The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-04-29
A LAST WORD ABOUT
the HIGH SCHOOL
BY SAMUEL QUIGLEY

IRE Hu0b1 SCtSUOL
By SAMUEL QUIGLEY
The people of Gunnison County vot-
ed bonds in the amount of $4,000 in
the spring of 1918 for the construc-
tIon of county high school building.
This was fine thing to do, for the
county up to that time had never
spent cent for building. The war
conditions, however, demanded de-
lay of construction, and the money
was invested in short-time govern
ment securities and others so that it
now amounts to over $53,5OO. Every
cent of it has been conserved.
When it came to advertising for
bids in the spring of 1919, very few
responses were received. Contrac-
tors had already begun to avoid the
responsibility of making contracts.
Fluctuations In the prices of mater
ial and labor made everything uncer-
tain except the unwelcome fact that
changes would always be wpwsrd. As
a consequence, the lowest bid was for
only the general work (not including
lighting and plumbing) on the base
ment and first floor. The first floor
was not to be finished, and the whole
thing was to have temporary roof.
The cost of this much was to be
$50,O27.
The completion of only this much
Of the building would relieve the sit
uation only slightly. The real diff
Guilty is not so much the crowded
condition Of the present schools as it
is the fact that facilities are lacking
for giving any number of boys and
girls the best kind of high-sc ed
ucation. We must build to get things
right, and we may as we'll get them
large enough at the same time. It is
necessary to recollect that the County
High School has not only had no
building Of its own; but it has been
housed in a structure that was never
intended for a high school and is to-
tally ussst! The Normal School
Building has been only little better
for high school purposes than would
be the old four-room brick in West
town.
A sedsrr high-school building is
what Gpnnison County needs.
Such building has been started,
but 1t cannot be completed without
additional funds. It is useless to en-
ter into . discussion Of why. It Is
estimated that an additional $100, 700
would complete and equip the entire
building. Tho structure when COM
pleted would consist Of basement and
three floors. providing shops. lsborato-
ries, study hall, and recitation rooms,
Is many rs necessary. The building
is 120 feet long and 10 feet wide.
Its connection with the State Nor
nal School has been a great advant-
age to the High School, in spite Of
the disadvantages already mentioned,
and others that might be set down.
In the first place, the cost OF main
tenance, aside from part Of the sala-
ries, has been borne by the State; and
with the new building. situated near
the Normal School. the State would
continue to meet this expense. The
State has furnished a professional
physical director, free music Of all
kinds, free coaching for dramatfcs,
the use Of the State Normal School
Library. the free use of the States
manual training equipment, drawing
and art department, asd gymnasium
equipment; the free use of all appa-
ratus and supplies for physics and
chemistry; free heat, light, and water
But in addition to these material
advantages, the High School has had
the time of many teachers whose sal
aries have been paid entirely by the
State. All these things account for
the fact that the expense to tho coun-
ty. of running the High School has
been only one mill on the dollar Of
valuation.
Is it not about time that the Coun-
ty should do something to boost the
High School?
Some people would favor the erec-
tion of new building if it were to
be located away from the Normal
grounds. They feel now, however,
that because their advice has not been
followed, the whole county should be
made to suffer while they are enjoying
revenge. This is short-sighted at
titude. 1t is a great gain to the
County to build on the ground donat-
ed by the State; for the State will
aoxtiu..a 20, leaox, LIZ, tho RUNNING az