The log cabin Democrat., 1920-11-06
RAPID GROWTH OF
 SCHOOL CONTINUES
NOW CROWDED AS EVER
Increased Enrolment Takes Up Addi- tiOnal Rooms-More
 Funds Needed.
Editor Log Cabin Democrat:

Editor Log Cabin Democrat:
 In Tuesdays edition of your paper MT. E. H. Allison, chairman of the finance committee of the board of di- rectors, called the attention of the public to the fact that the subscrip- tons which were made some months ago to the public school are soon to fali due, and stressed the necessity of the prompt payment of them. In giving added emphasis to what he said l wish to make a few statements con- corning the schools and their needs.
 Last year our total enrolment was larger by 40 than it was the year before. Already we have had an in- crease of nearly this number above the enrolment of this time last year, and indications are favorable for a continuance of this rate of increase. It will be recalled that there are only two more rooms in the system than there were last year, and any one can readily see that our crowded con- dition is not improved
 For example in the sixth grade room there are 63 pupils, and in another room of fifth and sixth grade pupils are 37 more, making total of exactly 100 sixth grade pupils who receive the full time of one teacher and half the time of another. Other examples might be given, but space forbids. Supposing that 90 of these pass to the seventh grade at promotion time, will some one tell us what will happen to the high school when it must accom- modate these in addition to the 280 already enrolled there? Of course there will be relief below the sixth grade, but new first grade must be admitted to offset this gain.
 The remedy, of course, is more rooms and more teachers. But there's the rub. We can't get the room without making great and ruinous sacrifices for it. If bonds could be sold at all, it would be at a terrible loss to the district. When the subscriptions were made last spring it was the plan of the board to add to the present school building by running up the second story of the wings and thereby secure four additional rooms. When esti- mates were made it was found that these four rooms would cost about $30,000 This seemed excessive, and the plan was abandoned, chiefly, how ever, because money could not be se- cured on satisfactory terms. The next best thing was done. At a cost of less than $5,000 a large residence was bought and converted into two-room school building. Though the arrange ment was intended to be only tempo rary, it has turned out to be very sat isfactory. The only trouble is that the building it not large enough to provide for future needs.
 When the plans for the present year were made it was estimated that it would cost about S32,000 to pay the running expenses of the schools, the interest on the debt, and make the S2,500 payment on the bonds which is due each year. Already some unfore- ottii Ch ptilSCS nave Dttll lIlCuItI. l ll6 seen expenses have been incurred. The necessary the purchase of about S1 100 of school desks. Even now many pu- pills do not have desks, using the win dow stills for desks. The unusually high price of coal has upset our calcu- lations on another point. The income of the district for this year will barely meet the needs as originally planned even though every penny of the sub scriptions is paid. It is therefore seen to be imperative that each subscriber meet his obligation on time. The banks have agreed to carry the schools for about so days longer As Mir. Al lison stated, their services have been greatly appreciated, but they cannot be expected to carry the burden in definitely. If the schools are to run the community must get under the burden and do it at once. What will the patrons do about it?
 R. E. Womack, Superintendent.