The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1860-02-22
Keokux Puersc schools.


By the action or the State Board Of Edu-
cation, each township is made separate
school district. Cities are also authorised
to organize into districts independent of the
rest OF the township. Thus Jackson town.
ship is divided into two districts,-the City
of Keokuk comprising one, the balance Of
the township the other. Each district is
| taxed for itself only, and no tax can be
levied for school or school house purposes
except by vote of the people, at their annu-
| al meeting for the election of officers, on the
second Monday OF March. The limit, by
law, OF this tar 10 one per cent. on the tax
able property Of the district, The power to
designate the amount necessary to be levied
may be delegated, by vote, at the annual
meeting of the Board Of Directors. The
amount or per csntage determined upon i,
certified to the County Judge, who causes the
levy to be made and collected by the proper
county officer, and paid over into the treasu-
ry of the district on the first of April and
September Of each year. Ia addition to the
tax thus levied, sum Is received from the
State fund per capita. In 1857 the amount
received from the State and county was
$3,lSs 90. In 1853 the amount was S3.-
O96 "a. The amount for 1859 will be paid
over in April next. The sum deemed neces-
sary for successful operation OF the schools
was ten thousand dollars which, making al
lowance for the delinquent taxes and the
outstanding claims to be met, would con-
tinue them eight months. For prudential
reasons, the schools will close three months
GARNER than was contemplated. This will
enable the next Board TO commence opera-
tons with balance in the treasury.-will
ensure prompt payment to teachers instead
OF the credit system as at present, and will
materially Tighten the school taxes for the
next year. There seems to be general dis
position to complain of the school tax
This is question for the popular voice to
determine at their annual meeting, and in
determining the amount to be raised, il must
be remembered that the public schools must
be kept up four months of each year to en-
title the district to its pro rata of the State
fund. This fact, together with what follows.
will enable each taxpayer and citizen iptelli.
gently to decide what amount be is willing 10
pay for their support. By an official emu.
meration there are 1850 persons between
the age OF and 81 years, entitled to the
benefits OF the public schools of the Keokuk
City District. The instruction of the mum.
Der in constant attendance demands the ser.
vice OF twenty-five teachers. The incidental
expenses necessary to be met are for rent Of
houses in the sub. districts, fuel, ianitors and
repairs of benches, desks, &c. The amount
necessary to be raised will stand thas:
Twenty FIVE Teachers, average salary ner
month, say $40, IN f0o
Rent for six sub district houses, saw
So per month, AZ
Janitors, services per month in oil the
districts, Al
Fuel per month, say Ok
Incidental expenses, TX
Making total per month of SI.1ss
The taxable property Of the district Was
estimated last year in round numbers ut fopr
millions of dollars Aas,r;a~ A.