Martinsburg statesman-democrat. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1906-1921, 1909-11-05
HOW THE MONEY
Has Been Spent By the
School Board.

IL. A1eAdDutf, pIesiueht VI Tue DooTu
of Education of Martinsburg Indepen-
dent School district made an address
giving the taxpayers clear idea of
| what the board has done with the pro-
ceeds of the rebond sale. Mr.. Alexan-
der said:
The school board think this an
opportune time to tell the taxpayers
and patrons of the schools of Martins.
burg something Of the bond issue
which was voted upon by the peopIe
last November. The 100000 worth Of
bonds were sold to Harris & Co.,
Bankers OF New York City last jan
uary at a nice premium amounting
in all to S52, 47074, this being pre-
/ MUM of s2470.74 and they paid for
lithographing the bonds $685.. The
school board could not make any ar
rangements about the buildings until
we actually had the money in our
hands for the reason that the bonds
were voted upon by the people once
before and through technicality they
were refused by the bankers who
bought them. After getting this money
IN our hands we looked around for an
architect and selected Mr.. J. w. Wolff
of Waynesnoro, Pa, who has charged
us three and one half per cent on the
amount of the contract and pays his
own expenses. This means saving to
the people here Of nearly $1,000, and we
have found him satisfactory in every
way. He had built a number Of school
buildings and knew about what was
required in town Of this size. The
first contract was let to Mr.. Western
haver in May for the John Street build
ing at So, 1897 and the next contract
was let for the High street addition
amounting to S7S67, June 18th. The
same night the Hooge Street addition
or 9Th ward, was let for S3049.35, and
on the nth day of July the contract
for the addition to the High School or
Grammer School building, was let
amounting to 10000. These four con-
tracts amount in all to $44 ,90335, and
the heating contract for the John
Street building, which is up to date in
every respect and includes water
closets in The basement and thr ough
and up to date ventilating system
Throughout the building, which will
be beneficial to the health Of the chill
dlen an well as TO the teachers, cost
S3910. The attorneys fees in connec-
| ton with the bond issue and the two
elections amounted to $500. and the
amount of commission to he paid the
architect will amount to sl571. SO. The
heating plant at the High street build
| ing will amount to SSi5. aad the heat
ing plant at tie HODGE St. building
S706. The amount already paid for new
| furniture in these new additions
amounts to $50 ,905.93, leaving S43519
to be provided for out Of our current
| funds OF the bond fund we have paid
out to date s2S, 516.l4 and there is still
] in bank $23 ,954 so. The John st. build
/ ing will have eleven class rooms and
two rooms for the principal and teach
ers and will be the best equipped and
most up to date building in every re-
spect in the City. All Of the other ward
schools will have eight rooms and
will enable MS to carry on the eight
grades better than ever before.
During the past year to July the LIST
the school board expended Sl9,6l3.9s
for the teachers salaries, which run
from S42. SO to $ll2.50 per month, for
each teacher, or total OF $500. per
month and we expended $40, 64S. 80 for
other purposes and necessary expenses
in keeping up the schools, including
$500. fer taking up an cid bond. There
was also expended sl028.45 by the
board for the benefit Of the Library
and there are now thirty-nine teachers
In all on the pay roll. The board has
/ had over forty regular and special
meetings since January first also
number of meetings Of minor impor-
lance not necessary to record. The
board thought change necessary at
the High school aud after devoting
two months to interviews and consul
tations with school people, we selected
Mr.. William &. Morton Of Newport
News, Virginia b. A. graduate Of
Of the Washington and Lee University
at Lexington, Virginia, one Of the best
known Universities of the south as
City Superintendent of our schools, and
Mr.. NJ. l.. Wachtel, as principal of
the High School, a B. s. graduate 81
Pennsylvania college at Gettysburg,
Pa, who also took postgraduate
course at Yale University at New
/ Haven. Conn, abe the board thinks