Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-05-26
PROPOSAL TO MERGE SEVEN
SCHOOL DISTRICTS CARRIES
BY LARGE MAJORITY.
MORE MONEY NEEDED
TO FINISH BUILDING
Building Started at Laurel for Town
ship High School to Be Completed
and Used Also for Consolidated
School-Will Require $4,000 or
More to Complete Building.

Jefferson township joined Otner
townships of the county that have
become fully consolidated for school
purposes Tuesday afternoon, when,
at a special election, held at Laurel.
the proposal to consolidate carried by
n large majority. OF the 1873 votes
cast, ninety eight We're for consoii-
dalton. thirty nine were against anu
one ballot was spoiled. The election
consolidates all the school territory
in the township that was not already
in consolidated districts.
AS result oil the election. the
building now being erected for Il
township high school will be fully
completed and will house the CON
solidated school also. Before this
can be done another special election
must be held to authorize Il second
issue of school bonds in the sum Of
$35, 900 or $40, 900 to complete the
building and pay for equipment and
site.
Entire Township Consolidated.
A number of years ago when con-
solidation OF rural schools was n
newer issue than it now is. small
parts of jefferson township were
consolidated with territory centerinS
at Ferguson, Haverhill and Van
cleve. Except for these areas all the
rest of the township. including parts
or all of school districts Nos. 2, 3. 4,
5, 6, I and 5, the last named being
the Laurel district, were included In
the Laurel project. The territory
comprises twenty three sections.
II this consolidation is completed,
as 1t undoubtedly will be by the
authorization of more bonds to finish
the building, Jefferson township VIII
be the first township of the county
to be entirely consolidated and pro-
vided with township high school.
Will Finish Building.
When the, movement was under
way last winter to build a township
high school at Laurel, there were
some who wanted a consolidated
school. Their influence was suf-
ficient so that the board. in planning
the building, provided space in the
second floor that could be divided
and adapted for that purpose. 1t
was not the intention. when the con-
tract was let early in the spring. to
finish the second floor, at this time.
Now that the consolidation carried
the board will be compelled to
finish this floor.
Want $4,000 More.
1t is estimated that this additional
cost will be $4,000 or more. The
difference in cost of materials as
between the timc when the estimate
was made on which the original bond
issue was based. and the commence
ment of work. has run up the cost
of the building, as originally planned.
This additional cost, together with
cost of site, furnishings and equips
ment. and finishing the second floor.
will require, it is estimated, second
bond issue of $4,000 or $4,000.
It was the opinion of one board
member that the additional bonds
would certainly be voted. He based
his opinion on the very large ma
jority of vote favorable to the con-
solidation. The board proposes to
call a special election on the bond
issue proposal as soon as an esti-
mate of ne amount required can be
secured.