The Washington times., 1922-09-24
BA[[OU URGES
PUBLIC DEMAND
ADDED SCHOOLS
Says People Should Press o.
fioiaIs to Relieve Con-
gestion.

gram is so far behind that 1t would
take $40 200. .000-this money to be
spent at the rate OF 100000 q
year for the next five years--to
catch up, DR.. Frank w. Ballou,
Superintendent Of Schools. said yes.
terday in the third section Of his
annual report.
Superintendent Ballou says that
the present congestion in the ele-
mentary high schools can be re-
lieved only by increased appro-
priations for school buildings: His
report tells of over-crowding .of
class rooms, the double shifts in
the high schools, the part time in
struction in the elementary schools
all resulting from Congress- fail
ure to make sufficient appropria-
tions to meet the needs of the Dis.
trict's school system.
Would Arouse People.
The superintendent suggests that
the people of Washington adopt a
policy Of urging on the Commits
sioners, Bureau Of the Budget and
Congress the necessity to provide
appropriations which will result
in abolishing from the schools:
Part-time classes 1n elementary
5SHOOlb anu oOuuiC NhN
high schools.
Oversize classes in both the ele-
mentary and high schools.
The use of portable and other
undesirable rooms in the elemen-
tary and high schools.
All rented buildings.
The use of buildings recoIn-
mended for abandonment.
DR.. Ballou also says a pobcv
should be adopted which would pro.
vide for assembly halls and gym
nasiums in all elementary schools
OF sixteen rooms or more; that
selection and purchase Of school
sites should be made in advance
Of their use to insure being able to
provide not only for extending "A
building. but also suitable play
space for pupils and the erection
Of schoolhouse accommodation a.
needs are apparent, and before
real congestion exists.
just Keep Even.
The superintendent says that the
| people Of Washington must realize
that the number of class rooms
opened during the last two school
years did not more than take care
Of the increased enrolment for the
same period. He says the schools
being opened this year will not
do much more than care for the
increased enrolment. He says that
none Of the new class rooms are
relieving the increased enrolment
of past years.
The report points out that all
school buildings, no matter how un.
serviceable and antiquated, are be-
ing used to help relieve the con-
gestion. Some buildings. he says.
condemned years ago. are still in
use.
1T Is very clear that the annual
appropriations for schoolhouse &C
commodations during the past
forty years have not been suffi.
cient to meet the growing needs
Of the school system" the report
says.
DR.. Ballou says that last year the
| high schools were overcrowded by
1900 pupils, and that there was a
shortage of more than 100 class
! rooms in the elementary schools.
The situation will not improve this
year, but will become more serious
he says.
The report says that the lack OF
systematic appropriations Is cniet
cause of the congestion. He reviews
the appropriations for new school
| houses for a number OF years.
Use Many Makeshifts.
The only way the increased student
body is being accommodated, he says,
is by increasing the size OF the
classes, in many cases far beyond the
maximum standard Of forty pupils
by renting such buildings as were
available in the vicinity OF the pupi'S
to he instructed; by deVoting TO ClasH
room use small office rooms. rooms
in Easements and other undesirao'"
rooms and by placing classes on pal
time so that two classes can occupy
one room, one in the morning AMI
one in the afternoon.
Superintendent Ballou. after re-
viewing conditions in the high
schools, taking each school sepa'
rately. says:
surely the Congress OF the
United States cannot justify 1ur'
ther postponement Of the time
when adequate appropriations will
be made so that the children ~ the
Nations Capital will he able to =
ceive full.time education under ap'
propriate housing conditions. that
the American people have always
considered to be the birthright ct
every American boy and girl"
Superintendent Ballou says the
two new Junior high schools prob
ably will be ready for occupancy
in September. 1923. He points out
that even after the new Eastern
High School has been completed
and additions made TO Western and
Armstrong High Schools, the high
schools will still have an over
enrolment of 1900 pupils.