Constitution of the State of Utah

ARTICLE X EDUCATION

Section 1. [Free non-sectarian schools.] The Legislature shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of a uniform system of public schools, which shall be open to all children of the State, and be free from sectarian control.

Sec. 2. [Public school system. Maintenance.] The Public School system shall include kindergarten schools; common schools, consisting of primary and grammar grades; high schools; an Agricultural College; a University, and such other schools as the Legislature may establish. The common schools shall be free. The other departments of the system shall be supported as provided by law: Provided, That high schools may be maintained free in all cities of the first and second class now constituting school districts, and in such other cities and districts as may be designated by the Legislature. But where the proportion of school monies apportioned or accruing to any city or district shall not be sufficient to maintain all the free schools in such city or district, the high schools shall be supported by local taxation.

Sec. 3. [State school fund. Interest distributed.] The proceeds of all lands that have been, or may be granted by the United States to this State, for the support of the common schools; the proceeds of all property that may accrue to the State by escheat or forfeiture; all unclaimed shares and dividends of any corporation incorporated under the laws of this State; the proceeds of the sale of timber, minerals or other property from school and State lands, other than those granted for specific purposes; and the five per centum of the net proceeds of the sales of public lands lying within the State, which shall be sold by the United States, subsequent to the admission of this State into the Union, shall be and remain a perpetual fund, to be called the State School Fund, the interest of which only, together with such other means as the Legislature may provide, shall be distributed among the several school districts according to the school population residing therein.

Sec. 4. [University and agricultural college located. Rights, etc.] The location and establishment by existing laws of the University of Utah, and the Agricultural College are hereby confirmed, and all the rights, immunities, franchises and endowments heretofore granted or conferred, are hereby perpetuated unto said University and Agricultural College respectively.

Sec. 5. [Proceeds of land grants to constitute permanent funds.] The proceeds of the sale of lands reserved by an Act of Congress, approved February 21st, 1855, for the establishment of the University of Utah, and of all the lands granted by an Act of Congress, approved July 16th, 1894, shall constitute permanent funds, to be safely invested and held by the State; and the income thereof shall be used exclusively for the support and maintenance of the different institutions and colleges, respectively, in accordance with the requirements and conditions of said Acts of Congress.

Sec. 6. [Separate control of city schools.] In cities of the first and second class, the public school system shall be maintained and controlled, by the Board of Education of such cities, separate and apart from the counties in which said cities are located.

Sec. 7. [School funds guaranteed by state.] All public School Funds shall be guaranteed by the State against loss or diversion.

Sec. 8. [State board of education.] The general control and supervision of the Public School System shall be vested in a State Board of Education, consisting of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and such other persons as the Legislature may provide.

Sec. 9. [Textbooks.] Neither the Legislature nor the State Board of Education shall have power to prescribe textbooks to be used in the common schools.

Sec. 10. [Institutions for deaf, dumb and blind. Property. Fund.] Institutions for the Deaf and Dumb, and for the Blind, are hereby established. All property belonging to the School for the Deaf and Dumb, heretofore connected with the University of Utah, shall be transferred to said Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. All the proceeds of the lands granted by the United States, for the support of a Deaf and Dumb Asylum, and for an Institution for the Blind, shall be a perpetual fund for the maintenance of said Institutions. It shall be a trust fund, the principal of which shall remain inviolate, guaranteed by the state against loss or diversion.

Sec. 11. [Metric system.] The Metric System shall be taught in the public schools of the State.

Sec. 12. [No religious or partisan tests in schools.] Neither religious nor partisan test or qualification shall be required of any person, as a condition of admission, as teacher or student, into any public educational institution of the State.

Sec. 13. [Public aid to church schools forbidden.] Neither the Legislature nor any county, city, town, school district or other public corporation, shall make any appropriation to aid in the support of any school, seminary, academy, college, university or other institution, controlled in whole, or in part, by any church, sect or denomination whatever.