The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1935-05-02
NEED FOR NEW
III. S. BUILDING
is INDICATED
Increasing Enrolment Be-
side Present 0vercrOwding
Forces Securing Additional
Facilities for District

Charts showing the enrolment,
budgets, expenses, cost per pupil
per year, ETC., were on display at
the high school building Monday
evening when the school board held
its public budget hearing.
The charts showed that the cost
per pupil per year had decreased
from a trifle over 500 In 1927 TO
Just under $50 for the current year.
The budget called for $4,000 in
1890 for the local system as against
$4,000 for the past year. The per
pupil cost, now far under the aver
age for the state, was made pos
sible by over-crowding in the local
system. Both school rooms and
school buses are overloaded at the
present time.
The proposed budget for the en-
suing year is about $1,000 greater
than last year. Principal causes for
the increase lies In 10 percent in
crease in teachers and bus drivers
salaries and the addition Of one
more instructor. Insurance policies
falling due this year accounts for
a $3.50 increase in the budget over
last year.
Mr.. Black went into detail re-
garding the proposed expenditures,
which includes an item of $3.50 for
rent. This item, he explained, prob
ably would become necessary this
year, owing to the overcrowded con-
dition Of the present buildings.
Every indication at the present
time, he stated, was that from 40
to hundred more enrolment could
be anticipated next fall. Influx Of
new settlers, as well as a normal In
crease would bring the total en-
rollment to such a point that new
facilities would be required.
Following the explanation Of the
budget the point was raised by
members Of the audience which at
tended the hearing, about the pos
sibility of securing new high
chool building. Mr.. Black stated
that preliminary arrangements he'd
been made last fall for Just such
q contingency. Much Of that work
could be utilized If patrons Of the
district were in favor OF going
ahead. He said that in his opinion
federal aid could be secured this
year and possibly never again In the
future. He thought the district
could secure building for about
fifty cents on the dollar II the fed
eral aid could be secured. At any
event, It would not be long until
. new building will be a necessity,
he said.
Discussion OF present facilities
brought out the need for addition
81 room so that the high school pu-
pills could be housed in q separate
building, with the grades console
dated in the present building. A
central heating plant could handle
both, and lighting and other costs
could be reduced.
1t was the concensus of opinion
that this was an opportune time
70 get building project under way
ana a motion was made that fur
Sher enlightenment be given the
patrons Of the district to ascertain
iheirw tshes In the matter. It was
that the charts be shown
II the two local oranges and a
meeting OF the patrons IN town. II.
after a full explanation, the pa
IRONS desired to make further ef-
'orts toward securing federal aid
n putting up q new high school
building, the board would bend
Every effort toward that end. The
.irst meeting will be held at the
valley grange tomorrow friday
light, and arrangements are TO be
made to show the charts at the
5ighlands grange at their next
Meeting. In the meantime a meet
ng IN town will lie arranged.