Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-04-26
CITIZENS DIFFER
ON SCHOOL NEEDS
Variety of Suggestions offered
to- Board Previous TO Vote
on Bond Issue.

Though lacking in attendance the
public meeting held last night under
the auspices of the West Orange
Soard of Education made up for it
In the variety of suggestions and
opinions offered regarding the school
meeting to be held next Tuesday.
At the meeting the citizens will be
asked to vote an issue of bonds for
the erection of a new high school,
with an auditorium attached; for
purchasing land and the erection of
a grade school and for fire protec-
ton and prevention throughout the
school system.
The principal topic was the new
high school and the auditorium which
would connect the high school with
the Paramount School, on the site OF
the high school building destroyed
by fire in February. After an eN-
PLANTATION of the boards plans, with
an illustration of the new school
buildings drawn by the architect u.
H. Powers Farr, president OF th9
board, invited suggestions.
Some favored concrete, some OPP
nosed il. Councilman Thomas Drum
mond urged that the construction OF
the high school and auditorium pc
temporarily abandoned. He favored
new small schools for Harrison ave-
nue. and the First ward, and the use
of the Paramount School for hlgh
school. President Byrne, of the Tax
Assessment Board, urged economy to
avoid running the town into bank
runtcv Mr.. Farr said estimates tor
concrete and hollow tile construc-
ton were to be secured by the board
IL the money sought is voted py
citizens.
Both Councilman Drummond ana
former President of the Board OF
Education George F. Robinson p
posed concrete construction, ana Ut.
James t. Morehouse and others ad-
Vocated it. 1t was announced mat
the bond issue If authorized W2plo
increase the present school bonds
from 500. 900 to 100000, about one
half the limit allowed the town under
the new State laws. This is based on
valuations totaling $12.0OO,oOo OF
nronerty. The auditorium will cost
S22. 900, and it was estimated the IN
terest on bonds for this would bring
in a revenue sufficient to pay inter-
est charges.
President Farr, replying to the many
queries hurled at him during the eve
ming, told of the boards plans. Inc
growth of the classes will necessitate
utilizing the High School. Paramount
building and auditorium for High
School purposes, he said. The pupils
of the grades lower than the seventh
and eighth will go to other scools,
and the future would see addltlonai
buildings for the lower grades where
reeded.
That the town was taxed to death
and getting nothing for the money
was volunteered by a citizen from the
FIT tn ward. The man wanted the
best schools possible for the children,
the best assets of the community, ne
stated. He declared that West Or
ange wants the best to be had, and II
there is not sufficient authority under
the present charter, fkeH get nome
rule"
Superintendent A H. Sherman made
a fervid appeal for the auditorium
as absolutely essential for assembling
pupils from both the Paramount ana
high schools and for use on holidays
and at public entertainments
The proposed high school and au-
ditoriun would cost $122.eoo. With
the $50 900 insurance money recovered
after the recent fire this would be
brought down to $4,000. The pro-
posed grade school and site for the
building in the south end of the First
ward would cost $4,000, and the f1re
protection for all the schools $4,000.