Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 119, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 May 1913 — About the High School Building in Union Township. [ARTICLE]

About the High School Building in Union Township.

We have noticed through the columns of The Rensselaer Republican that a movement is on foot, headed by Frank Goff, and others, to locate the Union township high school building at Fair Oaks. The article stated that the race was between Parr and Fair Oaks. This, however, is a mistake. The Parr people have not made any race, as they believe that this is a matter to be settled by the patrons of the proposed high school, by a petition to the trustee or the county superintendent, as the case may be. High schools are built for the benefit of those who patronize them and for the upbuilding of the country. It is the intention of the legislature to improve on agricultural science, as well as the other sciences. Where is the location at Fair Oaks that would be suitable for a high school, suitable for all intents and purposes? Fair Oaks is located near the Newton county line. The country north of it is occupied by tennants who do not own their own land. The country east of it is partially occupied by tenants. Where are its pupils to come from? Is’t reasonable that parents living in the southeast part of Union, township will drive eleven miles to send their children to the Fair Oaks high school, when they can send them six miles to Rensselaer, where there is now maintained an excellent high school? \Eighty-five per cent of the graduates for the past ten years have been located in the south and southeast portions of the township, while the other fifteen per cent have been located at Virgie and near Fair Oaks. We believe that Trustee Kight will act as an impartial trustee and will pct for the whole township and not for the town of Fair Oaks alone. This is not a political move and we don’t think it necessary for Mr. Goff to wear out all the livery horses in the country to get signers for a high school at Fair Oaks, as there are other parts of the township who will ask to be represented in a legal way. The taxpayers of the township and the school patrons will have a voice and will demand that a school be built where the environment is the best and location most convenient for the scholars, who will attend. FAIR PLAY.