Imperial Valley press., 1932-05-06

Imperial Valley Press,
Ell Centro, California.
Sir:
In your valuable paper, editions
of May 2 and 3, 1882, appeared
items relating to a discussion of
county government expenses at the
recent meeting of the board of su-
pervisors.
In the May edition the follow
ing statements are found, in part,
under the heading Petitions for
Charter To Be Given Board"
when E. A. Glass, Acacia
school trustee, appeared to protest
that schools can do very little to
cut expenses s.
His school, he pointed out,
recently has been forced to spend
$3.50 on the school bus, about $1,000
for new drinking fountain, wash
basins and other sanitary meas
ures, and $165 for window blinds.
In the May edition, the follow
ing statement is noticed:
Glass had complained of the
expense made necessary by sani-
! tary measures recommended by
the health department"
In reference to the alleged re-
marks of Mr.. Glass, I would state
as follows:
l. Both as a county employee
and as a tax paying citizen,
must endorse the stand taken by
Henry L. Jackson, chairman of the
board of supervisors, and the other
members of the board lin thir ef-
forts to reduce governmental eX-
penditureS
2. A visit to the office of the
county superintendent of schools, a
conference with Mr.. Glass and
other members of the board of trus-
tees of the Acacia school, reveals
that not only has $1,000 NOT been
expended for sanitary improve
ments, suggested in our letter of
April 20, 1882, to the trustees, but
also that NO meeting of the school
DOdlQ u lldo DCCll liClu DCOWCCli oiiS
time our letter was received and
the items appeared in the papers,
and, consequently no warrants
could have been approved for $1,000
expenditures. The only record that
was found of expenditures was a
statement of the janitor that zoe
had been paid by him, out of his
own pocket, for washers for the
drinking fountain.
ga careful estimate of the imp
provements suggested in our letter
to the school board reveals the fact
that 500 would cover the total ex-
penses Tor the suggested improve
ments, including a plumbers labor,
providing other work is done by
the janitor. Price estimates were
given us by the county purchasing
agent and local concerns, and in
clude a heating plant for one room.
q. In an advisory capacity to
the school trustees, suggestions are
made to them regarding health and
safety matters at their school
plants. This is part of a routine
survey of rural schools made by
the county health department and
the plan was endorsed last year by
c. G.. Halliday, deputy district at
torney, and G. B. Collins, county
superintendent of schools. A copy
of each survey report is submitted
to the county superintendent.
5. Unless a legal notice is served
it is not mandatory for school trus-
tees to follow the suggestions or
recommendations of this depart
ment. AS a protection to the tax
payer, we have endeavored to Sc
cure the cooperation of school trus-
tees in consulting with this de-
partment before they purchase any
sanitary equipment or fixtures or
make any radical changes in the
sanitation of the school plant. We
have done this for the very reason
that we are trying to prevent un-
wise expenditure of public funds
for unnecessary or elaborate equip
ment.
In the matter pertaining to the
school bus and window blind eX-
penditures, these problems are not
under the jurisdiction of this de-
partment
g. 1t is a we'll established fact
that school districts are liable for
neglect to use every reasonable
precaution to protect the health
and safety of the school children
and as prevention is the order of
the day, it seems only reasonable
and logical that school children
should have available for their use,
adequate and sanitary washing and
drinking fountains. This does not
imply elaborate, high priced drink
ing fountains, etc, but as long as
the equipment is safe from a pub
lie health standpoint, it will answer
the purpose
7. On several occasions since the
opening of school, we have made
inUpct tinyc Of tho r-ofov c,,,,,1,,