The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1935-09-12
SCHOOL DEAL
CARRIES WITH
25 VOTES OVER
New High School Building
Sanctioned; Large Vote
Out; to Take Federal Grant
of IS Percent


With some 25 votes to spare pa
irons Of the Kennewick school dis
trict sanctioned the erection Of a
hundred thousand dollar school
house at the election held Wednes-
day afternoon. The expression was
a representative one, for 827 bal
lots were counted, SIG Of which
were favorable to 30l against the
proposition.
The election brought out one Of
the largest school votes ever record
ed in local history, only one ex-
ceeding it In number, according to
officials. The proposition created
much interest and some little con-
troversy. Inasmuch as this was
the third time the voters were ask
ed to vote upon the building prop
osition, a great deal Of argument
had been created both for and
against the deal. Each Of the cleo
tons, however, varied in detail, al
though each included the same set
of plans. fl.
The first proposition was for q
$3.50 percent material grant, with
portion Of the labor taken from
the relief rolls. The second follow
ed change in the federal plans,
wherein the grant was increased to
as percent Of the total cost. Under
the state laws it became necessary
to raise the districts entire por-
ton by a special tax levy in one
year. This proposition, while get
ting the sanction Of majority OF
the patrons of the district, did not
have the required sixty percent vote,
so failed of passage.
Since the election on the latter
proposition, the state changed its
ruling to the extent that in such
districts as had the financial sane
ton, school funds could be used to
purchase bond issues. AS this dis
trict happened to be on the approx
ed list, the proposition was again
submitted.
In this situation the state agreed
to purchase the districts issue Of
SIS, 900 and carry the same for the
20-year period at four percent in
terest rate. It was also stipulated
that the school operation as well as
the bond interest and principal
should be handled within the an
nual regular ten-mill levy.
The latter is the proposition
which has received the sanction Of
the patrons Of the district in yester-
days election.
Reports Of changes being made in
grant ratios have cast doubt upon
the districts chances of getting the
money. Inasmuch as the school
board has stated that without the
grant, the issue would not be rails
ed, there is a possibility that some
other method of financing the new
building must be sought. Superin-
tendent Black is leaving tomorrow
for Olympia to learn the present
status of the districts application.
Items appearing in the dailies
during the past week have carried
the information that some 30 Of the
projects submitted to the federal
department from this state have
been returned for revision Of labor
estimates. It is not thought that
this viii prove an unsurmountable
obstacle, but it may delay the pro-
ceedtngs during such time as may
be required to have them approved
in Washington.
Present plans include the erection.
OF two-story poured concrete
structure. located just southeast OF
the present high school building on
property which belongs to the dis
trict. It win contain % class rooms,
offices, laboratories, gymnasium,
auditorium and study halls.
Plans include the abandonment
OF the Washington grade school.
pupils to be transferred to the pres
ent high school building. Space
here win be provided by moving the
high school classes to the new
building and including there also
the seventh and eighth grades in q.
junior high school set-up. This win
permit the abandonment Of the an
mex also, which building will be used
as q central heating plant for both
buildings. The move win. of
course, permit the abandonment OF
the outside rooms now being held
at the Lutheran church building