Evening star., 1946-02-03
Prince GEORGES
Seeks Sites for
z New Schools
Present Units Would
Be Converted Into
Junior High Schools
By J. B. ZATMAN

The Prince Georges County
Board of Education is seeking sites
for two projected high schools in
the metropolitan area of the coun-
ty, to replace four high schools
there. it was. learned last night.
At the same time, j. Gardner
Shugart, superintendent of schools.
told representatives of the County
Veterans Service Council he would
recommend the establishment of a
vocational school, probably at
Bladensburg, to meet requirements
OF returning veterans who want vo-
cational training to fit them for
jobs.
One of the proposed new high
schools would serve the area west
OF the Baltimore boulevard, includ-
ing Hyattsville. Mount Rainier,
College Park and Greenbelt.
Junior Highs Planned.
! The other would serve the area
west, of the boulevard, taking in
Bladensburg, Cheverly, Landover
I1iiio dilu LdlIldIU.
The program also contemplates
the conversion of the Mount Rain
Ter, Hyattsville, Greenbelt and Bla-
densburg High Schools into junior
high schools.
Mr. ,Shugart said he hoped the
vocational school would operate day
and night in order to give en-
ployed veterans an opportunity for
supplemental training. The County
Board of Education would charge
veterans tuition. Mr.. Shugart said,
and this would be repaid by the
Veterans Administration.
Still in Study Stage
Mr.. Shugart emphasized that
plans for the two proposed high
schools are still in the study stage,
pending acquisition of centrally To-
Gated sites. Each would accommo-
ate between 1000 and $500 stu
dents.
Mr.. Shugart explained the pro-
gram is based on recommended
tions in a survey of secondary
schools in the county, conducted In
194l by the college of education,
University of Maryland. He said the
war prevented school officials from
putting into effect any of the pro-
posals.
The survey pointed out that con-
struction of two large senior high
schools in the area would make pos
sible complete program of studies
and would justify more facilities
for such special subjects as art and
music.
In addition, location of such
schools near the center of popu-
lation would justify the construc-
tion of large and adequate audi
toriums that could be used as COM
mtntY renters. the survey said.
E1ts lrea Development.
With regard to the proposed new
high school to serve the area east
of the boulevard, the survey assert
ed that every indication points to
the development of this section of
the county at rapid pace"
1t was recommended that this
school should be constructed so as
to permit the addition of "substan-
tial' units as rapidly as growth in
the area justifies them.
Mr.. Shugart said the four high
schools now serving the metropoli-
tan area are inadequate and in
some instances antiquated
He added that construction of
two new high schools would put the
area on a par with neighboring
counties. In Montgomery County,
for example, he pointed out, there
are only two high schools in the
suburban area, one of which served
the Silver Spring area and the other
the Bethesda Chevy Chase area.
Much of the present trouble with
education in Prince Georges Coun-
ty," he asserted, lis the fact that
every little community demands its
own school"
If and when definite plans are
formulated for the two proposed
schools, funds will be requested from
the county commissioners or from
The State Legislature, Mr.. Shugart
said.
Enrollments in the four high
schools are. as Of last October:
813; Mount Rainier, 337;
Greenbelt, STA, and Bladensburg, 79s.