Evening star., 1949-09-27
Record $33, ,659, $50 Asked for Schools,
$6,152,55O Allotted for New Construction

.$6,152,55O Al
By Horriet Griffiths
A better deal for District school
children is wrapped up in a whop-
ping 1851 budget request-more
than $10,000,000 larger than this
years appropriation-submittedt to
the Commissioners by the Board
of Education.
For the year beginning next
July /, school officials want a rec
rd-breaking total of $33. $50 $50,
of which $10,036.650 would go
toward new buildings, improve
ments of present structures, equip
ment and sites for future school
and playground expansion.
The estimate reflects the largest
requested increase over this years
appropriations among the District
Government departments, which
have asked a total of S138, 1884, 400
for fiscal 1851.
$4,000, 600 for Colored Schools.
1t emissions the expenditure of
81, 600, 900 on new school buildings
for colored students, including a
start on the $4,800,000 replace
mept for Armstrong High School,
and $1,552,550 on new buildings
for white students.
1t also would provide so new
teachers for the colored elemen-
tary schools, to bring class sizes
down, and 26 additional clerks to
free elementary school principals
from routine so they can devote
more time to the educational lead
ership expected of them.
In addition, there would be 10
more teachers for education of
physically handicapped children,
with special attention to remedial
reading instruction, and 10 teach
ers to extend the driver training
safety program to all senior and
vocational high schools.
The $1o.o36,650 capital outlay
estimate is 1854 400 above the
amount appropriated for fiscal
1850. This is in line with the
Commissioners policy of giving
high priority to capital improve
ments during 1851 and keeping
operating expenses as close to the
line as possible, school officials
pointed out.
$23,622, 900 for Operation.
A total of $23, ,622 900 was re-
quested for operating expenses
$2.846, 40 more than the appro-
priation for this year.
About one-fourth of the $6,152,-
$50 requested for new construction
is for continuing work on the
new Spingarn Senior High School.
The rest is wanted for begin
ming construction of other build
ings to avoid part-time instruc-
ton, replace obsolete structures
that are definitely handicapping
the instruction of our young chill
dren" and for additions to exist
ing buildings.
An expenditure of $4,000 for
improvements to Central High
School is proposed for rewriting to
permit purchase of electricity from
the Potomac Electric Power Co.,
instead of generating electricity
in the building. It will cost an
other $4,000 to rewire direct
current motors for alternating
current and to replace those mo-
tors which cannot be rewired.
Central and Armstrong High
Schools are the only two remain
ing plants that generate electric
ity. The work requested. together
with new construction at Dunbar
High School to include a new
heating plant for both Dunbar
and Armstrong, would eliminate
the steam generating equipment
IN the public schools.
$2,925, 900 For Sites.
In addition to new construction,
the capital outlay items include
81, ,925,0 900 for the purchase of
school sites. OF this, $675, 900 is
wanted to buy land for future use
before it is. improved and the cost
goes up. 1t is estimated this land
has increased in value by $75, 900
over its estimated value q year
ago.
Equipment of new buildings
coming into use during 1851 and
replacement of out-dated and
worn equipment in existing build
hgs is priced at 1854, 100, and
1925 900 is wanted for permanent
improvement Of school buildings
to eliminate fire hazards in old
elementary buildings.
| In the category of repairs anc
improvements, the school officials
want $4,000 to begin q five-yeal
program of installing guards or
windows facing Fairgrounds anc
$22, 900 to open a five-year plar
for acoustical treatment Of ole
buildings.
i $4,000 for Broken Windows.
The guards would reduce win.
dow breakage. which costs the
city about $4,000 a year. A sur.
vey has shown the largest number
of window panes are those facing
Fairgrounds.
/ 1t is proposed to begin . five.
year program next year to install
clock and bell systems in old ele.
mentary schools which do mo-