Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-03-27

A spsciaI meeting Of tbs Scb)O BoarC
was held last night at which nine Of thC
Twelve members and the Superintendent
were present. Mr.. w. B. Smoot pre-
sided
The superintendent stated that he had
called the meeting for the reason thai
be had received an official notice from
the court as to the action of the grand
jury Ia reference to the condition OF the
school buildings. He thought the chance
of accident at the bulldogs was about
one 10 one thousand and that the grand
jury was mistaken In some Of the matters
set forth in lite report but he said the
board should take action 10 the matter.
Toe clerk then read communication
iron ths clerk OF the court inclCsing
the report of the grand jury which re-
port was read by Mr.. 5tableI together
with section 1888 of the code Of Virgiuis
relating to school officers, buildings, etc.
The Superintendent stated that the
board was authorized to erect buildings
and to ask Council to pay for the same.
He had examined several buildings which
might be used in case of emergency but
had found very few that were available.
He thought it would be s'rious mat
ter to turn out of school several hundred
children and to dispense with the SER
vices of the teachers at this time of the
session.
A communication was received from
Mr.. NJ. B. Harlow sa'ing that he would
consider a proposition OF the exchange
of Peabody buildin; for HE residence at
tbs southeast corner of Cameron and
Alfred streets.
DR.. Smith thought 1t would be best 10
sell the property and spply the proceeds
to the purchase of suitable lot and to
erect q building thereon; he believed
thst SIS, 900 or over could be secured for
Peabody building.
Mr.. Yates wished to know what wss
TO bs done about the four schools in the |
lhird story in Peabody AID the one in |
Howell building and suggested that all
the schools 10 thos, buildings be closed
and the teachers be paid their salaries
in order to hold them. He moved that
the schools be closed and said they we're
unfit for MSS by reason of the foul Odors |
from the sewers.
Dr.. Smith dismissed the foul cdr
QUESTION by saying that this could be
easily remedied; besides the odors which |
might be disagreesble were not neces-
sariIy detrimental to heslth. He moved
ss more practical measure that com.
mittts be appointed to assist the Super
intendent in securing suitable looms for
the accommodation Of five schools and
TO report at the next meeting Of the
board.
Mr.. Carter said the grand jury was
right in its action concerning The build
iugs and moved IS sui 3 ituie to DR..
Smiths motion aresolution 10 close Pea
body building at once. This fsi ed to re-
ceive secOnd and Or. Smiths motion
was carried, all but Mr.. Carter voting for
it. The Chairman then appointed DR..
Smith and Messrs. Boothe and Stabler
as the committee.
Mr.. S;sbler moved that the same COM
mitlee confer with committee of Ooun-
Gil in reference to the erection of new
school building and the motion was car
ried.
Mr.. StabIer then moved that the four
schools on the third floor of Peabody
building and the one on the third story
Of Howell building be closed tomorrow
(todAy) until Monday week and his mo-
lion pass 3D., though some held this to be
insdvls IDLE as the fires in the buildings
would soon be extipguished and the
danger very slight.
The board then adjOurne
The action of the board les. night will
cause the dismissal for over week OF
over $50 child 'en.