The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1923-01-25
FIRTH DELEGATES NEW
HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING
Continued from page one

some insight into the matter by ask
ing people in the Firth high school
district how it feels to have what
they have so long wanted, and to
have also the debt to pay, and the
knowledge that they can educate
their sons and daughters at home
and not have the sacrifice, both per-
sonal and financial, of sending them
away for months at the time when
1t is most desirable to have their
presence and their comradship.
For better information as to de-
tails of what has been accomplished
we append here the detailed account
furnished us by Mrs. H. J. Slayton,
i our regular correspondent at Firth:
Our Rural High School
Among some of the citizens inter-
ested in education and progress,
originated the idea of providing a
local high school to give the rural
boys and girls advantages equal to
those of more highly favored COM
munities. So in order to take the
burden of education off the individ-
ual and put it onto the community
at large district was created in the
fall of 1919. That year the first
year high school work was con-
Quoted in the rural graded school of
Firth under the instruction of Miss
Gertrude Berquist, who is at present
teaching in Philadelphia Her ex-
cellent work as pioneer teacher was
greatly appreciated by the first
twenty-three pupils enrolled, six of
whom will gradute this coming May, |
1928, and also by her two success
sors, the following year, namely, |
Misses Winkler and Lieper. They |
had charge Of thirty-nine students |
and accomplished their work in the
Hurt and Hutchinson building. The !
third year there were sixty enrolled |
and two additional teachers engaged |
for the work, Misses Blomquist and
Hall. The work was carried on in
the Corgatelli building and was
again resumed there this fall with
Earl Ramsey as principal assisted
by Misses BlOmquist, Litton and
Waterman. The enrolment now
numbers ninety-four, thirty-eight of
whom are from the parent district.
This makes a saving of $4104 to the
community in tuition alone which
would have to be paid If this number
were to be sent outside. Then
there would be the additional cost to
the parents for board and room.
Each OF the remaining fifty-six
pupils bring in a tuition fee of $96
4 year or $12 for each months at
tendance. OF course, the greater
the amount of tuition received, the
better school advantages will be
furnished those who attend. Janu-
Try 2, 1923 school work began in
he new building.
When the district was reorgan-
zed 1t was discovered that the bond
ng limit was but 2 per cent of as
essed valuation. That would give
'nly $4,000 for building and lot.
The Firth Commercial Club inter-
sted the county senator and repre-
entative in the matters and thru
heir efforts a law was passed by the II
921 legislature raising the limit to II
per cent.
August 10, 1921 election was Z
allied to vote $4,000 for temporary =
uildings, but the straw vote that -
ay showed the sentiment of the dis 8
-ict to be in favor Of building per- II
lanently and voting $4,000 addi- ..
onal for that purpose. September q
1921 another election was called 8,
nd the above amount voted for. p
here was also a special election to Y.
ote for school site, one offered by q
j. Firth in the south part of -
irth, second by Carl Nelson in the as
list part of Firth, and third, the
resent site of three acres offered &C
? the Idaho Falls Development Fl
'mpany for 81. The latter received &C
most a unanimous vote. There is la
/ option held on balance of two OF
IF blocks which will add two acres DC
ore to the grounds, making five Al
res in all. H
November 80, 1921, bonds were VI
Id to Antonides & Co., Denver, IL
DO, for $3O,156 net to district M
'ove all expenses. March "a, 1922 on
DIS for construction of building du
ere opened, eight bidders Compel an
g. Anderson and Yancey Of CO
ackfoot were the lowest bidders,
bid being $28,793 for the build m,
g complete, including mbing, fol
ating and roughed in wiring for La
hts. These contractors have built an
e L. D. S. tabernacle at Blackfoot, mi
g schools at Riverside and More da
Id besides many other important dis
1ldings, and Firth is justly proud gri
Tic WOIh UOuo ny Cuou1 mere. Dd
ank H. Paradice Jr., of Pocatello, sol
signer of the Bannock Hotel and pal
my prominent buildings was the we
osen architect. VIII
The real work on the building dat
early in April and pro- 35,
,ssed rapidly until June when it cor
lsed for lack of steel. On account GRO
the coal strike the holdup con- ser
ued for ninety days and the build Bic
, was not ready for use until jan sci,
~ 2 instead of September 1 as cor
eduled. tina
The building consists of eight ere
SIS rooms 22x2S feet, an auditor the
4 36 Rx70 feet containing a stage Bal
t20 feet with dressing room at Inv
h side. At the ends Of main cor Chi
or on the upper floor are princi- l
s office and library. At the ends Fol
the lower corridor are the show =
and lavatories. The corridor it. Re,
forms a balcony to what is Y
as the best gymnas- GAY
| in Binghom county, and on par -
h any in southeastern Idaho. IT Due