South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-10-29
REPORTS
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
BELOW STANDARD
DIR. Engelhardt, Columbia Au-
ihoriiy, Recommends Pro-
gram for Future.

Although Dr. n. L. Eugelhardt. in
MS survey OF building facilities or
the South Bend school system. com
men1ed She Board OF Education and
supt. ". w Borden highly for the
work which has been done. consider
ing the amount OF money which is|
devoted By the city TO This purpose.
neveIsheIess. he made the statement
ln his report Saturday. that only five
OF the p school buildings in the cip.
meet the modern standards Of school
building construction.
Dr. Engelhardt Is professor OF
education OF Teachers college. Co
Ium bia University. New York and has
conducted many surveys Throughout,
the Uni ed States After speaking at
the recent convention held here hv
the Northern indiana Teachers as
ISOLATION. he was invited by the
school board 20 cooperate with Supt
Borden ia an inspection Of school
buildings. and give a report on the
future needs OF the city The school
board IS made mp OF DIR. II. b. Dug
dale. Q. J. Jackson and William
elem.
schools TOO small.
There are q school buildings In
the city. including the High school,
his report reads In spite Of the
upkeep and the repairs. which have
been made IL has been impossible 20
make out OF an Old school plant. q
Il.
quirements.
south Bend is particularly IN
fortunate I'm having so many small
scho i buildinss sucA as tle frank
li1. the Coqur ard aud the CO,fax.
Sc matter whl- p.sos are mad,
fhese GUIDING bGsOr be made
modern excep. at the greatest cx.
Jense.
Tho Cnsy FIVE buildings which are
strictly modern and meet the re-
0Cirements Of present day standards
Of school house construction are the
John r. Nuner. the oliver. Linden,
washington and High School build
inEs. The planning OF these build
iugs deserve the highest commenda-
ton.
Poor Ventilation.
Some OF the very outstanding
problems that need solution IN South
Bend are the undesirable basement
rooms that many OF the school
houses have; the portable houses
which can never be ventilated prop
erly; the third floor rooms which in
vOlve hazards in case OF fire.
Many OF the basement rooms are
inadequately lighted in the Old
schools. The third floor rooms are
under the caves of the roof and
these too are inadequately lighted.
1T is clear TO the citizens of any
community that very extensive
building program Is necessary in or
der TO provide for these children
who are so very unfortunately
housed. There are approximately
5000 children who have improper
fire protection light facilities and
ventilation. such conditions ham
per the educational program severe
ly. as we'll as hinderiug the health
program which the board proposed"
Buildings not Modern.
DR. Engelhardt pointed out that
large percentage OF the class rooms
were constructed before 1906. Al
though South Bend has seen a very
rapid growth since then 10 has not
begun 20 develop the school build
ing plant TO meet the needs of the
rapid growth.
Apparently the average citizen
IS unaware Of the tremendously
overcrowded conditions thoJ pre.o.
IN the school buildings" DIR. Eugel-
hardt said Practically no square
foot OF even the basement space
which is sunk to six or 10 feet un-
dergrourd, has not been used for
class room purposes. South BEND
has reached the point now where
the school buildings cannot possibly
care for more school children.
Approximately 1899 children
nave been added 90 this wears en-
f0Ilment and increased the burden
90 a point OF intolerable congestion.
An order 20 meet the present and fu-
tire needs. no haphazard program
should be acceptable 60 the city
Before more buildings are raised.
very extensive population study
should be made serious attention
4 paid 20 room provisions for the
buildings as well as 10 materials and
construction.
Need Moro Space
Unfortunately the elementary
hools OF South Bend are NOT in the
majority Of cases located so a- 90
be places FOR future plants They
are inadequate for building extension
as we'll as for play program"
Dr. Engelhardt estimates that
from four 20 six acres are necessary
for elementary schools. SIX 90 I'D for
Junior High and I5 so 20 for Senior
High schools
lie also believes that no school
L. properly conducted unless they are
adapted for from 1900 TO 1900
pupils
To study Problem.
At his commentator au extern
sve study VIII be made OF popula-
ton trends and the educational
needs under the direction OF Supt
Borden which VIII last FOR the next
two months. The completed facts
gathered viii permit Of the outline
OF the future building program In
the dere' oumcnt OF the program
DR.. Engelhardt said that he was
looking forward TO an increase in
the population during the next 10
or - years to 600.
Immediate changes that should be
made in the school buildings. ac-
cording 90 che educators r,c0mmen-
Cation. are improved drinking water
and toilet facilities. and the .rs,alIa-
ton Of adequate and artificial LIGHT.