The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-04-10
HOW TO DO IT.
Plan to Relieve School Board by
Shortening Term.
Would Make Time Six Instead
of Nine Months.
NOT MET WITH FAVOR.
Superintendent Davidson Says
It Would Cripple Schools.
A Bond Issue Appears to Be
Inevitable.
NOT MET, WITH FAVOR.

It may be that the term of the city
schools viii have to be shortened in or
der that the board of education Will
have funds sufficient to pay the salaries
of the teachers and the expenses of the
schools. The monthly salaries now
amount to about $1,000. BY shortening
the school term from nine to six months
the board would save $4,000.
The members Of the board are not in
favor Of making the term any shorter
if that can be avoided. The general fund
at present is barely sufficient to main
tain the schools and it viii not be suffi-
cient to keep up the general expenses
when the additional school buildings are
erected that will be necessary to relieve
the crowded condition that exists.
Several years ago the beard found that
the general fund was not sufficient to
keep up tire general expenses and a re
duction OF > per cent in all salaries was
made The teachers said they would
prefer to take a reduction rather than
to have the term shortened. If the term
were shortened it would mean that much
less pay to the teachers, a reduction of
any per cent would mean the same.
Either move might badly cripple the
schools as the teachers would look for
places elsewhere where larger salaries
would be paid and consequently the best
teachers would leave.
1t has also been suggested that ninth
BlaUe might De formed at the new sum
ner building to temporarily relieve the
crowded condition at the High school.
This plan is not looked upon with favor
but might be adopted temporarily. The
nena 0ers Of the board are Of the opinion
that a proposition to vote bonds win
have to be submitted to the people this
fall but if they carry that viii not ma
terially assist the general fund.
Superintendent Davidson is not in
favor of shortening the term nor of
a ninth 8 E7nnld he
very sorry to see the term shortened"
said Superintendent Davidson. THAT
would badly cripple our schools and the
standard work could not be kept UP.
l doubt If the board would do that un-
less there was nc other alternative. The
addition of a ninth grade would not be
feasible but that might be used as
temporary means of relief. All the High
school pupils should attend the High
school"
P. ]. Bonebrake. chairman of the fin
ance committee, said this morning. 1t
may be necessary to form ninth grade
to relieve the crowded condition a t the
high school 1t may De that it VIII be
necessary to shorten the term but the
board does not wish to and win not do
that if it IS POSSIBLE 10 avoid il. We
may be able TO keep the lower grades
in basement rooms for c. time. but that
viii not materially help US as the
crowded condition exists more in the
higher grades. Parkdale needs another
school as We'll as North Topeka and
Potwin. I see no way but to submit
proposition to vote bonds for about
500 600"
DR. A. s. Hsmbree. member of the
teachers committee. said this morning:
I think that PROPOSITION 10 vote
bonds 10 increase the graded school IA
cilities is the only thing the board can
do. 1t may be necessary to shorten the
high school course or to ado a ninth
grade to the graded schools"
w. II. Wilson, president of the board
said this morning: Il see nothing for
the board to do but ask that bonds be
low warrants to 60 unpaid for want of
funds but that would require two or
three years to make uD the deficiency
and in the meantime the schools would
be just as badly crowded. The finance
committee viii have to decide what
shall be done. The repairs have been
done out of the general fund. It viii
relieve the general fund some to have
the repairs charged to the building
fund 1 do not favor shortening the
term"
A A. Rodgers, of the building com
mittee, said: Our teachers are Compel
ent and as good as can be found but
we must have more room 50 that each
teacher may have fewer pupils. w 20
at the limit of our resources with the
schools growing The limit of the gem
eral fund levy is y mills and that viii
not be sufficient. This is a serious pro-
position The schools are crowded.
Parents are complaining that their
children do not receive enough atten-
ton It is not the fault of the teach
ers."
c. F. Menninger, NJ. D, office 727 kan
sas ave Tel 10: residence 1851 Topeka