The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1920-10-29
TO THE TAXPAYERS OF BCUR
BON COUNTY


Somehow it seems to be current
news that the Bourbon County Board
of Education has squandered the
cOunty's money, and l feel that it is
no more than what is due both the
Board and the public to give sum-
mary of all the years this Board has
served in this capacity.
They took charge of the schools in
January 1918, after the school pro-
gram had been run almost through.
The teachers had been paid that year
from $500 to $500 per month
The Board finished the school pro-
gram as started, and at the end of
the school year, July 1, 1918, had a
deficit, from all receipts up to that
date, of $147.11.
The next year the Board started
out by making a 10 cents levy, the
same rate that had been levied for
years. Out of this they paid all cur
rent expense, which had grown con-
siderably in everything; built model
school at Currentsville, arranged &C
cording to the latest plans for the
preservation of the health of the
children; paid the rural teachers
from $44 to sos per month for the
usual term and at the end of the
year, July l, 1919 had a surplus of
81, O1995.
The next year the Board got the
benefit of 5 cents raise, or Is cents
levy to meet the advanced times. Out
of this they paid the rural teachers
as high as $1,000 and the high school
principals as high as $4,000 per
month; ran all schools eight months,
when they could get teachers; met
all current expenses, which were at
least three times as high as usual !;
paid, or had resources to pay on the
Millersburg school about 9,OOO.O 90
and could have sold this same prop
erty for $26,OOO.OO profit, a sum
which would alone pay the Superin-
tendent's salary for twenty-six
years. Shouldn't the Board be COM
mended for the deal? At the end of
the school year, July 1, 1920, the
Board had surplus of $862.20.
This school year, which began
July l., 1920, the Board levied rs
Gets tax, the very least possible un-
der the law. The resources and dis
bursements will be as follows for the
year, as near as it can possibly be
figured. The balance at the end of
the year was $862.2O, Taxes $56,25O,
state money $18,1O1.52, poll tax
about 100000, Millersburg district
tax about $2,6OO.OO, Millersburg
school sold recently 100000, Mil
lersburg patrons donation on Princi-
pals salary $4,000, Smith-Hughes
Fund 100000, Slater fund $4,000
General Educational Board $4,000
land notes about $5,87O.52. Total
resources, $S9,582.23. Expenditures
will be about as follows: For eight
months teachers salaries, except
three high schools estimated for nine
months and required by law, 44,536
City school tuition about $4,8OO.OO
new seats 100000, Coal and hauling
same $2,500.0O, attendance officers
81 100000. Total disbursements
$75,946.00. This will leave a bal
ance of $13,638.24, a sum amply
sufficient, l am sure, to pay all bills
} both expected and possible, and ex
tend the term to nine months in al
) schools, which has never been done
in the county.
. The rural teachers are being pai(
, from $75 to $125 per month thi!
!. year.
AS to the high tax rate spoken OF
! so much for the next school year, thu
new County Board will be absolute
. ly in power to do as they choose, pro
vided they stay within the limits o.
the law and do not get above tn,
! maximum or below the minimum. A
to the public what l had planned TO
the schools for the remainder of m.
term, after which, the new Superin
! tendent, selected by the Board of tn
!: peoples choosing, will formulate hi
own program. I mean to RECOMMEND
to this Board that it make 25 cent
tax levy, which, Of course, would b.
) optional with them, as they will hav
: power to do as they like. But an
) positive this rate will be amply SUI
ficient to carry out our constructiv
8 school program which we had plan
ned in having an eight months schoo
term, raising the teachers salaries
: paying off all obligations, paying al
: current expense, and have at leas
100000 besides to be use as tn
Board sees fit.
-! AS to the business of the criticism
/ against the Board, l shall leave tn
! decision with the public, feeling sur
: their judgment will be righteous
The consequence to me PERSONAL
! matters but little. So long as m
conscience justifies me l can endur
! opposition and criticism. My one OF
5 legation is to the schools. Ny oath O
office compels me to serve. their in
; terests. l have no choice.
j. B. CAYWOOD, Supt.
of Bourbon County Schools
sl (aGy)