Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1932-04-14
Many Favorable Features
In School Consolidation
Continue To Show Up

AS new facts develop In the question
OF consolidation Of the vashon anc
Columbia districts many favorable
features continue TO show up.
Income for Cove District.
Figures prepared by the office OF
TIL county superintendent show that
for the coming year the Cove district
will have state and county appor-
tionment Of s2,0S2, figured on basis
of 100 days. Since the term is in
reality 100 days this amount would be
raised $23650. This amount is based
primarily on the l6 cents the district
receives for each pupil present in the
school, In addition to the above the
district would have an income OF the
regular levy on $l7s,5so, the assessed
valuation for 1881. In case Of con-
solidation there would be an adj
ditional bonus Of 500 which the state
gives.
Savings to District.
opposed to this there would be no
outlay for new school equipment, since
desks, etc., now in the Columbia build
ing are in good condition and could
be utilized for many years.
There would be saved yearly $3l5
for janitor; $s5 for lights and water;
$50 saving on fuel; $3S on janitor's
supplies and at least 500 on upkeep.
The saving of one teachers salary
would amount to about $3.50.
Advantages of Modern Building.
Instead of four grades to each
teacher, as is now the case In the Co.
lumbia school, with five teachers there
would be no more than two grades to
teacher and in case of crowded
rooms there would be only one grade
to teacher. While the Columbia
building is as comfortable as the aver
age ungraded school there are the adj
vantages of modern heating and
ventilating systems such as the
vashon school is equipped with Only
the first floor and basement of this
building is now in use, yet it would
cost but very little more to heat the
additional rooms. Members Of the
board estimate that it would likely
cost not more than $40 additional.
Vashon Not Greatly Affected.
Consolidation, as far as vashon is
concerned, would not involve such a
radical change as it would to Column
bia district.
The principal advantage would be
at least one more teacher added to the
corps. Columbia would bring suffice
lent revenue, in case of consolidation,
to more than offset the cost of an
other teacher. In case the combined
student body of the two districts was
large enough to make six teachers adj
viseable there would be sufficient re-
sources to take care of the two ad-
ditional teachers without working a
hardship.
The advantages of increased effic-
iency that comes with more teachers
would far outweigh the value of the
Vashon plant. The West Side pupils
are fine material and with them would
come teacher that stands at the top
OF the list of King County rural in
structors. Mrs. Stafford is considered
one of the strongest teachers that ever
taught in the Walla Walla schools
where she had experience in the inter-
mediate grades.
Transportation Necessary.
At the present time no school buses
are in use in the Columbia school. In
case of consolidation bus service would
be necessary. In this, like all other
matters under consideration there are
dlBullleIlbS Oh DOlll SlueS. n COllSeTVd-
tive estimate is that bus service would
cost 5000 for the children from the
West Side of vashon. This additional
e!% nse is, however, as before stated,
more than Offset by savings in build
ing operation.
From a standpoint of health, COM
fort and convenience, etc, transporta-
ton by bus is preferable to having the
children walk, some as far as mile,
through mud, rain and inclement
weather. Going through the woods as
the Columbia children must, it is i'm
possible for them to avoid getting
damp going and coming from school.
This in itself, constitutes a menace
to health. 1t is natural for children
to loiter along the road, and although
bus transportation has its drawbacks
at least it gives parents an oppor-
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