Show schools to close one month early following is copy of a letter sent out by supt bupt P F G gardiner to tile the rea chers of garfield county to principals and Tead teachers hers fellow workers the superintendent was requested I 1 to write you concerning the decision of the school board at its recent meeting relative to the closing closing of schools one month earlier than the date which had bad been fixed them the board anim ansly concluded after long and careful consideration of the question to close the elementary school 6 up to and including the ath grade at the end of seven months it was also decided toj toi close the high schools at the same time but added deliberation brought the board to conc conclude lule that it would be unwise unless it became absolutely impossible to do otherwise to close the high schools and thus prevent the ibe students from completing the years work and securing credit credie for the same the board came to this decision without any thought or feeling of manifesting any undue or unfair consideration for the rights and privileges of the teachers of the district it was not their intent or wish to in any way ignore orllis or disregard the interests of the teachers in the matter force of circumstances cum stances and conditions over which the board had bad no control compelled its mem members beis to act as they did 61 there was no alternative for them while chile they sensed very keenly what it would mean to all concerned from various points of view the seriousness of the situation demanded them to act the decision was inevitable school officials in the past prompted by a vry worthy motive that and enlarging the educational opportunities of the children of the district have gone beyond the revenues of the district for the upkeep of the schools this has been brought about by an increase of school population more teachers a at t i increased I 1 n salaries more supplies and equipment and the demand for high school education As A a result the district is in debt until at present the situate situation I 1 on has become acute and very serious unless the people are willing to come to the assistance of the schools and give relief to the board of education ducai ipuy p by way of a bond or a special specia 1 tax tak it is quite apparent from the present outlook that next season beason the elementary schools will be shortened and them the high schools closed or vp deiy axy MUO limited I 1 inobe in the amount ar of df jark they are doing one olie of two ways must be pursued a additional financial bel help p secure secured d orthe or the schools cuton cut in length of term terni and limited in amount 0 of work accomplished asbed the members 1 of i the school x Ts le board are very anxious to maintain and uphold the present standards of e efficiency of the schools but this I 1 is not possible under existing conditions r while the value of the school to society is recognized and appreciated byall by all the burden of taxation which the people are carrying cair ying for the benefit and the keep of the school is being keenly felt by those who are bearing the burden the educational needs need of the boys boy s and girls girl 9 of district trietsch school bol age are very apparent and must necessarily be so but w wa must not and cannot forget that the requirements necessary I 1 to meet these needs are also apparent and claim our concern and attention the people are complaining of the burden of taxation and not without cause and those naho work in the schools must be willing that tbt relief should co come me the board of education cannot do do more than the means at its command will enable it to do they are willing as individuals to do all within their power for foi the good of the set schools bools but they do feel that avery every individual connected with 0 or r inheres interested ted in the educational improvement I 1 of the children should be willing to bear his part of the fc responsibility there are arc those who criticise criticism critic ise I 1 and complain at the work done in our schools but possibly even even they would diketo like to see our schools succeed we believe that when teachers know the facts and understand the co conditions I 1 under wh which ich the board was compelled to close the ser schools fools a month early that they wilt will accept the situa situation tion as it is the board will have baye difficulty in securing funds to run the schools for seven months regretting with you boti and all concerned the early close of our s schools and asking your cooperation in all ways which will he help to reli relieve we the resent situation in school I 1 mattel matteis s I 1 d am ni very re respectfully fully yours F G GARD GARDINER superintendent A i t 11 I 1 |