The Lafayette advertiser. [volume] (Vermilionville [i.e. Lafayette], La.) 1865-19??, 1909-07-06
PROPOSED SCHOOL
TAX DISCUSSED
Meeting at High School Auditorium
Saturday Decide a Tax to Main
tain Schools a Necessity.
BOARD HAS FUNDS FOR ONLY
FIVE MONTHS SCHOOL.
Authorize Passing of Petitions for
signatures to Call Election to Sub
NIT Proposition to Taxpayers.

pursuant TO call by Supt. Wright
the Parish School Board met in con-
ference with number of citizens in
the High School auditorium Saturday
morning to consider the question of
providing revenue to maintain the
public schools reasonable length of
term next session. There were pres
ent the full membership of the Board
and a number of representative citi-
zens from the town and parish. Pres
ident F. r. Tolson called to order
and explained the object of the con-
ference Unless there was provided
some additional revenue, the schools
could not be run longer than four and
half to five months, and this would
virtually amount to little il anything
IN educational progress or develop
ment. The Board was anxious to do
its duty, but could not accomplish de-
sired results unless sufficient funds !
were provided to maintain the schools. |
Supt Wright analyzed the situation
very closely and argued for continue
tion OF the present taxes amounting to
Ave mills now being paid the Indus
trial Institute and the common schools
and which expire this year. II the
people could vote two mill tax for
ten years in aid Of the Industrial In
stitute, which provides for only a
small per cent of the children of the
parish, they certainly should be will
ling to continue this tax for the ben
eft Of 1000 pupils of the parish
schools. The average assessment in
the paEsh is $500 and this would
cause yearly tax of $150. It was
shown that the large property owners
and corporations would contribute y
The bulk Of the tax, while the small
property holder would get the bene- (
1t. Supt Wright submitted the fol- q
lowing figures which show the alb '
'olute necessity for more revenues +
or the schools: p
Appropriation from state.... $12,5OO a
from polls, about ......... 5000
from police Jury about 10000 t
court fines about 700 IL
Rent on sixteen sections
about ;. :. -. ;. 5000 a
Aoeoi :. $z6,1OO
Less amount outstanding $500, G.
caves available income for next year
22.700. A special five mill tax would "
ield $4,000 thus increasing the rev. II
nues to $4,000. Cost Of maintaining u
he schools per month $4,000. making G
mount needed for nine month ses- p
lon $4,000. I'll
These figures show an excess Of rev.
nue. II the proposed tax is carried oe
: continued rather, but the growth Of OF
le system in less than two years ~
III require the entire sum, and even 10
ore. Ofcourse the assessment will ti'
crease year by year, and any one pc
;Quainted with local conditions in an
u parish, knows full well that the "a
bard will need ample funds to meet Tn
. rapidly increasing demands for M'
pre- schools and more teachers. Tn
Mr.. C. O. Mouton next spoke and de- =
ared himself heartily in favor Of - -
y movement for the moral. mental =. =
n naforfal dnvn1nnr.nnf ~ thn -. III
!. Ward lines should be obliterated -
q the tax voted for the parish as =
Aole. The strong wards should be e
Hing to help those financially weak .,
4 give to each child an equal chance ~