New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-08-12
KEEPING SCHOOLS CLEAN
High Standards Neutrality-suspicious.
Are Welcomed.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: Ny attention has been called to an
anonymous communication appearing in your
newspaper, which communication is dated
July 25. 1916, and signed by person describ-
ing himself as a high school teacher. This
communication calls attention to the present
scourge of infantile paralysis, and in connec-
ton Herewith charges several school build
ings with being in an unsantary condition,
which, your correspondent contends, must
have its effect upon the spread of infantile
paralysis.
The Committee on Care of Buildings of the
Board of Education Of the City of New York
is charged with the full responsibility of
maintaining a proper standard of cleanliness
in every school building in the city. Will you
permit me to say that this committee has
made efforts of the most strenuous kind to
see that the highest standard Of cleanliness
is maintained?
II is unfortunate that your correspondent
has chosen to make his communication TO you
anonymous. If he had signed his name to the
letter I could have communicated with him
and asked him to designate the buildings OF
which he complains. As it is. he having neg
lected 10 give his name. and having neglected
10 state the buildings which are in an unsani-
tary condition, the committee is helpless so
far as knowing to which buildings he refers.
On the general proposition it is wise TO call
the attention of the public to the fact that the
Committee on Care of Buildings welcomes
every complaint bearing upon the sanitary
condition of the school buildings. No COM
plant of any character has been received by
the committee but what it has been given the
4.
taken thereon. If there are any school build
ings in this city which are not being properly
kept clean it is but fair to call the attention
of the public to the express duty imposed
upon the principals of the public schools of
the City of New York by Section 43, Sub
division 8, and Section III, Subdivision 7, of
the bylaws of the Board Of Education to i'm
mediatey report such condition. Furthermore,
principals are required to submit service re-
ports to the auditor once a month, showing
whether the janitorial work has been satisfac-
tory or unsatisfactory before the payrolls are
passed by him.
If. therefore. the schools are not being kept
in proper condition it is the thought that the
committee will be charged with notice thereof
by the principal refusing to make the monthly
certification, but if the principal neverthe-
less, certifes that they are, it can be plainly
seen that the principals fail in their respon-
sibiity 10 the school system.
Il is but fair TO state that our general ex-
perience has been that the principals do their
utmost to see that the school buildings are
kept in a clearly condition
II is the duty of any parent, teacher or
citizen. or for that matter any person inter-
ested in the welfare of the schools of the city,
who knows of school building that is kept
in an uncleanly condition, to report the fact to
the Committee on Care of Buildings and also
10 the principal of the school, so that the
principal may forward complaint to the
committee The committee is most sympa-
thetic toward complaints. Every consldera-
ton is extended to them and every encourage
ment given to those who have complaints to
make II this communication should fall un-
hope that he will communicate with the
committee and advise it specifically of the
schools to which he refers.
| might say in conclusion that as body we
have found the jantors in charge Of public
school buildings to be fine set of men, will
ing, able and ready to do their duty. There
may be, however, some jsnitors who do not
perform their duty. If such there be- and
proof is furnished Of that fact, the committee
will make short shrift of them and take steps
to dismiss them from the school system.
ISADORE MONTEFIORE LEVY,
Chairman Committee on Care of Buildings,
Board of Education.
Work 1918