The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-10-04

their opinions. Peter Meegan was
the only one who indicated the SYM
pathiZed with the stand of the pro-
testers, but said he was bound to
follow the ruling of the majority of
the board DR.. Kennedy said he had
an open mind and would admit he
is wrong if he felt that he were, but
still feels the children could get
better education In the centralized
schools. Clarence Austin said he
felt as did Mr.. Downes and Chair
man Mannweiler, who has been a
strong advocate Of GENERALIZATION.
George Kelly indicated he felt SINH
larly.
Later in the session Mr.. Mann
weller again defended the secret
meetings. He was asked by Mr.. Mai
If there wasn't adverse opinion to
the school closing expressed by a
member at the private session. Mr..
Mannweiler called the secret meet
ing a "get-together" and said, II
don't think you should ask any such
question about It," He said the
board members often come to ses-
sions without having fixed opinions
on matters, the inference being the
opinions are reached at the get
togethers."
Complaints Made
A number of complaints were
made, one Pond Hill resident say
ing his children were "manhandled"
in the centralized school. Burgess
Hoadley said children goc wet last
week in the rain and had to take
off shoes and stockings in the Cen
trail avenue cafeteria, and walk on
the cellar floor in their bare feet.
Two reported their children had
colds as result of them getting
wet.
Mr.. Mai asked if the board had
been considering closing the school
for year, why the Millville school
should have been painsed only a
short time before it was closed and
coal put in the school,
Supt. of Schools Harold E. Chit
tenden said the painting was a WPA
project which didn't cost the town
much, and said it was first on the
WPA list, and last January he did
not know that the school was going
to be closed the following June. He
also said he had the coal put in the
Millville school in the spring be-
cause he had no orders to the con-
trary.
Mr.. Hoadley stressed the narrow
condition Of Pond Hill roads, saying
that bus transportation Is hazardous
to children on these roads, remind
ing that in the winter it is impos-
sible to travel on some Of these roads
in heavy SHOWS.
No Accidents-Ch ittenden
George Kelly asked if there had
been any accidents since the buses
were transporting Millville and Pond
Hill children and was informed by
Mr.. Chittenden that to the latter's
knowledge, there had been none. Mr..
Mai said the Millville school bus
once lost wheel. The Pond Hill bus
transportation for high school chill
dren started last January but the
Millville bus for high school stu
dents has been in operation several
years.
Mr.. Hoadley said the protesters
are not concerned about the older
children, and reminded that little
children are now being transported
and are away from home most of
the day. AS a result of this their
mothers constantly are worried. He
asked the board take into consid-
Grafton the peace of mind of the
parents.
Mr.. Mannweiler said when he was
boy he walked a long distance to
a central school and had no doubt
his mother worried about him, for
the boys used to skate on the river
then. he said. 1t did him no harm,
he indicated. Mr.. Hoadley said the
parents don't object to the children
walking but feel they are unsafe on
the buses.
Mr.. Hoadiey and others contended
that the education Of the children
at the closed schools was just as
good as they are getting now.
Mr.. Mannweiler said it is the pres
emit tendency to centralize schools
and is being done in neighboring
sections.
He added, eff we are wrong, we
will be the first to acknowledge it.
But we don't think we are wrong"
Hoadley BaffIed
Mr.. Hoadley said that Mr.. Mann
weller had told him that before but
asked who would tell whether the
boar dis wrong. He said that the
board would not listen to them be-
fore closing the schools and the ar
the board, so chow do we know the
guments since have failed to sway
schools will ever be re-opened," Mr..
Hoadley sorrowfully queried.
He reminded that the professors
have the welfare Of the children at
heart also. It Is no fun for us to
come down to these sessions, he said.
One man asked If there is a school
bus accident, who would take the re-
sponsibility. Mr.. Mannweiler said
the children would pe insured, but
admitted this would not help much
II any child were killed.
One woman said the lie Clair bus
occasionally arrives 10 minutes later
on some days than others. Mr.. Chit
tenden said, 1.-THE buses as far as
I know operate on schedule. ] have
grave doubts rs 10 whether there
Is any truth In what you say" The
woman said she had her clock In
her hand when checking the bus.
Mr.. Chittenden said he Is in his
once every day ready 10 receive
complaints but no complaints on the
bus schedule had been made 70 him.
A Pond Hill man criticized the
accommodations AZ the Central ave-
nue. cafeteria saying there u only
one table for more than 10 children,
Mr.. ohlttonden Hald ne thought II
was 4 good cafeteria, but added that
there might be some short delay f0F
solsle children.