The Dickinson press., 1891-06-06
Our School Building.

EDITOR PRESs:-WiIl you kindly
allow us to Call the attention of the
people of Dickinson to II matter in
which we feel they are all interested.
Namely--the course pursued by our
school board during the last few
months, and the situation in which
the district is now placed.
On the 4th of last October the peo-
pie unanimously voted to issue bonds
to the amount of $4,000 on the district
''for the purpose of building and fur
nishing Il school house and to pur-
chase :. site on which to build said
house."
Plans and specifications We're duly
adopted by the school board. and seal
ell bids--as the law directs were
called for.
We understand but two bids were
received, one of which was in excess
of $4,000. and as the lowest bid was
in excess of the amount voted, Meth.
er of the bids were excepted, but an.
other election was called, to vote an
additional amount of $4,000, which
sum was considered sufficient to com.
plete the house in accordance with
the plans and specifications, and to
provide necessary furnaces for the
building. This amount was also free.
ly and %cheerfully voted, there not
being a single vote against the pro-
position. But now what is our situa-
ton! Let us see.
After the above mentioned sealed
bids were received, the school board
altered the plans and specifications as
follows, to-wit:
One third of the excavation called
for in the specifications vas excepted
from the contract. The stone founda
ton under IN third of the building
was changed from 6 to 3 feet in depth.
These changes having been made,
the contractors who had put in the
lowest sealed bid, made a private bid
to construct the building for $4,000.
On being informed that 5000 had
been expended for plans, blank bonds,
and etc, they proposed to do the
work for $4,000; which proposition
WAS accepted by the board and con.
tract drawn accordingly, with provi-
sions that so per cent. Of cost of all
materials be paid when the materials
are delivered on the grounds and so
per cent. of wages of workmen be
paid at the end of each week, the
time of completion of the building
was extended from Sept. 18th to Nov.
LIST.
The house is now going up on Il site
to which the district has no title, and
proper steps have not been taken to
secure u title to the same. See Sec.
81, laws of 1890.
Further more, it is quietly talked
that the board have made a contract
with the parties who hold the origin
al contract to furnish a fourth room.
We believe the board had no right
to make radical changes--in favor of
contractors-and then let the con.
tract OF a private bid for an amount
nearly $1,000 greater than the sealed
bid which the same party had put in.
And again we see notices posted
calling an election to vote to sell the
old school house and site.
We wish to make the following
suggestions to the people of the school
district.
That meeting of the voters and
tax payers be called and a committee
be appointed to advise the school
board
First, that they call al election, as
provided by law, to select a site fol
the school house, when no doubt
every vote cast will be Favorable tc
the site which is already selected.
Then the district will he placed or
vantage grounds, and without doubt
tho corporation will give them a war
ranty deed as they ve.agreed to do,
when the house shall be completed
Should the corporation fail to do so
the Board would now be able to have
the ground appraised, pay for, and
hold it.
Second, that they have another
contract drawn with the contractors
and that they pay, OF promise TO pay
them no more than the amount ol
their first or sealed bid. And if they
or amy of them, refused to do this
then and in that case, some party OF
parties should proceed to stop further
work by injunction proceedings, a:
without a doubt the contract now
made is illegal. and of no effect, aRt
the bonds given by the contractors
could not be enforced.
Con s%equently, if we do have q goo(
and substantial building erected, il
will be only because the contractor:
are honorable men and SO desire it.
Concerning the sale nf the olt
SCHOOL Aonse, We would say, vote
against it. unless the board act upol
the above suggestions, because WI
J have no ASSURANCES that the new
, house will ever be completed accord
ing to the plans and specifications
and we certainly have no power t.
require it at present, but We hav'
every reason to believe that the $40
900 will 500 he paid out, and if TIL
old house is sold, and the other built
ing should fail to be constructed, w
would then be without any schoo