The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1951-09-27

statement Iudue on tuesday by Jtle
Board of Education, concerning the
criticism that has been leveled at
the plans for the proposed Salem
Avenue School.
"The Board of Education believes
there should be widespread discus
sion of the plans for new school
buildings, but feels it is unfortunate
when statements are made that give
the public incorrect ideas about what
is planned. 1t therefore wishes to
present the following facts concern
ing the criticism that has been level
ed at the proposed Salem Avenue
School.
81. There is absolutely nothing in
the plans or specifications calling for
lounge table, lamp and telephone
in the lobby. A pay telephone is
provided near the entrance-as it is
in many county schools. This pay
phone costs the schools nothing and
saves the county money. The school
phone in the principals office is for
school business only. The pay phone
is for public use.
SO. The elaborate stage in each
classroom is a small 6-inch high
platform The design of the room
lends itself to this arrangement. A
small platform has many uses in a
classroom. When constructed as a
part of the building it merely means
that the floor is six inches higher in
this little area of the room.
I "3. 1t is absurd to say that the
stage in the multi-purpose room re-
( sembles the stage of a New York
Theater. 1t has neither footlights,
nor spot lights nor side lights. The
plans call for two rows Of lights
which are technically named borders
with rheostats to control the amount
of light. 1t will be possible to add
additional lighting if it is ever need
ed. The County Commissioners were
told that the Board of Education had
decided to eliminate even the rheo-
stats and to take a credit for them
on the contract.
Il. The pond for aquatic plants is
also Q gross exaggeration. A low
concrete box by one of the windows
has been designed to take care oil
living things in the classroom. These
plain concrete boxes are not design
ed as pools; they provide facilities
for science teaching and for giving
children an opportunity to study
natural history Our engineer in
formed us that the boxes took the
place of floor, floor covering, cabinet
work or tables for science study anc
would cost no more than the regular
furnishing of the classroom. The
County Commissioners were tolc
prior to the opening of bids that il
. the bids indicated excessive costs the
figures would be checked with the
contractor and the boxes eliminated
The cost of each is $13500 which i,
comparable to the cost of finishing
the classrooms in the usual manner
"5. The method of caring for pu
pills wraps has been carefully work
ed out to eliminate lockers which
would have added $4,000 to the con
tract, or cloak rooms which would
have increased the building size. The
coat storage arrangement in Salem
Avenue costs less than in any of tht
new county schools and the arrange
ment is more satisfactory. The Goa
hangers are the same as those sup
piled at Fountaindale The low bid
der informed us that the cost to hin
is 1924 or 35 cents each. They are
sturdy and will last as long as the
building. They are standard equip
ment in the schools of Montgomery
County.
IS. The charge that heavier anc
better asphalt tile will be used OF
the floor than in any other schoo
building is untrue. The tile il
question is 3/16" tile. 3/16" tile wa
used in the large Washington Schoo
addition and in the North Stree
School. Linoleum which is ever
more expensive was used at Foun
taindale. 2/16" tile was used a
Boonsboro and Paramount. We wer,
told by our engineers that it would
be cheaper in the long run to us,
3/16" tile because of its longer wear
ing qualities. Light colors, which
are slightly more expensive, wer,
selected in order to cut down on tht
contrasting color in the classroom
and TO provide more light.
81. The wrought iron letters spell
| r.