St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1882-04-28
Settled at Last.

The school question, which has been
agitating the district mind since last
August, was handled without gloves at
largely attended meeting on Monday
night. The committee appointed at
the meeting two weeks ago to report
plans for additional facilities were at
variance among themselves as to what
was really best, and finally brought in
majority and minority reports. The
majority recommended an addition to
the west wing of the Union school
building which would furnish two
rooms 3lx3l at a cost of about $1,000,
and also recommended an addition to
the Paddock village school house, not
to exceed $1,000. The minority report,
by f. T. Sandford, agreed with the
majority as to the Paddock village
building, and recommended the build
ing of a one-stOry structure on the old
engine house lot, giving two rooms for
use by primary scholars.
Considerable discussion followed the
motions to adopt these reports. 1t was
demonstrated pretty clearly that these
plans offered no relief where relief was
required, and an addition to the pres
ent building was strongly opposed.
There was a good deal of sensible talk
by Messrs. Ross, Fuller, Bracket,
Corser, Drs. Brooks and Billiard, and
others about the imperative necessity
of having well-ventilated, well built
and healthy schOol-roOms, and the fol
ly of putting up "A cheap thing which
it would cost Il great deal to keep III
decent repair. The sentiment was, dc
something substantial, or do nothing
ut all.
Elisha May and other members O
his committee defended the plans pro
posed but when the matter was put
to vote the house rejected both reports
with the exception of that portion
which referred to giving Paddock vii
lage increased facilities which wa,
adopted.
Dr. Bullard then moved that tn,
building committee appointed las
August-M essrs. Ross, H. Carpenter
Belden, ID. Carpenter and Fuller-b'
authorized to go ahead and build
school house on the old engine hOus,
lot Oh Summer street, which shOulI
cost not to exceed 5000, complete
aside from the amount paid for tn
land. Mr.. May informed the voter
that on the question of location IL two
, thirds vote was required by law
Whereupon DIR. Bullard divided hi
motion. The house then voted by
rOusing majority to build the school
house as per DIR. Billiards. motion ant
on the question of location the vote wa
taken by count, when those opposed T.
the Summer street site failed to com
to time, and the matter was declare,
+, carried "by IA twO-thirds vote"
1t was subsequently voted to rails
; an additional tax of 30 cents on a dol
lar to defray part of the building ex
l pense, and the committee were author
lied to borrow the remainder to be pal
in five annual instalments.
So the matter is settled at last, an
the needs of the district are likely t
be wisely met. But we do not see tina
the situation is materially change
from what the vote of last August call
ed for. Paddock village, to be SURE
has gained its pOint-at which nobod
. complains; but with $4,000 for
school building and $500 for land o
. Summer street, and about $1,000 fc
=, Paddock village, the total expense {
Sl5 200 is not far from where the con
mittee placed it in August. The re
suit is another illustration that the di,
trict is, after all, in spite of all the 10y
!, play, in favor of decent accOmmOdi
tons for our schools.