Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1920-02-24
The West Paris School situation.

i A brief statement of the school situa
ton at West Paris may help your read
ers, and the voters of Paris, toward 8
wise decision at the town meeting.
II !. The school committee must furnist
more room when schools open In Septem
Der. The room occupied by the high
school should not seat more than AZ; but
1t has SO pupils this year, and the prom
Used enrolment In the fall Ia above go.
2. The first thought is that the pres.
emit building might be enlarged; and the
school committee have conferred with
the local committee on such step. We
suggest that citizens from other parts oil
the town send population here to see
the building and to understand with us
some of the difficulties, and the proba.
BILE expense.
To balance the east wing, built about
Is years ago, with another on the west,
will require an entire change In the
lighting of the rooms In the main build
ing, and apparently an entirely new heat
ing plant. For some reason the large
double furnace does not furnish heat and
fresh air for the present rooms. To
make over the present building, provid-
ing for the larger high school, and for
adequate heating with an amount OF
fresh air that these growing children are
not now getting in either high school or
grades, calls for quite few Thousands
of dollars. Still more money will be
required to make some correction in the
faulty lighting that now brings eye
strain to go pupils In the present east
wing.
We think 1t a mistaken economy for
the town to spend money on the old
building. Considering its years OF serv-
ice the present school house cannot be
said to owe the town very much. 1t
will be remembered that several years
ago money was raised for improving this
building, and that the work was not
done because better judgment was
against it. Only slight repairs were
made. Now the main building must be
shingied, and the primary room must
have steel ceiling, plastering must be
patched.
8. As citizens and tax payers we be-
lieve the time has come for new school
house at West Paris. Plans are being
secured from Harry Coombs of Lewis
ton, and the same will be duly filed with
the clerk on or before the day of town
meeting.
In short, these plans provide three
standard rooms, 24x32, and 10 feet high,
on the main floor for the grades. The
cloak rooms for these children are on
the same floor. The toilets are in the
basement, also cloak rooms for the high
school. On the second floor is the large
assembly room, to seat the entire high
school, also a laboratory and two recita-
ton rooms. As will be fully explained
at the town meeting these plans provide
school house. There are no frills, but
provision is made for abundant fresh air,
for proper light at every desk 80 that no
single child shall be subjected to eye
strain. Some important things in venti-
lation are not asked for, because of their
cost. Steam radiators in the rooms
furnish heat, and fresh air taken in over
steam coils in the basement brings oxy-
gen to keep teachers and pupils fresh |
and eager for work.
Such building Is expected to meet
local needs 80 far as we can foresee them.
Our present enrolment in the grades Is
95; three standard rooms will seat 120,
or, at q pinch, 1876. Ample room for the |
high school is found on the second floor. |
If this building is of brick the cost of
upkeep will be less and the first cost will
be but little more.
A meeting of parents and all interested
in the education of the children of the
town will be held at the school house
Wednesday evening, Feb. 25th, at 1880
P. NJ.
F. R. PENLEY, Pres,
F. E. WHEELER, NJ. D.,
EDWIN j. MANN,
81. A. MARLEY, Sec.,
Com. West Paris Chamber of Commerce.