The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1900-03-08
A PLAIN STATEMENT.
President Bartlett Gives Cogent Reasons for
Building Another School House.


ment of reasons which have led the board
Of education to ask Tor authority 10 build
a new school building, to issue bonds TO
pay for the same, and to sell certain sites
now owned by the district aud 10 pur.
chase one more central.
The present high school room seats
sixty-three pupils, and sixty-four are now
enrolled. Next year there will be an ad-
diton of about forty pupils by promotion
from the eighth grade, and probably
some additions by immigration. 1t is
therefore absolutely necessary to provide
more high school facilities for the coming
year.
There is also an equal need OF adci-
tional grade rooms. Two grades have
had to be divided this year, and other
divisions will be necessary during the
coming year. Three rooms have been
used the past year which ought not to be
used. So that there is an immediate
need OF at least four more grade rooms.
The board proposes to build a build
ing at a cost of not more than $l1 900 to
answer both these purposes-tEe first
floor to contain four grade rooms and the
second to contain high school room,
seating 140, and recitation and labora-
tory rooms. Ultimately the city will re-
qulre separate high school building,
and when this is needed the proposed
brilding, by the change OF two or three
room grade building.
II this plan is carried out, the proposed
building should stand somewhere near
the center of that portion of the city
north of Yakima avenue and east of the
railroad track The district now owns
two sites, one in block 25, which in the
opinion of the board is Objectionable,
in that it is near the railroad, beyond the
Union ditch and not central, and the
other, in block IS, which is too near the
hospital. They have obtained an option
on site in block Sc, which is more cen
trail for the north side of the city than
the present Central school is for the
south side. This site can be purchased
for $ll00, or probably less. The site in
block 25 cost $675, and that in block s.,
$1,000. The board wishes to dispose of
enough of this property to pay for the
more central site. They regard the
question of location as important, as it
has serious influence upon punctuality
and regularity Of attendance, especially
in grade building, which this is de-
signed to be ultimately.
The board does not wish or mean to
build an extravagant. building, but one
plain and substantial. They do not
think that the needs of the district can be
met for less than $1,000. 1t must be
remembered that the building must be
furnished as well as erected, and that
the high school will need some scientific
apparatus. In their judgment it will be
wise investment to make the high
keep some of our youths from going else
where, and it will bring many here from
the country districts, whose tuition will
help meet the expenses OF the school.
As to the raising of money, If there is
any wiser way than the issue o! low rat
bonds, the board would be exceedingly
glad to find it. The building of new
school building, even with an issue of
bonds 10 the amount OF ST. 600 will prob
ably not increase the rate OF taxation.
For, suppose that the furnishing Of BET
ter school facilities results in an in
creased attendance of 100 pupils, which
is not all unreasonable superstition, be-
cause there has this year been an in
crease OF over 100; the state allowance
per day for each pupil is about eight
cents, which for 100 pupils for nine
months would be Sli40. The interest on
$1l 900 at five per cent. is $500 Even ii
two more teachers are required, the gain
in attendance, together with the natural
increase in the valuation of property,
will maintain the schools without any
increase of taxation. The electors are
asked to remember that the board has
already been given authority to build an
81 900 building. All that Is now asked
is authority to raise the money in the
cheapest possible manner by an issue o
bonds. Ii. NJ. BARTLETT,
President Board of Education.