Page:Proceedings of the Constitutional Convention held in Denver, December 20, 1875.djvu/690

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686
PROCEEDINGS OF THE

ARTICLE IX.

EDUCATION.

Section 1.The general supervision of the public schools of the State shall be vested in a Board of Education, whose powers and duties shall be prescribed by law; the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Secretary of State and Attorney General shall constitute the Board, of which the Superintendent of Public Instruction shall be President.

Section 2.The General Assembly shall, as soon as practicable, provide for the establishment and maintenance of a thorough and uniform system of free public schools throughout the State, wherein all residents of the State, between the ages of six and twenty-one years, may be educated gratuitously. One or more public schools shall be maintained in each school district within the State, at least three months in each year; any school district failing to have such school shall not be entitled to receive any portion of the school fund for that year.

Section 3.The public school fund of the State shall forever remain inviolate and intact; the interest thereon, only, shall be expended in the maintenance of the schools of the State, and shall be distributed amongst the several counties and school districts of the State, in such manner as may be prescribed by law. No part of this fund, principal or interest, shall ever be transferred to any other fund, or used, or appropriated, except as herein provided. The State Treasurer shall be the custodian of this fund, and the same shall be securely and profitably invested as may be by law directed. The State shall supply all losses thereof that may in any manner occur.

Section 4.Each County Treasurer shall collect all school funds belonging to his county, and the several school districts therein, and disburse the same to the proper districts upon warrants drawn by the County Superintendent, or by the proper district authorities, as may be provided by law.

Section 5.The public school fund of the State shall consist of the proceeds of such lands as have heretofore been, or may hereafter, be granted to the State by the General Government for educational purposes; all estates that may escheat to the State; also all other grants, gifts or devises that may be made to this State for educational purpose.

Section 6.There shall be a County Superintendent of Schools in each county, whose term of office shall be two years, and whose duties, qualifications and compensation shall be prescribed by law. He shall be Ex-officio Commissioner of Lands within his county, and shall discharge the duties of said office under the direction of the State Board of Land Commissioners, as directed by law.

Section 7.Neither the General Assembly, nor any county, city, town, township, school district, or other public corporation,