The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1927-11-04
BOARD OF EDUCATION STATEMENT

proposed new Pleasantvile high school,
This is a timely presentation of subject which has
had an endless of discussion especially upon the
part of those who have not been very familiar with the
great many problems confronting the Board OF Education
and the demands which it must comply with
Even those who appear be opposed to the high
school as planned will believe be fair enough to read
and consider the points presented The statement Is calm
and without rancor No matter how much the patience OF
the members of the Board of Education has been tried the
statement is fair
Take for instance, the growth of the city referred to-
No one deny that the city growing rapidly Ii shown
that the increase in the number of school children at the
rate of about 200 per year.
As result the number of children has increased faster
than the number Of class rooms until part time and
double shift harmuly into the educational system
of the city. 1t is hardly necessary to point out that this
harm is to the child OF from dollars and cents
deduction and the that afford or can not
afford taxpayer gets far less for his taxes paid III part
time and double shift methods than he does under
efficient methods
The Board of Education called the best advice possible
to obtain and sought by survey recognized efficiency
method ascertain just what should be done and where
The advice of the State Department OF Education was
clear The advice was not to remodel add to- or to
patch but build modern school house OF 81 rooms and
workshops gymnasium, auditorium and cafeteria.
This building. be used high school, would
afford relief generally because the present high school
coud take classes from other school buildings Also, there
would be rooms for additional grade classes in the new high
school. % - s%@ssaf
It is not easy as any will find when he tries to
obtain large plot ground suitably located for high school
purposes One site which had the space and the location
would have cost about $4,000
Another SITE located in the proper environment and
having the desirable of space, was offered and
finally purchased at S35,0OO
The saving here is apparent, but argument arises
as to the character of the soil upon which this building
would be erected SO the Board of Education obtains by
accepted scientific methods information upon the stability
of the soil and the reliability of foundations placed thereon
1t was found that the chief obstacle would be water
because there was good grade of sand which when dried
out becomes almost hard rock 1t ascertaned that
pumping under the recognized Welpoln system were
nominal and that timber and sheeng not necessary
The cost would exceed $500, it is estimated by the
engineer. @3@ Ne @S q
1t takes much longer make all these examinations,
SURVEYS and reports than it takes read them and one be-
comes impressed that the steps taken by the Board OF
Education logical, conservative and economical
Satisfied that they had done their best in effort to
determine the right type of construction to provide
additional school space only for this time but Tor
reasonable time to come the members of the Board OF
Education took the next steps that OF financial ability ana
credit of the city of Pleasantville
This included consideration of the legal phases OF
councmanic action, the authority of the Common council
act without referendum as well as the prospect OF sell
ing issue of bonds to meet the cost OF the new building
The site had already been purchased
Reputable New York bonding attorneys approved OF
the proceedings and gave opinion that the City OF
Peasantve has the right issue bonds to amount not
exceeding per of the valuation OF real and personal
property As this firm passes upon bond issues sold IN this
locality the opinion rendered of the utmost Importance
While the high school will cost about S635,OO0
any of school building would cost considerable and
add to the of be raised to meet the carry
ing charge and the payments the principal
Perhaps the high school will add fifty cents to
each hundred dollars assessed valuation but sort OF
makeshift school building would add probably halt as
much So that under the conditions thus far considered it
would only little to have building OF credit to
l,,ild of
could be gratified to attend.
There is another condition. however to be taken into
consideration when dwelling upon the cost per annum OF
the high school and is that of increases IN assessed
valuation which from the growth of the city and new
buildings of every character added each year.
There the addition of the of Ansley Park alone
An appraisal of the block where the high school is to be
located places the valuation SAB 300 although the city
L. Cor Il AZ The home