The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1918-01-31
SCHOOLS HARD HIT BY
LACK Of FUEL
High School Kept Warm by Bringing
Coal from the Other Buildings

1t requires stronger word than
serious to describe the present coal
situation In Skowhegan. The schools
have been very hard hit during the
past week because of lack of coal and
it was made possible to keep the high
school building warm only by trans
ferring coal from the bins at the Car
field building.
The fuel conservation program is
meeting with the hearty approval of
Skowhegan business men and every
thing is being done according to the
schedules of those in charge but the
situation has changed little here dur
ing the past few weeks. If 1t has
changed the change has been for the
worse. superintendent of Schools L.
W. Gerrish appealed to A. X Butler,
and he in turn has notified administra
tor Hamlen of Portland concerning
conditions. Some time ago when 1t
was set forth that the schools should
close protests arose from all parts of
the country urging that anything be
closed but the schools. 1t now ap-
pears that unless a rift appears in the
clouds very soon some of the local
schools will be obliged to close.
1t is argued that If the high school
should end its sessions that many who
are now students would obtain work
and would not return to school when
the session re-opened This appears
an excellent reason for keeping the
high school open as long as possible.
At meeting of the school board last
Saturday evening 1t was voted to cur
tail somewhat the hours in the school
day Members of the board are aware
that this will somewhat hinder pro-
gress but it seems the only thing to
do at present and is much better than
closing them all the time BY taking
a few periods from the school day a
saving of coal will result, a small saw
ing perhaps, but one worthy of con
sideration.
The new plan as cascpi3e by the
school board; plan which went into
effect Tuesday morning is as follows:
In the Lincoln building on Leavitt
street are the kindergarten. first, sec
ond and third grades. School will
be kept here thruout the day but the
morning session will commence an
hour earlier than formerly. beginning
at $50 instead of $50 and will con-
tinue thru until noon. The after
noon session will close at $50 In
the Garfield school one session OF the
4th. 5th, and 9th grades will be held
from $50 until IL M. The Park
school building which Is short of fuel
will close entirely and grades 4, 5, and
6, will be removed from this building
and hold their sessions at the Garfield
building each afternoon from l230 to
4 o'clock. The Academy school on
Baptist Hill will go under the fol-
lowing schedule: Grade /. taught by
Miss Sarah Snow, will open at $50
with two sessions during the day;
grade 2, taught by Mrs Lizzie Healy
will have one session, closing at IL NJ
instead of II a. III. as formerly In
the afternoon Mrs. Kate Holbrook
will take grade Of the Park school
to Mrs Healys room for session
from 1880 to 4 p. m. Those who
convey children to school from the
country districts are to make their
trips at the usual hour.
AT THE HIGH SCHOOL
Somewhat of change has been
made in hours to be observed at the
high school building. On Monday
Tuesday and Wednesday of each week
the sessions will be held as formerly
and on Thursday and Friday there
will be but one session The small
supply of coal at the Park school
building will be hauled to the high
school to be used there until further
supply can be secured. Evening
school sessions are to be held on Mon
day, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings
until notice to the contrary is given.