Introduction: The following are brief descriptions of some decisions made by the Yelm school board from 1930-1933. Many of them reflect the growing financing problem resulting from decreased tax revenues resulting from the economy slipping into a depression.
June 6, 1930
A small fee will be charged groups for using the facilities to help for light and heat
August 1, 1930
Bus Routes were discussed, including the Edwards, Eureka, Union Burn, and Donaldson routes.
November 4, 1930
Called for a special election for the purpose of determining what to do with Forest school property. Vote to take place at “said meeting”
December 6, 1930
Mrs. Eddy, Mrs. Wolf, and Mrs. Mosman asked to place books from town library in the school library for the summer. (Taking advantage of a vacant shelf) The district agreed but was not assuming any responsibility in regard to lost destroyed or misplaced books. And to be removed in Sept.
January 7, 1931
Thanked Mr. Roberston and staff for Xmas shrubery given to elementary schools
February 7, 1931
Forest school property sold to the grange for $300
March 30, 1931
The board, “Using the authority “in accordance with their best judgment the interest of the school in better conserved by the promulgation of certain rules and regulations resolved that the school board will not consider the application “as teacher of any married woman.. That n case a lady teacher enters into marriage contract with the school district shall be null and void.”
April l1, 1931
Fred Brown sent a copy of Olympia district’s set of rules and regs for hall and playground duties.
April 6, 1931
Motion made by Bonnet that retain Mr. Robertsno (principal) for two years $2400.
Justman voted no
All non-resident teachers must live in the district during the school year. This does not apply to Mr. Robertson
A motion to cut teachers wages 5% is introduced. Justman voted no
Justman made a motion to cut staff salaries 10% for teachers and principal
Contracts of the single women teachers carried a non marriage clause
May 5, 1931
Job description of care taker was introduced
July 2, 1931
Discussion about keys to the gym and who have access.
August 7, 1931
A teacher, Kindschy, was present and reported not been able to find a house in the district. He was “instructed to keep looking” and report back in a week
October 2, 1931
Millage was set at 10 mills
March 28, 1932
Justman wants 7% cut in salaries, but settles on 5%. A 6% cut for principals
Voted to continue marriage and residency rules for staff
April 7, 1932
There was a discussion on insurance money from school fire.
April 8, 1932
Mr. Brown wants to have people vote on how to use the insurance money
A meeting was set at Masonic temple on April 19, 1932 at 8 pm
April 19, 1932
Those in attendance voted to use the insurance to build new school
Yes 85 no 4
Yes 93 no 6
P. Marti moved that build a school through 8th grade
Left over cash should be used for retiring old bonds
Clean-up of the burned down school was discussed. Workers would be hired for
$2.88 per day for foreman and workmen. Jobs should be given “to needy men.”
April 27, 1932
Plans were discussed for building a new school.
Plan 1 – $12,800
3 rooms in present grade building
3grades in H.S.
playshed in old frame building
furnace room in old gym basement
Plan 2 – S25,500
Six rooms on present grade school building
3 rooms on H.S, building
playshed
furnace room
Plan 3 – $23,000
11 room building
8 rooms to be added to present grade school
a playshed on the old foundation
a furnace room on the old gym basement
a room for manual training (four hundred $)
a Vote was called for and passed 16-1 (But which one)
May 6, 1932
Thanks given to churches that housed kids after fire.
June 6, 1932
Men could sign up to help clean up the fire debris on Saturday June 11 from 1-3:30 pm
All applying had to have lived in district before the fire.
June 11, 1932
230 men applied
June 27, 19332
Clerk Boney’s salary reduced from $100 to $74 per month. Bus drivers reduced to $20 per month. “Let the lawn go until fall and fertilize it later.” Have no July board meeting.
Auust 8, 1932
Finally decided on Robertson issue. He lived in Rainier, but that he could work at Yelm for life of his contract.
Mr. Garrrick of S.O. Products introduced the new S.O. floor dressing. Mrs. Bonney moved that since this was a new product and “more or less an experiment” that we use the floor dressing recommended by the architect. Passed
New bulletin boards purchased for $30
Change the lights in three original rooms $45
Refinish floors
Voted $400 for a cement floor in playshed
November 4, 1932
Dr. Frisbie presented a dental program for teeth of grade schoolers.
Costs -400 hundred charts for examination of teeth for $1.60, 4 smocks for girls assistants board decided to provide material to use for girls to make smocks and boxes for records
February 3, 1933
Substitutes pay lowered to $3 per day, down from $5