Madison County Democrat. (London, Ohio) 19??-1958, 1957-06-28
Vote On Bond
Issue Goes To
Voters In Fall

One of the finest community nro-
Jects ever conceived here was one
more step toward reality Thursday
when the London Board of Educa-
tlon applied to the Madison Coun-
" Election Board to file peti-
tlon on the November ballot in the
nope OF raising $4,000 with which
10 purchase the old Catholic School
property at the corners of High
ana Walnut Streets. The St. pat
rlck's group have planned the con-
structlon of new Parochial grade
school on Route 38 at the northern
edge of London.
Through the mutual cooperate,
OF the two groups involved the
sale and purchase of the old Cath
ONO school site adjoining present
London school property has been
arranged through setting I'D COL
lapslble corporation by several
puolic-spirited Londoners who
nave come forward with the nacee-
sary money to hold the property
until a bond issue can be voted IN
on IN the hope of securing the pro-
perty for future London school ,,sa
Ii was only through an arrange
ment such as this that the proner-
" could be held for future mr.
cnase since construction of the neu
ot. Patrick'S school must start al
most Immediately due to condem-
natlon OF its old buildings bv the
State Fire Marshall. 1t is expected
however, that the ST. Patrick's
scnooi children will be allowed to
use some of the buildings untiI
tnelr new school can be occnnia5
at some time around the first part
of 1858.
Described by many as a "once in
a llttime" opportunity, the propos-
ed purchase of the old Catholic
school site would furnish an ideal
location for future expansion of
the London Public School system
when needed. Too, the Catholic
Church group has done a noble
service to the London community
IN giving the School Board first
opportunity to purchase. The SELL
ing price of the property is con-
sidered to be altogether proper
from both points of view and no
opinion to the contrary has been
voiced at any time. It was only
through the mutual cooperation of
the two groups that such a plan
has been made possible. Had not
the $4,000 involved been forth
coming at this time, the St. Pat
rick's group would have been fore
ed to sell elsewhere since the time
element was of prime importance
inasmuch as the old st. Patrick's
school buildings had been con-
demned, il was pointed out.
The corporation which has been
voluntarily set up to preserve the
right of purchase by the London
Board of Education will be known
as London School Lands, Incor-
porated." 1t was understood that
the stockholders have given con-
tracts which bind them to sell the
property to the school board if and
when the issue may meet with pub
lie approval Inasmuch as the first
meeting of stockholders will not be
held until next week, names will
not be published until that time.
However, the voiced opinion of a
great many persons who have fol-
lowed the movement closely is that
the unselfish public service by
these individuals deserves much
praise.
London voters will decide the is
sue when they go to the polls in
November. According to the peti-
ton, $4,000 will be asked. The
annual addition to present tax rate
will be less than four-tenths of
mill. Should the issue pass, the
money so received would then be
earmarked for purchasing the pro-
perty from London School Lands
at later date. The issue would be
paid off over 20-year period it
was said.
Supt. j. j. Hartley of the Lon
don Public Schools said that ever
increasing enrolment is indicative
of future needs and that the pur-
chase of this adjoining land will
give London a flexible and really
comprehensive program in years
to 1ome.