The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-04
MAKE PROVISION
FOR DEL|NQUENTs
Authorities Propose to Estab-
liSh Special Room for
Purpose
WILL ASK COUNCIL
TO PROVIDE MONEY
DR.. Chandler Says Demand
for Better School Facili-
ties is Very Urgent
Needs 5000, 900

In its budget for this year council
Will be asked 10 make provision for
q special room tor deinquents in the
city public schools, and Ii the request
is granted the room will probably be
operated in the Bellevue grammar
school ON Church HilI. where more
space appears Ia be aI aiiab.e than in
the other schools, AS heating and
similar equipment will be already pro-
sided. it Is estimated by Superinten-
dent Chandler that S900 ought to
cover the expense of operating such
a room. Most of this sum would be
paid the teacher who must he some
what above the ordinary in handling
pupils.
Later DIR. Chandler hopes to es-
tabiish a similar room in the John
Smith school. in the central district.
and another in the third, or West
End district.
Teach Backward Pupils.
What to do with delinquents has
been "a source of worry to Dr. chand-
Ter for some time. and after hear
ing talk from Miss Julia Hickman
at the recent educa tional conference
in Richmond, he determined TO take
active steps looking to the esta blish-
nlent of special rooms for deiinquents
in the city schools. He wants it un-
derstood, however. that he does not
propose to operate a reform depart
ment or TO provide special treatment
for tncorrIgibIes- The delinquent de-
partment would be chiefly for the
benefit OF backward pupils and those
who by their conduct In the school
room have proved themselves so
adverse 10 disciplinary methods that
the progress of other pupils is seri
ously retarded.
Education Retarded.
Not intrequently Or. Chandler finds
a boy OF from fourteen to sixteen
years OF age In a grade with boys OF
eight or nine years. Such pupils.
whose education has been retarded
either from entering school late or
who are not particularly, bright,
would Ire 1T subjects for a special
teacher in the delinquent depart
ment.
Lack of compulsory education laws
in Virginia, Or. Chandler fears, will
operate TO some extent against the
success OF such a department because
parents. If they choose. can take their
children from school if they object 10
having them classed as deiinquents.
However. he is hopeful that there
wifi be a compulsory law in Virginia
at no distant date. A number OF 9TH
er States have such laws. and he be-
lieyes Virginia Will get fuzzy abreast
OF the times when the State law-mak-
ers have the necessity Of such legis-
lation impressed upon them.
Ask for 100000.
While its budget Is not completed,
the City School Board viii ask Coun-
eli for at least ssee, etc for school
building purposes this year. according
to DR.. Chandler. who says that the
progress of fewer than 1900 pupils
In the elementary grades out of to-
tai OF about $4,000 Is being retarded
by the lack of proper school facilit
ties. Twenty extra rooms are being
rented and thirty rooms are teach
ing half time because of crowded
conditions
In the Madison school, at Madison
and Cary streets. for which Council
was asked To appropriate $4,000
Tuesday night by President Peters. q
patron of the school. more than 200
of the 69I pupils are receiving In
siruction in badly ventilated rented
rooms. or are getting only half time
instruction.
Need Improvement.
Besides this building. other schools
which need extensive improvements
or new structures. DIR. Chandler says,
are the Bellevue. Springfield and Sid
ney schools. Practically nothing is
being done at present. he says. for
improvement of the coiored schools,
and his estimates herein given do not
embrace the situation in South Rich
mond.
Though IL may not he generally
known. DIR. Chandler says that the
new Hanover school, in the West End,
now nearing completion, is practically
the only structure of the elementary
class in the city whose lighting. heat
ing and ventiiating equipment is In
according with the State law of 1908.