The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-07-07

year as it was at the end of the
last year. The cost last year was
$4,000 more than the estimate
L. NJ. Penwell, member of the board
of education, tilted back in his chair
and flipped his black trimmed eye
glasses from his nose as he made the
foregoing remark during the session
of the Topeka board of education
Tuesday night.
Penwell's remarks were uttered
just after the discussion of various
board will be forced to meet providing
increases in teachers salaries of So
600, the purchase of $1,000 in extra
school texts for next year, and other
matters adding extra expense to run
ming city schools Practically all
Tuesday evenings meeting was con-
sumed by consideration of the finan-
clal status Of the board. Judging
from the remarks and timely actions
of a part of the members the board
of education is in deep water. Part
of the members admitted that it would
take more than a motion and second
followed by the usual aye from the
members around the green table to
meet next years expenses without eX-
ceeding the last years school levy of
Z mills or floating more bonds.
Holman's Report.
In a report, offered the board by
NJ. c. Holman, clerk, it was shown
that the cost of running city schools
last year exceeded the boards estimate
by $4,000, round numbers.
A report from the clerk showed that
there was a balance outstanding
debt-of s0,270.41 in the general and
building funds for last year. How
ever, 33 per cent of the school levy for
last year has not been received and
amounts to $127,000 Again the
amount due and the amount paid in
generally differ. All that the board
can hope to receive out of the 33 per
cent is between $4,000 and $4,000
enough to wipe out last years debt.
Contrary to the nature of numerous
meetings in the past year, Tuesday
nights meeting was non-eXploSive. w.
E. Atchison assumed an attitude
toward the establishment of a kinder
garten, costing between $500 and 500
that promised a break. Atchison was
late at the meeting. The establish-
ment of the kindergarten at Potwin
school was affirmed before he came
in. When informed of the act, Atchi-
son submitted a query as to where the
money was coming from. No one
seemed to want to undertake the job
of telling him. Several times he open.
ed the question but something else oc-
cupied the mind and attention of other
members and his question was
smothered.
Ask for Too Much.
Reports and estimates from various
committees on added equipment for
the city schools also took up part of
the session. A report from the sup
plies committee was referred back for
investigation owing to the fact that
members of the board believed the
committee asked for too much
money for new equipment.
There was one bright moment in
the meeting. Members of the board
stopped frowning and smiled a smile
that illuminated the entire room when
the clerk announced that $4,000 in
dc 7nC q IL
year. In former years it mas been
customary to take up only $4,000. This
leaves bonds outstanding to the
amount of S472,6
Gloom returned, however, with the
disposal of the kindergarten matter
when P. w Griggs, chairman, remind
ed his fellow members that the board
was using all the insurance money for
something else.
The question of abandoning Garfield
school was fiirted with. 1t is known
that certain school officials are con-
sidering or have spoken of abandoning
Garfield when the new Lincoln build
ing is completed and dividing the dis
trict between Lincoln and Van Buren,
However, the proposition was allowed
to die from lack of attention. re-
port from the building committee was
TO the effect that several thousand
dollars will be needed for the inn
provement of Garfield. providing the
school is maintained in the future.
Help for the Needy.
The need of fund to provide edu-
cation for needy children was brought
up the report of two cases. One of
the cases was of boy whose mother
was trying to educate him but had not
enough money. The other case was
that of a girl and was brought before
the board by Radcliffe Lee, assistant
county attorney. In both cases the
pupils live outside the city and are
trying to get through high school and
do not have enough money to pay the
regular tuition. No one but Atchison
seemed to want to take the matter
Up. I'm for EN- said the county
prosecutor. When a kid works his
head off for an education like these
two are doing they are entitled to
some help. Penwel grunted. The
matter was referred to the teachers
mittee ..MnXe We adj nIlI1l >, said