The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1913-02-28
New schoolhouse in the fourth
ward.
Addition to high school.
Bond issue of S7l,500.

Barre voted in city meeting last night
to erect an eight-room school building
in the fourth ward, near the present
| Beckley street structure, and to con-
struct an addition at the rear of the
! Spaulding structure on Washington
! street at total cost not to exceed
$7l 800, bond issue for that amount
being authorized.
| The opera house contained some two
hundred men when City Clerk Mackav
called the meeting TO order and James +
Higgins was elected chairman. When
the purpose of the meeting was an
nounced School Commissioner II. G.
Woodruff made some statements concern
ing the school situation, saying that
three problems confront Barre: ~ The
Church street building. the Oldest in the
city and needing replacement; t2l the
Beckley street building, wooden, made
quate and antiqu ted and t3l the
Spauldinp building, which is crowded
with high school students and will be
crowded far more next year. The last
two. he said We're the most pressing
problems.
In considering the Beckley street prop
osition, he said an eightroom building
could be filled at once; that four double
grades in the North End could find ac-
commodaton in the proposed structure;
that suitable site with ample grounds.
near the present location of the Beckley
street building could be purchased for
approximately $500; that the cost for
excavation would not be great. This
proposed site is across Third street from
&tx.,N lnt., L. Ill
side overlooking North Main street
Turning next to the question of ex.
pense. Commissioner Woodruff stated
that estimates had been made by a
et tent contractor and the cost of
Il building, with site, would be as
follows; For an eght-room building.
S43 800; for ten rooms, s54,000 for
eleven rooms, $4,000; for twelve rooms,
S67 900.
After presenting these main facts
about the Beekley street building. Com
missioner Woodruff spoke on the need
for a high school addition. stating that
more room is needed just as urgently
there as in the fourth ward. The at
tendance at the high school has doubled
n seven years. he said, and another
year they expect 400 students, as against
,9l now, and the second year they anti
,ipate an enrolment of between 500
md 600.
The commissioner thought an addi
ion, 50 by so feet. two stories high,
would meet the needs for some time
% come, the lower floor to be utilized
or classrooms and the upper floor for
in assembly hall. Included in the esti-
mated cost of the building was new
team heating plant for the entire build
ng, as the commissioners fear the pres
mt heating arrangement in the main
tructure will give out shortly. The
ost of the addition and the heating
liant was estimated at S2S000
In concluding his statement of facts,
Commissioner Woodruff said the board
f commissioners had hesitated about
skiing for this double outlay until the
eed became imperative; and now the
wo buildings are necessary TO continue
he efficiency of the school system.
The Discussion Started.
Then. to place the matter before the
leeting, f. +. Langley moved the adop-
on of the article in the warning, au-
the school commissioners to
urchase site and erect building
Arguing on the motion. f. G.. Rowland
lated he thought the commissioners
ere asking for a good deal at this
me. as the cost of the twelve-room
lilding and the Spauhing addi
on would be about sos 900. He
sclaimed any desire to handicap the
hool system. but he doubted the need
the present time. as shown by the
yures during the past few years, not
ueh increase being made in the total
children of school age. He asked
,out a proposal to give up the ninth
AIDES. which he had heard of also
,out the story that the Lincoln school
not full. The speaker called atten-
On to- the fact that about one-third
the eity's revenue now goes into the
hool department
A. s. Martin stated that he was proud
the public schools of Barre but he
ought there are other things which
e city NAV need more. perhaps more
iewalks. Therefore. he suggested the
action OF a four-room building in the
rth ward
]. T. Callaghan thought the motion
fore the house would give the school
unlimited power to buy
site and he moved TO lay the motion
the table until such time as the vot-
could gain a better understanding
the situation.
Joe ". jackson pro-
tied against deferring action. saying
It the commissioners were "all primed'
furnish information at the meeting
C chair refused to entertain the Cal
han motion. but after II. o. Camp
. asked a question about the cost OF
ding the proposed site, James Grogan
onded the Callaghnn motion. The
Iir then put the motion. and the at
npt to defer action was voted down
lvily.
l. II. Buzzell thought Mr., Howland's