The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1937-06-24

The proper housing for school
children in Garrett county is a
subject that is being brought to
the attention of the citizens of
several sections and communities
rather forcibly at this time.
Quite a bit of interest in this
subject is being focused here in
Oakland this week by reason of
the appearance of three delega-
lions from as many communities
before the County commissioners
citing the desperate needs in the
immediate sections represented
by them and asking for help.
These delegations of citizens
and taxpayers came from Kitz-
miller, Bloomington and Acct
dent and it is likely that before
long representations will appear
before the County Commission
ers from Oakland. The concen-
sus of opinion of a number of OBJ
servers in these communities is
that additions to or new school
buildings are badly needed.
In Bloomington there has
never been school building, and with
approximately one hundred pupils
ready to enter school there this fall,
the citizens don't want their children
to continue studies in the hall that
has been used there for a school build
ing for many years past.
1t was estimated by the County
Commissioners that to adequately care
for the needs of the four communities
mentioned above the sum of $230,0O0
would have to be spent for capital out
lay-that is to erect the buildings and
properly equip them for school pur-
poses. This sum of $230,OOO would have
to be divided as follows: Addition to
the Accident building, 100000; Kitz-
miller addition, 100000; new building
at Bloomington, 100000; additions to
Oakland High and Oakland Elemen-
tary buildings, $4,000.
By the time school re-opens this fall,
Grantsville will have a new building
costing in the neighborhood of $85, 1000.
Of this amount the sum of $4,000
was given as a grant by the Federal
Government. The remainder of the
sum was raised through the office of
the County Commissioners, the Board
of Education and thru other sources.
One member of the Accident dele
cation appearing before the Commits
sioners on Monday pointed out that
some years ago there was direct levy
to construct the Jail to house the law
breakers of the county. eff we can take
care of our criminals, why can't we
take care of our school children?" he
asked.
eve have a compulsory school law
to compel children to attend school,
and there is no place to put them," an
other one stated.
A member of one of the delegations
pointed out that two of the most i'm
portant things in life were health and
education. With these two assets peo-
pie are given more than an even OPP
portunity for success, it was stated.
How the farmers of the county
maintain their livestock, their barns,
etc., was also pointed out in discus
sions during the day before the Com
missioners, and it was cited that tax
ing care of the children of the county
was vastly more important.
The Commissioners appeared very
sympathetic toward all delegations,
stating it was their desire to see adj
equate school facilities, but were I'M
able to say how it was possible to pro-
vide the necessary funds to supply the
needs. The Accident delegation was
asking on Monday only for money
to secure plans and specifications for
an addition to the building in the town.
Ways of obtaining money were dis
cussed with each delegation, it being
brought out that money would have
to be raised either by bond issue or
by direct levy.
1t was very evident, according to
the representations from the various