Evening star., 1930-12-10
Interest in the Schools,

schools was again exemplified last night
in the representative attendance OF
delegates from citizens organizations
who came to hear DR.. Ballou ex-
plain some of the provisions of the
last budget as they affect the schools
The answer to DR.. Ballou's query
whether these twice-yearly meetings
should be continued, was unanimously
Affirmative. There was nothing surpris-
ing about that. Such meetings pro-
vide almost the only medium for for
mally acquainting the school-support-
ing community with the problems of
the schools. The attendance has al
ways been satisfactory and there is no
reason to expect any diminution of the
intelligent interest shown.
DR.. Carusi and DR.. Ballou are both
impressed by the demand for more
space confronting the schools, which
seems to be the crux of the school prob
lem now. OF course, it is no new de-
mand. and there is the complication
arising from the more than seven
thousand vacant seats in the schools,
The difficulty is to supply space for the
growing portions of the community and
to fill the space that goes begging in
some Of the older portions Of the CITY.
The f1ve-year program failed, as far
as the realization of program designed
to overcome the congestion in the
schools within a period of five years is
concerned. The demand fer new build
1ngs and equipment continues apace.
despite the good progress on construc-
ton work that has been made In the
last few years and which will continue
under the Budget Bureau recommended
tions. Some CT the criticism of the five
year program has been based on the
alleged inability of those who framed 1t
to anticipate the needs of the schools
for five years ahead, such predictions
necessitating knowledge of the direc-
ton and extent Of community develop
ment. Wrong judgment may have been
shown in some instances in the location
OF school buildings and the trend of
population may have fooled the prophets.
But this is no reason to condemn the
wise principle Of looking five, ten or
fifteen years ahead as regards the needs
Of the schools and Of basing a new pro-
gram on the results.
The school authorities and the
Budget Bureau have made recon-
mendations which, If adopted, should
lead to an interesting experiment for
the greater utilization Of space in some
OF the older buildings. The plan to
transport pupils In some of the outlying
sections to and from school by bus is
based on the desirability of thus elm
mating the need for portable schools
that now serve in these outlying sec
tions. But an extension of the prin-
ciple might enable the authorities to
solve other problems that accompany
extreme congestion in some schools
and empty seats in others. II the
school buildings for the time being are
not so distributed as to meet the needs
Of the city, quick and convenient bus
transportation might serve to distribute
the pupils instead.
In the meantime more attention than
is now being given should center on the
acquisition of school sites. There is no
reason why these sites should not be
bought and held for five or twenty
years. II the choice of the site has
been wrong, it can be sold If it is
good, the city will save money by buy
ing 1t now and building when the needs
Of the surrounding population justify
construction. The choice of a site
should not necessarily await the deci-
sion TO build, nor should 1t definitely
commit the school authorities to build.