Digital Bob Archive

\"The only reason I drink is to support the school!\" More than one toper mouthed that gag after the turn of the century, but there was at least a slight basis for the statement. From no licenses at all for saloons, the federal government in 1899 had gone to a high license system - a minimum of $500 in the smaller towns, $1,000 in Juneau and Douglas, $1,500 in Skagway and Nome. Other business licenses were imposed, too: from $10 to $250 for merchandising, depending upon volume, and for other businesses fees from $10 to $50. Licenses were issued by the clerks of the U.S. District Courts in the three judicial divisions that then existed.

Then in 1900 when towns were permitted to incorporate, it was provided that half of the license fees collected within each municipality would be refunded to that municipality for the support of schools. Juneau had 14 saloons in 1900, which poured $7,000 into the school fund. A couple of breweries at a fee of $500 each added another $500, and the total school fund the first year Juneau operated its own school was $9,965. That may not have been munificent but it was a whole lot more than was available previously, when Congress appropriated only $30,000 for 21 schools.

When the newly created School Board got together in the summer of 1900, it decided that the first thing needed was more space for the 96, or more, pupils enrolled in the school. They decided on an addition but there was a problem with just where to add it. The original school had been built on Lots 7 and 8 of Block 23, on the upper edge of the block, next to Sixth Street. The adjoining lots long Sixth Street were privately owned although the city would later buy them.

The board decided on an addition of 64 by 36 feet across the front, the Fifth Street side, of the existing building. That gave the resulting school house a tee-shape, with the stem of the tee at the back. The addition provided two more classrooms plus a basement for a hot air furnace to heat the entire school, toilets for boys and girls, and a cloakroom.

The contract for constructing the addition went to J.P. Jorgenson of Juneau on his bid of $3,682. The only other bid was from George James of Douglas for $3,750. By the time school opened in September all four rooms were ready for the pupils and the four teachers and a principal. The principal was Miss Aida L. Collinson, sister of a Juneau physician, Dr. Lillian C. Irwin. Miss Collinson, who was paid $165.65 a month, also taught some classes including the first high school classes in Juneau.

Before the new school year was two months old the School Board and the City Council got into a fuss. A majority of the Council felt that code gave it the power to audit all school expenditures and to pay all the bills. The Board contended it had absolute responsibility for expending school funds. The matter, without an actual lawsuit, was referred to District Judge Melville C. Brown who decided in favor of the School Board.