The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-03-24

II SldleS.-
For the current school year, the city
received from the State S26l, syb.ol and
the amount appropriated to this Board
for the purpose mentioned was S5f5,4So.
1t will thus be seen that In addition TO
the amount contributed by the state,
most of which was really raised by taxa
ton, the city contributed TO the tune
for teachers salaries and fuel the furtner
sum of Sl13,5 $780, AS. But there are many
other expenditures all of which are es-
sential TO the success of our schools, ana
for which the money must be raised by
the city. The total amount appropriated
to the school department by the Board
of Finance for the present school year
is $444, csc, or $1S2, 190.43 in excess OF the
amount levied and appropriated under
expended only for the maintenance
and dose not represent the total
amount spent by the city dor
school purposes. In order to asces,
in the schools the sum expended Tor
school construction must be added. Dur
ing the past year about $430,00o mas peen
expended for this purpose. 1t will thus
be seen that the people of this city have
contributed to the schools SOL, lso.4a more
thai the city has received under the
direction OF the State.
The report tells of the new school build
ings constructed. 1t says:-That they
were imperatively needed has Deen
proved by the fact that they were all I'M
mediately filled; They have proVlae r
merly contained in the schools. AT the
time the last of them, No. 26, was opened,
on January q, all the children VINO nau
although, it is true, in some schools
there was still some over-crowding, ana
some halliday classes had to be mann
tanned. AS this occurs as a rule among
only the youngest children it can not pc
regarded as a serious hardship, partlcu-
lariy as the lowest school age is I'VE
wears. The provisions for heating, ven
tllatlon and sanitation are as lnorouSH as
it is possible TO make them $3.50
President Firm then praised the Boaru
for its speedy solution OF the difncul x y
caused by the burning OF School NO. ~
He gave DR.. Finn especial credlt.
The President recommends the appoint
ment of an expert architect to be en-
ployed by the city at an annual com
ally made by Finance Commissioner tin
ole who believes that such an offlcer
will be able to save the city much IN the
repairing of public schools.
President Firm reviews the TACT tnat
the Finance Board was asked for an APP
nropriation with which to repair schoois
last year, but no appropriation was mace
owing to legal obstacles. There was speHl
now being obtained which will remove
ali obstacles pertaining to the raising OF
funds for repairs. The school puiialnss
Mr.. Firm reports are in good conol!lon.
Sn24RInp IL NO. EA1lOoi
"The~ school. its drainage and plumbing
systems, and it's toilets have peen piaeea
in first class condition.
'tOur experience with this schooi serves
again to illustrate the penny wise anu
pound foolish policy which IS SO oIte5
followed in public affairs. RMS Boaru
has for several years asked 1or an ap-
preparation to remove, the aeaect9 oeh !,
wear the amount asked for was regarded
as excessive and refused. And yet at no
time did this amount exceed one-hall VI
What was expended when the improve
,nenfs were made. 1t IS clear that II the
proper conditions had been created AZ tns
beginning, or if the Improvements nau
been made before the ~unsanltary con
ditions had been emphasized IN SO start
Ing a way the expense would have been
much less.
in the most emphatic manner our po,ey
in the erection of new schools. II mas
been our aim TO erect strong, duraole
structures, faultless from a sanitary polht
of view. and supplied with every heces-
be a little greater, yet they may VIII
trifiing periodic repairs be easily kept II
proper sanitary. condition. ,,,
School No. II is not, however; the ON?
school which has been in need OF such
Improvement. Some of the other oldeT
buildings also need attention. Let US not
wait until the prevalence of disease prlngs
them into unpleasant notoriety. we
Sn0ll0 Ill O1lCt ioSOS W -
of Improvement which would bring them
into a condition of ~undoubted heaitnfui-
ness. Although their number is not large
the expense would be Gonslo ee wei . bai
against the health of pupils and teachers.
HYour efforts to secure a new Hlgn
School building have been energetlc afa
give promise of bearing fruit in the near
future. AS the unfavorable conditions. OF
the school not only continue, put nave pc
come more serious, my ~allusion to 1t n
the report of last year may De repeated
with added emphasis:
"While in the, near future other new
schools will be needed, there is one which
we should have at once. 1t IS CONCEDED
thai the instruction furnished by the
primary and grammar schools demands
first consideration AS this demand has
been admirably met by the new schools
already mentioned. it is incumbent upon
ton of a new High School. Attention has
frequently been called to its necessity ana
fervent pleas in its behalf nave been mace
by all who lave in any way become cog
infant of the condition of the school. Al
the efforts for a new building have been
thwarted by the obvious needs OF the
smaller children and the equally OBVIOUS
inability of the city to supply both KINGS
of schools at one time. Now that this
conflict no longer exists 1t is reasonabis
to nope that the High School should re-
ceive immediate consideration. l need no
enlarge upon the inconvenience ana dis
comforts which surround the teachers and
pupils. They have often and in many
ways been graphically presented to you
Allow me to say that as long as the High
School remains in its present building the
comnendable pride which we feel in the
admirable buildings which we are erecting
must be tinctured not only with regret
but with modification.
LAS I haye intimated, the reluctance to
provide a new High School has resulted
from the greater need of additional prim-
ary schools. But this reluctance ought to
disappear Immediately when it is reflected
that School No. 5, though not at all
adapted to the uses of the High school,.
is very well adapted to grammar and
primary purposes. If a new High Schoo
mentary school. 1t is thus seen hat by
the erection of one building, two adj
ditiona1 schools will be secured. 1t Is
furthermore urgent that a new primary
school be provided in the ward in which
the High School is located. Let us there.
fore take up the erection of a new High
School at once and not stop until it is
secured"
Referring to the training school the re-
THE school merits a continuance of the
careful attention which you have be-
slowed upon it. Its efficiency should be
increased"
President Firm makes an urgent APP
peal for an increased appropriation for
be broadened and the number of instruc-
tors increased.
The President also asks for more money
for books and stationery.
Referring to the steachers he writes:-
"When the qualifications and duties
which we exact of them, and the salaries
paid to teachers elsewhere are considered.
II ing he faff fhof my tao n ORC arn fx-