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PUBLIC EDUCATION. [ART. — .

direction and advice of the attorney general; they
shall explain the true intent and meaning of the law,
and they shall decide without expense to the parties
concerned, all controversies and disputes that may
arise under it.

Have general
care of the
public school
interests.

5. They shall have the general care and supervision
of the public school interests of the state ; shall act as
the assistants and advisers of the various county boards,
and shall, from time to time, issue circular letters to
teachers and commissioners on topics connected with
the administration of the public schools.

Blank forms for
Recounts, &c.

6. In order to insure uniformity in the statistical
reports .of the public schools, they shall issue a uni-
form series of blanks for the use of teachers and of
county boards, and shall require all accounts to be
kept and returns to be made according to these forms.

Examine.can-
didates.

7. They shall, when requested by the board of
county school commissioners, examine candidates for
the office of county examiner, and give a certificate
of qualification.

Grant certifi-
cates.

8. They may grant to teachers of long experience
and established reputation, professional certificates,
which shall be valid until revoked for cause.

Ex-officio trus-
tees of normal
school

9. The board of state school commissioners shall be
ex officio trustees of the state normal school, and the
principal of the state normal school shall be ex officio
a trustee of the state agricultural college.

Reports to be
made to board.

10. All schools and colleges receiving any state
donation shall make a report on or before the
fifteenth day of November in each year, of such
matters and in such form as the board of state
school commissioners shall require, and said reports,
or an abstract therefrom, shall be published by the
president of the board in his annual school report.