Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1916-03-15
CROWDED ROOMS
IN ALL SECTIONS
OF LOCAL SCHOOLS
BOARD OF EDUCATION GIVES
DATA REGARDING PRESENT
CONDITIONS

In order to show the crowded con-
dition of our schools and the averse
conditions under which teachers and
pupils are working at present we sub
NIT the following facts for the con-
Alteration and enlightment of patrons,
taxpayers and the general public
Housed in what lis known as the
old building standing just back of the
high school building are l67 children.
This building was used as an over
fiow building, when the new one was
first built. but on account of the large
increase in attendance it is now filled
to its capacity, all available room be-
ing used. !,
The building is old, poorly lighted
and ventilated, and it is almost impos-
sible to keep it in good repair. The
ventilation especially becomes prob
lem when the wind is in certain di-
rections, since there is no way OF
forcing air into the rooms.
The actual distance between the OLD
building and the new one is l4A feet.
The only entrance to the old building
Is in the narrow passageway between.
Immediately opposite the entrance TO
the old structure is hatchway, to the
furnace room of the new building and
the heating plant of both. This
hatchway is 81s feet deep, and is pro-
tected by single railing. BY actual
measurement it is 10 feet from the
old building to the hatchway, and on
ly 714 feet from the lower step at the
entrance.
OF the 167 children mentioned
above. SO are doing third grade work,
"a are doing fourth grade work and
"a are doing fifth grade work. 1t is
easily seen that it is impossible TO do
Justice to these children under exist
ing conditions.
In the high school building an
over-crowded condition also exists.
Grades six, seventh and eighth are in
this building besides the entire high
school. Five rooms are given over
TO grade work in this building one of
which is very small and is only valu-
able as a recitation room. Another OF
these rooms is used as sewing room
for both high school and grades. In
the other three roms, none of which
are large, 164 pupils are seated.
These are large children and are in
the following grades: sixth grade, 67;
seventh grade, 40; eighth grade, 4o.
Each of these rooms house many
more students than is advisable, but
there is no more available space.
In the high school department, room
is also at a premium. The high
school enrolment, now approaching
200 students, is far in excess of what
II was when the present arrangement
was made. Not enough room is avail
able and it is necessary for number
of classes to recite daily in the as
sembly room where many pupils are
seated and making an effort to study
Many complaints are made by pupils
that they can not do their work well
under these conditions, but there
seems to be no change possible as ev-
cry room in the building is in use at
all times.
We believe these few facts are
worthy Of the consideration of the
parents and all good citizens Of Beld-
ing. They explain in many cases the
cause for poor work and failure or
the part of many pupils. We believe
the children of Belding should have
better school advantages. This car
only be done by adding more room tc
our school plant or by the erection OF
an additional building. Either will
cost money and require some time
Shall it be done? If so. why not now
and give the children the advantage
as soon as possible Certainly we
want the best for our children in ar
educational way and at the earliest
possible moment.
H. J. Leonard,
Pres. Board Of Education.