Milford chronicle., 1919-10-17
P.S. DU POINT GIVES $780,
900 TO COLORED SCHOOLS
lconeluded Ion lrst pagel

he has seen the unsanitary and inde
cent outhouses used by the children
and pig pens right up close 10 the sides
OF tie building with the stencil enter
ing the windows. What he has seer
and heard must have convinced hin
that nothing but radical measures car
ever meet the situation in Delaware.
The administration of this fund is 10
be undertaken by the Delaware School
Auxiliary Association, the members OF
which are.
Joseph II. Odell, President
Henry p. Scott. Vice President
Mrs. W. X. DUPONT, Of Brandywine
hundred.
Henry Ridgely of Dover.
DIT. Rowland G.. Paynter of George
town.
With this money available and with
no technicalities or red tape 10 stand
in the way. there is no reason why the
work OF reconstruction should not be
started Immediately.
In setting aside this amount for the
rebuilding Of cOlored schools, IL re-
leases a larger portion OF the S2,000O00
which Mr. DUPONT gave on July ?, 1919.
for the rebuilding of the white schools
outside OF Wilmington. Even with this
additional amount for the white
schools. both the county districts and
the special districts viii have TO strain
every nerve in order TO put up the
types OF buildings that are required
for modern education. Il Is probable
that the taxpayers Will be all the more
ready and eager 90 do this because
they win not have to use their bonds
for cOlored schools.
Hnaafar srHHl
Auxiliary Fund, 10 whom the follow .
ing letter is addressed. are: Irenee du- (
Pout, j. j RaskOb and W. ". Laird.
Mr. duPont's letter is as follows:
"The Trustees OF the Delaawre School
Auxiliary Fund Wilmington. Del
Gentlemen: Since the creation OF
the Delaware School Auxiliary Fund
for the purpose OF assisting the re-
building of the public schools of Del
aware. complete survey of all exist
ing buildings has been perfected. This
survey shows necessity for "a recon-
structi0n program even larger than
that contemplated and founded upon
tle report OF the General Education
Board IN 1915 In brief. fourteen 1D
out OF seventeen 40 large buildings a..
outside OF Wilmington, cannot be d
economically repaired or remodeled.
and four hundred and five (405) out q
Of four hundred and eleven (41D "
schools of four rooms or less are in "
similar condition. Many, II not all of i'
these buildings should be replaced as
soon as possible. IL
One OF the most serious problems
now confronting the State Board of =
Education is the question of how to 10
furnish seating space for the pupils
of the public schools, If the compul- l'
sorry attendance law is enforced. In ~
recent years public school attendance n
in Delaware has averaged about fifty
t5Ol per cent. so that it has not been
necessary 90 maintain sufficient desks Dy
and seats for the children of school an
age. II now develops that it is inn 'i
possible 20 seat the full enrolment OF
many schools. even though inadequate
equipment is supplemented by the use
lf temporary benches and chairs In
some schools seating is made possible NJ,
lnly through crowding three or four w
'upils on benches that are designed
or two. Other districts have resort Ia,
ID 70 renting temporary rooms that ~
re inadequate and should be quickly
iscontinued for educational use De
Apart from the overcrowded con- ia
ition Of the schools, the physical de- IN,
erioration Of some Of the buildings i
equires immediate attention There an,
serious menace TO health in the rer
maintenance Of many of our schools 4
nj IN others the fire risk is far be- ipe
ond possible Justification. Wa
The survey commission of COlum- mi
"a University has submitted TO the r
tate Board OF Education a program ia,
consolidation whereby many of the hon
ngle room buildings may be elimin- T.
.ed. This plan will overcome the hon
rlous handicap imposed upon the pu- Tue
rs OF single room schools where six No..
'ades are cared for by one teacher. I II
Is clear that these pupils receive vii
ie-siXth OF the teachers attention as TJar
impaired with those of the larger N
hools where one teacher is assigned of
each grade. The educational advan- corr
&c OF consolidating the smaller Gina
hoois and eliminating the single in =
ON building is great further ad- IT
u''se ol consoildation Is the in the
ease IN size Of the combined school
its. In those districts that have
'akened 20 the inefiiciency OF their Ra
m schools, there is demand for item
ildings embodying all modern and NIiif,
vanced ideas and arrangements. As mart
sSuules y, continue II Is evident thar not
mell equipped hlgh school and ele- coin
..l,aIy sglool cannot De developed ing
ndred and fifty (75O) pupils. A
ser number means sacrifice Of de-
able features OF the building in or
TO bring the cost within the
Ount available. Fu
Plans such as those proposed. re- we
re careful and patient study. First ness
ause many interests must be con car.
ted in order to bring about con morse
datons that are desirable and use
'kable. Second. because the funds OF III
liable are so barely sufficient thar ciass
fled decisions In regard to the first Ol Hi
ools constructed may leave insult 10 -. CIV
nt funds for the building OF schools we
are last on the program. n q.
Delay in reaching a decision in re-
to rebuilding where consolida-
S are possible should not interfere
the very necessary work OF re-
structing those buildings which are Edr
included in the consolidation pro- home
~ and which. from their ISOLATION. ents,
not be considered in any possible Tob
iolidation. Yet il would be quite iting
roper TO divert the proceeds of Mrs
lty bonds TO the reconstruction OF Frida,
e schools until a more complete Mr.. a
'ral plan has been arranged. Mrs
70 overcome the above difficulty Hicku
20 permit Of immediate recon week.
ction work ! have placed with the Mes
tees OF the Delaware School Aux ray hl
v Fund eoourffiac taI,,oa ,4 ~. they v