The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1901-04-25
AS TO THE SCHOOL HOUSE.


While there may be some difference
of opinion as TO the wisdom of erecting
school building In Ely at the present
time none will deny that some change
from present conditions is absolutely
necessary, and how this change can be
effected without the immediate erec-
tion of a new building is a question
which is difficult TO solve, but which,
nevertheless, should be carefully con
sidered
From present indications the popu-
laton OF Ely Is destined to increase so
rapidly from this time forth that even
such a bullding as is now proposed win
not long meet requirements, and In
that event the taxpayers will again be
confronted within a year or two with
the question, "How are we TO provide
accommodations for our school chill
drenyn
The Nevada statutes provide that
the County Commissioners may levy a
school tax of not more than so cents
nor less than - cents on the 800 valu-
alton, but there appears to be no limit
to the amount which any district may
vote at a special election called for this
purpose. If at tonight's meeting the
sentiment Is in favor OF erecting the
new building the Trustees viii call "A
special election by publishing notice
for three weeksin the NEWS and post
ing copies thereof in three conspicuous
places In the District. and a majority
of the votes cast at such election shall
decide the question.
The assessed valuation OF all prop
erty in the Ely School District, as as
eertained by County Superintendent
stearns, is s6l, 275. On this amount an
assessment of 81. % on the 800 will be
required TO raise the necessary 81, 500
to build the now schoolhouse. This,
added to the State and county tax Of
s3.65, would mean a tax rate in this
district the present year OF 81. IL on the
800, and possibly little more, II al
lowanee is made for del.nquencies On
this basis taxpayers can readily ascer-
tain how much their taxes will be, and
each can Judge for himself whether or
not he can afford the outlay
The NEWS would suggest, as one
way out Of the difficulty, that while
Legislative authority is necessary to
authorize the issuance of bonds by the
District, and that is lacking, still IL
might be possible to borrow the money
necessary to erect building that
would meet all requirements for years
TO come on the assurance of the tax
payers, backed by the endorsement Of
the reputable business men, that such
bonds will be issued, Or it might be
possible to vote the bonds at the pres
ent time and have them legalized by
the next Legislature. If this could be
done 1t would have the effect, not only
Of tightening the burden at the present
time, but 1t would warrant the cree
tion of creditable building, and at the
same time give the newcomers, which
are sure TO be added to our population,
the privilege OF helping to pay for a
property the benefits of which will he
shared In by all.
This is an important matter, In which
every resident of Ely is interested, and 1t
is to be hoped that the attendance at
tonight's meeting win bs large, and
that the decision reached may be sat
isfactory TO all.
The number Of school districts in the
county at this time is twenty
the total number OF children Of school
age, as shown by the last school census
being 5l3. the Ely District having 81.
From this outlook the demand for u
County High School, to be supported
by the county, as provided by the pres
ent State law, will soon manifest itself,
and In that event it would go u long
way toward solving the school problem
la Ely.