Alma record., 1911-11-16
SCHOOL BOARD MAKES STATEMENT

In accordance with instructions gi-
ven at the last Annual School Meet
ing held July 10, 1911, the Board OF
Education of school district No. /,
fractional, have prepared plans and
estimates for the erection of a new
high school building on the Ward
school site. In accordance, also, with
the same resolution, on Monday, Nov
ember 20, you are ask to cast your
ballot upon the following PROPOSE
ton:
Shall the Board of Educ alton of
School District No. /. fractional, is
sue bonds OF the District in the
amount of $65,OOO, covering a period
OF fifteen years, for the erection of a
high school building on the Ward
school site?
The proposition, in the opinion OF
the Board of Education, is of suff-
cient importance to warrant their
asking for the sum named.
The proposed high school build
ing is planned to accommodate $50 pu-
pills. Our present high school en-
rollment is 146. which will be increa-
sed to 161 in January by the pro-
motion from the eighth grade For
the past six years il has been the
policy of the Board to in no way en-
courage the attendance of non-resi-
dent pupils. During this time the
nonresident attendance has increas-
ed only 16. while the high school en-
rollment has doubled These facts
have guided us in fixing the capacity
of the new building at $50 pupils.
What this building will make possi-
ble
l. The removal of the pupils from
three basement rooms in the Ware
building. from the city hall and from
the two basement rooms in the pre-
sent high school building.
? A more complete course in man
nal training and domestic science.
?. The introduction of CONNER
cial course.
4. An opportunity for systematic
physical training.
). The introducti tion of a course il
agriculture
6. The reduction of the number o
pupils per teacher in the grades
Z. A large increase in the amoun
OF money received from non-residen
pupils.
We cannot. in brief address. en-
large upon the different items jus
enumerated. We wish merely to say
that we are profoundly of the opin
ion that the education today of til,
children and youth of any community
is far different matter from what i
was generation ago Not only ha
the scope of school instruction beer
enlarged. but much more in many
ways is expected OF the school today
Moreover. we believe that this vii
continue TO be so. and for this reason
we are led TO look ahead in our plan
ming and make provision for future
needs and requirements.
There seems 70 be an impression
that too large sum is being asked
for a building the size of the one
proposed This is far from the pur.
pose of the board. The matter ot
construction has been gone into care
fully and it the intention TO erect
a building Of such material and de.
sign as is consistent with good taste
and wise economy. Investigation
shows that the average cost of build
ings of the type proposed warrants
the board in asking for the sum nam
ed. Several competent contractors
have made estimates of the cost OF
the proposed building all OF which
have assisted us in fixing the amount
asked for at $650O0. This amount is
made up OF the largest estimates re-
ceived, hence we feel confident that
the actual cost of construction will
fall short of rather than exceed the
amount named.
SO much then for the plans of the
Board and the reasons therefor. Oh
no less interest, perhaps, is the ques-
tion of increased taxation. In all ot
this matter it is the purpose OF the
Board to present the whole truth &c
the people For this reason the fol.
lowing information is given:
Assessed valuation of pro-
perty in school district 81, ZIG, ,32C
Bonded indebtedness Of dis
trict .................. $4,000
Bonds redeemed each year. 5000
Amout raised by tax for the
schools this year ....... 1915;
Rate of school,lev per 81 900 Q &C
If bonds for $4,000 should be is
sued, the yearly school levy woulC
necessary be increased. Liberal es
Inmates of the increased yearly ex
penditure have been made as follows
Continued on page five.