Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-03-12
Statement By Board OF Education

Realizing the need OF additional rooms
for school purposes in several localities of
the county, the Board Of Education In the
early winter directed that a canvass be
made in order to determine more accu-
rately the necessary amount of building
needed to adequately provide for the places
involved. In making such investiea
the local representatives of the schools
interested and citizens were consulted, and
a competent builder secured to estimate
the cost Of providing for the needs. After
having the full report for all places requir-
ing additional school accommodations, the
board added small amount to care for
such unforeseen emergency needs as may
arise in the immediate future for addi-
tional school rooms. and which, IL not so
needed. to be used for repairs to buildings.
The total amount thus estimated made
$l40. 900. which was submitted to and ap-
proved by the County Commissioners and
reported to the members Of the Legislature
from Montgomery county. Steps were then
taken to bring the matter to the people Of
the county through various ORGANIZATIONS
in conference, the most representative
county meeting being. perhaps. the con-
ference of local district trustees, which
met in regular session on February 21st
General county disapproval Of the bond
issue was shown by the meetings and by
the expressed public sentiment. AS the
Board of Education feels it should act in
accordance with the concensus of county
opinion, when working under county unit
OF administration. it has decided to with
draw the plan for bond issue at this time.
In taking this action the board, neverthe-
less. realizes the existing needs for addi-
tional school accommodation in the COM
munities for which the bond issue was
proposed. In addition to such needs. the
board is keenly aware of vast number Of
other school needs in connection with
buildings and condition OF buildings over
the county, few of which we're discussed
by various trustees in the last conference
and by delegations appearing before the
board. In proposing the bond issue. dis
tinct reference was made to the fact that
no provision was attempted to be made
for the numerous needs where additional
building room was not in question. for it
was felt q much larger amount would be
required to put all school plants in a con-
dition to meet modern standards for school
buildings. The most urgent step seemed
to require first attention. The board Is
confident in the hope that the county will
gladly support such larger appropriations
needed for general county attention TO
buildings. and improvement of existing
building. when more stable economic con-
ditions are felt to exist. No county so
favorably located and with such resources
as Montgomery county can long remain
contented to have school plants below
standard for its children.
Brief mention is appropriate on the part
the rural schools must take in the attempt
to deal with the problems of rural life
which more and more come up for atten-
ton. Many phases Of school under mod
ern rural conditions are tied-up together
the character Of the building, the number
of grades to be taught, the kind Of sub
ject matter to be taught. the training Of
teachers necessary. the available teachers
willing to continue in small schools. and a
number OF others are involved in the mat
ter. The situation is complex and cannot
be solved solely on the basis Of that which
is traditional. Fortunately on this ques ton
as well as other school questions. the great
body Of professional science throws light
on the pathway to the best solutions. The
easy and additionally popular school ad-
justment may fall far short Of being best
for the children whose welfare is the i'm.
portant thing. Under the after-war con.
ditions the question is further complicated
II is barely possible to maintain school:
continuously even when employing teach
ers with no training. and. in some instances
with less than high school education. The
board fixes no policy Of school consolida
ton without first having the community
approval. except in the instances whert