The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-02-20
HIGH SCHOOL
tccatilped from cage Onel

n I T.
We find that IN order to accommodate
the growth OF the school that class
rooms have been constructed under
the roof, two OF which are in Opposite
ends OF the building, have small out
side windows, anu 10 provide light and
some semblRnce of ventilation n small
skylight has been opened above them
along the inside wall. AL four OF
these rooms are small, lily ventilated
but pRssable, perhaps, as class rooms,
except for their inadequate size and
poor arrangement. The worst condi'
ton regarding them, however, Is that
they are on the third floor OF the
building, with access in each end OF
the building by wooden stairway, In
which no attempt whatever has been
made TO prevent rapid spread OF fire,
In the confer part OF the top, or third,
floor, two rooms have been made out
OF what was formerly the gymnasium,
under the hip of thu roof. These
rooms are formed by thin partitions of
plaster board, and the only source OF
light and ventilation Is through small
skylights overhead. We deem these
rooms unfit for the purpose for which
they are used, and further object to
their use as class rooms on account
OF the great fire hazard. The commit.
tee recommends that, IL these roor<s
must be continued as class rooms, fire.
proof stairways be substituted for the
present wooden stairways as quickly
as possible.
On the west end of the building on
the third floor are located the two
labortary rooms, which are under the
slope of the roof, poorly lighted, and
both Of these entirely inadequate a.
to size. We find that the classes in
general chemistry, using the chemical
laboratory, run from 25 to 80 students.
There is room In the laboratory only
for il students to work at one time.
In the physics laboratory, there is
room for Is students to work at one
time, and these classes range from 25
to 30. This means that the classes
have to be given their laboratory train
ing in two sections, with the result
that each section gets approximately
only half the amount OF time in the
laboratory as each student would ge.
IL all the class could be accommodated
at one time. This Is woeful handi.
cap TO the students who are ambitious
enough to undertake chemistry and
physics, and this condition should be
corrected at once.
On the second floor OF the building,
conditions are good. The Library, 10.
Gated on this floor, is the best room in
the building. 1t is comfortable, com.
modious and cheerfully furnished, well
lighted and well ventilated.
on TIE first floor, your committee
found that the teacher In English is
using as an office, in which she spends
many hours day, and In which many
OF the students spend considerable
time, an interior room with no outside
light or ventilation whatever, this be.
ing merely small room off the stage
OF the auditorium, which was original.
ly intended as dressing room for
stage purposes. This room is certain.
ly unfit for any other purpose than
that for which 1t was originally intend.
ed.
In the basement, one room is being
used for class room which does not
have sufficient light or ventilation. We
also find that the space provided for
the domestic science department is in.