Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-11
ALEXANDRIA FIGHTS
SCHOOL SHORTAGE.
Brick Annex Proposed at
West and Cameron Street
Buildings.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, February IL
The Alexandria public school board, it
was learned today, will soon appear be-
fore the city council and request that
an appropriation be made for the con-
struction of two-story brick annex on
the northwest corner of West and Cam
eron streets, built in an 81" shape to
connect Alexandria High School on
Cameron street and jefferson Elemen-
tary School on West street.
John Robertson of Richmond, State
school architect, made preliminary
survey for the proposed annex last week
and his plans, specifications and esti-
mate of the cost of constructing the
annex will be turned over to the local
school officials shortly. Armed with
Robertson's findings, the school board
will ask the council to make the neceS-
Sary appropriation.
Would Form Large Unit.
The number of classrooms to be con-
tanned in the plans has not been deter
mined as yet, but the plans will include
an auditorium and gymnasium, 1t is
L LAC
the high school and Jefferson School
buildings, would form one of the largest
public school buildings in the State.
Construction of the annex is seen as
the only possible relief from the serious
congestion now prevailing in all local
schools Every institution in the city is
crowded particularly Alexandria High
School. and. literally speaking, every
inch of available space is being utilized
The high school auditorium is now
being used for study periods with two
teachers in charge, while the library
has been turned into a classroom and
the books and bookcases removed to the
auditorium. The small room adjoining
the stage of the auditorium, at one time
used for the storage of scenery and
costumes for the school theatricals, and
later turned into an Office for the ath-
letic director, is now being used for
classroom also.
Pupils Are Transferred.
More than SO members of the fresh
man class of the high school, who were
graduated this month from Jefferson
School, were transferred today to West
End School, located on Duke street ex-
tended, approximately miles from the
high school, where they are studying
under two teachers.
The West End School has been sold
to the George Washington National
Masonic Memorial Association. and
probably will not be availagle after 1880
or 1881. The building will be used by
the Masons as powerhouse for their
$5.O00,000 temple being erected on
Shooters Hill.
$4,000 Appropriation Made.
To replace West End School the CITY
Council made an appropriation of
$4,000 for the construction of Maury
School. in Rosemont, which opened this
morning. but it was found necessary to
send the Jefferson School graduates to
West End because of the crowded con-
dition at the high school,
Maury School was nearly filled this
morning, as approximately $50 pupils
moved into that building from West
End. Maury School has five classrooms
and an auditorium, with a faculty of
five teachers. Miss Elizabeth King is
principal
If the proposed annex Is constructed
and a gymnasium and an auditorium
included two great necessities will be
supplied. The present auditorium of
the high school has been outgrown by
the student body, while gymnasium
has always been an outstanding need.