Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-03-17
The School Que stion

erection and equipment ofa new school
building. The members of the board
agreed that enlarged quarters are now
an absolute necessity, since the present
building is entirely too small, has no
modern conveniences, and is little bet
ter than fire-trap. There was, how
ever, difference of opinion in regard
to several important aspects of the
matter, the chief discussion being con-
corning the location and the size of
the proposed new building.
Furthermore there was question
raised as to the advisability of build
ing at all under present conditions; the
statement was made that it might be
better just now to use the present
building, which cost the district some
sixteen thousand dollars only few
years ago, until such time as this
building and its site could be sold at
a good price; and in the meantime the
increasing attendance could be provid-
ed for by renting convenient buildings
or rooms. Such a makeshift. however,
would not be tolerated for more than
a year or so; then the same problem
would come up that confronts us now.
1t was suggested by some members
of the board that it would be more
economical and in every way more
satisfactory to put up a siN-room OF
eight-room building on the east side
school site, at a cost or, say, ten thou
sand or twelve thousand dollars. and
continue using the present building
until the latter was outgrown again,
after which large building could be
erected on the west side site to replace
the present building. In support of
this plan it was urged that it would
entail only a moderate expenditure,
consequently it would require only a
moderate increase in the rate of tax
alton to provide for the refunding of
| the bonds; and at the same time the
Main street building would be kept IN
use.
The majority of the board believed
that the most satisfactory (and in the
end the most economically thing to dc
would be to erect and equip large
school building south of our present
building, on lots already owned by
the district. The architects plan,
would provide for a building one-hal
Of which could be erected and furnish
ed independently of the other half, til,
cost Of the entire building to be forty
five or fifty thousand dollars. Tn,
coming election will authorize the is
suance of twenty-five thousand dollars
worth Of bonds. If two-thirds of TIN
voters of the district vote in favor O
these bonds, the money so obtaine,
will be usee in erecting and equippin.
one-halt of the building as planned
As this half Of the building must con
tain the heating, ventilating and clean
ing plant, the cost Of it will undoubt
edly be somewhat greater than th
cost of the other half.
As the building season is compare
lively short, it will probably be pos
sible to finish only a few rooms in tim
for use next September; but this woul
provide room for the growth of tn
school for another year. In the cours
of a few years, when the town ha
grown enough to justify the compile
ton of the remainder of the building
the Main street,site could be sold, an
the money obtained therefrom will b
almost enough to pay for the addition
al construction.
The majority of the board favore
having one centrally-located buildin
for the present for the following reas
ons: Such a building can be erecte,
and maintained at a smaller cost tha
two smaller Ones 1t costs less to in
stall large heating, ventilating an,
cleaning plant than to install tw
smaller ones of equal efficiency; like
, wise the plumbing for one large build
! ing costs less than for two smalle
, ones. The cost of fuel and water i
relatively less for one large building
than for two small ones. One janito
can take care Of one large building
it contains modern convenience
whereas two are required for two smal
Ter buildings.
So far as the convenience of tn
pupils is concerned, one central build
ing will prove entirely satisfactory ur
til the town grows much larger tha
it is.
|
If we have good building or builo
ings for school purposes, and emplo
: the best teachers we can get, our tow
will be known as having good schools
no matter where the buildings may /