Evening star., 1947-02-12
$4,000, ,00ORequested
lin Prince Georges for
School Construction

JIIIUVI kUll9IluIIIVu
A $4,000, 900 construction program
for Prince Georges County schools
has been submitted to the county
commissioners by School Supt. G..
Gardner shugart.
The program was outlined yester-
day by Mr.. Shugart, who met with
the commissioners at Upper Marl-
boro. Previously, the commissioner
had refused to indorse proposed
So, SOC, 900. bond issue without a ref
erendum.
MIR. Shugart told the commits
sioners, however, the new request in
no way alters the need for the
larger amount.
Items included In the $4,000, 600
program, and the estimated amount
needed for each, are new high
schools at Oxon Hill ($473 ,000) and
Upper Marlboro ($404, ,0O0) and par
tial construction of another for
colored students at Fatrmount
Heights ($700,000). An elementary
school at Landoyer Hills ($101 ,000)
and an addition to the present
Fairmount Heights Elementary
School ($292, ,00O), for colored pupils,
also are high on the priority list,
MI. Shugart revealed.
Cost Of Land Included.
Next in order, according to the
school superintendent, are the pur-
chase Of land for new high schools
near Hyattsville ($60,00O and Blad-
ensburg ($27 ,000), and plans for
the same two schools Gotaling $125,-
000) and for q new high school at
Suitland CSC, ,000). Completion Of
the program would include con-
struction of q vocational section OF
the Bladensburg High School $780,
00o), an addition to the Laurel High
School ($498, ,000), and partial con-
struction of the Hyattsville, Blad-
ensburg and Suitland High Schools
(totaling $3.50, ,000).
Mr.. Shugart said partial f1nanc-
ing Of such q program might pos
sibly be postponed until 1948. The
remainder of the $8,900.000 project
would include completion Of the
new high schools, he said.
Walter F. Mulligan, president Of
the County Federation of Civic
Associations, who led nine-mem-
ber delegation in support of a COM
promise, said the Federation felt
the school board was mot extrava-
CANT in its demands" The fedora
ton, he said, was in thorough
accord with recommendations OF the
school board" but would go along
with the decision Of the county
commissioners.
Richard F. Downes, vice presi-
dent of the County Council Of
Parent Teacher Associations, said
his group was committed to the
support Of the $500, 900 bond issue,
but he added, it seems probable a
concession may have to be made
in the time and way Of appropn-
ating money"
PTA Dedication Present.
Mr.. Downes told the commission
ers he had declined chairmanship
of the special committee represent
ing the Civic Federation because he
was not in agreement with their
requests. He was accompanied by
an eight-member delegation of the
Council of PTA's, led by Mrs. Wells
Harrington, president.
A delegation representing the
County Parent Teacher Association,
Inc, led by Mrs. Cora Pinkney, also
announced its support Of the School
Boards recommendations.
William A. Carson, president OF
the Board of Commissioners, said
the question will be considered along
with other budget needs Of the
county. A final decision will depend
on how much the tax rate can be
increased and how many bonds can
be issued without placing the county
on speculative basis. he added.
In other business, the commits
sioners announced their approval
of proposed increase In the present
State gasoline tax. The action was
taken at the request Of the Somerset
County commissioners.