The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1912-08-02
SCHOOL MATTERS.

The members of the board of school
trustees have not lost sight of the in
terests of the district, nor the children
thereof who are of school age. They
have been long considering and dis
cussing the best course to pursue 70
provide ample accommodations for
those who will apply for entrance in
to the school this fall, and TO make
provisions for the future. 1t is real
lied that school boards overlooked the
Importance of securing school sites
when land was cheap and could be
procured. The town has made such
growth In late years, and property has
so increased in value that now it is
necessary to 60 outside of the business
and resident centers in order to Sc
cure an adequate amount of real as
tate for school purposes, taking into
consideration the new studies along
industrial lines, with demonstrating
instructors, which requires much more
territory than in the days when ed
ucatiOn was confined to the little red
school house, and the curriculum was
condensed to the three Rs. The trus-
tees feel 1t is the bounden duty of the
residents OF the district to empower
their representatives to purchase nee
essary school sites at once If not util-
lied this year, to be utilized in the
near future, and some such PROPOSE
tiOn Will be put up to the voters for
confirmation this fall. 1t is plain to
everybody giving the matter a thought
that land that can be purchased this
year at reasonable price will so in
crease In value within a year or two
as to be out of reach of the district, or
at least can only be secured at figures
that would prohibit improvement. 1t
is felt that the district should have the
benefit of this agreement Looking
at 1t as a business proposition an in
. vestment of the kind would be justi-
fed but aside from the business point
more ground for school purposes is
absolutely necessary. If not pur-
chased this year 1t must be purchased
next year, or the year after, and in
two years the land Obtainable now will
have doubled in value. The plan that
the directors will present to the peo-
pie will be the purchase of more
ground around the present school
building, and the acquiring of a tract
of land in the north part of town. No
opposition should develop to this sug
gestiOn.
No school building will be erected
this year, Notwithstanding the grow
ing demand for more accommodations.
The old school house is to be over
hauled, renovated and painted. That
building can, and Will, be used for
school purposes for a number of years
to come. Eventually, no doubt, it will
be replaced with modern brick or
concrete structure. AS the town grows
there will have to be ward schools,
located as to be convenient to the set
tied portions of the town, with high
schools on the north and south sides
of the track.
The district Is fortunate in having
competent board of school trustees.
The individual members are interested
in education; and have pride in maxi
ing the schools of Oroville equal to
any in eastern Washington. The mem
bers are working in harmony. and
along lines that promise the very best
results for our educational institu-
tons. They are figuring for the flu
ture as we'll as for the present, with
the single aim of the greatest benefit
to the pupils. An able corps of teach
ers has been engaged, and every means
in their power will be taken to place
the schools on high plane. 1t is the
intention to have the 11th and 18th
grades taught during the next school
year, and residents of the town and
neighborhoOd will have an oppOrtun-
ity to give their children the advan-
tages of the higher branches of study
The trustees will give their time and
best efforts to advance the interests of
the schools, and the public should
give them their moral support and ex
tend every encouragement in carrying
on the good work.