centralization, 25

When children may attend high school in another district.

272. Children residing in the school districts in which no public high school is maintained, may attend a high school in some other district, located near their homes; provided the consent of the directors of the district in which said high school is located be first obtained; the cost of tuition and school-books, which shall not exceed that of the tuition and school-books of children in the same grades or courses in the district maintaining such high school, shall be paid to the district receiving such children, out of the moneys raised by taxation for public school purposes in the district in which said children reside: Provided, That, before admission to a high school, such pupil shall be examined and found qualified for high school work, by the principal of such high school.26

Children may attend higher grades in other districts.

273. Children residing in school districts in which graded public schools, or graded courses of study, are or hereafter may be maintained, may attend the public high schools of higher grades or courses of study, including high schools,

25. Act April 25, 1931, Sec. 5, P. L. 105,

Amended by Act June 26, 1901, P. L. 600. 26. Act March 16, 1905, Sec. 1, P. L. 40.

in other districts; the cost of tuition, which shall not exceed that of the tuition of children in the same grade or courses in the districts maintaining said higher grades or courses and high schools, to be paid the districts receiving such children, out of the money raised by taxation for common or public school purposes in the districts in which said children reside: Provided, however, That such attendance shall not begin until after provision for the same, and its duration, and for the expense of tuition according to the foregoing restrictions, has been made by the boards of directors of the districts interested, by security as required by existing laws.27

280.

Procedure on refusal to establish evening high schools........... 104

274. It shall be the duty of the board of school directors or school controllers of any school district in this Commonwealth, upon the application of the parents of twenty or more pupils, above the age of six years, residents of said school district, to open a free evening school for their tuition in orthography, reading, writing, arithmetic and such other branches as may be deemed advisable, and to keep open said schools for a term of not less than four months in each year, each of the said months to consist of twenty days, and each of said days an evening session of at least two hours: Provided, however, That when the average daily attendance for one month falls below fifteen daily, said board of school directors or school controllers may, at their option, close said evening school for the remainder of said term.'

Employ teachers.

275. Upon such application, the board of school directors or school controllers shall proceed, without unnecessary delay, to hire a competent teacher, and open said evening school in a convenient location: Provided, however, That two or more contiguous school districts may, at any time, unite in the establishment and support of one or more evening schools, and contribute pro rata to the expense of their maintenance.2