Section 3. School
fund inviolate. The public-school fund of the state shall,
except as provided in this article IX, forever remain inviolate and intact and
the interest and other income thereon, only, shall be expended in the
maintenance of the schools of the state, and shall be distributed amongst the
several counties and school districts of the state, in such manner as may be
prescribed by law. No part of
this fund, principal, interest, or other income shall ever be
transferred to any other fund, or used or appropriated, except as provided in
this article IX. The state
treasurer shall be the custodian of this fund, and the same shall be securely
and profitably invested as may be by law directed. The state shall supply all
losses thereof that may in any manner occur. In order to assist public schools
in the state in providing necessary buildings, land, and equipment, the general
assembly may adopt laws establishing the terms and conditions upon which the
state treasurer may (1) invest the fund in bonds of school districts, (2) use
all or any portion of the fund or the interest or other income thereon to
guaranty bonds issues by school districts, or (3) make loans to school districts.
Distributions of interest and other income for the benefit of public schools
provided in this article IX shall be in addition to and not a substitute for
other moneys appropriated by the general assembly for such purposes.
Section 8. Religious test and race discrimination forbidden � sectarian tenets. No religious test or
qualification shall ever be required of any person as a condition of admission
into any public educational institution of the state, either as a teacher or
student; and no teacher or student of any such institution shall ever be
required to attend or participate in any religious service whatsoever. No
sectarian tenets or doctrines shall ever be taught in the public school, nor shall any distinction or
classification of pupils be made on account of race or color, nor shall any pupil be
assigned or transported to any public educational institution for the purpose
of achieving racial balance.
As amended by the People,
November 5, 1974 � Effective upon proclamation of the Governor, December 20, 1974.
Section 15. School districts �
board of education. The general assembly shall, by law, provide
for organization of school districts of convenient size, in each of which shall
be established a board of education, to consist of three or more directors to
be elected by the qualified electors of the district. Said directors shall have control of
instruction in the public schools of their respective districts.
Section 16. Textbooks in public schools. Neither the general assembly nor the state board of education shall have power to
prescribe textbooks to be used in the public schools.
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