Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-11-02
Federal Funds For
Schools Here Cut
Down To 100000
Superintendent BroOme Declares
Not A Single Item Can
Be Eliminated

The act of the Public Works Ad-
ministration in reducing by $27, 524
the grant of Federal funds for the
school construction program in Mont
gomery County has created an i'm
mediate problem for county officials.
"Our school construction program
has been cut to the limit, as it is"
DIR. Broome said. "We cannot elimi-
nate single item"
The grant originally sought by the
School Board was $234,00 but this
request was later reduced to $1S7, 624,
when county officials were informed
by the Public Works Administration
that Federal funds are not allocated
for purchase of school sites, archi-
tects' fees and contractors profits.
The entire program involved an out
law of $7S0,0OO, with the county furn-
ishing $592,476. In view of the small
Ter amount allocated today the county
probably will have to raise the addi-
tional $27, 524 to make up the total.
DR.. Broome was admittedly disap-
pointed at the action of the Public
Works Administration. Until he has
seen and studied the report of the
Federal body Dr.. Broome said it is inn
possible to state exactly what may
have to be done.
Certainly none of the items can be
eliminated" he added. "The program
represents individual school construc-
ton long needed in communities. It is
most desirable to have each item re-
tanned, especially as the program rep
resents the minimum set-up on pro-
jects."
/ With money available, work can be
started on the Is projects appearing
on the program within 80 days after
the funds have been received. The en-
tire program should be carried out,
DR.. Broome, said, within Is months.
The school head also asserted that
the program will greatly relieve the
unemployment situation in Montgom-
cry County, for 200 men will be en-
ployed at the outset of the construc-
ton work, and this number will be in
creased to maximum of 400 during
the period of construction.
The original program provided for
the construction and equipment of the
first units of two senior high schools
in the suburban districts, the one in
the eastern section to cost $4,000,
and the school in the western subur-
ban area to cost $256,O0O.
Additions will be constructed and
equipped at the Chevy Chase Elemen-
tary School at cost Of $8s, 900, the
Poolesville Junior-Senior High School
$1,000, and the Germantown Element
airy School $1,000.
Sandy Spring Junior-Senior High
School, the Damascus Elementary and
High School and the Gaithersburg
High School will be improved by al
terations and the installation of equip
ment, the first two at a cost of $685.
900 each, and Gaithersburg at a cost
of $4,000.
Two new elementary schools will be
erected, one in the vicinity Of Alta
Vista, which will necessiate an outlay
Of $4,000, and the other at Four
Corners, which will cost $4,000.
Five Of the county's school build
ings will be improved with the con-
struction and equipment Of additions,
requirements and alterations. OF
these, Rockville Junior-Senior High
School heads the list with plans in
volving the expenditure of $4,000.
The others are Falkland Elementary
and Junior High School, $4,000;
Woodside Elementary School, $18,500;
Bethesda Elementary School, $4,000
and the Rockville High School for
colored Children, $10,50O.
DIR. Broome said that the program
evolved by the Board of Education has
been under way and the object Of ex-
haustive studies over a period Of
three years.
In anticipation of the grant, he de-
clared, the Board Of Education has
provided working plans for the con-
struction work, and group Of 10
craftsmen has been at work on them
for the past Is days SO that contruc-
ton work can be started without de-
lay.