New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-01
REPAIRING THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
ALL TIE BUILDINGS WILL BE READY TO Rn
OpEN NEXT WEEK.


oPEN NEXT WEEK.
Worlmen viii be busy in tho public school ouild-
Ings this week. The schools do not open until the
second Monday IN september, but all the repairs on
them must be completed this week 10 enable tbs
Ianitors TO set their at work clanlng. scrubbng
and dusting and getting everything into shape for tho
opening day. Some Of the schools have been almoss
entirely renewed. reIlastcred rfoored, or tepaned:
Do you know what there is on schooi
building in the city p asked George W. Debevoiso'
the Superintendent; of school buildings, who mas
charge OF the repairs. stake as example one
school of 1000 pupils, and you viii see that few
structures are put TO such test from day 10 day
throughout the year. There 1000 feet marching
into the building in the morning march down into tbs
yard at and back again 10 the class rooms'
march out at noon and return again at the afternoon
recess, and finally march out Cor home at O'CLOCK
Five days week the daily aggregate 10000 fses
passing to and fro In that building. In the forty OF
more weeks OF school the figures up to more than
GOOOOO which only represents portion OF the reguaf
ton movements In that building and does not tahe
into account the wear and tear that comes rom
the rush and play which all the children Indulge In
But that is enough to show that public school build
ings must be made OF good material ana wa'c-Sa
carefully in every detail.'
In the spring Of each year, the trustees OF tho
several wards prepare after an examination, sched.
ule of all the buildings I'm their wards which need
repair, and this Is submitted 10 the Board OF Educa"
ton. The number and the extent OF tie'e repairs 10
usually revised and cut down largely by The Board
I'm order TO keep the expenses down to the lowess
reasonable limit. Each ward receives its alotmens
for repairs separately. The total expended for re.
pairs this summer amounted 10 more than 100000!
This was divided In the following manner: For
buildings $l05 600: sanitary repairs, $4,000; heat
ing APPARATUS, S35 900; school furniture, $4,000,
and miscellaneous work nearly $4,000. contracts
are made in June and with the c!ase OF school IN
july a hundred contractors enter the buildn., AMI
begin their work. The heaviest work Is done on tho
old buildings. A new, well-bult school house viii
not require much more than an occasional fctouehhs
for the first ten years.
The Increase In population and the growing demands
on tho old structures make 1t necessary 10 strengthen
the sta'rways provide better Of light and venr
tlation and to change entirely the old sanitary
methods for later Improvements. Gradually these
old buildings are being disposed Of, the changing
school populations of the wards concentrated and
new school buildings fitted TO the changes IN condl'
ton are substituted. The is slow and will re@
qure many years to effect as tho growth of the city
requires so much money for new buildings In the
upper wards.
There are old school buildings TO be attended TO In
tho upper wards well. One of these. the old
Ugr,en school No. 80 one hundred andtwcny-
ffh-st Third ave-, has been under repair tbs
summer The original building was constructed
about forty years and II has been added 10 uhti
n now covers several lots with fOursOrv structure
in which more than 1000 children arc taught. In
thi, building the walls scraped replastered ana
repantel. Cell ngs replaced windows ana wins
dow-shutters were rencwei. Oh furniture that was
cracked and broken taken ont, now adjustments
were made of the clas'-Iooms for better HSht new
san;tary anil plumbing arrangements were made AMI
the entr, structure repainted within md without.
The school W II look like now building when the
scbolars assemble I'm 1t next month. The back yiris
OF the buildings are piled. during the summer with
the old furniture, desks and seats states ana back-
bno,. Tv,aga On lOSDltal
tendent Debevolse has established All the best por-
tons Of the desks there selected AMI hued win
other odd pieces To make up new and for the une
being good furniture. when a new branch primary
school is suddenly required at WOODLAND, Moshoru
or some other rapidly growing sect on OF the AnneXet
District there is then forthcoming from me hospIat
doshs and seats which 70 all appearance nave luss
issued new from the workshop The work OF repay
ON the school build ngs has gone on fav0raDly an"
none OF the schools will be delayed in the opening