The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-26
COMMISSIONERS IN COUNCIL
The School Board Discusses the Neees-
sity for New Buildings.
Report of the Experts on the Condition of
the High Ool-RecOmmenda-
tons and Suggestions.

posed erection of new high-school building and
the providing of additional district accommo
dation, the matter was discussed at considerable
length Before the subject was brought before
the board for action, Superintendent Tarbell
was at his own request, granted permits
sion to make an explanation, in which
he stated that some of his remarks
in regard to the high-school building, had been
misinterpreted, and he had consequently been
misrepresented. He claimed that the denial
made by member of the board at the last meet
ing purporting to have been made by himself,
was without authority, and was in the nature of
a mistake, which had resulted from misunder-
standing of his words
Mr. Brown remarked, at the conclusion of Pro
fessor Tarbells explanation, that the denial which
had been reported as coming from him had been
given to remove the impression that the Super
tendent was posing architect.
THE COMMITTEES RECOMMENDATIONS.
The committee on buildings and grounds sub
mitted their report on the suggestions made by
the Superintendent relating to the additional ac
commodations needed for schools during the com
ing year. The report of the committee was the
basis of the evenings proceedings. They stated
sultation in regard to the matters which had been
referred to them, and had made a careful sur
vey of the localities where greater accommoda-
lions are needed Much thought and free dis
cussion had been given to the subject, but we
have been unable" they added, "to come to any
definite conclusion upon which to base report"
They made Recommendations, but, in the form
OF suggestions, advised the erection of a four
room building on lot No. ito give relief to
the primary schools in that part of
the city" The other suggestions offered
were that old No. should be continued for
school purposes, as the building is secure and
gives four good school rooms. If futher relief
is needed in the southeastern part of the city
No. 10 can be used for white school, which
will give four more good school rooms, and the
colored children now occupying one of the rooms
in No. 10 can be provided for elsewhere by rent
ing one or more rooms, which will be as salts
factory as the present location" The committee
further stated that by some it is thought that
if No. and No 10 should be needed for white
children, equally as good accommodations should
be provided for the colored pupils in No. 49,
1t was suggested that ''the building on lot No.
could be dispensed with"
'As to the wants on the North Side, the com
mittee stated, there was but little discussion,
as all seemed to hinge upon the high-school
question" and in this connection the report of
architects Bohlen, Daggett, and Scherrer upon
the condition of the Highschool building was
presented. 1t was as follows:
THE building fronting Pennsylvania street,
which strengthened last summer we con
slider reasonably safe. For the building on the
east alley we recommend that the different floor
joints be supported in the center by posts,
Orders, and braces For the old building front
ing Michigan street, we recommend that the
second and third stories be not used for assembly
rooms With these precautions, we consider the
buildings reasonably safe, but we recommend
that they be inspected from time to time, SO as
to notice any changes in the conditions of the
walls and floors"
At the conclusion of the reading of the report
Mr.. Bingham moved that the matter of provid-
ing additional district school accommodations
should be referred back to the committee on
buildings and grounds with instructions to re-
port at the next meeting of the board. All dis
cussion of the subject he said, hinged upon the
high-school question. 1t had embarrassed the
committee in taking any action, and for this
reason no definite recommendations had been
made
Mr.. Brown remarked that the high school
question ought to be a secondary consideration.
The Board ought to take such action as might
be necessary for the construction of the district
schools without regard to the building of a new
high school, He mentioned the necessity of pro
viding greater accommodations, and said that
he had found that the average number of vacant
seats in the schools in the southwestern part of
the Guy WAS bIfe6 TO Il room, ana IN the south
eastern part of the city five to ROOM Before
the year is over every vacant seat will be full.
Mr.. Merritt thought that by extending "the
half-year system one year further up in the
grades" increased accommodations would be af
forded.
Mr.. Vonnegut introduced motion proposing
the erection of an eight-room building on the
North Side and one of similar size on the South
Side, lin such locations as will best relieve the
wants of the two sections" An amendment
in for fo1,t
building on lot No. was offered by
Dr. Carey, who also stated that he
favored establishing high-school branch
in building No. s. for the benefit of South-side
pupils
Mr.. Merritt remarked that this would involve
an expenditure of $50. 900. which led to an in
quiry by Mr. Frenzel as to how much money the
board had at its command for the construction
of buildings during the next year. Mr.
Merritt reported that including all the funds
there was 500 659, of which $40, 600 belonged to
the library fund.
Mr.. Browne stated that it was understood
that the special levy of ten cents was
for building purposes, and this would
give $50, 1000 which could be used to meet
the emergencies. Mr. Merritt afterward report
ed that the total Indebtedness of the board at
the present time is $lS5,000 of which $4,000
will be paid on the 1st of May At the end of
the fiscal year the debt would be $40 000 and
the Board would have about 100000 in the
treasury The vote on the motion of Mr.. Won
negut resulted in its defeat by five to four.
A motion was then made proposing the cree
ton simply of fourroom building on the
ground of No. G. at an estimated cost Of 81, 800,
which was unanimously adopted.
A motion made by Mr.. Bingham, providing for
the sale Of lot No. q and the purchase of other
grounds for new building, was adopted The
committee on building and grounds was after
ward authorized to sell all the real estate owned
by the board and not now in use, comprising the
lot of old No. 7, on South East street. and Of old
No. 6, on South Pennsylvania street. the money
realized by the sale to be used in the erection of
new buildings.
A motion authorizing the committee on build
ings and grounds to have all necessary repairs
made to the high-school building, under the SUI
pervision of one of the architects who had made
the expert inspection, was adopted by a vote of
seven to three. the ballot standing: Ayes--Com-
missioners Bingham, Browning, Carey, Frenzel,
Smith, Thompson and Vonnegut-7 Nays
Commissioners Brown, Merritt and Stratford