Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1906-04-14

The meeting of the board of ednca-
tion Monday night was noteworthy
from the fact that the necessity OF
more buildings to accommodate the
school population OF the CITY and sur
rounding territory was Emphasized IN
no uncertain manner by every member
Of the board, each one OF whom had
carefully investigated conditions IN
all sections of the city and had been
giving this important subject serious
consideration for many weeks.
There was nothing but routine bust
ness accomplished, save the general
discussion of the serious problem OF
more buildings, the members of the
board devoting their whole time to
the consideration of ways and means
for accomplishing the desired end. 1t
developed that the congested condition
in everv ward in the city, particular
" the second and third, demanded
immediate action. AS an illustration
of conditions in these two wards, it
was stated that Principal Pitzer and
his first assistant, and Principal Siler
and his first assistant, now have in
their rooms $50 pupils, after having
refused admission to many more from
outside the CITY limit. who wished to
attend the city school and pay from
OIL to $3.50 per month for the priv.
iege. II WAS also developed that in
Mr.. Pitzer's room alone there are five
pupils for whom seats cannot be pro-
vided, owing to insufficient room.
Mr.. P'tzer has IL seats in his depart
ment, and the natural increase expect
ed for next year will give him 20 pu-
pits, leaving 80 children without &C
commodation in his room alone. This
condition obtains in nearly all the
buildings in the city, making situa
ton that not only reduces the general
value of the schools at the present
time, but promis es to be"ome more
aggrav ated as time passes
The consensus of opinion among the
members of the board was that the
situation demanded the erection OF
new High school building and new
building for the first ward The
question of taking care of the present
school population, the natural in
crease that will come with the growth
of the city and the influx Of pupils
from the surrounding territory, would
thus be cared for, with better results
for the pupils and more satisfactory
conditions for the teachers,
Owing to the present conditions
about so pupils from the surrounding
territory were refused admission to
the schools This means loss in
tuition of more than 81, 600 per year,
which could be say if tina accomo-
dations were adequate.
The most feasible plan proposed
was the erection of new High school
building and a new first ward build
ing, after the people and tue legisla-
ture had anti orized the necessary
bonds While no estima'e of the cost
was given. it Is believed the whole
work could be accomplished for about
sS5. 600 or $50, 600, which could be
paid in comparatively few years by
the increase in the school revenue
that will come from the increased val.
nation of property at the same tax
rate.
President Russler, by authority OF
the board, submits the following com.
munication to the people of the city.
and as it is the official statement of
present conditions, il is worthy of
careful consideration.
MartinsburR. April
To the public:
On account of continuous complaints
relative TO the crowded condition of
some of the public schools in our city,
the board OF education visited them in
a BODY, recently. We found all the
teachers Justly engaged in trying to
impart knowledge to the pupils. In
every building and room there was a
disposition manifested on the part of
pupils TO be attentive and studious
but in some of the schools there is
insufficient room. The seating capa-
city is indequate, and the number Of
scholars in several rooms is sufficient
to employ two teachers IN order to do
Justice to patron and pupils hut two