Page:The school law of Michigan.djvu/23

Rh To be eligible to hold the office of commissioner of schools, the candidate must possess higher qualifications than are required of most officials. Besides having been a teacher in the public schools of the state for twelve months, he must possess one at least of the following qualifications:

1. Be a graduate of the literary department of some reputable college, university, or state normal school having a course of at least three years.

2. Hold a state teacher&rsquo;s certificate.

3. Hold a first grade certificate in the county in which he is elected.

4. Have been a commissioner under the provisions of Act No. 147, public acts of 1891.

Counties having less than fifty schools under the supervision of a commissioner, may elect a commissioner who is the holder of a second grade certificate (Act 66, 1895).

A graduate of a high school or a person to whom a certificate was granted after the date of his election, is legally qualified (94 Mich. 165),

Women are also eligible to hold the office of commissioner (Act 147, 1891). 

Whenever a vacancy occurs in the office of commissioner of schools, the county clerk shall issue a call to the chairmen of the township boards of school inspectors of each township in the county, who shall meet within ten days at the office of the county clerk and appoint a suitable person to fill the vacancy for the unexpired portion of the term.

The executive duties of the board of examiners devolve mainly upon the commissioner of schools. No county certificate is valid without his signature, and he is authorized to grant special certificates.