Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1932-04-21
Public Forum
Editor vashon News-Record:

Editor vashon News-R Record:
There are many things regarding
the Vashon- Columbia consolidation
movement that have not been brought
to the attention of the voters and
some that have not been correctly
stated. II you can find room would
like to have the following reproduced
in your good paper
After personal interview with Mr.,
Hulse, county superintendent Of
schools, have few facts for the
voters interested in the Columbia
Vashon consolidation movement
The Columbia districts representa-
ton on the board of directors is as
sured by law. Until the next regular
election both boards serve jointly. In
the mean time the county superin-
tendent divides the new district into
three sections according to population
Then one director is elected from each
section.
vashon's two mill levy of this year
for water cannot be assessed on
Columbia as it was voted by Vashon
and will have to be paid by their
taxes only.
Expense is of primary interest. The
income at Vashon provides for that
school without additional levy. We
must then figure what part of Colum-
bias income will go to carry on z
combined schools. After cereful
checking of the number of children
according to grades it is found thai
only one more teacher will be needed
at Vashon for the consolidated schools
at salary of $3.50. Good bus trans.
portation can be procured for no
more than $1,000 and $40 will cover thu
extra fuel, light and water needed
Additional school supplies will not ex.
coed the 5000 allowed at Columbia.
The estimated income at Columbia
for next year is $3,46300. The saving
is obvious. Then add to this saving
| the state bonus for consolidation, ii
this instance s35500 each year, WI
have sum that proves the consolida
ton of districts is economical.
1t has been stated that propert,
values on the West Side will decreas,
if consolidation carries, but there ar,
many who do not share that opinion
There are residents who have com
here during recent years who feel tina
the only drawback to this section i
our lack of modern school facilities
Prospective buyers are not sold OF
sentiment for an old landmark. Mos
of them will come from the city ant
1t so happens that not all of tn
property in the district is within
walking distance of the school.
stands to reason these parents woult
prefer to have their children picket
up by bus at or near their door tt
attsnd school where they will have
considerable number of the advant
ages of the city school from which
they came. They would prefer thi
to long walk in all kinds of weather
to school that does not nearly meas
ure up to the same standard. w;
could indeed point with pride to {
school such as we could have as {
consolidated district. A splendid
building, correct even temperature
large airy uncrowded rooms, lunch.
room. and gymnasium with a super
visor for play during recess in bac
weather. Music lessons may be hae
by q competent teacher during thu
school day.
Some points may be made agains
bus transportation but equally UNI
satisfactory things may be said agains
long walk and especially through tn,
woods as is necessary to reach Co
lumbia school. I was informed b!
Mr.. Hulse that over 1000 King count.
school children are carried to ans
from schools in buses with absolut,
safety and no Ill affects. The healtl
of these children averages the SAM
as pupils who walk to their schools
The sentiment felt toward Columbil
school. has been likened to mother
feeling for her baby's first shoes. Blu
the mother would not have her bah.
wear those shoes for thirty years. LIE
us progress with the years.
John E. Ober.