Perth Amboy evening news., 1912-09-06
HALF SESSIONS
ARE NECESSARY
Crowded Conditions at School
No. 4 Cause Changs--RuIe
at School No. 5 Likely.
IMPROVE ALL BUILDINGS
Board Of Education Busy
With Matters in Connect
ion With Opening Of Term.

Enrolment in the public schools
ts larger by approximately 400 than
1t was at about the same time last
year, the school buildings are in bet
ter condition than ever and prepara-
lions are under way to open three
night schools, according to reports
rendered at regular meeting of the
Board Of Education last night. Su-
perintendent of Schools s. E. Shull
reported the enrolment to date was
close to $500, as against 5,440 a
week later last year. He anticipates
a heavy influx Of scholars next Mon
day.
Half Sessions in School 4.
The board voted to establish half
time sessions In the first grade of
school No. in Smith street, due to
crowded conditions and the superin-
tendent said similar action might
, become necessary to relieve a con-
gestion In school No. s.. Mr.. Shull
stated the growth in population
seemed to be in sections in which
schools 4 and 5 are situated. He
declared some rooms In school 4
contained ninety-eight, eighty-six
and seyenty-tWo scholars, which was
entirely too many for one room and
one teacher. His recommendation
to establish halliday sessions in
school No. was adopted and his re-
port was received. The action will
affect nearly 200 pupils.
Buildings in Fine Condition.
The building committee rendered
"a report of improvements made to
school buildings the past few months
and set forth that they never were
better nor more cleanly and sanitary
in the history of the board. On the
suggestion Of the committee motion
| was passed !nstructing the building
committee to negotiate with Maurer
| interests for q renewal OF the lease
| on school No. 8 at Maurer. The
committee was empowered to pro-
ceed and lease the building for two
years at a rental OF $3.50 year with
a privilege of renewal and to make
the best arrangements possible for
financing repairs and insurance. The
owners have been pressing the board
| to renew Its lease and insisted that
| the proposal come from the board.
May Buy Two Pianos.
The building committee reported
that the school pianos were in as
good condition as it was possible to
make them and recomm ended that
two new instruments be purchased
to replace two old ones that should
| be abandoned. The report showed
| improv ements made to school build
Iings the past few months as follows:
! Ninety-six window shades In school
| 1. Ninety-six window shades Install
ed and new furnace in place, brick
work completed and woodwork
painted in school 2. Seventeen light
of glass reset in school 3. New sani-
taries and twenty shades installed
and furnace practically rebuilt in
school 4. The committee has pre-
pared specifications for reinforced
concrete and hollow block retaining
wall for school No. 5. Slate treads
were turned or replaced and new
fagpole in place Of one struck by
lightning at school 6. Basement
ceilings painted, also cornlce, venti-
lators and skylights in the grammar
school. Roof of school 8, slightly
damaged by lightning, repaired.
Scuttle cut in roof, one room re-
shaded, new desks installed and old
ones transferred, commercial de-
partment desks vanished and cur
tains repaired in the high school.
Glass panes were placed in nearly
all of the school buildings.
Retaining Wall at School 5.
The building committee was en-
powered to advertise for bids for a
reinforced concrete and hollow block
retaining wall for property about
school 5 in Cortlandt street. The
wall is to take the place of fence,
having been deemed better than a
wooden or iron fence. Bids for the
same will probably be received at
the next meeting.
To Get Bids for Desks.
The secretary was empowered to
advertise for bids for 800 or more
(ContInued on page 81