Evening star., 1950-12-30
TwoYeor Program
For Prince Georges
Outlined to Board
By Robert c. RoIIinqs

ton and land acquisition program
covering the next two years was
before the Prince Georges County
Commissioners today for study.
The program, unfolded yester-
day by school administrative Of
ficials and the County Board ol
Education at special meeting
with the County Commissioners
and the Prince Georges delegation
to the General Assembly. is part OF
a flve-year plan which will cost
an estimated $23 million.
The two-year portion contem-
plates construction of 20 schools
or additions and purchase of 13
sites. The plan would give 176
classroomS, 13 multi purpose
rooms, four auditoriums, two
kitchens and two gymnasiums, and
1875 acres of land. Cost of the
construction is estimated at ST.
152,570. and of the land at
$294,000.
$500 Estimated Enrolment.
School Supt. G. Gardner Shu-
CART told the meeting that the
program will meet our needs
reasonably well'' through the next
two years. Present enrolment is
1,700 pupils. This is expected to
rise to at least a total of 39,50C
in the 1953-54 term.
Assistant Supt. w. S. Schmidt
said there will be more than q
dozen schools on double shifts
next term, most of which are now
on regular schedules. School Of
f1cials said they are making use
of all available space-such as
Easements. libraries, onices--in an
effort to provide classrooms.
Of the SIS million proposal, Mr.
Shugart said it is a rather large
program" but that at least Is OF
the schools Ought to be started
as quickly as possible"
Nine others, he said, are not as
urgent, but should get underway
within the next year. The final
four on the list-all auditoriums
in high schools now being built
are the least urgent. he said.
The schools superintendent ex-
planned that the General Assembly
has given authority for S9.5 mil
lion in school construction bonds
and that further action by that
body is not necessary. The County
Commissioners, however, must ap-
prove the program and issue the
bonds necessary to finance it.
Early Answer Sought.
Although all of the estimated
SIS million in bonds would not
have to be sold at one time, Mr.
Shugart said, 1--WE have to have
money before we can sign con.
tracts"
He requested the commissioners
to give as early an answer az
possible, and expressed the hope
that the reply might come by the
next regular meeting Of the Board
of Education on January 8.
Prince Georges County, Mr.
Shugart said, "is recognized
throughout the State as having
the most serious problem in Mary
land" He said he can't conceive
of the county being able to meet
the remainder of the five-yeal
program by itself. He termed the
possibility of Federal aid as ere.
mote" The county, however, i,
applying for Federal aid funds, HI
said.
| Urgent Need Areas.
AS outlined by Thomas S
Gwynn, jr., director Of schoo
planning for the county system
new schools are urgently needed
in the following areas:
Lincoln, IL rooms and multi
purpose room. $4,000 Ito re
place present elementary SCHOOL,
Riverdale, 10 rooms and multi
purpose room, 1868, 900; Silve
Hill, Is rooms and junior gym
nasium. $3.50, 400; Berwyn, 1.
rooms and multi-purpose room
| $465 200; Chillum road, 10 room
and multi-purpose, $363,000
Laurel, eight rooms and multi.
p,,r,,oSe rooro S2nQ nm apd WeS,
Lanham, 10 rooms and multi.
purpose room. 1858, 900.
Additions urgently needed were
listed as follows:
Ager road, four rooms, $80,640:
University Park, six rooms and
kitchen, $156,28O: Langley Park
10 rooms, 1920, 900; Camp Springs
six rooms, $170,300; Beltsville
four rooms, $80.64O; College Park
two rooms. $59,240; District
Heights. six rooms, $125 $40;