Evening star., 1921-10-11
PART:T|ME CLASSES
FOR 800 CHILDREN.
Crowded. Conditions in EIe-
mentary Schools Require
Restriction in Instruction.

Overcrowded conditions in the ele-
mentary schools have forced school
authorities to create twenty-five part
time classes, it was announced today
at the Franklin School, administra-
ton headquarters of the school sys-
tenn. Approximately 900 children,
pupils in the third and fourth grades,
who are in these classes. are receiv-
ing about three and one-half hours
instead of five hours of education to
which they are entitled. These chill
dren are spending only about 20 per
cent of the time in school which they
should spend there.
The greatest number of part time
classes is in the schools of the north
west and subdivision sections. 9th
ers. however, are in various other
sections of the city.
COnEested Graded Schools.
AS a further indication of the con-
gestion in the graded schools, Off
clalS point out that there are many
oversize classes and that many class
rooms are being used by two differ
ent classes. In most instances. in the
latter case, the kindergarten children
use room for half a day, and the
first grade pupils use it the other
half
additions to several others this year
have resulted in the part-time classes
being somewhat smaller in number
| than last year. When survey of the
graded school system was made last
year it was found that there were
twenty-eight part-time classes, or
four more than this year.
The crowded and other undesirable
conditions in the school system will
continue to exist for years, an official
said today. unless Congress appro-
PIRATES larger revenues for the school
system than in the past. This official
has just completed a study of the
expense of operating and maintaining
the school system and is Convinced
that but little expansion can be un-
dertaken until Congress sees fit to
grant larger appropriations.
In past years. it was pointed out
the schools have been allotted about
25 per cent Of the total annual Dis
trict appropriation. which has
amounted to approximately $7,000,0O0.
tenn averages about $6.00O.000 a year.
leaving $1,000 900 for the construction
of new buildings and making other
improvements.
With the enrolment in the schools
ever increasing. and this year at a
thorities contend that s1.000.000 a
year will not provide accommodations
for the annual increase in registra-
ton.
Building Program Delayed.
1t has been shown by school au-
thorities that the building program is
far behind, and that a large appro-
priation is necessary to catch up with
it. First steps to obtain this were
taken last year, when school officials
sent to Congress a s5,00o,000 emer-
gency building program. Congress
granted about S2.000.00O of the amount
asked. and some OF this money is
now being expended.
School officials. however, declare
that due to the great increase in en-
rollment this year, s5.000.000 addition
al will be needed to finance a building
project which will relieve only pres
ent congested conditions.
Talk of financing gigantic build
ing program by floating a bond issue
has been revived in school circles,
but the authorities are reluctant to
either indorse or disapprove such a
plan. They take the position that it
is up to the taxpayers Of the District
to determine how money for the con-
struction of new schools shall be
raiSed.