The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1902-01-09
NORTH SCHOOL BUILDING UNSAFE.

| NORTH SCHOOL BUILDING UNSAFE. Il
For some time our school board has
been aware that the north school build
ing was settling and the walls cracking
in an alarming manner. Not desiring to
assume the great responsibility of pos
sible accident while the building was
filled with school children they decided
to secure the services of a competent
engineer to make an examination of the
building and render an opinion as to its
safety, Mr.. j. 3. Marsh, of Des M Dimes,
who makes a speciality of such examina.
tons was secured and came down last
week and with the board made a
thorough examination of the building.
His report fully confirmed the fears of
the school board and he did not hest.
tate to say that in its present condition
the building was not safe to be used for
school purposes.
In order that the public may know
Just what he reported we publish the
report OF Mr.. Marsh in full which is as
follows:
j. B. MARSH, CONSULTING ENGINEER.
DESIGNS, PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND SUP.
ERINrENDENcE. OF METAL STRUCTURES
AND FOUNDATIONS.
Dies MONIES, Iowa, Jan. 8, 1902
To Hon. BOARD, INDEPENDENT SCHOOL
DISTRICT, LEON, Iowa.
misunderstanding examined your
North School Building, would respect
fully make the following report:
The outside brick walls are badly out
Of plumb and alignment owing to un-
even settlement Of foundations The
cross walls have settled unevenly,
which, judge, is because of excavation
for accommodation Of heating plant.
These excavations are carried some two
or three feet below footings of walls.
The outside walls are badly cracked
and shattered, the cracks being due to
uneven settlement of foundations, the
shattered appearance is partly due to
the fact that the brick were not laid in
full Iaurtar beds.
While consider the building unsafe
in its present condition, the foundations
of cross walls could be supported by ex-
cavating under them, and filling excava-
tions with beds of concrete. This would
stop further settlement OF cross walls,
and building might be used during re.
mainder of school year, however, such
| repairs could at best be only temporary,
and even if they were made, my opinich
is that the building would have to be
replaced at end of present school year
Further, and to be safe, would advise
that school he adjourned during heavy
wind storms.
Respectfully submitted,
j. b. MARSH.
! The board held a meeting Monday
evening and discussed the matter
thoroughly but did not wish to be hasty
in taking action and adjourned to NEE
again Saturday evening. They are
however practically of the opinion tina
it will not be safe to continuing issuing
the building longer than March Is
when thei spring rains and thaws viii
further weaken the structure. 1t is de-
sired if possible to complete the full
school year and the board will endeavo
to rent suitable rooms which can b
used for school purposes during the re
mainder of the year, March, April an,
May.
In view of the report made by Nh
Marsh it seems to us there is only on
thing to do and that is to tear down tn
old building which has long, been unf
for use and erect new modern schoc
building. The district is now practi
cally out Of debt there being but 81 ,0O
of the bond issued to build the sout
school building remaining unpaid an,
with the money in the hands of tn
treasurer Caster and the taxes now du
enough money will be collected to pa
the last bond. 1t is more than prob.
BILE the board will decide to submit til
question of issuing bonds for a ne
building to the electors at the annut
election to be held in March and we b.
lieve our citizens will vote the necessar
bonds by practical unanimous vote.
The school board should not be aske
or expected to assume the Responsible
of continuing school in a building whie
has been condemned as unsafe, and l
. public spirited citizen will oppose Il
issue of bonds in any reasonable amou
for the purpose of building a new scho
house. Does any parent want to jeo
ardize the lie of their child by hayil
it attend school in building that