New-York tribune., 1896-12-05
MANY NEW SCHOOLS NEEDED.

Rarely il ever before has the question of pro-
vldlng new schoolhouscs attracted more niicn-
tion than a. the present time not only IN this
city hut in the other large section ~ Greater
New York ON both sides Of the East River
the neglect Of former city authorities 10 max"
adequate provision for the needs Of rapidly
growing popuai Is now seriously fel, ana
urgent steps being taken to bring the sup
ply of schoOlhousss abreast with the demands
Of the armies Of school-children. In this city
there arc hopeful prospects Of facilitating the
work Of building now schools commonly p
slow and tedious process. Several million dol
lars are available for new school-budngs. ana
the Board Of Education is preparing to make the
best use Of this large sum. When II Is rcneIn-
bcrcd that the special census of scfooIchilhren
last year showed that 10000 children Of school
age were not in school ii is plain that the ut
most cndcavOr should he made 10 provide for
the needs of tie community in this respect.
No such census has been made in brooklyn.
but The figures show that nearly 1000 children
havc been unable To find room in lis schools
this fall while between 1l.OOO and 120)) are
able 10 go 10 school only half Of each day. On
this basis il is estimated that abou' 1000
more sttings are required n once. Moreover
the pubc-schOol accommodations Of the city
are more inadequate IN the clos" of lS.ri than
they were al the close Of 1895. The showing is
hy no means n good one. ard M first thought
il might seem to reflect unfayorably on the
three years Of reform administration that
Brooklyn las enjoyed. II should bc borEr in
| mind however that the general depression Of
business has prevented the sale of city bonds
until recently ana that the money for ncw
| schools could not therefore, bc supplied. While
| it is estimated that S11GWU is needed to pro
vide the accommodations urgently and immc
! datcy required there il would he n mos. short
| sighted policy to fail 10 take into account the
growth OF the city ard the growing needs that
go hand in hand herewith. The Board of Edu-
cation has wisely agreed to appeal 10 the Leg
| isature for The passage of n bill authorizing
| the issue Of bonds 10 the amount of S200JUD
| for the purchase Of sites and the erection of
school-buildings in 1897 and 1898 There can
be no question as 10 the ncc,i of legislation to
meet the existing want and TO anticipate the
needs Of the near future.
With the general policy on which the Boards
Of Education in both cities have entered we
| find ourselves in cordial agreement. but II may
| be questionable whether the controlling power
| in Brooklyn might not wisely emphasize the
| rcccssity Of more primary schools before rc-
solving on the erection Of another high school:
| and In this city the Board OF Education should
consider we'll before deciding convert two or
three grammar schools into high schools mt this
time. when there Is so conspicuous and lament
able Il lack OF school accommodations In the
lower grades. The importance of high schools
Is coming TO bc generally recognized: but 1t Is n
safe and sound principle that provision should
first be made for all children who desire to en-
ter the primary ana grammar grades. II. indeed,