Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-02-27
Commissioners Oppose $140, 900
Bond Issue.
And Think Centraltzed Schools
Too Costly.

Too Costly.
Mr.. Editor:-In regard to the proposed
bond issue presented to the Board of Com
missioners for their approval by the Board
Of Education of Montgomery county, be-
fore that body presented the same to be
incorporated as bill before the General
Assembly of Maryland. there are certain
facts and conditions relative thereto which,
| think, should be brought before the peo-
pie Of this county for their consideration
and appropriate action as they deem best.
Ia the first place, let US admit that the
school system of this county can be greatly
improved upon. BY this do not mean
that we have not able men on our School
Board nor a good Superintendent, for |
know we have both. But do mean there
is something fundamentally wrong with a
system which is so generally criticised by
the citizens of the county. The bond issue
proposed by the Superintendent and the
Board of Education was approved as to
general outline by the Board of Commits
sioners. as the Board could readily see
that some sort of radical school improve
ment was needed, but we did not agree
with all Of the suggestions of the School
Board in regard to detail Of allotting the
funds, as it is deemed that considerable
improvement can be made in this connec-
ton. Notable in the list of suggestions
submitted was proposed expenditure of
$19.500 for a colored school at Rockville.
to take the place of the one burned some
months ago; $500 of which amount was
to 90 towards the obtaining of a new lot
and $4,000 for construction of the build
ing proper. This is out Of all proportion
and justice and is entirely too much money
for the type of building needed. While
the Board of Commissioners realize that a
primary education should be given colored
children, we feel that building sufficient
could be erected in colored settlement
near Rockville for not to exceed $4,000,
and thus save the county $14. 500. and it
is believed the last-named amount should
be deducted from the bond issue as well
as considerable reduction of some of the
other items.
Another feature which should be con-
sidered by the citizens of this county and
the members of the School Board is the
present system of centralizine the schools
and hauling the children to them. Is this
a better system than the former one of
the little one-room schools where the chill
dren of practically everybody in the county
could reach the school house within rea =
sonably short timer Under the present
condition, am reliably informed that in
the rural sections Of the county it is almost
impossible for the children of the people
in moderate financial circumstances to get
their children to school at all. for in some
cases the haul to the centralized school is
so far and such roundabout way is made
to pick up the children that some children
are kept from home twelve to fourteen
hours during the time they are being hauled
to school. attending the same and being
hauled home late in the evening. 1t is
argued that the amount of money expended
in hiring vehicles and paying drivers to
haul the children to school in the rural
sections of the county would pay the in
creased salaries of the teachers at the old
time country school, the children would
receive more individual attention and would
not have to travel so far to the school
house. 1t is therefore suggested that the
citizens of each election district meet and
appoint three 4 their number to act as a
committee to represent the people of that
district and to meet the committees from
the other twelve districts and to wait upon
the School Board. and. if necessary, 90
before the county's delegation at Annapolis
and lay before them their ideas in the
matter of the bond issue. leaving in those
things, or items. which are considered nee
essary and taking out those which they
deem unnecessary. 1t is thought by doing
this that the bond issue can be reduced
from $4,000 to $50. 900. and the county
will still profit to a great degree by having
our Delegates obtain thorough knowledge
of what the people of the county really
want.
Very sincerely.
II. j. HUNT.