Bufkin v. Mitchell

Citations

• 106 Miss. 253
• 63 So. 458

Syllabus

<p>1. Schools and School Districts. Statutes. Uniformity. Constitution 1890, section 201. Laws 1912, chapter 255. Transportation of pupils.</p> <p>Chapter 255, Laws 1912, amending Laws 1910, chapter 124, does not violate Constitution 1890, chapter 201, which requires the legislature to establish a uniform system of free public schools, since “uniform” means equable, applying alike to all within a class, and laws are uniform when they bear equally, in their burdens and benefits, upon persons standing in the same category.</p> <p>2. Same.</p> <p>Uniformity in an educational system does not mean that each and every school shall have exactly .the same course of study, the same qualification in teachers nor the same items of expenses in conducting the schools. There should be no discrimination .as between the different counties or sections, but equal and uniform privileges and rights should control over all the state. At the same time the administration of affairs and the local details of the system may be committed by general provisions to the local authorities.</p> <p>3. Same.</p> <p>Uniformity in the educational system as provided for by Constitution 1890, section 201 is not violated, by the consolidation of several schools in rural communities into one large school, whereby a larger and more suitable building is secured, improved school facilities and conveniences had, better prepared and more competent teachers engaged, and general improvements in the means for acquiring an education provided, since this does not prevent the continuation of the school for four months, nor interfere with the proportionate distribution of the funds, as required by the Constitution, nor result in the appropriation of school funds to schools not conducting a free school according to the Constitution.</p> <p>4. Same.</p> <p>The fact that section 4 of chapter 255, Laws 1912 extends to the consolidated district the right to make its school a graded school, having the privilege granted to s