Evening journal., 1915-04-06
Think SCHOOL PLANS
should Be JUDGED
Alumni Association Suggests
That Body of Experts
be Engaged
WANT BUILDING
TO BE VERY BEST

The Wilmington High School |
Alumni Association in an open letter !
to the Board of Education suggests
that a competent body Of experts be
employed to judge such plans or
sketches as may be submitted by the
various architects for the proposed
addition TO the High School. The let
ter follows.
The Board of Public Education. Will
mington. Del.
Gentlemen: The president of your
body has publicly stated that the
Board of Education would be pleased
to have the Alumni Association make
any suggestion or recommendation
that il deemed helpful in matters that
Gene before the board.
In this spirit the Alumni Associa-
ton most respectfully makes the fol-
lowing suggestion and asks for IL the
thoughtful consideration of the mem
bers of the board
The addition to the High School
should. while satisfying the present
urgent needs, ,lso make provision for
the future development of the many
phases of student and communal ac-
tivities that now. in progressive cities,
are inseparably identified with the
public schools. Among many other
appointments generally provided for
In high schools. there may be men
toned q gymnasium, suitable lunch
room, first aid" or rest room. a study
hall, including reference library
facilities. and also an auditorium,
which, under proper regulation, may
be used for public meetings. Other
cities have these facilities and such
should be provided for in this city.
The Alumni Association believes
that our High School should be made
the equal of any OF the best high
schools. The population is suificient-
~ large. the desire to provide second
airy school opportunities for the chii-
dren is unsurpassed. and the citizens
arc not unwilling 10 contribute,
through an equitable tax rate, suffi-
cient funds to make our schools of
highest standard. In order that the
addition, together with the present
building. shall include the appoint
ments now generally provided in the
high schools of this country, and shall
also provide for the natural develop
ments of our school system, both
along educational and social center
lines. the Alumni Association most re-
spectfully suggests TO the Board of
Education the desirability Of having a
competent body of experts to judge
such plans or sketches as may be sub
mitted by various architects. This
would assure the city of a building
that. while providing for the present.
would also consider future needs. and
would. among many other consldera-
fions. correctly provide for ventila-
ton, heating, lighting fire protection.
etc, all of which greatly affect the
health. progress and safety OF the stu
dents. We suggest board OF judges
OF not over three to be composed OF
men skilled in architectural design,
and especially In school building CON
struction. We believe the services Of.
judges can be obtained for reason
able amount. and the board thus Sc
cure body competent to judge the
plans according TO the highest stand
ard, and give assurance to the board,
the competing architects and the pub
lie, and at the same time relieve the
board OF any possible criticism.
The need of such a body is increased
in view of the fact that this city or
State has no laws regulating school
huilding construction as now exists in
other States.
Boards of experts are not new 10 the
citizens Of Wilmington. The present
city and county building plans were de-
cided upon by such board and also
the plans of the Affiliated College at
Newark. The Alumni Association would
suggest men Of the qualifications of Pro-
fessor Warren z. Laird, dean Of the
school of architecture, University Of
Pennsylvania; Frank Miles Day, of
Philadelphia, the leading expert ON
school building construction, and an ex-
pert on design of the standing of the
firm of Rankin, Kellogg and Crane.
Another good result would be brought
about by securing the service Of such a
board, namely. the satisfying Of all con-
testants that if their pl-as were not ac-
cepted it was because better plans had
been submitted. At present architects
are unwilling TO enter into any contest
OF subriit plans unless such a board OF
judges is selected. From past experiences
they have reached the conclusion tina!