Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-03-18
communicated.
CENTRALIA, March 2l,

SSNAnnhAhS NN"iSn SNt Aopos
NJ. Editor, Dear Sir:-1hc School Board
Of this Borough met on last Saturday even.
ing and after good deal of talk on economy,
&c., they concluded to close tho Schools ut
the expiration Of the seventh month, which
will happen in sbout two weeks. This decis-
ion caused considerable annoyance and dis
satisfaction, especially to those poor parents
who have no other means Of educating their
children, except by free schools. How the
Directors can do this and do 1t legally 10
something that is not easily understood.
The only reason assigned for this suspension
is, believe, want Of funds. This cannot
be 90, a. they levied, at the commencement
Of the school year, & tax Of Ezeren Hundred
and Thirty. Eight Dollars for school pur-
poses alone, besides our State appropriation
This amount is sufficient to give ten months
schooling, and leave o balance in Treasury
of Too Hundred and Thirty Eight Dollars
for other contingencies, which is sufficient
to cover all that is necessary 10 keep the
schools in operation for that period Of time.
So it cannot be, that they arc strapped" :"
The object in suspending tho schools 80
early is thought to be, to liquidate debt
which the Borough owes the Township Of
Conyngham. According to the School Laws
Of Pennsylvania this cannot be legally done.
Tax levid for School purposes can only be
applied for school purposes, such as teach
ers salaries, fuel, stationery. for the Board,
salary Of the Secretary, books for INDECENT
children, and all other ordinary annual ex-
penses, necessary to keep the schools in OPP
Grafton. Also, when their is no building
tax or fund, occasional repairs and additions
TO furniture and apparatus, arc to be paid
for out Of the ordinary school tax.
Debt from former year, for school pur-
poses, should be provided for by an addition
to the ordinary school tax Of the next year.
This is the law on this point, and how
our School Board can lay it aside and sub.
stitute one of their own for 1t, we cannot
understand. They need not try to blind
fold the people by saying they are short Of
funds, and must close the schools on that
account. Such Is not the case. The tax is
levied and, with some few exceptions, can
and must be collected. How then can they
with any propriety, say that they are short
manner. That excuse will not do. Gentle.
men, we want ten months school or lighter
tapationl We are willing and satisfied to
pay our debts, but We don't want to rob
Peter to pay Paul." Conyngham Town
ship can wait until next year for her money,
and not close our schools in the middle Of
March, when children have chance to be
educated. A great many children have but
this time of year for education, and to de-
prive them Of 1t, is nothing short ofroJbe'y.
1t is something else than economy that you
are studying. By closing the free schools
you gain two objects, viz: the filing Of your
subscription schools and the saving Of an
extra tax. This is undeniable. We want
our schools kept open, and whatever tax is
necessary to keep them in operation, we
are willing to pay our proportion. The idea
of closing the Schools of this borough for
the paltry sum Of four hundred dollars is
preposterous.
The township Of Conyngham can easily
keep her schools in operation. We want
the same thing here. We are forced out o.
the to,cnship, in order to crafty the politics
Of a te,o Radicals. They have seen the re.
suit Of their work and they want to escape
its damages. Gentlemen you owe this debt
and you must pay it, and pay it honestly
Don't try to rob the poor children Of three
months education, in order to save few
Scrips" to pay debt you were instrumen.
tai in bringing upon yourselves. Your &C.
tions has not met the appreciation Of your
Constituents. You must continue the
Schools or if not, we will try and compel
you to do so. Hoping this will bring forth
an answer, we remain,
The FRIENDS OF EDUCATION.