Norwich bulletin., 1915-03-13

Vigorous opposition to the proposed consolidation of Long Society schoo with the Greeneville grammar schoo marked the conference held at the Long Society schoolhouse Friday af- ternoon. In response to an invitation from the town school committee, about 50 parents gathered in one of the school rooms to hear the plan proposed by the committee and to be heard ir turn. The main points raised by those in opposition to the plan were the in- creased distance the children would have to travel back and forth from the Greeneville and Bridge district schools and the danger they would be subject ed to in crossing the railroad tracks al the foot of Eighth street.
 The conference was called to order by Supt. Edward J. Graham at 3.3t o'clock. and he presided throughout Superintendent Graham briefly stated the plan proposed by the town school committee. He said the town schoo committee feel that they can offer greater educational advantages at the Greeneville grammar school than they are able to provide at the Long Society school. At the Greeneville school one teacher has one grade and is able tC devote all of her time to that grade while at the Long Society school one teacher has two grades to look after The consolidation would also conserve the time of the supervisors, as the music and drawing teachers would have two less periods a week. From the standpoint of the educational ad- vantage, Superintendent Graham thought 1t advisable to consolidate.
 The superintendent also spoke of the economy the consolidation would af- ford to the school system as d whole Regarding the distance the children would have to travel back and forth he said 1t was no greater than in other closing asked for expressions from those pres ent regarding their feeling towards the matter.
 G. Warren Davis Led Opposition.
 c. Warren Davis was the first per son to be heard and he thoroughly op- posed the plan. MT. Davis said he believed that his views toward the matter coincided with the views of the majority of those present and that if they did not he was willing to stand correction. To all appearances the parents present Substanuated his statements, for none offered contradic- ton. MT. Davis said his forefathers thought it best to locate a school at Long Society and 1t seemed to him that they chose a very good place. He stated plainly his position, which in his own words was: we want this school continued here in this com munity." He said he believed that if a vote was taken it would result in unanimous opposition to the commit tees plan.
 Generalization" he continued, sis detrimental to the community because tEe people do not have the opportunity of getting together at a community meeting. We want the Schoolhouse kept here because we want to make if more of a community center than 1t has been, and we want the schoolhouse here because the children are here"
 In regard to the greater advantage in going to Greeneville, where there would be one teacher to a grade, and where the time of the supervisors would be conserved, MT. Davis said the people of Long Society are paying two teachers, that they have never complained against the expense of paying these teachers, and that they are willing to pay two more teachers if necessary.
 Economy Not a Question.
 Mir Davis said the matter of econ- onGy to the taxpayers should not come into the question at all. but he also said he didn't mean to go to the other extreme and exercise extravaganza. He spoke of the children who have at- tended the school from his own home stead in the past half century and said they have numbered about 30.
 There are homes on Corning road he continued, that contain about 35 children, and these children in order to get to the Greeneville school would have to go to what is known as Knapp's corner and then across the bridge.