The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1908-09-04

named by Mr. Hopkins as hav
ing been appropriated by the
council for the schools of this
year, only S2,O0O.0 90 will be avail
able for the session of 1908 1909
The resolution of the council.
making this appropriation pro
vides that the sum OF $500 paid
over the school boardlast March
to extend the session of 19O7-O
from six and one-haif NOR tbs tC
eight and one fourth month, shall
be deducted from the appropria
ton for the session of 1908 90,
which appropriation amounts t.
about 81, 500 90.
Mr.. Hopkins says: 1--WE have
taxed the means placed at our
disposal to the utmost limit in
the past in assisting the School
Board to finance its affairs. and
| believe it to be the intention of
the Council to do so in the future,
and it is uncalled for and unjust
for the School Board. finding
itself in the unfortupate position.
notwithstanding the assistance
we have given it, of being unable
to run the schools with the money
placed at its disposal to endeavor
to shift the responsibility for the
shortage on the City Council"
There has been no attempt to
shift the responsibility from the
shoulders of the school board,
as is claimed by Mr.. Hopkins,
for the prospective short session
of the city schools. There is no
occasion for doing anything of
the kind in so far as the school
board is concerned, from the
fact that the short school
term in question does not come
as the result Of extravaganza in
the management of the schools.
The books and records OF the
school board show that the mon
les received for the maintenance
of the schools, from the State
the parish and the City of Lafay
cite each year, were employed
to the best advantage in running
the schools in those years for
which these funds were special
" appropriated. Appropriations
made by the police jury and city
council for the session 19O7-O8
were used to run the schools as
long as the money lasted. The
thing is true of the appro.
priations that were made for all
previous school sessions.
It ought to be clear to any one
that no school board can run the
schools this year on money ap-
propriated and used for the
schools last year, no more than
could the same money appropi-
ated and expended for the SEES
sion of 1905 OF be used over again
in running the schools for the
session of 1870 8. You cannot
eat your cake and have it too.
Mr.. Hopkins says:
The statement is made by the Su-
perintendent that there is money sufi-
to open the schools in the towns
Of Carencro, Brousssrd, Scott and
Youngsville on Sept. IA, and to open
The rural schools on Nov. Is, but there
no funds to open the public
schools which happen to be located in
The city of Lafayette.
l have ascertained that Carencro,
Scott aad Youngsville are
incorporated villages. and, as such,
have the same source Of revenue from
licenses and taxes as does the city of
Lafayette, but have not contributed
one cent from their revenues for the
support of their public schools. The
,ity of Lafayette has contributed $500
his year. Why then should there be
simple funds to open the schools in
hose municipalities of the parish
which haye contributed nothing, and
40 money to open the schools in the
2nly municipality which has contri-
1utqd Tn their c,nppor<2 |