The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1885-05-21

It will be noticed that the Mayor
has issued q proclamation for q special
election at which the Board Of Eduea-
ton will submit to the voters the
proposition to vote 81 500 TO provide
additional school room. Several
causes cOnspired to make the result Of
the vote at the general election on
this proposition doubtful, and for that
reason, while q great majority Of the
votes cast on that proposition were in
favor Of il, It has been thought wise
again to submit the proposition.
A plain statement Of the necessities
OF the case and the use to be made Of
the room thus provided will not be
out Of place and may lead to q more
intelligent vote. The enrolment Of
Miss Bartlett's first grade in the High
School building is 125, and that Of
Mrs. Davis in the Second ward school
il 1I6. These pupils attend school
but One-half day each. Two second
grades, one in each building, Rggre-
gated IA pupils I'm January. Two
third grades one in each school, az
gregated lbs pupils. Two fourth
grades footed up 142 pupils. There
are two rooms i'm the High School
building devoted 10 fifth grade work.
These enrolled about 100 pupils, Which
is not excessive. We may reasonably
expect, from the growth Of the city
and the coming of school age Of young
children, an increase Of say about 100
pupils. This Is not guess work but Is
the plain teaching Ofexperience. Add
these to the number we now have and
what do we find? After allowing for
promotion from the fourth grades we
shall have 500 pupils I'm 8 rooms. Part
OF them 60 only half the time, but at
best we would have 50 or 80 pupils to
each teacher. Here Is where we need
relief. IL is evident that more room
must be provided or the number Of
pupils reduced, If anything like good
work IL to be done for the children.
The Board may, il IL true, fix the
school age at seven years and exclude
all under that age, and will almost be
compelled to do 80, however Feluet-
antly, unless they have the means 70
provide additional room. But it h
objected that the additional room pro-
vided II all I'm the Second Ward
school and pupils will be compelled
10 walk too far 10 school. In answer
TO this reasonable objection We would
say that pupils will not be obliged 20
90 10 the Second Ward school who
live in the south half Of the city.
The plan will be something ~ fol
lows Two new MONS will be pro
vided in the Second Ward school
making six in all. One-half the pu-
pills In the two Fiflh grades. now IN
the High School building live in the
north half Of the city. One Of these
Fifth grades will be placed In the
Second Ward building and 70 Il will
be sent all Fifth grade pupils from
that portion Of the city. This win
leave one vacant room In each build
ing. A grade composed Of first Grade
pupils and Of Second grade pupils,
oDe-half Of each, will occupy one OF
these rooms and will thus relieve the
First and Second grades. Another
grade made Nd Of Third and Fourth
grade pxpils viii occupy the other
vacant room, relieving the Third aud
Fourth grades Of their surplus. We
would then have ten teachers In the
first four grades and sixteen in ali.
Thus the additional room would bene-
nc all portions Of the city and rooms
now 50 badly crowded would be 70
lieved.
Nor IL Il enough to eoneede al this
and remain at home. A majority Of
the voters In the city should vote for
the proposition. Under q decision Of
one Of our DisrTiet courts IL late
case it Il thought that q majority
must vote for the proposition % In
sure the bonds. The subject de-
serves and should receive the careful
attention Of all citizens.
BOARD or EDUCAFION.