The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-12-08
FINANCIAL
TROUBLES!
The School Board in a Tangle over the
Tax Levy.
TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION OBJECTS.
Mr.. Schaefer Informs the Board They Have
No Legal Right to Levy More Than
Thirteen Mills-Adjourned to
Meet Again This Evening,

Meet Again This Evening,
The School Board held their first meeting
for the month of last night, and most of the
business considered had bearing Oh the
financial affairs of the district. There was
barely quorum present when President
Coughin raped for order, the following
Directors answering to the roll call Messrs.
Sullivan, Hanna, Baugh, Malick, Dove,
Holvey, Britt and Whitaker. Superintendent
Cooper, Solicitor Burke and Truant Officer
Smith we're also in attendance
The County Commissioners informed the
Board that the total assessed valuation for
the year 1898 was 81, ,46S, ,067.
A motion made by Director Britt that the
subscription to the School journal be re
newed, was withdrawn upon statements
made by Directors Dove and Hanna. to the
effect that the expenditure of 500 in that
manner would be ill.advised under the finan.
cial condition of the district
Superintendent Cooper submitted his re-
port, and after being read was adopted and
the committees referred to were requested to
meet the Superintendent. The report is as
Follows
The fourth month of the term of our day
schools closed December 8, with the follow
ing results Monthly enrOllment-Boys,
1889; girls, 1436 total, 1866. Average daily
attendance-boys, 1114 girls. 1867 total
1881. Percentage of attendanCe-bOys, 95
girls, 81 total 93 Fifty seven visits were
made by citizens aud 81 by Directors
The first month of the evening school
closed on the same date with these results :
Monthly enrolment-Boys $50 girls, 46
total, 5S5 Average daily attendance-Boys,
33l girls "a total, 365. Percentage of at
tendance-BOys, II; girls, 30; total, 70.
Fifty-five pupils of these schools attended
every session sixty-six visits by citizens,
and 27 by Directors were made.
During the first few evenings after the
opening of these schools there was much
trouble in some of the rooms. Most of those
who went to school chiefly for mischief have
been dismissed Now the schools are moving
reasonably quiet and many are taking an
interest in their work
In regard to the day schools, sickness has
somewhat interfered with our attendance
Negligence on the part of parents is one of the
difficulties which we have been unable t.
overcome. Some of our pupils are failing to
comply with the compulsory education law
We have at least one incorrigible truant in
the person of Master Joseph Schwindt He
has been punished repeatedly in the Super
| intendents office, and so far as we have
! been able to see without any bene.
eficial effect. He seems to have been aban-
doned by his parents and the little fellow is
going from bad to worse. The Truant Officer
and myself desire to meet the members OF
the Compulsory Education Committee any
evening next week, that may be convenient
to the chairman and members of the com
mittee. We want to consider Master
Schwindts case and several other cases that
are not complying with the law. We desire
to call the attention of the Heating and
Fuel Committee and the Building and Re
pairs Committee to the fact that we are
| having the same trouble in heating the new
| White street building that we have had in
former years.
The Truant Officer reported that he haG
visited the parents of 157 absent pupils, tn,
reasons given in most cases being sickness
There were 13 cases of truancy during tn,
month. and eleven of these are again il
school. He stated that Thomas Buchanan
had been out of school for two days and ha,
not been home during that time.
County Superintendent Weiss submitted a
report upon the attendance of teachers during
Institute, and the absence of two or three fol
short time was satisfactorily explained by
Supt Cooper.
Mr.. Whitaker offered a motion that the
proper officers be instructed to pay off the
temporary loan of So, 500 at the Merchants
|
The Secretary read a communication from
the Taxpayers Association in reference to tn,
amount due on Tax Collector Scanlan's bonds
as follows:
PoTTsvILLE, PA, Dec. 5, 1898
To the Members Of the School Board, Shen
andOah, Penna.
GENTLEMEN In the interest of the tax
payers Of Shenandoah, we have retained
John F. Whalen, Esq, as attorney to repre-
sent them in the proceedings now pending
| for the collection of the balance of taxes duI
by Collector Scanlan of Shenandoah.
We have requested him to appear at tn,
hearings now going on, and we would reques
that the School Board grant him additiOna
authority to act in conjunction with thei
Solicitor in the carrying on of such proceed
ings as are necessary to protect the borough
and its taxpayers. The cost of such service
will be met by us, and we hope that you car
pass such action as will give him full author
ity to protect your interests which are to
great extent those represented by us.
Very truly yours,
VIM. L. SHEAFER,
For the Estate of p w. Sheafer, decd
The Phila. 4 Reading c. & l. Co.,
By II. g. WILSON, Asst. Land Agent.
The Girard Estate,
By HEBER S. THOMPSON, Engineer.
Mr.. Whitaker, chairman of the Financ
Committee, offered the following resolutions
which were adopted on motion of Dove:
To the School Board.
GENTLEMEN We, your Finance Com
mittee, recommend that the offer of the fol
lowing named gentlemen W. l.. SchaeffeI
(for Schaeffer Estate), Heber S. Thompso
(for Girard Estate), and X. c. Wilson Go
p. & r. G. & |. Coz offering the services q
their Solicitor, John F. Whalen, Esq, to ac
in conjunction with our Solicitor, NJ. M
Burke, Esq, in the proceedings necessary /
protect the School District for the collection
of taxes due by Collector NJ. J Scanlan, o
Shenandoah, be accepted.
Mr.. Whitaker, chairman of the Financ