The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1923-01-10
PETITION FOR
SCHOOL GIVEN
TO THE BOARD
25C Signers Ask for Building
On Property Owned on
The West Side
10 HELP ALL CITY
Spokesman Declare 1t would
Relieve Crowded Condition
In 3 Other Buildings


building on the west side was u:ged
upon members of the school board
last night in petitions signed by $50
persons, and spoken for the petition
crs.
The contention Of the petitioners
that the schools now are crowded,
and that there must be relief accord
ed TO all was confirmed by Super
intendent II. o. Saxvik, who detailed
conditions in the school.
Because Of the absence Of one
member, the board adjourned until
Friday evening when final consider
alton may be given the petition.
Speaking for the petitioners, Mrs
o. w. Roberts and B. F. Tillotso:,
gave their view Of the need of the
school.
4 new school building on the prop
erty now owned by the board at Ave-
nue. A and Anderson street, would
not benefit merely the west side, but
all Of the school patrons of the city,
by relieving crowded conditions in
other buildings. Mrs. Roberts said
that she had supported the move
ment for the Richholt and Wachter
schools, and that she believed the
problem was not one confined to any
section of the city but affecting all
ra,-ts of the city
Walk Long Distance.
People living on the west side who
have small children keenly feel the
present condition, she said. The
children must walk Is to 10 blocks ia
school, a distance she said was too
great for tots in the lower grades.
1t was for these that the petitioners
especially asked consideration, she
said.
Mrs. Roberts said she know OF
several families who desired to live
in Bismarck but would not do SO be
cause Of inadequate school facilities
Cost of new sch DOL, she said, which
might be between $4,000 and 100000
for modern building, would be
spread over a period Of 20 years and
would not cause a noticeable increase
in taxes. While all are DESTROYS OF
keeping, taxes down, she said, some
of the largest taxpayers of the city
had Joined in the petition for, new
school. She also pointed out that i,
families are brought to Bismarck by
providing adequate school facilitie:
the city would actually benefit finan.
cially. -...
1t was the idea of the petitioners
particularly that q building be pro
vided for the children in the lower
grades, but many believe that 6
building also is needed for the first
eight grades.
Many Children Served.
Mr.. Tillotson pointed out thai
there are 40 blocks west Of Fifth
street occupied by homes which have
no near access to school, and thai
in one of these blocks there are "a
children.
The petitions were circulated b!
Mrs. Roberts, Mr.. and Mrs. Tillot
son and Oliver Lundquist.
Mr.. Saxvik said that the norma
rate of increase in the schools va!
10 per cent year. There are now
he said, 81 pupils in the first grade
at the Richholt school, 46 at tn
Will school and al at the NORTH
Ward school, while 40 ought to b
maximum. The Wachter schoo
alone is not too crowded, he said.
The new Richholt school, which
was not expected TO be filled for ,
few years, is now too crowded HI
said. very available space there il
used, including the cafeteria, ant
every grade is large. In the Viii
school there are as many as IS pu
pills in one room. The North Ware
school, too, is crowded, he said
though not SO badly as the other two
named.
He said that neither the pupils mol
teachers can do creditable work un
der crowded conditions.
If there is the normal 10 per cent
increase next year, he added. tn
school officials are at loss to know
,,,l,oro IN p,,< atho Okillrov