The Wrangell sentinel., 1927-04-21
NEW SCHOOL FOR
 WRANGELL IS
 SADLY NEEDED
ARGUMENT PRESENTED FOR NEW SCHOOL BUILDING ON GROUNDS OF THE UNSAFE, UNsANITARY AND CROWDED CONDITION OF THE PRESENT BUILDINGS.

G. c. Mitchell, superintendent of of schools of Ketehikan. was in town the fore part of the week in
 connection with the intersehool debate that was held here Tuesday night. Mr Mitchell was inter- viewed while here on school mat l ters and expressed his surprise that a school bond issue should meet with any opposition. He was q member of the NrangeIl school faculty seven years ago when the entire school was housed in the present grade school building and even at that time, the need of new school building was becoming apparent. It will be remembered that school bonds were voted upol favorably in 1920 but were not is sued.
 T am surprised that there should be any opposition to bonding here said Mr. Mitchell. With us in Ketehikan there was never any question on the result of the elee- ton. We had to wait for a time for the authorities to ask Congress for the right to issue bonds but when that was granted. there was never any question as to the result. Our school enrolment in creased 162 the first year we had the new building. In addition to retiring S10.000 in bonds this year we have bought five-aere tract of land in Newtown where We are erecting a new grade school build ing Of eight rooms at cost of S25,000 to $30,000 to relieve the congestion in the main building We expect to use only three or four rooms at the present time but we are building for the future. The new school will be in readiness for the opening of school in septem- ber."
 There is food for thought in the regard to Ketchikan school mat ters. The need of better housing facilities for the school in Wran- gell is as great as it was in Ketchi- kan when the S150,00O bond issue was voted.
 No one who has taken the trou- ble to inspect the buildings used in Wrangell from the viewpoint of fitness for present day school pur- poses. safety, and sanitation can deny that there is need of a defi- nite school improvement program here. To spend thousands of dol lars for make-shift improvements on old buildings is poor business and unfair to the taxpayers of the community.
 The high school building has served as a shelter for nearly five years, when the rental of rooms around town to care for the growth in enrolment would have been ne cessary but unsatisfactory, and in it's present tottering, tragedy-inYit- ing condition should be relegated to the junk heap before some re- gretable accident occurs to shake an indifferent portion of the com munity out of it's snug complacence into definite action. When a roof is considered unsafe for repair work, as it was pronounced last year when repairs were attempted, it should be considered unsafe for the children that must sit beneath it.
 Wrangell lays just claim to be- ing an attractive home town. Visi- tors laud it's fine harbor, it's won derful location and surroundings. its pretty, well-kept houses and beautiful flowers, it's substantial business buildings, the attractive churches, the modern hospital that stands like sentinel on the hill side to guard the well-being of the people of WrangelI, the wide lawns and profusion of flowers that sur round the goeyrnment buildings. but the final verdict is: You cer- tainly need new school building. The stranger senses that need i'm mediately. The man or woman of Wrangell who does not agree witt that statement has evidently not given the matter thought
 It is unthinkable that a parent can be so indifferent to the wei fare of his child that he will not acquaint himself with conditions as they are. Those who have in vestigated matters for themselves are convinced that something must be done. Those who have not are earnestly requested to see for them selves whether or not Wrangell has school buildings that are credit to the community.
 Visit the schools. Make 1t point to be at the high school when classes are passing to and fro. Visit it on a windy day. Put yourself in the place of the pupil who must sit next to hot stove in the win ter, or in the seat farthest away from that stove Ask yourself how these fifty or sixty pupils would escape from the building in case of fire.
 Go to the grade building. This building is well built. Good ma terials and excellent workmanship ! | .-G