The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-01-31
School Problem Discussed
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ance of former years when the en-
rollment was much smaller. He at
tributes this to the overburdened
teachers who are perhaps lax in the
enforcement of the attendance
rules, a laxity naturally following
upon existing conditions The poor
attendance causes low grades and
presents another vital reason for the
relieving of the situation. Mr.. Law
stated the renting of an extra room
to take care of the overflow this
season has proven but slight relief
although providing class room for
forty-five pupils.
The meeting brought out the
statement that the present school
building had been primarily built
and designed to accommodate 800
students. The building is now called
upon to take care of more than 700
and the enrolment is rapidly in
creasing.
Mr.. E. A. Pharr, responding to an
invitation by the chairman, stated
his approval of the movement to
furnish adequate school facilities
for both races. He pointed out that
the present generation is under con-
siderable obligation to future gener-
atoms and that steps should be TAX
en- to better existing conditions. He
stated his willingness to. have the
district enlarged to meet the re-
quirements, signifying that he so
heartily approved the plans on foot
that he would gladly have his entire
property interests incorporated into
any territory which might be effect
ed by the bond issue. Touching on
the statement that the present pub
lie school building had been origin
ally designed to properly care for
800 pupils and to furnish them the
needed breathing space, Mr.. Pharr
mentioned that the lack of proper
space might seriously affect the
health and lives of the pupils and
that to deny them proper accomoda-
tons was an injustice to them.
Mr.. C. L. Wise, in replying to the
chairman's call for remarks, stated
that when the present school build
ing was planned no thought entered
the minds Of the committees but
that ample provisions were being
made for any school growth that
might develop. However, the present
building was designed as grammar
school, only, and that the high
school requirements of today are
but the logical outgrowth of the
grammar school. He stated that less
than 200 children were enrolled in
the public schools of Morgan City
when the present building was
erected eight years ago. The build
ing committee at that time figured on
taking care of double that number
and estimated that it would take
the growth of fifteen years to tax
the capacity of the building they
were providing. Instead, the growth
has nearly quadrupled in eight
years. He suggested that broader
provisions be Incorporated in the
plans for building at this time. The
progress Of any commu.-it.u. he said,
is based on its facilities for educa.
ton. Every man should have share
and feel pride in the upbuilding
of his community and especially
along the lines of educational ad-
vantages to be supplied. He stated
that each succeeding generation
should be educated a step in ad-
vance Of the preceding one, and he
was ready, willing and anxious to do
everything in his power in the inter-
est Of the school scildren.
Mrs. "A. F. Storm, president of
the Federated Women's Clubs,
signified her most hearty approval
Of the plans in view to improve the
school situation and stated that she
would pledge the support of her
clubs for the movement. Mrs. Storm,
who is also president ofsthe Morgan.
City Civic League. Z further stated
that she would endorse in the name
of the League any proposed plans
which might tend to better the civic
conditions of the community and
that she considered no cause more
worthy than cause which might
provide proper educational facili-
ties for the children. In order to en-
able children Of the impoverished
families of the community to have
an education, Mrs. Storm stated
that the Civic League had arranged
to provide clothing and books for