The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-13
MAY CLOSE SEVERAL
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Parker to Recommend Such
Action Be Taken
SITUATION is ACUTE
President of Board of Education Says
That Several Buildings Are Not
Fit for School Purposes.
Gives His Reasons

On account of their dangerous con-
dition Birmingham will perhaps cease
to use several school buildings after
the present session. 1t was announced
yesterday by DR.. John l.. Parker, presi-
dent of the board of education, that
he would recommend the abandonment
of several of the present buildings aft
er the 1913 session. The reasons for
such recommendations as DR.. Parker
says he Will make, are that the chill
dren attending several of the buildings
are said to be In danger should any
fire or panic occur.
DIR. Parker has heretofore officially
declared that some of the present
cient and menace to the life and limb
of the students attending. His declara-
tion, however, that he Will as president
of the board of education insist that
the buildings be abandoned after this
years work is the furthest he has gone
in his condemnation of the school build
ing.
Disclaims Responsibility
Dr. Parker in his statement as to
insanitary features had been pointed
out as we'll as the fire hazard and gem
eral risk As for the insanitary fea-
lures he says that could be borne, but
as for fire and panic he did not wish
to be In any way responsible for what
might happen under the present con-
ditions.
The declaration OF President Parker
will doubtless result in some immediate
action. For over one year the officials
of the city have been acquainted with
the conditions through recommenda-
tions of the board of education. of late
inspections have been made looking to
a betterment of the situation.
1t is said now to be a physical inn
possibility to repair the present build
ings to make them safe or to build new
ones. On that account if the recon-
mendations of DR.. Parker are carried
out by the school board there will be
a shortage in school facilities at the
beginning of the fall term.
Parker's Statement
DR.. Parker says In reference to the
situation:
"If my recommendations are carried
out, and I hope they will be, the board
of education will order closed several
of our schools. They will be continued
for the present term, but if they cam
not be repaired properly during the
summer so as to render them safe
shall insist that they be not reopened
for future school work. My reasons for
the recommendations are that the
buildings are unsafe and in every way
unsuited for school purposes.
I'VE could get along IL insanitation
was the chief cause. However. that is
not the worst. Several of our buildings
are unsafe from fire standpoint, in
my judgment, while others are UNIT
for school purpose otherwise The build
ings that / have in mind may be re-
paired In time for the next school ses-
sion. but 1 doubt that very seriously.
If they are repaired all well and good
Otherwise | will decline to allow them
to be reopened IL | can help it. At least
| shall be on record as protesting
against such steps.
Il consider that to allow children
to attend some of our schools is lay
ing them open to death or accident
should there be any fire or panic That
is far too grave a matter to be con-
sidered lightly and | do not believe
our officials will be willing to have
them reopened. The necessity for more
school facilities here cannot be over
drawn The condition is very acute.
The situation as / view it is one for
unusual apprehension for the conditions
have been very bad for some time. and
but for the city financial condition III
believe they would have been bettered. |
''In the meantime l know the finan-
cial embarrassment of the city and
shall assist them in whatever way 1
can to remedy the situation. I hope
the condition may be bettered in time
to save the school children any loss of
time in their work"