The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1914-03-04
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4. 1914
COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BONDS

80 wang o
mighty poor advice regarding the pro-
posed bond issue to supply funds for
the construction of a county high
school building. They are urged to
vote against the proposition, the ad-
vocates of this course representing
that it will protect them from a bur-
densome tax and impair the efficiency
and usefulness of the new educational
institution.
The taxpayer who follows this ad.
vice will be in the position Of a fool.
fish man who is said to have "cut off
his nose to spite his face" The citi-
e who votes against the proposed
bond issue will, in effect, express n
desire that the cost of a school build.
ing and equipment shall be paid out
of current funds-these funds to be
provided by an immediate tax levy
that may be as high as ten mills.
The situation will be better under.
stood by reference to certain provi.
sions of the Montana school laws. In
conformity with these statutory reg
ulations, it was decided at a special
election that the children of
Chouteau county parents shall have
as good educational advantages as
the young people residing in any 9TH
er county. A county high school was
established, a board of trustees ap-
pointed in the provided by
statute, and temporary quarters Sc
cured in which to conduct the school.
The powers and duties of the board
of trustees are defined at length in
the Montana school laws, one of the
sections requiring that, as soon as
practicable after their appointment
and qualification, they shall "let such
contracts for necessary school build
ings as they may deem proper" The
action of the Chouteau county trus.
tees Is a compliance with this statu-
tory requirement.
Tie manner Of raising funds for
current expenses and for building pur-
poses, is also regulated by the Mon
tana school laws. 1t is provided that
the board of trustees shall make ar
estimate Of the amount needed during
each year, and report to the county
commissioners-the latter being re-
quired to make a tax levy not to eX-
coed ten mills for the purposes indi-
Gated. The county commissioners
have no discretionary power in the
matter, the management of high
school affairs being entirely in the
hands of the board Of trustees.
Another section of the school laws,
however, provides that bonds may be
issued to provide funds for building
purposes, the question of issuing such
bonds to be submitted to the voters.
In the class of counties to which
Chouteau county belongs, a bond is
sue in any amount up to 100000 Il
authorized for high school building
purposes.
A feature of the situation that is OF
special interest to taxpayers at the
present time is that for the first ten
years it is necessary to collect only
an amount sufficient to pay the inter
est on the bonds. The authorities arc
given the option Of delaying until the
second ~ten-year period the collection
VI luluuS W Apply W pay IAcLAI VI Ils
principal.
Every voter will understand that
district school or a county high schoo
must have a building in which it ma!
be conducted. Two methods of pro
viding funds for such purpose ar,
available under the Montana law, AM
It is the privilege of the voters to ex
press their wishes in the matter. I
they decide in favor of a bond issue
part of the expense will be borne b,
the taxpayers who will be resident
of the county ten to twenty year
hence, and who will be %receivin
benefit from the educational facilitie
that are provided. If the propose
bond issue be rejected, the entire cos
Of Il school build,ng will fall upo
taXrayers who are at present Twin
in the county.
Under these circumstances, the ia.
payer who understands the situatio
should have no difficulty in decidin
that a bond issue is the better metho