St. Clair County Democrat
3 September 1908

Notice To Parents And Guardians
Provisions of Compulsory Attendance Law

1. Every child between 8 and 14 years old and between 14 and 16, when not regularly employed, must attend some day school at least half of the term each year.

2. No child can be excused on promise to attend; he must attend first half of term before being excused on that account.

3. Courts having jurisdiction (Justice of the Peace in rural districts and in cities having less than 50,000 population) may excuse children from attending school for following reasons:
(1) parents can not supply proper clothing; (2) child is mentally or physically unable to attend; (3) no public school in two and one-half miles of home; (4) labor of child is necessary to support family; (5) child has completed the common school course.

4. No child between 8 and 14 can be employed in mine, factory, workshop or store unless excused for one of five reasons, or has statement from teacher that he has already attended half of the term for that school year.

5. It is the duty of attendance officers and district clerks to notify parents and guardians when children fail to comply with the provisions of the law.

6. The penalty for non-attendance falls on parent or guardian, and it is a maximum fine, $25 or imprisonment for 20 days, one or both.

7. For illegal employment of a child the employer is subject to a fine of $50 and costs.

8. Every school board shall publish this synopsis in newspaper of the district or post it in at least five public places before school opens each year.

Published by order of Board.
Thom. M. Johnson, Pres.
O.L. Housley, Sec.