The Republican journal., 1914-11-26
THE NEED FOR A NEW SCHOOL
BUILDING.
A Discussion on How it May be Had, and
Where Located.

The regular meeting of the Home and
School Association was held in the High school
room Monday evening, the president. Charles
S. Bickford, presiding. Principal Clarence E
Proctor used the Balliopticon to throw on the
screen some late pictures of the European
war. and eight of the young ladies of the His
tory class explained several. Mr.. Proctor also
described number, and others were too IA
miliar to need much explanation. Mrs. John
R. Dunton, who was elected secretary and
treasurer at the October meeting, declined to
serve and Miss Esther F. Evans was elected.
Supt. w. B. Woodbury. opened the discussion
on the topic of the evening: The new school
building, it's needs and projects of construc-
tion-what can be done for school house?
He said that present conditions gave so pupils
to a teacher whereas the maximum number
should be 80. He spoke of the six and six
system working well in other cities when the
lower grades were graded in six divisions and
the advanced grades made up of six, including
the longtime used four of the High schools.
This would give the pupils held in school ny
the State law insight into High school
work and in some instances keep them for the
full course, He thinks the future develop
ment of the Belfast schools awaits the housing
of the pupils Speaking of the locations mem
toned, he said that the common was considered
by many to be too near the business center and
the distance too great to theMcLellan place. The
solution of the building problem might come
through the Belfast Public Building Associa-
tion in the union Of the Peirce bequest and
/ direct taxation. or in the remodelling of the
present buildings. In regard to the latter Mr..
Bickford's report of the inspection of the
present condition of the building caused that
possibility to be at once dropped. He favored
placing the Peirce memorial on the Academy
lot and a High school building on the common.
Mr.. John R. Dunton was called upon to dis
cuss the ways, means and possibilities of the
new building, but said at the beginning that it
was question for the tax payers of the city
to decide, as in his opinion it would be best to
build from taxation. He considered play
grounds and school gardens modern essentials
and would abandon the common a future
location for these lacks. He favored the Nc
Lellan lot for High school, but thought the
money should be obtained first and then the
lot selected.
S. A. Parker said that most of the plans sug-
gested did not seem feasible and the question
was one for the citizens to decide on definite
plans.
| DR.. U. W. Jenneys said the spirit for new
schoolhouse was poor; that some of the large
taxpayers, who have no children, don't want a
new building and wont have one if they
can have their own way. E. S. Pitcher sec
onded what Mr.. Parker said, but remarked
that he was "all at sea in regard to the pro-
jects."
C. w. Wescott favored the plan of combin-
ing the Peirce fund with g sum raised by tax
alton, but if Mr.. Frederick did not agree to
this he would apply to the Legislature to al
low the city to raise $4,000 and would sug-
gest the base ball grounds on Congress street
as the best location.
Mr.. Dunton explained how the city could
| not increase it Indebtedness. He thinks the
Peirce fund and taxation the most feasible
suggestions and took exception to the criti-
cism of the taxl ayers lack of interest in the
project. he SalO Lne Clly snoWeu us interest
in it's willingness to subscribe generously tc
the bond issue of the past year and that the
plan failed for other than money reasons.
A general discussion followed. the principal
tn ought of which that such discussions were
useless in regard to the ultimate results. II
was voted that the chair appoint committee
of three to consider the phases. projects and
port at their earliest convenience. and Mr.. J.
r. Dunton, S. A. Parker and C. W. Wescott
were appointed. Mr.. Dunton said the best the
committee could do was to do missionary work
| with what material is in hand.
Mr.. and Mrs. Carl Lamson gave dinner at