Evening star., 1938-10-20
SCHOOLS CURTA|[
NIGHT MEETINGS
Heat and Light Economy Is
Ordered Because of Loss
in Fuel Item.

Drastic curtailment Of the use Of
heat and light in public school build
ings will be Immediately instituted by
school officers in an effort to make up
more than $4,000 lost to the school
fuel item in the 1889 budget from a
congressional slash and a carry-over
deficit from last year.
The curtailment program, which
may affect number of civic groups
holding meetings in school buildings
and also work in the night schools,
was unanimously adopted by the Board
Of Education yesterday after lengthy
report from Superintendent Frank
w. Ballou.
The emergency was created by a
$4,000 cut made by the House in the
$325,0 fuel, gas and electricity esti-
mates of the board based on allega-
tions before the subcommittee on ap-
preparations that the school custodians
were inefficient. The deficit carried
over from the 1888 fiscal year amounts
to $2,3575O.
A rider to the appropriation act
further declared that the $780, 900 ap-
preparation for 1899 must be made to
suface. Already, it was revealed, more
was spent last June and August than
in the same months in 1887. when the
total appropriation was more than
$780, ,0o0
Departments Informed.
The program, in the form Of in
structions to all departments, urged the
Community Center Department to
avoid extra night and Sunday meet
ings and warned against overuse of
lights during meetings Night schools
we're asked to consider whether the
length of evening sessions can be
reduced.
Day school principals were asked to
have Parent-Teacher Association meet
ings on the same nights and in same
buildings If possible, with night schools
or Community Center Department ac-
tivities.
Effort will also be made to have
PIT. A. meetings held in the after
Moons instead of evenings.
Custodians were asked to operate as
efficiently as possible, and joint re-
sponsibility of the principal and the
supervisor of custodians for custodian
supervision was approved
DR.. Ballou said he will discuss the
general subject at The first meeting of
administrative and supervisory off,
cials today.
The adoption of the program had
immediate repercussions as Edgar G.
Brown, colored, president of the United
Government Employees. asked the
board for the use of Garnet Patterson
Junior High School auditorium for
Sunday forums.
Application Is Denied.
The plea was denied as DR.. Ballou
said:
Il don't think we can make excep-
tions and stay within the budget"
The question of falling plaster in
old buildings again was raised, and
members expressed the opinion it
be followed up with circulars to prin-
cipals urging them to report danger
spots in their buildings.
At the same time formal plea was
made by Charles H. Houston, former
member of the board, that II people
hurt by falling plaster in the Cardozo
High School at commencement last
June receive reasonable compensa-
ton" for their injuries.
A complaint was previously filed
with the Commissioners, he said, but
they denied liability.
I'VE are perfectly willing to waive
attorney fees" he said, "if they receive
compensation"
A report from the chief engineer of
the Fire Department showed 113 of
the Districts ITS public school build
ings are in satisfactory condition" :"
as far as fire hazards are concerned.
DR.. Ballou announced.
The superintendent said the first
meeting OF the Advisory Committee on
Vocational Education will be tonight
at o'clock in board room.
Members also approved a plan for
dedicating the new Dennison Voca-
tional Schools for Girls, now under
construction, as part of the program
of a regional conference on vocational
education to be held here December le
and II.
Retirements of Olaf Saugstad, Nc
Kinley High School teacher, as of
October 81, and Miss M. j. Watts,
assistant principal at Eastern High
School, as of November 80, were an
nounced. Miss Watts has been At
Eastern since 1923 and assistant prin-
cipal since 1924.