The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-01-27
A. LEARNS
SCHOOL BOARDS
FINANCE PLIGHT
Groups Ask Improvements;
Commissioners Are With
out Funds.

Parent Teacher Association dele
cations from two Indianapolis ele-
mentary schools today realized the
dilemma facing the school board,
after attending the boards regular
meeting Tuesday night to ask i'm
provements.
I'VE need a new building" assert
ed Mrs. Fred Mass, spokesman for
School 20. p. T. A. "Our present
building is more than forty years
old, Il stairways are distinct fire
hazards, the building is in an in
sanitary condition, and the lighting
conditions are deplorable."
we are making a plea for a long
needed addition" said H. B. Dynes,
School "a spokesman, because there
is not n extra inch of space at
the school. We have been forced
TO use the platoon system part time
school attendance because of these
conditions"
Willing, hut Broke
THE school board" said Russell
Wilson, president, wants you to
know that it realizes fully your
troubles. The board is in sympathy
with you, but we want you to know,
too, that We are helpless. We have
no funds to promise anything at
any time.
This board wants to improve
these school buildings, but the state
tax commission has the last word.
We'd like TO promise these two
delegations that we will do some
thing, but we can't. 1t costs money
money that we haven't got"
Needed redecorations of three
elementary schools at a cost of
SIS, 103, as recommended by H. F.
Osler, superintendent of buildin%
and grounds, was deferred by the
board, which approved his recon-
mendation for three emergency re-
pair jobs.
Osler's department was authorized
to repair a dangerous" fire wall
at school No. Q. Osler will take
down eighty-hve feet of four-foot
wall and rebuild it. Estimated
cost is $685..
Roof to BE Fixed
Replacement of 121 radiator
valves at school No. Is was APP
proved. Estimated cost is $315. Os-
Ter reported that the roof of school
No. 10 is leaking badly and repairs,
totaling 1898, were approved.
Redecordation of school No. 43,
school No. 20 and school No. "a
was deferred, while commissioners
decided to launch a survey to de-
termine the extent of emergency
repairs needed, and to see whether
painting can not be delayed still
further.
With the schools det~eriorating
rapidly, the board is approaching
a crisis. Operating on a main
tenance and repair budget, cut to
the bone by the state tax commits
sion, the board apparently does not
know which way to turn.
Research Director Named
Osler pointed out that his recon-
mendations merely represented his
efforts to keep up a schedule for re-
decorating, which already has fallen
far behind.
The board appointed Perry w.
Holiday to the vacant post of direc-
tor of research for the city schools.
The appointment is effective only
for the current semester. The post
has been vacant since the resigna-
ton of Murray Dalman more than
three years ago. The salary is $4,000
q year.
The report of Paul c. Stetson,
superintendent of schools, listing
fifteen appointments. eight reSigna-
tions, three reappointments, one
evening school appointment, seven
student assistants and one return
from leave of absence, was approved.
Approve S15O,OOO Loan
Stetson reported that for the
first time in many years, the reor-
%ganization of schools for the new
semester took place with no addi-
tional appointments, in spite of an
increase in the pupil roll"
A temporary loan of $150,000 from
six Indianapolis banks at 6 per cent
interest was approved. The banks
are the Fletcher American National
bank, Fletcher Trust Company, In
diana National, Indiana Trust, Mer-
chants National and Union Trust.
Purchase of bonds totaling $40,-
489. 40 also was approved, on recon-
mendation of A. B. Good, business
director.