Valley Frontiersman

School Budget Must Be Revised, Board Learns

The semi-annual report of Palmer school, presented to the school board last Monday evening, was the principal topic of discussion at that board meeting. As the result of that report, which presented a complete financial and statistical picture of the operation of Palmer school for the first half of the current term, it will be necessary to make up a revised school budget, according to Carl Snelling, school superintendent.

Of particular interest in the report were the compiled figures of classroom enrollment in the grade school to date. Five classes each have an enrollment of more than 25 students. Comment columns of this section of the report constantly repeat that there is no room for more pupils, nor are there seats available even if the classroom could accommodate another student.

In view of these present overcrowded conditions, and because an increase in school population is expected next term, Mr. Snelling said it would be necessary to operate the Palmer grade school on double shifts.

Figures have been presented which predict a possible school increase of 33 and one-third per cent. Although evidence seems to prove that these figures were exaggerated, Mr. Snelling stated that he feels Palmer can reasonably expect an increase of 15 per cent next term.

Classrooms are so small that there is no solution except the double shift, the superintendent declared. Plans now are being formulated for that program. Buses will be required to make two trips each, morning and afternoon.