The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1914-05-14
sKOWHEGAN'S PRESENT SCHOOL BUILD
ING WILL Be REBUILT AND IMPROVED
An Addition to be Erected at Rear---The Entire
Renovation Not to Cost Over $4,000

There was rather sparse gather
iog of voters present at the special
town meeting held in the auditorium
of the Opera House Saturday after
nm Action was called for regard
ing the remodeling of the present
High School structure and the ae-
eepting of the report of a committee
,nnointed to investigate matters at the
fire department building. The result
WAS the citizens voted favorably re-
parding the proposed changes in the
nresent school building but passed
over the article relative to the fire
department Judge f. F. Lawrence
presided as moderator.
Roy L. Marston as chairman OF a
committee composed of himself, Geo
W. Cover Esq. and Charles H. Mat
son reported the Investigations made
since their appointment at the annual
town meeting to look into the matter
of remodeling the present high school
building, telling in detail of different
plans submitted as mentioned in our
issue of Thursday last He himself
advocated the rebuilding of the pre-
sent structure and told of the differ
ence in the estimated cost of different
plans submitted by the architects.
tI,n ,VfAif fnn Qn-
cepted and T. B. Barrett arose to his
feet asking the voters to consider
present conditions carefully. The
matter of carrying the article over to
to annual meeting was preferred by
some of those present rather than
immediate action. while others voiced
an opinion that it might be we'll to
wait for a week or two to further
consider the subject. B. A. Sawyer
talked against the project and A. II.
Wyman rather objected to immediate
action. Supt of Schools Gerrish was
called upon to tell of the present at
tendance in the public schools of the
town which he said was some sixty
pupils less than last years enroll
mcnt. He told of the crowded con
ditions at the High School and men
toned the needs of Manual Training
and Domestic Science rooms there.
Principal Leighton of the High School
told of the large attendance at that
institution at the present time and OF
the exceedingly inconvenient arrange
ment of rooms therein. He stated
that rooms were lacking for the teach
ing of the sciences and that toilet
facilities were inadequate to the needs
of the pupils. John W. Fogler eX-
pressed himself as always in favor oil
liberal appropriations for educational
purposes, but he questioned the ad-
visibility of expending 100000 in re-
modelling an old building. 1t was the
usual experience in remodellng OLD
buildings that the results did not just
fy the expenditure. He thought IL
wiser economy to wait few years and
expend larger sum on a new and
modern building with all up-to-date
conveniences and appliances.
George w. Cover was of the opin-
ION that the health of the pupils was
dependent upon change in present
conditions while other speakers were
nT1H1
Jacobs, N. l.. Shepley and E. n. Mer-
rill. Finally it was moved that the
town remodel and enlarge the High
School Building, that the sum of Sl5,-
GOO in addition to the amount raised
at the annual town meeting be appro-
prated for the purpose to be raised
by loan; that a committee OF three be
raised to select an architect, procure
and decide upon plans, contract for
the construction and furnishing OF the
building to be completed ready for
occupancy at a price not to exceed
$4,000 and have general supervision
of the work and that the contractor
be required to give bond. This mo
ton was seconded and was voted upon
fayorably by the majority OF those
present 1t was further voted that
the selectmen be authorized to exc
cute such obligations by the way OF
notes or bonds for the employment OF
the loans as the interest Of the town
requires.
The chair appointed a committee
which was composed of Geo. ". Cow