Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-25
BIDS ARE ALL BEYOND REACH
Addition to Pierce street school Cam
not BE Built with Money
Voted.

As the figures failed to come within the
amount appropriated, the Board Of Educa-
ton last night rejected the three bids re-
ceived for the building OF the four-room
addition to the Pierce Street school. 1t
was decided to modify the plans so that
the addition can be built for the So 1000 APP
propriated for the purpose by the vote Of
the people at the school election. The mat
ter was referred to the committee on
grounds and buildings to confer with the
boards architects, Messrs. Cox & Schoent-
gen. TIL bid Of Wickham Bros. wa $11,-
800, including plumbing and heating. That
of John P. Weaver was s12. 21O, figuring the
heating at $1.1s5 and the plumbing at
s. ,225. George Hughes bid was $11. 800, ng-
uring the plumbing and heating at the same
figures as contained in Weaver's bid. Wick
ham claimed to be the lowest bidder by $1l,
as his figures for plumbing were subject to
deduction according to the material used.
All of the figures on the plumbing were
subject to changes, according to material
used, making 1t impossible to determine
which was the lowest bid unless tabulated.
Hughes had failed in his bid to figure on
the heating and he was permitted to add
the amount for this work, the other bid
ders consenting. as they had all used the
same figures, furnished by the same plumb
ing Hrm OF THIS city.
Several suggestions for modifying the
plans were made, one OF them being to
only partly complete the addition this year
and ask for another appropriation at the
next school election. After a lengthy dis
c~ussion. during which Member Macrae pro-
posed that the building be deferred until
material and labor became cheaper. the
matter was referred to the committee on
buildings and grounds to confer with the
boards architects and report at the next
meeting.
The secretary reported that all outstand-
ing warrants had been taken up and that
the district was now on q cash basis, there
being a small surplus IN the building fund
and about 81, 1000 in the contingent fund.
The committee on fuel and heating was
authorized to secure plans and bids for
a steam heating plant In the Avenue B
school to replace the furnace which was
worn out.
1t was decided to place the toilet rooms
In the basement OF the Bloomer school in
stead OF in the yard.
The grand piano in use at the High school
for the last year was ordered purchased at
a price Of 1915 instead of paying a rental
Of $50 a year for It.
The board decided to join with the prop
eIty oNnere On worms street ana petition
the council to lower the grade Of that
street four feet. This will improve the
grounds at the rear Of the Pierce street
school. 1t was decided to request the city
council TO establish a permanent grade on
MCGEE avenue. on which the Harrison street
school abuts on one side.
II was decided on the Recommendation
OF Superintendent Clifford to retain Charles
Bailey, chief ~ianitor at the High school,,
during the summer vacation months as
Waterman and custodian OF the building
at $50 a month, he being required to sleep
In the building. Mr.. Clifford suggested that
as the building contained many valuable
books and other supplies, a Waterman there
was necessary.
The report Of Superintendent Clifford for
the eighth months OF school ending April
20, contained these statistics: Entire en-
rollment. boys, 2,622; girls, 2.s5s; total,
1881; monthly enrolment. boys. 2.25l; girls,
2,Soe; total, 4,557; average daily attendance,
4~.o6s.e4; per cent OF attendance, s2.sl; num-
Der cases OF tardiness. S4s; number neither
absent nor tardy. 2.1O1.