Jasper County Democrat, Volume 21, Number 90, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1919 — SCHOOLS MAY BE SHORTENED [ARTICLE]

SCHOOLS MAY BE SHORTENED

In Union Township Because of Financial Condition. There is a probability, The Democrat is informed, that the sdhools of Union township will be closed the last of this month, making a six months’ term Instead of tho regular eight months. This move is contemplated because of the deplorable financial condition of the township—or school funds, rather —which are practically exhausted and the new trustee has already had to borrow $3,000 in these funds. The trustee and advisory board regret having to take this step, and if a sufficient number of the more prominent taxpayers should indicate that they favored the borrowing of more money to carry on the schools to the end of the eight months, it is probable that the township officials would meet their desires. The two expensive new school buildings erected ia Union township within the past couple of years, together with the increased nunlber of teachers and the establishment of a high schpol at Fair Oaks has been a pretty heavy burden for that township and there were many outstanding bills when the new trustee, Walter Harrington, took over the office January 1.