The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-09-19

children who pAanned to build in
sections where there were schools
would not build there because the
schools had been closed, and the
.toard would still feel conditions did
not warrant the re-opening, he said.
Board Didn't Care"
TN the light of what has hap
pened, I wonder whose opinion
would prevail on deciding If things
are panning out. Apparently the
board didn't care a darn for our
opinion. The board could sit back
and say things are lovely" he as
serted.
Referring to reports that lessened
attendance was one of the reasons
for closing the schools, Mr. Hoadley
said he understood Melville would
have had more children attending
the Millville school this year than
last and there have been from II
to 81 children at Pond Hill for sew
eral years and no indications Of any
decrease. He added the janitor
there has received no word or other
notification on what he Is supposed
to do in connection with the super
vision Of the closed schools.
Referring to the secret meeting
of the board at which the school
closing matter was discussed, Mr..
Hoadley said nobody at last nights
meeting knows how the board mem
bers feel individually on the closing.
I'VE don't know whether two or
three may have favored re-opening
the schools and we don't know
whether any pressure was bro',sht
to bear on them by others" he
said.
He felt the protesting groups had
the right to Know just how each
member of the board felt individu-
ally on the matter. He added moth
ers in the Pond Hill district are
under a constant fear about the
safety Of their children each day.
Lunches Mentioned
The discussion turned to the
question of school lunches at the
Central avenue cafeteria, which is
a WPA cafeteria. Mr.. Peck of Pond
Hill said he understood that the 20
per week lunch being served there
at present is known as the WPA
light lunch, and that there Is a
heavier meal available On such
WPA food projects for IS per week.
The latter type is given out in Wa
terbury, he said. Did the people Of
the town authorize the light lunch,
and why has the other lunch not
been offered, he asked. He felt the
children should get heavier lunch.
1t was said that beans, raisin bread
and chocolate milk comprised the
menu yesterday at the cafeteria.
Mr.. Hoadley said thousands of
engines might be turned out at an
auto plant and one could say that
No. 20 oil could be used on each,
but children are different, he
pointed out. Three children have
different likes in regard to food and
what one child may like may upset
another, he asserted.
Supt. Chittenden has admitted
there is overcrowding in some
grades, Mr.. Kenishea said. There is
absolutely no need for it," he added.
Ask About Responsibility
He said residents Of the closed
school districts should know If the
board of education will take the
responsibility for the children while
they are in transit on the bus.
Mahlon Sears, who acted as secre-
tary, said he understood from Lio-
mel lie Clair that the bus driver
carries insurance providing for a
maximum of $4,000 payment for
each passenger on the bus, in case
of accident.
Albert Mai, who presided as
chairman OF the meeting, asked if
this policy would be void If the
buses were overcrowded or if per-
sons were standing up in the bus,
and Mr.. Sears said he did not know.
IT doubt that the board Of edu-
cation could guarantee that there
would be no accidents" Mr.. Hoad-
ley said. He stressed rnat if the
children are hurt, insurance would
not help much. They would be
safer If. they walked to school, he
said.
A motion by Mr.. Kenishea that
the board explain who would be re-
sponsible for the safety OF the chill
dren while they are in transit on
the bus was passed.
A Millville woman complained the
buses do not wait long enough,
saving her hov fell and stOnDed to