The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-01-08
The School Meeting.

AT the Tuesday evening school meeting,
President Fitzpatrick gave an account of the
investigations by the school board concern
ing the need of more school room. Supt.
Simmons being called for, gave the meet
ing an account of the schools this term. The
remarks OF the two were in substance, as
follows:
There are 1920 seats in the present build
ings. 149S pupils enrolled this year. If
all had been in at one time, there would
have been shortage of rs seats. There
were only "a vacant sittings i'm the schools
the day of the meeting. Some rooms have
more pupils than seats, and ii these were
distributed to other rooms, the result would
be in the first ward, vacant seats; In sec
Ond ward, z; in third ward, 90; i'm fourth
ward, 16. A large number of pupils had
been sent to third and fourth wards, who
properly should attend in first ward, the
sending being because OF q lack of seating
in first ward.
If proper provisions for seating were made
in the north half of the city, the buildings
in third and fourth wards would be relieved
and ample room would remain for pupils in
the south half of the city.
One primary room at central building is
only Is by 81 feet, no ventilation except by
windows, and yet 40 pupils are crowded
into it. The superintendent said there had
been 46 in that room. The next primary at
central has an enrolment of "a. No like
conditions exist elsewhere in the city.
All seats in high school have been taken
up, aiSles narrowed, more desks put In. even
recitation rooms seated with desks, the
whole number being 142. That department
has enrolled this year LAG. -Four classes
are reciting on the every-other day plan, be-
cause another teacher is needed in order to
hear them every day, but there is no room
for such teacher to work.
Large classes will be promoted in June,
and the trouble will be largely increased
next year.
The matter of non-residents being brought
up, showed that there are only "a in the
schools and these are in seven rooms, only
nine being in the high school. Some have
been turned away on account of room.
There were 2l5 more pupils enrolled the
second day this year than for the same time
last year. Something must be done so rooms
can be ready for September, or many pupils
at that time would be deprived of schools.
The board proposed two story building
for high school purposes, with room in it for
an eighth grade. by this last mentioned
room, the present eighth grade room, and
the present high school floor could be
vacated TO grades below high school and all
departments in the city relieved.
1t was proposed by Mr.. Estey that rooms
on second floor Of present central building
be vacated and used to accommodate the
overflow in high school, and these grades
now on second floor be sent away to some
new ward buildings that might be built.
Mr.. Fitzpatrick stated that the present
rooms both on second and third floors were
now quite well arranged for grade work be-
low high school, but would cost considerable
10 remodel them and make them convenient
for the necessary work in high school
classes. The science classes needed room
where they could do the work for themselves
instead OF merely seeing the teacher do it.
A number favored a building out on the
Corunna road. That would mean that still
a larger number than at present would be
sert away from first ward toward the south
part of the city.
The new building recommended by the
board could be placed on present central
grounds; or, if land could be procured,
more central cite would be advisable. The
building would require $4,000 to be raised
on the bonds of the city, and the first could
be made payable in five years. Some moneys
now OH hand with the above would provide
the room. To build ward buildings and re-
model present central building, would
probably cost no less, and not be as c0nven
lent. The plan would also prevent the
young people climbing 10 third story during
four years. The lower grades could be so
arranged that they need not be on third
floor more than two years. The meet
ing ended with nothing being accom-
plished. This means that il nothing is done
before the July meeting, nothing will be
ready for the increase in September, and
some must be out of school.
We think it the duty of the board to call
another meeting and place the matter
squarely before the legdl UOicrS, who are
now awake to the situation and would turn
out for the cause of education and see that
the appropriation was made.