The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-08
Topeka School Board Would
Set Out Fire Fund. -
Retain Insurance Premiums
and Prepare for Damages.
AID Of BACKWARD CHILDREN
Superintendent Wilson Would
Teach the SubnOrma1.
Tentative Plans for Additions
to High School.

The board OF education has decided
! to go into the insurance business. That
! is. by failing to renew approximately
10 per cent of the insurance on the
school buildings each year as 1t comes
due, and retaining the amount of
premiums that would be paid on this
Insurance. fund will be created which
will serve as q reserve fund in case OF
loss through fire. Thus in the course
OF q period OF ten years. It might be
possible for the board to carry the en-
tire risk on the buildings. thereby saw
| ing the taxpayers Of the city thousands
of dollars in insurance.
This arrangement will undoubtedly
fail to meet the approval of the insur-
ance companies, as at the present time
, they carry $45O,00 insurance on the
school buildings. 1t is not unlikely that
the concerns will have something to say
to the board about the action taken
upon the suggestion of p. w. Griggs.
f, of the board. Mr.. Griggs had not gone
| into the plan in detail and consequently
| could not state definitely what the re-
serve fund would amount to in period
Of ten years.
For New Buildings.
The board authorized the finance
committee to procure plans and esti-
mates looking towards the erection of
additions to the high school and Grant
school buildings.
1t is probable that the improvements
will be made this year, but definite ac-
| tion will be taken at a later date when
it is ascertained precisely what the
cost will be. For several years an addi-
ton to the high school has been con-
templated; in fact plans were drawn by
J. G. Holland, but the board has not
been able to finance the proposition up
to this time. However, with the pros
poets of an attendance of 400 students
in EscakSr wv q of0rf fo1 ivno GO,
over this number next fall action seems
imperative.
"The addition to the high school
building is a hope" said III. 3. Wilson,
superintendent Of city schools, after the
board meeting. I'VE want to create room
enough to accommodate at least 1,500
students in all of their work. The plans
have not as yet taken definite form, but
we want, If possible. a gymnasium and
auditorium on the ground floor. There
is a space of eighty feet west Of the
present building which is available for
the addition and the wing could be
made to harmonic with the old struc-
ture at the front, and could be built
back one hundred feet to the alley
No member of the board seemed to
have q very definite idea as to what
improvement win be necessary at the
Grant school. 1t seemed to be the gen.
eral opinion that II an addition is built
the work should be done with q view
to meeting the requirements of the
school for years to come. At the pres
ent time the basement of the building
Is in anything but a sanitary condi-
ton, and the school is crowded.
1t is estimated that the improve
ments at both buildings will cost more
than $4,000. but the plans are SO in
definite that it is impossible to make
a prediction with any degree of certain
ty.
The building levy of mill will bring
in $53, ,589, but at the present time there
is a balance overdrawn in the building
fund of $1S.055.04. The statement was
made at-the board meeting that Mat
Weightman, Jr., county treasurer,