Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1856-09-25
To the Supporters of Public Schools in I'll
CITY of Kenosha

~>S~A~~~S~'
The Board Of Education in this City, deem it prop
or. at this time, to make brief public statement of
it's dsings in regard to Tho repairing and remodel
ling Of the old brick School Edifce, which work is
just now completed
1t was apparent to every close observer of the
standing and progress of Public Schools in this City
that something should be done, to elevate them in
the public estimation, and SO to hold place equal
with that Of the schools around US; among whom, 1t
is no vanity to say the Public School of Kenosha,
stood pre- eminent. The way to do this, seemed
to the Board to lie in the improvement of our
school accommodations and in the proper organiza-
ton of the Schools in fifty arranged buildings, than
in the character of the department of instruction for
energy and efficiency. Hence, after the erection OF
the prssenr new building decided upon, 1t seem
ed equally important, that the Old building should
be SO arranged nerorly to be in unison with the
construction of the new; the plan of which is to d-
vide the school int departments, and TO make the
teacher in each department responsible for the same
in its improvement and success This is at present.
the most generally approved PLAN in regard to Pub
lie Schools both at the East and at the w est. This
plan the Board was anxious to adopt, in regard TO
the Schools of this City. To model the old build
ing seemed therefore, Indispensable to the accom-
pshment Of wishes. Moreover this, to the Board,
seemed the moro practicable and expedient, mas
much it was evident that the old building needed
repairing at any rate. Its foundations, its walls, its
ceiiinrs its doors and windows and floors and roof
all needed largo repairs. 1t would have required sew
eral hundred dollars TO have met this expense and
in the end the building would not have been in such
form as to enable the Board TO carry out its plan of
re-organizing its school
But STILL question of no little Importance arose;
How can the desired improvement of the old build
ing be paid for, and the least embarrassment to the
taxpayers be secured7 Tho Board felt that we had
much in the form OF taxation this year and the
next they ought to bear and it felt reluctant to in
crease the burden in any way. Hence, after due de-
liberation, it was thought best to appropriate por-
ton of the Scrip authorized by the Legislature for
School building purposes payable in 1859, to be ap-
pied to the purpose above mentloned This. 1t was
thought would be approved by the taxpayers, as it
would require any essential increase in the bur
dea of taxation, for this year and the next.
The of this Scrip, payable In 1852 it was found
could be applied directly in part to the payment of
sponsible individual promised to take scrip enough
to meet the cash payments on the contract, and SO
enable the Board to accomplish its object. In view
of all this and with earnest desire TO promote the
best interests of Education in our City and County,
the Board decided upon the work 1t has been ac-
compshed, and the building is now ready for nspec-
ton and use. The Building Committee has not yet
received all the bills of the work but it is probable
that tho expense proper Of modelling, will not
coed 81 500. Besides this there expenses for fur
naces, which have been incurred, the old stoves
were unfit for any farther use in the building, and
furnaces are deemed more economical mode of
warming large buildings than stoves. Also, there
ing for reseatng the largo room chairs and desks at
ter swing from the building fund several hun
drsd dollars for seats furnished that building.
Tho Board has taken no step in this matter, with
out feeling keenly the full weight of its responsible
ty. Having, the prevailing motive, the best well
tive will appreciated, and their work approved.
D'H' y O-D'' % '' JSo. GRIDLEY,
Supt of Schools.