The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-06-26


mile to widen a street in the center of
the city. Many similar examples could
perhaps be found OF costly mistakes.
In small cities nigh standards can
be adopted. II larger cities lower
standards must maintain. In small
cities improvements como at low cost;
in larger cities the cost Is often pro-
hibitiye.
City Planning Applied to Fairmont's
Schools.
It was pointed out repeatedly that
the physical growth OF city must no.
out-run or oTer-:eEh tho growth and
development OF the c!:y's educational
facilities. Tho two movements should
go hand in hand. They cannot 10 d.
yorced. A modem Industrial city
with inadequate school facilities Is
destined 10 early arrested deTclcp-
ment. Every growing city finds it OK
ceed!ngly difficult to keep its schsol
plant apaco Win growth in school
population. But IL Physical growth il
to be substantial and permanent. &c
must be accompanied by a correspond
ing expansion OF school policies and
building programme.
FairmoIs is The name not only OF a
city but of q -agion, tecrniaS with In
srstry. Mining, manufacturing, fam
Ing. transportation engage the brain
and Drawn Of our people.
Our problem "a quito cs mich re-
gio1ai "a city. Any plan for tho phys
ical Development Of our city oc our
scheeis shsule take into consideration
the larger unit, tao region.
Within radius of five miles there
arc approximately ono thousand boys
and girls enrolled In high schools.
Perhaps four hundred other boys and
girls IL this area would be in high
school If they had opportunities to
learn vocation.
In the area mentioned we have five
different high schools each one en-
deavoring as best It can with its limit
ed advantages to serve the commune
ty in which 1t is located. But not one
of the five high school, our own in
Guided, offers courses in any kind of
shop work except in manual training.
Not one offers courses in metal, print
ing, automobile repair, carpentry, min
ing, electricity or in Industrial chem
istry. And not one provides systemat-
ic physical education. If not, why
not? This region abounds in wealth,
and the citizens generously support
free public schools.
The heme-rule boyle Is pretty firm
ly established In American commune
ties, examples OF which are to be found
in the Fairmont region. As a result
these small high schools within
stones throw of Fairmont have sprung
into existence, and instead OF having
one or two big efficient institutions
we cherish the home rule policy and
support at least five high schools
good ones as far as they go-but In
adequate for present day needs. One
immediate need of this region is q
modern high school destined and
equipped to provide the training, lib.
eral and vocational, for the young men
and women whose future competency
is to be gained here.
The small high schools already es-
taDlished should become standard
junior high schools with special en-
phasis upon pre-vocational training.
When pupils have finished the junior
high schools they should have the ad-
vantages of the senior high school
with its varied courses of study, lib
eral and vocational. In this senior
high school which would be located In
Fairmont the training would be ex-
tended and intensified.