The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1926-05-03

the TtSlueHIS Oh LIldI iSldHu. II
they are given modern schools
they will be satisfied and will want
to remain a part of Monroe
Ecounty; otherwise, they will throw
the weight of their influence on
the side of Key Largo going into
new county which will insure
them schools for the education of
their children.
Another objection against bonds
is that too much money will be
spent for a gymnasium. Among
contemplated school improvements
there is an addition to the present
high school which will enable the
organization of junior-senior
high school on the 6-3-3 plan,
which is recognized improvement
in the educational world today.
This building will contain beside
class rooms, departments for
vocational subjects, namely,
manual training, consisting of
wood work, and mechanical draw
ing; home economies, consisting
Of cooking, sewing, and home MAX
ing; the commercial department,
consisting of shorthand, type
writing, bookkeeping, business
English, and other allied sub
jects; laboratories for the high
school sciences, and beside also a
labratory for physical education,
which is called gymnasium. 1t
is a recognized fact that unless a
pupils body is well and strong
that that pupil is not able to do
the best mental work. 1t is con-
ceded further that in order to
have physical education in the
modern forms we must have
laboratories to make the body well
and strong. In addition to the
junior-senior high school there is
also contemplated kindergarten,
cafeterias, grounds, playground
equipment, equipment for the
vocational school, and additional
furniture and desks.
Another objection is that we
are now suffering period of de-
preston and the amount asked is
too large. However, here is
point to be taken into considera-
tion. These bonds mature serially
in 30 years, first payment being
due in 1929, and then payments
being approximately 8 per cent
per year. 1t seems that instead
of hindering it will be help to
this county at this time to have
$200,000.00 from which there will
mot be any tax burden for three
CD years. At that time the pro-
posed highway will be completed
and Monroe county will be in an
era of prosperity so that it will not
feel the taxation. If the people
Of this county feel that there is
no future for Florida, the Florida
Keys, and Key West they might
have slightly valid grounds for
opposing the issuance of the
bonds. However. if the people of
this community believe that this
depression is only temporary and
that the city and county have a
futurethen they should realize
that the issuance of bonds at this
time will be large factor in
bringing about that prosperity.
Here is another point which
particularly wish to bring to the
attention of the taxpayers. Last
year in August there was held
school election in Special Tax
School District No. to determine
whether or not the tax in this dis
triet' should be increased from 3
to 10 mills. This election was
carried by an overwhelming
majority. However, the increased
millage was not assessed because
the budget for the coming year
had already been made by the
county commissioners. This tax
could have been levied had the
school officials insisted upon it.
For the following reasons, how
ever, the raising of millage from
3 to 10 was not insisted upon: The
assessed valuation of land in Mon
roe county had been increased
from slightly less than SIX MIL
LION TO OVER FOURTEEN
MILLION DOLLARS. Although
the millage remained the same
there would be derived for school
purposes over twice the amount of
money received formerly. Since
the election was legal if this in
crease is insisted upon for the
coming year the millage is Special
Tax School District No. / instead
Of being will be 10 mills.
Whereas the assessed valuation
the coming year viii be greater
even than last year. this increased
millage will mean over 500, 900.
In order not to ieopardi1e- the
lives of the children. in order to