Page:The school law of Michigan.djvu/107

Rh 1. To authorize the district board to use money for any other purpose than that for which it was raised (5063).

2. To raise money by issuing bonds (5103).

3. To designate sites for school houses (5114).

4. To request inspectors to alter location of school site (5114).

5. To organize as a graded school district (5138).

6. To unite two districts into one graded district (5135).

7. To change from graded district to primary district (Act 84, 1891).

8. To establish a district library (Act 158, 1893).

The arrangement of a course of study for the schools of the district is within the jurisdiction of the school board. The law is not very explicit as to what studies shall be included in established courses. Act No. 147 of the Laws of 1889, and Act No. 147 of the Laws of 1891, contain a mention of certain branches of study; and the law for the establishment of graded schools provides for high schools: but district boards must decide what branches shall be pursued in the schools of their districts. Having fixed a course of study, the board may require teachers and pupils to follow the same within reasonable limits. Music may be included in the adopted course of study of a public school, and necessary apparatus for teaching music may be purchased without a vote of the district (67 Mich. 262). Sectarian instruction is abolished from all public schools (5063); and, while the reading of the bible may properly become a part of the daily program of the public school, the comment thereon by the teacher should be of such a character that pupils and parents of all religious faiths may not detect the slightest traces of sectarian prejudice. (35 Wis. 59; 79 Ill. 567; 87 Ill. 303; 38 Me. 379; 95 Ill. 263; 23 Ohio, 211).