Oct. 3, 1935: Ferry district in difficulties

Claims Indian Service did not keep work

COLVILLE, Sept. 26 - A deficit of more than $1,000 confronts the Inchelium school district No. 30, because the Indian service did not keep its word with the directors in meetings commitments to which the service had obligated itself.

For several years it had been the policy of the service to pay the district 40 cents a day a pupil for tuition and 10 cents for lunches. In September, 1934, the service by letter again committed itself to pay the amounts for each Indian pupil.

NEW DEAL COSTLY TO STATE

Last spring the Indian service and the state department of education entered into a contract whereby the money for all the agencies in the state would be paid to the department, which, in turn, would disburse it to the districts.

The contract provided for revenues of $12,000 less than had been committed for by the service to the districts. As a result the Indian service now refuses to pay the amount it had obligated itself to pay and states that such indebtedness, incurred last spring, will have to be assumed by the state.

The last few years there has been a centralization of four schools in that district so that all of the pupils would be taught at one main school. That has resulted in serious overcrowding and a new school building is badly needed. 

RELIED ON FALSE EXPECTATION

Relying on past arrangements with the service, Directors R.S. Inman, N.S. Hunt, and Mitchell LaFleur of the district planned construction of a new building this year. Architects' plans were submitted and adopted and the contract was ready to be let when the directors were informed of the new "arrangement." 

"Unless the service will meet this deficit, the new building will have to be abandoned," said Mr. Inman, chairman of the district board. We face the deficit because we relied on the commitment of the service."