The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-02-01

costing S4,771 200 is needed to relieve the fearful congestion in the Birming- ham public schools, the board of educa- tion asserts in the third installment of its survey report, which was made pub lie Thursday morning.
 Expenditure of this sum will avoid for five years, but con- tinuous building program must be evolved to meet the requirements for the next 16 years. says, the. survey, which was compiled by the board and expert engineers after a year of lnten- sive study of the city's educational problems.
 The recommended immediate program calls for S3.951 600 for white elemen- tary and high schools and SS19,6OO for negro schools.
 Most of the money would be spent on alternative and expansions of present buildings. Only one new . school is recommended in the immediate program, and that is an elementary building in West End, to cost approximately S57,- 200 Several of the present buildings are held to be unfit for further use and are recommended for replacement. Recommended Expenditures
 Recommended expenditures for white elementary schools total $2,671 ,500. of which S1,371, 700 is for replacements. Expenditure of $1.2S0.1O0 for altera- tions and enlargements of the present white high school plants is urged.
 Of the $S19.200 recommended for negro schools. $72S,000 is for replace ments and the remainder for altera- tions and enlargements.
 The surveyors take the view that only limited sum should be put in alterations and expansions, for the req son that the continuing building pro- gram will recommend the ultimate re- placement of most of these buildings.
 After the immediate program is handled. says the report, the 1850 needs, and then the 1940 needs, should receive attention. Building should begin at once and there should be no let-up un- til it is recommended.
 It is hoped" says the report, "that by the time the 1880 program is com pleted only the normal growth of the school system will have to be cared for"
 Four New Schools
 The proposed 1880 program calls for three new elementary schools to be erected at Oakland, Shadyside and South Woodlawn, a new high school in Ensley.
 Site areas of practically all the schools in the system should be ma terially increased, the report says. All new buildings should be fire-proof, and properly lighted, well ventilated and sanitary.
 Elementary school sites should have a minimum of five acres for recreation space, and the high schools should have from ten to fifteen acres, it is recom- mended.
 The 1880 program should include the addition of 156 class rooms, 12 gymna- sium auuditoriums. 19 manual training shops and numerous other special rooms and educational conveniences.
 Education of this day and time means more than mere study hours, and the physical training of the students must be emphasized, the report says.
 Elementary schools of a 1000 to 300 student capacity, located ap- one, mile apart, are re- On 6 white schools of this sibe will be Required for the 194O program, the report says.
 Mile Limit
 '1The greatest distance any elemen- tary school child should need to travel is one nlile," 1t continues.
 School cafeterias for supplying noon lunches for students are recommended for all schools in the city.
 North Birmingham, Norwood, Glen Iris and the Ensley schools are the types of plants recommended for all new elementary schools.
 The Phillips High school is recom- as a model for all new high
 All buildings recommended for altera- t;or and expansion require a number of safety measures, such as improve ment in lighting, ventilation,- sanita- ton and reduction of fire, hazards, the report declares.
 The 1880 and 194O programs are so outlined as to make it easily possible to convert high schools into junior high schools at any time occasion de- mands. Junior high schools will ulti- mately be established. in the view of the surveyors.
 Continuing, the survey recommends larger and fewer elemantary school centers for negroes. Nineteen negro school centers are suggested. Three new centers recommended are at Ems lev. Lane and Hudson. Four consol1- dations are recommended, as follows: Cleveland and Princeton schools; East and Kingston East Lake and Patterson, and East Thomas and Thomas Furnace.
 In the negro schools, it is recom- mended that special economies, shop training and music rooms be provided.
 "Household science, the handwork activities and appreciation of the prac- tical arts are fundamental in the edu- cation of the negro" says the report.
 The school building program for white children which is recommended for completion by 1930 is summarized as follows:
 Larger Areas
 Increased site areas will be neces- sary for the following elementary schools: Acipco, Barker, Barker, Gun ningham, Gate City, Glen Iris, Hemp hill. Henley, Lakeview, Martin, Oak land (proposed), Powell, Robinson, Shadyside (proposed), South High lands, South Woodlawn (proposed), Ullman and for the proposed West End High school. Additions to these schools and to the following named schools, Alley, Avondale. Central Park. Gray mont, Minor, Norwood, Pratt, 11th Avenue, West End (proposed), Wood lawn and Wylam, total, 152 class rooms, 20 kindergartens, g nature study rooms, "A drawing rooms, 20 music rooms, 19 libraries, 10 lunch rooms, 1 playroom and the necessary offices, toilets and accessory rooms. The proposed West End High School is recommended by 1930 to have of 150O and of plan similar to the first unit of the Phillips High