Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-17
BE AT THE SCHOOL MEETING

BE AT THE SCHOOL MEETING
The voters of Augusta have been
that the annual school meet
ing will be held in City Hall, Mon
day evening at 7.S0. Always the
annual school meeting is an import
ant one; This year it is especially
important. Article of the call is
as follows: "To see what action the
meeting will take in regard to re-
modelling Cony High School"
1t is believed that the need OF
enlargement Of our High School
facilities is beyond question, that
the parents, teachers children, all of
us in fact are vitality concerned to
have this need promptly and proper
ly relieved.
The work that has been done In
the schools Of this city is admittedly
Of a very high grade, bespeaking
ability and loyalty on the part of
teachers and credit to students
under certain limitation of facilities
that calls urgently for relief. Re
garding what is being accomplished
in our city schools Augusta. we
believe, is inferior to no municipal
ity In Maine. In regard to facilities
provided for this work Augusta
stands in unfavorable contrast with
some smaller communities. This
situation should receive effective
consideration without longer delay.
The meeting Monday evening affords
the opportunity to set about this.
Most of our taxpayers understand
why the city has not kept school
accommodations UP to the demands,
and all should recognize the obliga-
ton to do this, notwithstanding the
city is compelled to consider its bond
limit and hesitates to increase the
tax rate by an amount that would
be required were we to build a new
and ideal school building. There
have been, surrounding this problem,
conditions unlike those presented TO
a community permitted to choose
simply between plans for new con-
IL compelled to consider the old along
with the new. There are, for in
stance, the high school plant we
now have, the matter of new location
were the old to be abandoned; the
congested conditions in two of our
grammar schools.
The school authorities, the civic
organizations and public spirited
citizens have not been Indifferent.
The attention they have been giving
to this question the past few weeks
In highly creditable to their civic
interest. Business men have taken
time to go over the features of the
problem with educators and school
authorities, who have recognized the
advisability Of making the best pos
sible use of facilities we now have
and have studied how best by prac-
tical methods We may secure the
relief that Is urgent and yet make
provisions for the future growth.
Through the initiative Of Superin-
tsndent Burrill plan has taken
definite shape. 1t was made by q
local firm of architects experienced
In school construction and who have
made personal investigation Of the
situation. That plan looks to utility
rather than to ornamentation. There
doubtless are some, who think we
should have more Of the latter,
though the architects assure us the
exterior of the building will be credi-
table and the arrangement entirely
suitable. Ways and means are be-
ing devised for securing the funds
without unduly, burdening the tax
payer. When we consider all the
attention that has been given to
formulating these plans by practical
business men, by contractors and
by school authorities we have con-
hdence in their conclusions, which.
We understand, agree on the essen
tials. We hope that a committee
CVulQOSCO VI ticsS PidStiSeti SlllDCiiS,
to supervise such work as may be
undertaken, will be found.
Shall we undertake to provide the
adequate facilities. which admittedly
we urgently need? A beginning must
be made. What better opportunity
for doing this than at the school
meeting Monday evening? And while
We are considering this we should
not overlook the facts that the plan
presented obviates any need for
Junior high school. will provide for
overnows from the two grammar
schools suffering from congestion;
further, that we may get relief with
out at first going to the expense of
equipping all the new part; that the
plan affords opportunity in the future
to secure without great expense or
material alterations such extensions
a. may be needed.