American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-05-20
WHAT DO YOU PAY IN SCHOOL TAXES? "
Do You Prefer to Vote Bonds or Pay for a School Building by Direct Taxation
in One Year? Isl Wise to Build a Four Room Building or One That Will p.
Answer for a Number of Years? Which Plan is for the Best Good of All?

Below will be found a statement showing the
amount of special school taxes paid by each tax
payer in Independent School District No. 1. The
12irst column shows what was levied last year ON
a valuation of $2,904.361. The second column
shows what the tax will be, on the same valuation.
II the trustees make an additional levy of five mills
and erect a school building by direct taxation a
determination of which will, In ali probability, be
left to the voters. The third column shows what
the taxes would be were bonds issued for $40, 900.
The trustees have been holding weekly meetings
for some time past, considering what action to
take to provide for the schools, and have about
reached a conclusion to award a contract for the
erection of a four room building and then leave
the determination to the voters whether to vote
for 1t by direct taxation.
A condition has been reached which should de-
mand the unbiased action of every taxpayer. A
feature which should claim their special attep-
ton is whether it is wise to build a four room
building, and in the near future add to 1t, or
whether it would not be real economy to build the
walls for such a building as will meet all re-
~quirements for at least six years, and finish only
80 much Of the building as may be required for
use now. The board has in mind calling of an
election for $12, 900 bonds, the interest on which
would be $72o per year. The interest on 100000
will be only $3.50 more, and when 1t comes to en-
larging the building the saving made in interest
will be more than wiped out.
A four room building will not more than meet
present requirements. The school room in the
basement of the present building should be closed
for school purposes. 1t Is unsanitary, and a posi-
tive injustice to the children who are forced to
occupy it. The sixth grade now occupies the
basement. The enrolment Of that grade for the
term was rs. Some have moved to the country,
but nineteen will finish the term. The fifth grade,
which will next year occupy the room, has an en-
rollment of 81 and a present attendance of 33. The
proposal is to make the old building into a manual
training workshop. If this has in contemplation
the use of the basement for school rooms, unsani-
tary and unhealthful as they are, the attention of
the state board of health might well be called to
thu vnotfnr Thn nm hos fufao hnan nnndarpn-
ed for school purposes but is still being used be-
cause no other room is available. The Mormon
church cannot be had again. The two rooms there
and one in the basement will fill three Of the rooms
In the proposed new four room building. The high
school needs more room. The present building
entire could be used to the betterment of the
school by the high school and the eighth grade
and one primary grade at the most. Then there
are thirty-one beginners in town alone and no
doubt several In the country, near town, who will
have to be provided for.
The present building was erected when there
were only 15 children Of school age In the entire
district, including Igo, Horse Island and Crystal.
In view of the increase in population was it wise
to build such a b%uilding? That was providing a
room for each 81 children. There are now in town
! and Immediately tributary, 371 children OF school
1age, or IS for each room. 1t would take a 22-room
building allowing 81 children to a room now. Then
there are 240 children in town alone who are not
yet of school age.
It will not be a mistake now, any more than it
was seven years ago, to look into the future while
planning buildings for school purposes. The town
is growing faster than ever before, and the Press
believes that it will be only good judgment to pro-
vide for a building that will meet all requirements
for the next five or six years at least. Patrons Of
the school should consider these things and advise
with the trustees before final action is taken.
The tatement above will show what such a
building will cost each individual taxpayer. II
$12, 900 is provided instead of the $4,000 in the es-
innate above, the saving for L. c. Arnold would be
IA cents a year; for ]. w. Allen, $1.37; for o. F.
Allen, II cents; for W. X. Abercrombie, So cents
a year. This saving might be made for two or
possibly three years, until the building would have
to be enlarged and would then be swallowed up In
added cost of building p%iecemeal. 1t does not
seem that such a saving, under the circumstances,
is worth while. Patrons should consider these
matters and be ready to advise the trustees before
final action is taken. The figures In the first col
umn were taken from the county records and show
the amounts raised by a five mill levy. The second
column is double that of the first. The third col
umn required the figuring Of the taxes CT more
than $50 taxpayers. In order to simplify the cal
%culations a fraction of less than hundredt part
of a mill was added which makes a slight inaccu-
racy In the third column, but the total is made to
show the correct footing. The amounts In the
third column are about one cent too much for
each $3.50 taxes paid.
What Each Taxpayer Pays.