El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-12-19
USURP5
BOARD s POWER
School Trustees Claim Over
ridden in Tax Rate, But
Fix It at 40 Cents.

That the mayor and city council
in fixing the school tax levy for the
year at 90 cents, usurped the power OF
the city school board, and that the
latter could even at this late date
force the council to levy a higher rate
was the rist Of a discussion at
meeting OF the school trustees Tues
day evening at Bailey school Il ter
minated, however. in the passing OF
a resolution fixing the rate at 20
cents. in order TO keep the record
straight
Are we working here or are the
members Of the council telling us
what TO do2" asked trustee C. B.
Stevens during the discussion. Pre-
sident J.. NJ Whitaker replied that
IF we fix different rate, We can
force them 20 levy it, Trustee = j.
Prudential said tho law gave the
school board the right 20 fix the rate
The resolution settisE the levy AT
the figure already decided on by the
council was framed by trustee Freu-
denthal and voted for by everyone
present except trustee stevens
The discussion followed receipt o.
a communicating from city assessor
W. p. McSain officially informing the
board that the assessment for the
year totals S59.202.090 It was said
during the discssiOn that the council
fixed the rate after the school board
had presented a budget TO the council
shows big Cverdraft.
Expenditures for November were
S50,125-92 and revenues were S4.S9o-4t,
as reported by auditor F. T. sawyer.
At the close Of the month the board
funds showed an overdraft Of S93--
012.2I in the maintenance fund and
ETAH so n1 Do the nnrr#IHng rIrlu.
Enrolment Is 1I,252-
Supt. r. J. Tighe reported Tor the
month as follows Enrolment day
schools, 1879, night schools. sos. or
month last year The total average
daily attendance was S.4a9- or $50
increase Teachers employed totaled
S25, with 50 students in the average
class.
Probing Boiler Failure
It cost $l61-50 TO repair the Alta
Vista school boiler. Its failure 20
heat the building coused the school
TO be closed several days recently a
bill for this amount was presented by
Daniel Mundy and was referred to the
external committee, which VIII also
investigate whatever liability by way
Of bond that may exist I'm connection
with the original purchase and instala-
ton Of the boiler
Holidays DeEUlatiOH Passed.
"a AAANA4Eaa GA GO aAaAs.E rN g ~ N- III
ington. iu was decided that in future
no holidays win be recognized except
where the whole school system is dis
missed This rule was adopted 70
avoid the necessity OF paying salaries
tc teachers absent on religious holt
DAYS.
Eleanor Lyon. cadet at Aoy school,
was advanced TO the grade OF fun
teacher, effective the beginning Of
the midyear term
Provides Salary Allowances
A resolution was presented by trus- .
tee Scott White and adopted provid-
ing for salary allowances for
absences as follows one day per
month If cause IS ordinary sickness or F
family distress. but II absence IS b
caused by contagious disease con- +
uacted in school, and prolonged. each F.
case viii receive individual cOnsid- .
Grafton by the board, regular pay 20 (
be allowed for il days OF ordinary
confessions disease, and for 30 days
for dangerously contagious disease. /
Interest In French Keen.
National affairs have materially
increased the popularity OF French
courses at the high school. according
TO a communication from Prof A. T..
Nichols. head OF the department p
Fannie FoEue high school. was
granted "a six months leave, TO he able
to work at Washington. T. c.. in the .
war department.
Denies Further Holidays.
President Whitaker announced +
receipt or petition Of teachers ask .
ing that the Christmas holidays be .
extended 20 January S. The board de-
MED the request To grant more holt q
days would De TO put the interest Of
the teachers above that of the stud f
ents,' said trustee Prudential dur
ing the discussion. The board had .
previously decided that the holidays
start Dec. 81 and end January e.. eX- 1
elusive. and this ruling was retained. I
Six Teachers Appointed
Teachers were appointed as fol- {
lows TO succeed s. s. Suider. Of the .
manual training department. resigned. T
W. a. Fox w D. EraCkau and i. W f.
smith. science. and Miss Ruth Brow %. R
Spanish. high school, Pearl Smith ana
Laura Maudc Hebbard. Lamar school F.
school For BOhcmians.
It was decided TO offer the use or ;
a room at the high school or one at /
r franklin school 10 a private teacher I
giving free instruction in English TO f
about 100 Bohemians in the United (
states army stationed here These I
men had Joined the army for an OPP
portunity 90 uGht Austria. but under
the war departments regulations,
cannot go across but must be re-
tanned for duty iu this country.
Help Childreu's Thrift Cards.
Aleinpers or the board having pre-
yiously offered as individuals TO pay
= cents to each of the first 500 stud
ents filling a thrift card. which re-
quiries - Of % cent stamps, the l.
cents additional being needed for the
purchase Of larger stamp. large
number Of children were reported by
Supt. Tighe as having already filled B.
their thrift cards. Members Of the
board viii share the expense Of pay.
ms i cents 10 each
krackainck ChrI.tmn. sn.cln1.