The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1913-02-21

for the school. but this should not Re
the case. At no time in the history of
Washburn has the school question been
more important than it is today. The
state school inspector has called the
school boards attention to the facts in
our city and if change is not made
soon the state aid will be discon tinued.
What is needed is a new building.
One that is sanitary, warm and large
enough to accommodate the children
who wish to attend, the grounds should
be made more attractive, and manual
training and domestic training should
be made part of the regular course.
This cannot be done until new large
building is put up.
The average attendance would be
higher in an up-to-date school building,
and this means more money for the
school fund as the state appropriation
is based on the number of pupils who
have attended a certain length of time.
A larger school means better grades.
more effective work and, greatest of
all, the carrying on of high school
work and securing state aid, thus MAX
ing the total cost of the schools of the
township less. the advantages create
and rendering it unnecessary for par
ents to send their children away for =
high school education.
There is enough money in the school
treasury to build an $4,000 school at
present. Here are few figures that
will prove the exact condition of affairs:
The valuation of this township is $780,
72O. If this is bonded at $50 it will
bring in So, ,536. There is due on taxes
81, ,636. rs and the amount of cash ON
hand in the bank is Sc, 433. 78, making .
total of $50, ,6O6.5 SO that is available for
the new building.
In the Washburn school district the
enrolment in 1912 was 172, the appor-
tionment for 19l1-l2 amounted to 1886
per capita or 81, ,695.92. The balance in
the sinking fund June 80. 1912 was
81, 2,678.34. This makes grand total of
$24, ,98O.79.
The present building can be sold and
the amount put in the building fund.
The building as it stands costs Sc, 1000.
1t costs the state 5000 for each schol-
ar we send away to Fargo or Valley
City, while it would cost only $25 if he
or she remained here. Each tax payer
is assisting in paying this amount and
it would be best to keep this amount at
home if possible. H#
The school board can call special
election to vote on bonding to build .,
new school house, but if it fails to car
ry another election cannot be called
for two years. Two years is long
time when the changes that can be
made in child's life is considered. If
the election carries, the work on exca-
walton could begin in the early spring
and, if necessary, the present building
moved before school is out.
The increase of taxes will be scarcely
noticeable and when you realize the
extent of good that will come of it, you
should be willing to pay even more.
A visit to the school will show you
the crowded conditions, the need Of at
least one more teacher, the poor venti-
lating system and the lack of heat and
sanitary conditions. Careful study will
convince each one that new building
is necessary at once.
This school should have the reputa-
tion of being the leading grammar and
high school in the county. If proper
cooperation is given by the people,
this can be accomplished. Talk it over
with your friends.