Evening star., 1939-02-21
Fight for School.
Funds Indicated
By Citizens
Civic Organizations
Take Stock of
Budget With BoIIou

'budget With buIIou
Washington civic organization
will ask Congress for restoration
of the Board of Education's 194t
budget estimates for the Commu
nifty Center Department., repair o.
buildings and grounds and the
Americanization School.
This was indicated last night a.
some 100 delegates of various civic
groups met with members of the
Board of Education and Supt. Frank
w. Ballou in the Thomson Schoo
to discuss the state of the schoo
budget as recommended to Congress
by the Bureau of the Budget.
In one instance, it even appeared
efforts would be made to get more
funds than requested by the Board
of Education. This was in connec-
ton with the Wilson Teachers Col
lege. The board. following its usua!
custom when buildings must be re-
placed, asked and was allowed an
estimate to draw up plans fol
the new Wilson Teachers College
to be located at Thirteenth and Up
shur street NV, on the site OF
the old tuberculosis Hospital.
Emergency Status Suggested.
A delegate to the conference, how
ever, indicated that the Federation
of Citizens Associations considers
the Wilson Teachers College an
emergency" item. Because an
initial appropriation for plans only
would result in delay, he said
efforts probably will be made to get
funds to begin construction as we'll
Supt. Frank Ballou said he would
support such a proposal because
"the emergency is clear" At the
same time he revealed the item had
been considered for P. w. A. con-
struction last summer, but had been
omitted because preparation of
plans would take too long.
Dangerous cracks have appeared
In the present Teachers College
because the foundations are built
over stream, according to reports.
The School Boards estimates for
the Community Center Department
were cut $4,000 to S102620. DR..
Ballou said the amount had been
requested to permit the opening of
additional centers where citizen pc
titions had indicated a need for
them. A delegate from Southeast
Community Center Council indi-
Gated restoration of this $4,000
would be sought.
In connection with the repair
OF buildings and grounds, Supt.
Ballou explained that the board
had sought some s602,OOO to expand
the work of resurfacing grounds
and improvement of buildings. This
pWas cut to $475,OOO, he said, which
s less by $4,000 than what the
Bchools have this year.
Improvement Program Hampered.
In response to queries by dele
gates, DR.. Ballou said lack of funds
In this item had forced the aban-
donment of the five-year repainting
program the schools had sought to
establish. He pointed out that in
stead of more improvement there
would be less as the item now
stands.
It is also expected there will be
support of the boards original esti-
mates of more than $4,000 for the
Americanization School. These were
cut to $4,000. DR.. Ballou said the
added funds would improve facili-
ties by providing smaller classes.
DR.. Ballou reminded the citizens
that the Board of Education and
school officers were forbidden by law
from lobbying" for any of the items
cut out by the Commissioners and
Budget Bureau.
The superintendent mentioned
that there is still in the bill the
legislative rider providing that
school librarians may not receive
more than public librarians doing
the same type of work. Today, he
said, the school librarians are max
ing more and if this condition is
existing in June will result in cut
ting the pay of the school librarians.
Heat Economy May Close Schools.
He also cited the heat and light
difficulties of the schools under the
present budget and said he thought
facilities had had to be cut "unduly'
to live within the appropriation.
If no deficiency is forthcoming to
supplement the appropriation, he
predicted the schools will have to
close should there be a streak OF
cold weather.
Taking up the item of trans
portation for the crippled children
In which the Budget Bureau pared
the board estimates by several
thousand dollars, DR.. Ballou said
Budget Bureau officials felt neigh
bors and friends should cooperate
In taking the crippled children to
school.
Mention was also accorded to the
initial appearance of an item for
musical instruments in the budget.
DR.. Ballou said this item, which was
not allowed, was as much respon-
sibility of the school officers as
books.
Harry s. Wender notified DR.. Bal
lou OF the opposition of the South
west citizens to use of the grounds OF
old Jefferson Junior High School
for school storage purposes.
The meeting is an annual event.
Next spring the delegates will meet
with the board to make suggestions
Tor the 1941 school budget.