The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-10
LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD
MAKES A REPLY
School Committee Explains Extending
OF Vacation Period

Ol vacation ifrlOu
In your paper Of January 3rd the
statement was made that the school
officials had decided to close the
schools indefinitely owing to the lack
of fuel Also in the same article it
states that there seems to be plenty
of fuel in the school buildings and
that this should be sold to families
who are in need of it.
We have not voted To close schools
nor have we heard anything abou:
selling the coal in the school build
inEs to destitute families only as the
statement was made in your paper
Monday morning, December 81, the
Fuel Conservation Committee, consist
ing of three persons who are as In
terested in civic affairs as the citi-
zen referred to in your paper, called
the members of the School Board to
gether and after due consideration it
was thought advisable to extend the
vacation at least two weeks from that
date, thus giving a vacation of three
weeks instead of two as was first
planned. AS result the schools vii
open January 14th.
In regard to the fuel situation we
have enough coal in the high school
building to last about four weeks. IL
the Park building there is enough to
last about half of the present term
The supply in the other buildings may
last through the winter.
The records of the School Board are
open to the public and any person is
at liberty to obtain correct informa-
ton in regard to the schools, thus do
ing away with the continuance of IN
authentic and incomplete articles re
lating to school affairs.
WILLIS A. BAILEY
WILLIAM H HAYES
WALTER S. STINCHFIELD
ohONDtRdl OCHOOI 1OIllHlIllGt.
II would seem from the above that
the writer OF the story in last weeks
issue was guilty of stating that which
was not so 1t is with all due respect
to members of the School Board that
he outlines his defence. OF course
it is the duty of the newspaper to
harmonize with all civil bodies in so
far as seems eXpedient and to refrain
from knocking any measures set
forth by town officials But facts
are facts and should be treated as
such
1t was publicly made known thru
display posters that the schools would
be closed indefinitely. These were
signed by Prof. r. ". Leighton of the
High School 1t is also a fact th9
some dissension has arisen over the
closing of schools even for one week
and it is stated by the school board
that there is plenty of coal in all the
buildings except the high school
which has months supply. 1t is
reasonable 10 suppose that more coal
can be obtained within a month. The
citizen mentioned in the article of
last week is among the towns most
prominent men, hard thinker and
one who acts always for the best in
terests of the town.
The gentleman quoted is man of
such standing that we feel justified in
having given publicity to his opinion.
We do not think he intended any dis
courtesy to the committee. and we
should not wish to increase their bur
den in a situation which we realize
must be very difficult for them to
cope with. We are very glad to pub
lish the above Signed statement. and
are more than willing to leave it to
our readers to decide whether or not
the committee had acted wisely in Civ
ing a three weeks vacation instead of
two at this time.