Evening journal., 1912-03-22
GOOD ROADS
AS HELP TO
SCHOOL WORK
Prof. Spaid Says Benefits Of
Consolidation are Impossible
While Highways are Bad
ALSO SUGGESTS BETTER
VENTILATION METHODS

Consolidation Of rural school was
the subject discussed in a speciaI re-
port given by Professor A. r. Spaid,
superintendent Of New Castle county
schools, to a meeting of the County
School Commissioners held yesterday
i'm the board room Of the Security
Trust and Safe Depsit Company. In
the report, the text of which follows,
Prof. Spaid emphasized the fact that
good roads are necessary to make
consolidation possible, and in his sug-
gested plan, the groupings are given
with the thought Of road conditions
i'm mind Auto trucks are advocated
by Prof Spaid for transporting the
children. as 40 children could be
taken in one truck, while one wagon
could not take them all at one time.
A second report given by Prof. Spaid
Yesterday was on school grounds, set
ting forth an itemized account of the
improvements needed in each school
of the county. In his summary OF
school ground needs, Prof. Spaid
states that there is great need of im-
mediate improvements in many school
districts; that few districts have made
any effort to improve the sanitary
conditions, but that the rules and
regulations adopted by the Commits
sion and the State Board Of Health
have been largely ignored I'm regard
to sanitary matters. One regulation,
he says, has been generally adopted,
that of the water cooler and individual
drinking cup The superintendent
recommends that the Commission take
steps to enforce the rules, as tho
health Of the children is endangered
by the carelessnesS in this regard
The superintendent advises walks oil
cement crushed stone or board, in
the school grounds to the outhouses
wells, and public roads. and urges
improvements in outhouse construc
ton.
Prof Spaid says many schools nee'
new furniture, such as desks. slat
blackboards. and bookcases, and ad
vises that all new desks be siugl
and at FEAST one-fourth OF theI
should be adjustable No cheap fur
niture should go into schoolroon
he says. The superintendent consiC
ers the heating and ventilation OF ru
raj schools a serious proposition. II
says the ceilings are far below tn
standard i'm the great majority @
school buildings; that the window
do not extend to within six inches O
the ceiling as they should henc
when the window is lowered the coll
air blows on the heads Of the chill
dren and causes much catarrh, cold
and sore throat. The present sys
tenn Of heating the schoolroom, h
continues should be changed 10 pre-
vent these dangerous drafts of air
The Waterbury System now in us
in No. 3 building New Castle, give
satisfaction. This heater is placet
in corner OF the school room. draw
fresh air from the outside and force
the impure air out The Window
need not be opened at all unless tn
room becomes very warm. The su
perintendent says this arrangement
saves floor space, does not roast thI
children like the over-heated stow
in the middle of the floor. and give
such satisfaction that he hopes tn
old stoves will at once disappear.
superintendent Spaid's consola
ton report follows:
Before there can be successful
consolidation Of schools in count.
that county must have good roads
Transportation must be rapid, ant
comfortable. Automobiles. trulle.
cars and steam cars must be used
Schools having an enrolment of fif
teen or under should be CONSOLIDATED
because they are small. other school
Continued on Second Page)