Ballard Schools Face Shutdown
A budget shortfall, sparked by a failed bond measure, threatens to shutter the district's schools.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
At the last regular meeting of the Ballard board of school directors, it was decided to close the schools on April 6 for lack of funds. Nearly a year ago, the board foresaw the present financial condition of the district, and in order to provide sufficient funds for carrying on the schools for a whole school year, submitted a proposition to bond the district for $15,000. This proposition was defeated, principally through the action of one wing of the Populist party. The result was that school warrants could only be disposed of at a discount, costing the district extra in interest. Realizing their error, many who opposed the bond are now seeking to sign a petition for a special levy to keep the doors open. Superintendent J. M. Layhue has offered to accept a salary reduction, and other teachers are expected to follow suit.
“Superintendent J. M. Layhue offers to accept any reduction in salary the board may deem necessary.”
The Ballard school budget crisis of 1894 highlights the perennial tension in Washington between local anti-tax sentiment and the funding needs of public infrastructure. Much like today’s school levies, the debate revolved around whether the community was willing to pay to maintain its own civic institutions during a period of economic uncertainty.
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