The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1919-09-25
FINANCES OF
LOCAL SCHOOLS
ARE EXPLAINED
Board Members Tell Small Aud
fence Why More Money is
Needed
REGULAR TAXES INADEQUATE
II Is Impossible to Reduce Number
of Teachers or Cut Down their
Salaries

If the people of Kennewiek are in
terested in the proposal to vote an adj
ditional tax levy of three mills to
meet the necessary expenses of the
schools, they failed to show their in
terest by attending the mass meeting
lin the high school building Saturday
evening. The meeting was called by
the board for the purpose of fully ex-
planning the need of the additional
levy. Not more than dozen people
attended.
In the absence of F. Z. Fraser,
chairman of the board, E. o. Keene,
clerk of the district, presided. M. M.
Moulton, the third member Of the
board, explained tnat in spite of the
boards practice of the most rigid
economy, it had been found absolute
ly impossible to keep the school ex-
penses within the revenues derived
under the present limit Of taxation.
He said the board, by rare good for
tune, had been able to engage very
capable corps of teachers at salaries
not greatly in excess of those paid
last year. He explained that a part
of the money derived from the pro-
posed levy will be used in retiring $3,-
100 worth Of district warrants which
are now outstanding and drawing
eight per cent interest. That these
warrants are outstanding are not due
to the fact that last years expenses
cverran the revenues, but to the fart
that the estimated revenues did not
materialize because of delinquent
taxes.
Another part of it will be used in
putting on another bus on the High
lands, where two busses are now car
rying nearly 100 children. He said
that another teacher is badly needed
in the high school and an additional
teacher would be hired If one can be
found who viii accept the position
at the salary others are receiving.
Mr. Keene read an itemized state
ment of the present budget and COM
pared it with the 1856 budget when
conditions were normal. In 1915
t required $40, ,924.37 to run the school
and the amount that will be necessary
his year to keep the schools going
md retire the outstanding warrants
S $44, 4,564.50. One of the striking
comparisons of the two budgets is
he small increase in teachers sal
aries. Four years ago the teachers,
the superintendent, received
'16,930. This year the teaching ex-
,ense will be $21 ,525. In 1915 there
we're 10 teachers, and the average sal
Try was 1891. This year there are %
eachers and the average salary is
1913, an increase of less than 10
,er cent. In the same time the pay
# the janitors increased from $1440
o $500, an increase Of 25 per cent.
'ince 1915 the pay of the bus drivers
las increased from $3.50 to $7,8O2,
ot including the proposed additional
us, an increase of nearly fifty per
ent. In 1915 it required $500 worth
f fuel to heat the two buildings. This
ear the fuel cost will be $14O0, an
acrease of rs per cent About the
My items in the budget which show
o increases are supplies and clerks
alary.
Speakers at Saturdays meeting
ointed out that if the additional levy
not authorized about the only alter
ative is to discontinue furnishing free
Ext books and supplies and to take
e some of the busscs. If the GUS
I'm of furnishing SUPPLIES were elm
lated there would still be deficit, as
lis item is only $3.50. It is sbso-
Itely impossible to cut down on the
,aching expense, as every room in the
vo buildings is crowded and every
,acher has every hour Of the teach
g day occupied and several Of them
re performing duties in excess of
le ordinary requirements.
Saturdays election will be held in
le city hall and the polls win be
pen at p. m.