The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1926-05-03
Peoples Forum
sUPT. RUSSELL
GIVES EXPLANATION
ON SCHOOL BONDS

May /, 1926.
Editor Key West Citizen:
Dear Sir+A few days ago
there appeared in your Forum, a
signed article VIEWS ON THE
ISSUANCE OF SCHOOL
BONDS, which misrepresented
the facts to such an extent that /
feel it only fair to the citizens of
this community that they should
know the truth Of the matter.
In the first place it is said
THERE is NOW NEARLY DUE
A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR
$500, 100000 SCHOOL BONDS TO
BUILD TWO SCHOOL HOUSES"
This statement is entirely without
foundation. This election has
been called by the Board of Pub
lie Instruction of Monroe County
upon the petition of qualified cleo
tors who are freeholders of
Special Tax District No. ] in or
der to determine whether or not
bonds shall be issued for the pur-
pose of building, repairing, equip
ping, and acquiring public free
schools within Special Tax School
District No. /. The specific inn
provements and amounts to be
spent for each have not yet been
determined. The laws of the
State of Florida under which this
election is being held are as fol-
lows: "As soon as practicable after
said bond issue has been voted and
been authorized if the same be
for the purpose of acquiring, en-
larging, furnishing, or otherwise
improving school buildings the
County Board of Public Instruc-
ton upon the recommendation of
the trustees of such Special Tax
School District shalt have prepared
plans and specifications therefor
and after having advertised the
same in the manner prescribed by
the laws shall award the contract
for such building or improvement
to the lowest responsible bidder
therefor" The purpose of the
bonds as stated in the petition are
for building, repairing, equipping,
and acquiring public free schools.
There is nothing said about the
erection of trade school and GYM
nasium or a kindergarten.
In the second place it is stated
that the money being asked for is
more than the cost Of the present
school buildings. This is true.
However, the fact that it would
today cost approximately twice as
much to build the present school
houses as when they were erected,
Is lost sight of. Also a further
fact is not taken into considera-
ton and that is that these bonds
are for the purpose not only of
erecting new school buildings but
Of repairing, eauipping, and ac-
quiring free public schools. The
present school buildings, having
had practically nothing spent on
their maintenance. today not only
present a most dilapidated APP
psarance outside and in, but are
absolutely in such a sad state of
repairs that they endanger the
lives of the children. It Is not an
uncommon occurrence after a
shower during which especially in
the Division Street school nearly
as much water has come through
the roof as has been shed off to
the ground, for huge pieces of the
ceiling to fall to the floor some-
times narrowly missing some of the
school children. The roof Of the
Division Street school must be re-
newed before the coming OF the
next school year, otherwise,
parents Of the children who at
tend this school would be justified
in keeping their children home or
demanding a school building which
would not endanger their lives.
In the third place, this article
minated that unless we use more
economy we shall be in the same
condition rs some of our sister
cities and be compelled to curtail
our schools by having the year
shortened which would be de-
plorable. The facts in the ease
are these; Our sister cities have
been compelled TO give less school
ing; however, the loss has been
mainly IN shortening the school
day. Iastead of having one all
day session they have two 1-2 day
sessions because their school faeili-
tics are SO limited that they can
accommodate only IL of the chill
dren at one time. and the chill
dren instead Of getting a full day
which they deserve get only -
day This win more than likely
he the condition Of the schools Of
Monroe county anIess school
facilities are adequately in
creased.
D.. ....A......l..t..4 ....... =