The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-05-14
MUST HAVE MORE MONEY
SCHOOL BOARD MAY ASK TO RAISE
ITS TAX LEVY.
Inadequate Provisions for Pupils the
Cause-High Schools Need Expan-
sion-SchoOI Enumeration.

The future of the city schools was dis
cussed at the meeting of the School Board
last night, and it was shown that an addi-
tional tax levy will nave t. be made to
provide necessary and adequate
dations for school children in the next
three years. TIL ~congested condition of
the high schools, particularly of the Man
ual Training School, is such that increased
facilities will lave to be provided by the
board within the near future to take care
of the pupils 1t was figured last night
that the Legislature would be asked to
allow the board to increase the tax levy
for school purposes to meet these future
conditions. At least a 10 per cent. or a
higher levy may be asked.
Business Director Cleland, in reporting
the school enumeration, said the increase
is 1,461 over last year. At the average rate
of increase it was estimated that forty
rooms would have to be provided for the
district schools within the next three years,
to say nothing of the increase in the high
school attendance. 1t was estimated that
two rooms would have to be given to West
indianapolis, two to Haughville. four TO
Mount Jackson, six to North Indianapolis
two to Tuxedo, two in the vicinity of Nos.
IA and 10, two in the vicinity of Nos. As
ana 50 ana SIX ABOVE Fail creek. The addi-
tional provisions are exclusive of the aid
of portable schools which have been found
necessary to take care of overcrowded
schools. The high schools, perhaps. are
in greater need of assistance than the dis
trict schools at this time, and to make adj
ditions to these and at the same time keep
pace with the increased attendance of the
district schools the board thinks ii will
have to ask for an increase in taxation.
A proposal to equalize salaries will also
call for more funds.
TL4 IO~f~1 50 o-I zL.IJ.- - IL
manual training course has overcrowded
the Manual Training High School and
there must be some relief, ii was said. In
the discussion it was suggested that man
ual training be put in the district schools.
A few of the district schools have dement,
airy manual training, but it is not general.
This proposition was said to be about "as
broad as it is long" from the fact that
manual training in the district schools
would encourage pupils to take the higher
courses, and, therefore, the necessity for
more ample provisions in the high school
would not be diminished. 1t was estimated
that $780, 900 would take care of the district
schools, $4,000 the Shortridge High School
and $4,000 the Manual Training High
School. The board will try to take up this
matter before the close of the present
school term and get matters in shape to
ask the next General Assembly for permis-
sion to raise the levy.
1t was pointed out that half Of the mem
bership of the Manual Training School is
from north of Washington street.
SCHOOL EN- MEhA1lON.
The school enumeration shows that there
are of school age 1,5S4 persons in the city,
divided as follows: White, SS,OS6; white
males, 9,192; white females, Is. 1874. Colored,
3,44S; colored males, 1,66S; coIored females,
1,7S0. The annexation of Irvington added
40 school children, and Tuxedo 251. The
principal losses have been north Of Wash
ington street to Twenty-hrst street, in the
heart of the city, and gains have been made
in the outlying districts and suburbs.
superintendent Kendall reported that
there had been a decrease in attendance of
the city schools during the month of April
compared with the corresponding month
of last year. The report explained this by
SAYING: The number belonging shows a
decrease from last year, which is accounted
for by the fact that orders for vaccina-
lions have been issued by the Board of
Health TO pupils in twelve schools. This
has seriously affected the attendance, and
many pupils, in the aggregate, are out of
school in consequence
The report of Librarian Browning showed
that there are 2.204 books In the library.
and that the circulation for the month OF
April was S,l99. Fines were collected
amounting TO $s4.5. Miss Browning was
granted a leave of absence 10 attend the
meeting of the American Library Associa-
ton TO be held in Boston June II TO p.
School No. IS was named the 'Longfel-
low school," and No. IS the Audubon"
The naming Of the latter school reminded
Business Director Cleland that the Audi
bon Society owed rent for the use of the
high school assembly room, and he suggest
ed that in consideration OF the gratis lee
lures the society had given To the schools
IL be RENTED. His request was complied
18th ~ n us thought the society is do
- Lowed for 81, 2ss. So. which in
cludcs an appropriation OF $500 for binding
books in the library.