SECTION 26. Penalty for failure to establish or maintain school

A town required by section twenty-one to establish and to maintain continuation schools or courses which refuses or neglects to appropriate money necessary therefor, shall forfeit from funds due it from the commonwealth a sum equal to twice that estimated by the department as necessary properly to provide for the same. A sum equal to three fifths of such forfeiture shall be paid by the state treasurer to the school committee of the delinquent town, and the committee shall expend the same for such establishment and maintenance to the same extent as if it had been regularly appropriated by the town therefor.