Newport's Schools Burst at the Seams as the Town Booms

School District No. 115, Newport and contiguous territory, is up against the proposition of providing more school room facilities. The enrollment has increased rapidly during the past year and the rooms are now crowded to the limit. The growth of the town is such that at the present rate it will be an utter impossibility to handle with the present building the children who will be in session next fall.

The directors of the district have been considering the matter for some time and have ascertained from County Treasurer Adams the financial condition of the district, in order to determine what can be done in the way of raising money by bonding for the purpose of providing additional facilities. Mr. Adams reported the district's total indebtedness, including general and special fund warrants and bonds, at $24,369.56. Against a valuation of $632,894 for 1908, the five per cent constitutional debt limit would be $31,644.70, leaving a balance of $7,275.14 that could still be incurred.

This showing will, however, be materially improved during the next few months by the payment of taxes now due. Seven months of the current school year are now past and warrants have been issued and registered for the largest part of the expense of the school year. The payment of taxes will reduce the amount of outstanding warrants at least several thousand dollars.

It appears that it would be a difficult, almost impractical matter to undertake to build an addition to the present school house. That about the only solution of the matter would be to erect another building. The first step toward accomplishing this will necessarily be the voting of more bonds to cover the cost of such building, and this can be done at either the regular school election or a special election may be called for the purpose.

The early residents of Newport labored hard to supply adequate school facilities with the result that the town has always possessed a good school and good buildings. Now that the town is outgrowing its swaddling clothes it is up to the people of today to continue to do likewise, and it is safe to say that with the matter properly presented there will be little opposition to the voting of the bonds.

It has been suggested that the matter be broached and discussed at the next meeting of the Commercial Club, to be held at the City Hall next Tuesday evening. An invitation is extended to all citizens to attend this meeting and club members are urged to be present.