Le MeschaceÌbeÌ. [volume] ([Lucy] La.) 1853-1942, 1913-03-01
BERTHELOT FOR SCHOOLS.
Reviews Progress Made Within
Last Few Years, But Depre-
Gates High Cost Of System.


Police Jury and Taxpayers last week,
being sick in bed, was at the Courthouse
Friday last, and, in commenting on his
position anent the public schools, said
@In the first place, I believe that the
Police JurEdid the right thing in giving
the money, for the reason that it would
have been sad, indeed, to close the
schools and give only five months
session, TO which I am very much op.
posed
at would have created q very bad
impression and would have been crime
for the parish authorities and the Police
Jury to see the schools closed, if the
money was available"
aStil, the fact remains that the school
proposition is very serious problem to
solve.S
sThe $1,000 given to the School Board
viii last only up 70 the closing of this
School term and the Board win be
without funds to begin the new term in
September next."
Il am afraid that the budget, as agreed
upon by the Board, is too high and /
believe that it can be materially reduced.
/ speak from experience, because just
prior to ex-superintendent Broussard's
departure. conference held between
him and two members of the Board, at
which I was invited, resulted in a re-
duction of the budget from $4,000 to
something like $22, ,O0O.'
4The present budget or tabIeau is
higher than that OF any previous year.
The school revenues total about
$4,000
@The Police Jury last September ap-
propriated $500. To this add $4,000,
just turned over for school purposes
and We have total or s31, ,0O0.'
sAny one can see that it is impossible
to keep budget of $31 900 on a 7,mill
parish tax on an assessment of a little
over 90, 300, 900, which yields revenue
of about $23. 100.
Take of $4,000. the regular 3-mill
school tax, add $1,000. required to
meet that budget. and the remaining
SO. 200. plus the licenses. remain for the
parish to run its affairs"
@The good road advocates want money
for the model roads.
&The people to whom spoke seem to
realize that, in some instances, fancy
salaries are being paid to teachers. When
the budget was cut down by MIR. Brous.
sard, the salaries were materially re-
dueed, buf Il am informed that now
nearly every one has been increased
aMr. e. J. CaEee tells me that he pays
$50. to a firssselass teacher, Mr. G.
Gaillot, of Wallace. who is native OF
our Parish, gets $50. per month.
Il am not disposed to knock the
School Board, nor the Superintendent,
for 7 believe that they mean well, and
that Mr. Dupuy is endeavoring tofollow
the regulations Of the State Board OF
Education.
Il desire to see our Parish rank
amongst the highest in education, but
two and two cant make ten. Our Parish
is small one and we have no large
towns like many other parishes. Our
assessment is only little over So.
100000
sSome radical change must take place
Either one thing or the other must be
done and the good people of this parish
must be prepared to meet the issue
aThe Police Jury, am sure, cannot
contribute very much more with Z.
,iiil tax and if they do not give more
than the three (3) mills to the schools
as the Law requires, which totals about
$4,000, with poll taxes and fines
amounting TO 81 800 and the difference
TO make SI9, 900 coming from the State
appropriations, then ask how are you
going to meet the $3l 900 school bud
get?'
eEither have only Ave months Of
school or the good people viii tax them.
selves 3 to 8 IL mills additional
Il am afraid that, under present con.
ditions, the tax payers viii be reluctant
10 doing so, especially after having
aeaped short crops and with the threaten.
mg tariff reductions affecting sugar and
rice
I, for one would be willing to pay
she special tax, but / am afraid that the
majority. Is / said before, under present
conditions, may view it in different
light.
aMany planters seem to think, and
agree with them, that il there were nc
nsans s0 raise the amount of S81 900 tc
.iefray the operations Of the echools
that It would be preferable to cut dowr
expenses. even II High Schools, Art anC
anaie teachers be dispensed with and
re should stin have 9.months' ses
.sion.
However. hope that something vii
be done towards keeping up the prestige
i ~ i. &T