The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1933-07-27
Discussion at Series of
Meetings Sanctions Re-
funding Plan,Of Financ-
ing for District

Patrons Of the local school dis
trict seem unanimous in their rec
omendation that the school board
authorize a refunding bond issue
to retire the present outstanding
warrant indebtedness. Three meet
ings have been held this week in
as many sections Of the district
and the above expression was
made in the form of a resolution to
the board at each Of the meetings.
At each of the meetings the
school board presented the actual
figures which confronted the dis
trict. Charts showing the sources
and amount Of income as well as
the detailed expenditures were ex-
planned item by item by Erwin
Black, the new superintendent.
Following the explanation Of
the budget, Mr.. Black presented
five plans which offered ways Of
meeting the situation. The first
plan was a refunding bond issue
for the amount of the outstanding
warrant indebtedness.
The second plan was special
election to authorize an additional
tax levy. The third plan was a
reduction of salaries to live within
the budget; the fourth to make a
special levy to retire the warrants
or reduce the length of the school
term.
Mr.. Black went into detail as to
the advantages and disadvantages
of each of the plans, then called
for an expression from the patrons
as to which the board should fol-
low. He explained that the board
was confronted with a settlement
of the problem and that they were
unpaid Representatives of the pa
irons and that the board wished
to follow the desires of the people
who had to foot the bills.
He also explained that under the
new law the directors became per-
sonally responsible for expendi-
lures over the budget and that the
county auditor was responsible for
the double the amount of such a
warrant should he issue It in ex.
cess Of the budget. This point he
brought out to allay any fears that
should the income permit, that the
board might spend it.
The outstanding warrant indebt-
edness is about $4,000. This sun
is now drawing seven percent m
terest. The amount was spent le-
gally and represents unpaid local
taxes over a period Of years. De-
linquencies more than cover the
amount but until now have been
unpaid. Should the taxes be paid
at some future date the amounts
SO collected would be used 10 re-
tire the bonds and for no other
purpose. This money could not 90
into the general fund.
After a full explanation of the
various plans, copies Of the bud
get in detail were distributed. At
tached were the arguments for and
against each of the plans. These
circulars are still available from
the board members or the superin-
tendent and they urge that every
one secure a copy so that a full
and complete knowledge can be OBJ
tanned before voting upon the
bonding proposition.
Mr.. Black pointed out in his
talk that the district was not tax
ing on any added debt burden but
merely changing the present war
rant Indebtedness now bearing
seven percent interest to a bond
ed indebtedness carrying lower
rate Of interest. In other words, he
explained, the plan would save the
district between $500 and $4,000
per year as well as putting the dis
;rict back upon cash basis where
BY other savings could be effected.
Since it was so unanimously the
desire of the patrons, the board has
announce special election to vote
on the bond proposition for Aug
1st 2. 1t will require sixty percent
Of those voting to carry the cleo
lion, so everyone is urged to i'm
form himself thoroly of the situa-
ton. Complete information will be
gladly provided by any member Of
the board or from the superintend-
emit, they announce.