The Colfax gazette. [volume] (Colfax, Wash.) 1893-1932, 1908-01-24
UNION HIGH SCHOOL
Only Solution for Congested
Condition of High School.
Plain Statement of Facts That Are
of Interest to Every Man,
Woman and Child.

| The question of a union high school,
embracing Cofax and the surrounding
territory, is one that will surely come to
the attention of patrons in the near fu-
ture. The congested condition OF the
High school makes it imperative that
something be done. The fact that 43 of
the 127 students enrolled are non-resi-
education without cost to a large num-
Der in the outlying districts, who will be
asked to join with as in enlarging the
high school and giving all the youth
who desire a chance to acquire a high
school education. As mentioned last
week City Superintendent of Schools W.
A. Nicholas is sending letter to each
director calling attention to this matter,
from which we take few extracts /:
Knowing you to be a member of your
local board of education | assume that
you are interested in matters education
al and in the educational progress OF
this community, and. therefore, take the
liberty OF placing before you plain
statement OF some conditions that are
of interest to every man, woman and
child in this neighborhood.
The building now occupied by the Col
fax High school was erected in 1891
| The seating capacity of the assembly
room is really about 80. though we have
crowded in about lis seats. There are
only four recitations rooms, including
the laboratory, and three of these are
| small. The enrolment of the high
school is at present 1877. On February
l we shall enroll 33 more, who are now
doing 8 A work, making a total for the
| year of 16O. Room that was intended
| for the seventh and eighth grades must
be taken for high school students. This
| at once creates a crowded condition in
| the other buildings and makes conges-
tion inevitable. The time for adding
| facilities to the school has been post
| poned as long as possible. The time for
action has come; all available room has
| been utilized; the facilities afforded by
| the present accommodations are taxed
| to the utmost and the situation can no
longer be ignored.
From the present high school enroll
ment of 1877 we find that 43 are from
surrounding districts. This shows con-
clusvely that these districts are vitality
interested in our schools. For years the
successive boards of education in this
| district have given non residents the
| privileges of our schools without even a
small tuition charge. The time has
community, including the interested
country districts, must make some move
which will permit Of the natural develop
ment of very creditable institution.
Up to this time the taxpayers OF this
district have given the schools splendid
support. The spirit Of the pupils has
been all that one could ask. The High
school has been placed upon the perma
nent accredited list of the State Univer
sity, the State College, Whitman College,
Leland Stamford University, Mount
Holyoke College and others. A good
reference library of some 1000 volumes
and laboratory apparatus, costing
$25OO, have been provided during the
past development of the High school.
This proposition was discussed and
voted upon in this section last year and
defeated. Many who we're not heartily
in favor of the plan at that time. be-
cause OF a lack OF information, have ex
pressed a desire to have the matter
brought up again at the spring election,
and express belief that the plan will
carry almost unanimously. Ii the
proposition is to come before the people
at the March election you, as director,
will have great influence in placing the
matter in the right light before your
district. On this account | wish to call
your attention to the following points
First: This is not proposition that
is of any greater interest to the city OF
Colfax than the people in the outlying
districts. The Colfax district has ac-
commodatons which are ample for the
present needs OF its own pupils. When
we remember that 43 of the 127 are non
residents, it is clear that these districts
have very vital interest in the solution
OF this problem. 1t would not meet the
sentiment OF either the people in the city
or the country to shut out the country
pupils from the Coifax schools. The 43
boys and girls from the outlying dis
tricts come to this High school because
it is convenient for them to do so, and
also because we have one OF the best
High schools in this section OF the state.
Secondly: The union high school plan
is one of economy, fairness and justice to
all concerned. A school such as would
be needed could be maintained in this
community at a cost not felt by any
one. AS the matter now stands the
whole burden is placed upon single