The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-17
Bonds for the High School.

We publish elsewhere a concise state
ment of the financial affairs Of the
board OF education, which explains
why a proposal to issue bonds for the
erection OF a new high school building
should be submitted to the people, and
why they should approve It without a
dissenting vote. We do not think that
there can be any difference OF opinion
on this question among those who are
full OF love for Seattle. pride in her
growth, ambition for her future and
interest In the progress OF her public
school system.
The board OF education holds and de-
serves the confidence OF our people.
Busted as II IL constantly with the
problems furnished by city OF rapid
ly increasing population. problems not
peculiar to Seattle but present in ev-
cry city In the country where similar
conditions prevail. II IL endeavoring
first Of all to raise the quality and i'm
prove the efficiency OF public educa-
tion. 1t Is applying severer standards
II IL elevatinE the tone Of the work
and seeking for the ablest and most
successful workers. II proposes to
make the public schools OF Seattle as
eminently successful as are our bust
ness enterprises. 1t is mapping out a
great future: and in that future the
material side OF the problem has . nee
essary ana important place.
The first difficul,y to be overcome Is
the pressure Of school population on
school facilities. Seattle has not suf-
fcient school buildings. The increase
in enrolment and attendance is rapid
and progressive. With the growth of
our population. 1t Is imperative that
more room for pupils be provided. AT
present 1853 enrolled pupils are taken
care OF in some twenty rented build
ings These rooms are seldom adapted
10 the comfort and health OF the pu-
pills The rent paid is equivalent TO
the interest upon the cost OF one cr
more buildings modern in their APP
polntments. Some relief by natural
expansion must be had
Tho construction OF what IL called
technically the senior grammar school
building. really the high school. viii
do much to MI this need. The old
high school building. when vacated, will
furnish room for / 200 pupils In the
new building when completed. there
will be eight rooms available for the
grammar grades This viii lessen I'M
mensely the congestion. and. while Il
will by no means obyiaie the necessity
q more school buildings in difereut
parts Of thsoi,y. it viii house the high
school handsomely tor many years 70
come. and AFFORD room elsewhere fer
sarse portion Of those noW occupying
temporary quarters. The foundations
90 the new building on Broadway are
already In place. Its completion de-
pends upon the viii OF the voters Of
the city
Z, Il a double imp,ss h.lity 20 erect
ths high school Out q current revenues
T Ia the first place. while it, total cost ,s
/ estimated at ssooo co.. the charter PRO-
( hibl's the expenditure % More than
( So 80 IN any one year Tor s. hooi bald-
/ trgs. No contract for she construction
| ot such a building as this can be -,
pisoemeal except at sreat dlsaIv.,n-
tase. The WORK. the cause o. eauca-
| ton ana the pockets % the taxpaver
would saHer. Nor Is Il tolcrable 70 wa,
until the en,lre sum becomes avail
able, What Is needed Is enough funds
/ to push the high school building to
completion at the earliest possible mo.
ment In the interest OF the schools and
/ the school children.
In the next place. our school revenues
are not adequate TO the maintenance
| of the schools on their present plane q.
efficiency and also to the provision of
1 facilities for increased attendance, As