Evening star., 1941-02-20
100000 Requested
For Three More
CoIored Schools
Board of Education
Makes New Plea for
Deficiency Funds

Deficiency appropriations totaling
more than 100000 to construct
three new colored schools in North
east and Southeast Washington and
to pay salaries of 80 new teachers
for the colored schools will be for
Warded to the Commissioners with
in the next day or so for their ap-
proval and inclusion in the def
cheney bill.
This was voted yesterday by the
Board of Education and is in addi-
ton to the request for a supple
mentary appropriation Of more
than s1,00O000 made at its previous
meeting to construct six white
schools in the Anacostia-B -Benning
area.
The newest request would provide:
l. Purchase of land and con-
Struction of an eight-room addi-
ton to the Van Ness School with
combination assembly hall gymna-
SUM, S230,0O0.
2. Purchase of land and an eight
room eXtensible building in the vi
cinity of Forty-ninth and Hayes
streets NE, $4,000.
3. Purchase of land and begin
ming of construction of a junior high
school near Forty-ninth street and
Washington place NE, 100000.
4. Salaries for 80 teachers for the
balance of the year, S22, $50,
Roof Repairs Argued.
The board also approved a reso-
luton Of DR. James A. Cannon for
an inquiry into the reason for a de-
lay in repairing the roof at West
ern High School.
During the discussion of the mo-
ton Asst. Supt. j. j. Crane, in
charge of buildings and grounds,
said he had been inspecting the high
school for II years and would stake
his professional reputation that the
children were not endangered.
DR.. Cannon had recalled the state
mentS of Western High spokesman
at the recent meeting of the board
with citizens who declared that
Western officials would not be re-
sponsible if the roof collapsed and
children were injured.
When may we expect some i'm
provement," Mr.. Crane was asked.
"Just as soon as the board assumes
the right to demand repairs from
the repair shop instead of request
them" he replied.
What should the board do to get
that right?" asked Mrs. Philip
Sidney Smith, a member.
Il think it already has the right
under the law which sets it up as
an independent body" he said.
Trouble on Rush Orders.
Mr.. Crane said that SO per cent of
the repairs he requested were mark
ed emergency" but that the repair
shop, being under the Commission
ers, had its own priority lists.
Mr. Crane also recalled that a
special request had been made for
funds for a new roof for Western,
but had not been allowed.
The addition to the Van Ness
School, only recently turned over to
the colored divisions, is being sought
to take care of increased enroll
ments expected in completion Of the
Carrollsburg Dwellings, an Alley
Dwelling Authority project between
Third and Fifth, I and M streets Sc
Housing developments in the vi
cinity of Grant street and Sheriff
road NE. were given as the reason
for the need for the school at
Forty-ninth and Hayes streets NE,
The new junior high school would
ultimately cost about $817, 900 and
is designed to relieve the Browne
Junior High School, which has a
capacity of 900 and present enroll
ment of more than 400. Because
of it's heavy enrolment, Browne
has had to go on staggered pro-
gram.
109 Teachers Goal.
Actually, school officials said 109
new teachers we're needed to relieve
heavy teacher loads in the colored
schools but feeling that Congress
would not allow the total a minimum
of 80 was to be sought. Twenty of
these would be in the junior high
schools and 10 in the senior highs
The board members also appointed
Miss A. E. Lyons from q position in
charge of the elementary school
| demonstration center in the eolored