Hungry Horse news. [volume] (Columbia Falls, Mont.) 1948-current, 1955-03-18
Martin City Addition

(ThIs is the first Of series of editorials on the
coming school eection).
Two weeks hence will see district s voters de-
eide the question of $4,000 bond issue for four
room addition to Martin City school, and select two
board members. With the addition of Canyon View,
voters will decide the merits of four mill levy for
year to raise $16326 to buy 1874 the site
of future, larger Columbia Falls high school.
A simple majority of taxpaying, registered vot-
ers who vote will determine the question of the
high school levy. The bond issue needs turnout
of 40 per cent of the districts registered taxpaying
voters with majority in favor. There's job ahead
to get out nearly 500 votes if the bond issue is to
carry.
L. P. Tonner heads the drive for the new Martin
City addition. He with Mrs. Homer Cady and Jerry
Baldwin circulated petitions that result in the ques-
ton being on the ballot
Mrs. Mona Sorensen, deputy county clerk in
charge of registrations commented to the effect that
the Martin City petitions the most orderly
that she had ever processed. Signatures in nearly
every case were correctly written, and the big
majority of those signing eligible.
Tonner points out that Martin City has never
had large enough school since the community was
established in 194546 Events of the past bear this
out.
The new four-room $4,000 school was made
quate when it built in 1913 to meet the boom
occasioned by Hungry Horse Dam and some Martin
City youngsters were bussed to Coram
Controversial subject in Martin City is whether
the seventh and eighth graders should be bussed
to Columbia Falls to attend central junior high
Many Martin City parents want all eight grades
in their community just it is done in nearby
Coram Others favor the present system OF CEN
trail junior high The split here again is for Canyon
junior high in near Hungry Horse, Martin City
or Coram or use present facilities in Columbia Falls
West Glacier-Apgar parents are largely in fav-
of having their junior high students bussed to
Columbia Falls. Coram is opposed and Hungry
Horse and Martin City are divided
Tonner feels that taxpayers have big equity
in community, and that improved schools bolster
living standards and real estate values we'll He
expressed the thought that all taxpayers and not
just parents of seventh and eighth graders should
decide the question of bussng seventh and eighth
graders or not.
The Martin City supporters Of the proposed
$4,000 addition have in mind two more classrooms
and small multi-purpose room.
They feel that with the increasing population
Of the United States and the population growth
pattern OF the Fathead, the Martin City addition
merited. They want enough classroom space If
Martin City to take care Of all eight grades now
and for some time in the future.
Arguments OF overcrowded classrooms, how
ever should not be used in presenting the Martn
City case. Mrs. Willows has Is students in her frs
grade room at Martin City. Mrs. Crist has is stu
dents including 8 second graders and third grad.
ers Mrs. Struble has % students with 10 in thirt
grade and 18 in fourth. Principal Bolinger has Is
with 10 fifth graders and 10 sixth graders.
In addition there are five Martin City fifth
graders being bussed to Columbia Falls, and attend
ing Junior high in Columbia Falls Is seventh
and 10 eighth graders, reports Principal Phil Nelson
The Martin City enrolment if all eighth grad
ers were in Martin City would be 49, It woult
be difficult to have 116 in all eight grades in tn
present four room building. Question is should tn
size Of the school be doubled.
Meanwhile the district owns an eight room
school at nearby Hungry Horse which has just thre
teachers. There is the thought that combined Mar
tin City Hungry Horse junior high with two teach
ers is possible with Hungry Horse having empt.
rooms Problem here includes transportation iron
Martin City to Hungry Horse.
However Martin City has strong sentiment
the community itself is divided as is the case u
bond issues-that their town finally have adequat
classroom facilities Tor eight grades.
For the voters to decide is the question OF
$4,000 bond issue to add two classrooms and
general purpose room to the school mi