The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-11-25
BOARD
CITES REASONS
Continued From Page II

would not want to break a promise.
The consultation with this director
resulted in the immediate arrange
ment for a meeting between the
school board and the directors of
the association. That meeting has
been arranged for 2:30 p. m. Tues
day. In the meantime Harry Miesse,
secretary Of the association, has been
instructed to see that the remon-
STRANGE now on file with the county
auditor is held in that office until
after the conference Tuesday.
Certain of Withdrawal
I'VE feel certain that the direc-
tors of the Taxpayers Association,
once they learn the true state of
affairs and know of the misstate.
ments made in the remonstrance,
can do but one thing-withdraw the
remonstrance and support the pro-
ject as they promised to do not
many weeks ago.
when the budget and tax levy for
| 1925-1926 were under consideration
by our board early this fall, the
school board determined on a build
ing program involving six grade
schools, in addition to building pro
jects already under way. With bonds
being issued for high schools then
planned. and our bonded debt ap-
preaching the limit of debt allowed
by the constitution of Indiana, there
appeared only one way to finance
the new grade schools, and that was
by direct taxation. Accordingly we
| trimmed our budget on operating
costs to the bone, so that we might
have as much as possible for the
grade school buildings. Even then
we were left with the necessity oil
tax levy of $1.21 on each $1OO, OF
taxable property. Naturally the
school board was as anxious as any
body that this rate be reduced If al
all possible. About that time the
civic affairs committee of the Indian
apolis Chamber of Commerce pro
posed that we sell the old Shortridge
site at once, rent the building until
the new Shortridge is completed and
use the proceeds of the sale fol
the new program. By such an ex
pedient it was seen that the levy
could be reduced to about $1.12. This
was urged only on account of the
dire need for these grade schools
and the necessity for holding the ta1
levy within reasonable bounds.
Conference Called
After some discussion a meeting
was arranged between the director.
of the Taxpayers Association, a rep
resentative of the civic affairs com
mittee Of the Chamber of Commerce
and the school board, In an effor
to reach an agreement on the budget
and levy.
Eat that conference we were agar
urged to sell old Shortridge and use
the proceeds on the building pro
gram. This time, however, the urge
came principally from the director,
of the association. They went a littl,
further, however, and urged us t.
reduce the cost Of Shortridge, ther
planned for s1,350,000, to $3.50, 0Ot
and to use this 100000 that would
be saved Cby issuing that amour
Of bonds on the grade school pro
gram, and thus reducing the tax levy
still further. The school boar
agreed to the proposal. The agree
ment was to use the proceeds of the
sale of old Shortridge on the nev
building program, reduce the cos
of Shortridge to $1,250,00O, ant
finance part OF the new buildin,
program with a. bond issue O
100000. At that point, one of ou
board members pointed out that thi,
involved an agreement to the new
Shortridge project, and the repre-
sentatives of the Taxpayers Associa
ton than stated that this also wal
their under standing. So the agree
ment was made and the school board
has proceeded to carry out it's par
of the agreement.
Record Quoted
"A shorthand reporter was at tn,
meeting, and he wrote the minute,
of that meeting, and they say
Those representatives of said or
CARNATIONS who were present would
support the said budget
and also would support, if neces
sary, the proposed bond issue fol
the construction Of the new Short
ridge High School providing cost;
be reduced to approximately ST.
250, 000."
Following that meeting the schoo