The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-12-28


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RAPS SCHOOL CONSOLIDATION
Driscoll, N. D.,
Dec. "a, 1882.
Editor, Tribune:
A short time ago there was q meet
ing called In Mckenzie composed of
school officers from Driscoll. Sterling,
Mckenzie, Menoken, and Moffit, for
the purpose of talking over q propos-
ed experiment Of consolidation of ru-
raj high schools, as q tax reduction
measure, which I personally believe
is a wolf disguised in sleeps cloth
ing and wonderful smoke screen
thrown out to camoflauge the real
issue, thinking that the rural people
perhaps would, swallow the tax
reduction bait as easily as other
things in the past.
This meeting was called by the
county superintendent Of schools, and
a Mr.. Page was the speaker. Assist
ant Attorney General Shaft was sup
posed to have been there, but for
some reason failed to make his ap-
pearance. While the discussion was
rather interesting, it was far from
satisfactory and the general senti-
ment seemed to be against CONSOLE
dalton. The proposed plan was that
owing to a shortage of school funds
it would be cheaper to consolidate
and have centralized high school
perhaps at Sterling on No. 10. Buses
would connect with the rural BUSES
at the various towns and take the
pupils to the centralized school, re-
turning them in the afternoon to
again connect with the rural bus
Another proposition was to rent some
old buildings for school purposes un-
til this plan was tried out, that con-
Solidation would reduce the number
of teachers, janitors and other over
head.
Let's see now II we think 1t would
Driscoll has enrolled at present IS
high school students. The estimated
cost to run the high school the COM
ing year is 1895. This includes two
teachers, janitor, fuel, books, and
supplies, transportation and building
rent, as Driscoll rents a separate
building for high school. We are now
receiving $648 tuition from other dis
tricts, leaving us a total of 81 BAT OF
$3.50 per pupil. With IA quarter
sections in the township there would
be charged to each quarter section
$3.50 for high school purposes. With
railroads and general utilities paying
IS per cent Of this tax, they would
be paying $7.l2, leaving us to pay q
balance of $1.38, exclusive OF Driscoll
village. Could we afford to send our
children away to school for $1.38 pei
year? Now suppose we consolidate
The tuition, tax levy or anything you
choose to call it-and it would all
mean the same thing-on our IS
pupils would amount to $2,520. II
would require at least two buses at
an average cost of say SIS per month
each or $3.50. It would still re-
quire two teachers at cost of 81 1896
Books and supplies would still be the
same SITS. Our share of rent, JAM
tor, coal, and SO on would amount
to about 500. Total charged to Dris-
coll would be $3.50 or $3.50 more
than at present.
Let's also take into consideration
the difficulties and irregularities that
would exist in the bus service. The
centralized bus would have a paved
road that is kept open at all times
The connecting bus has rural condi-
tons to contend with. such as snow
mud, car trouble, difference in time
of patrons and 50 forth, sometimes
an hour or so late. It would be nec-
essary to maintain a place to con-
gregate. at an extra cost. Now what
I would like to have some one tell me
is this. If we cannot raise 81 ,005 to
carry on our high school, how could
we raise $3.50 II we were to con-
solidate? My opinion is that every
taxpayer should wake up and fight
this movement, presenting their in
vestigating committeeman with q
petition Of protest, to present at the
meeting to be held In the near future.
Should the committee approve OF
the plan and the school boards en-
dorse 1t, and 1t became a law, we no
doubt would be required to construct
and equip a building that would
meet state requirements, at cost OF
$4,000 to $4,000.
Where and how could the money
be raised except by taxation? The
peculiar thing is, no one seems to
know who sponsored the movement
although it was advocated at the di-
rectors meeting last June by Miss
Palmer. Naturally am skeptical OF
any movement to help the taxpayer
out of his difficulties. I would
sooner believe it might be a better
roads scheme, to make every town.
ship road highway, for coyotes and
jackrabbits. Or perhaps some large
transportation company is back Of It,
Could it be possible that the State
Taxpayers Association is being in
fluenced by corporation attorneys?
II saving of taxes Is the real issue
why not reduce our auto license rs
per cent. Any old car is taxed from
So to $40: that would take care Of the
school situation nicely. But it seems
that the good roads program must
continue, even against the peoples
wishes, If everything else goes plumb
to heck.
Let's get together and protect the
foundation Of our civilization, "Edu-
cation" and give the old gang that
has robbed us of our homes and COM
PEELED us to build roads and other
enterprises against our wishes, q run
for their money. In civilized coun-
try it seems a. shame that thousands
and hundreds Of thousands should be
spent on roads, and our schools clos
;saS. f<ss 49, >R =