The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1952-02-14
School Expansion
Program is
Aired at Meet
(continued from Page u


Continued from Page II
reaching the limit. A bond is
sue of approximately $780,
900 would be needed to con-
struct the planned addition on
the present site and maintain a
safe financial status for pos
sible needs of other units of
the district. He also pointed out
that building costs have adj
vanced approximately 5 per
cent since bids were opened last
year and that fact must be TAX
en- into consideration also.
Other pertinent information
brought out in the discussion
pointed up the fact that the
district unit at Crow Agency is
now filled to capacity; enroll
ment at the st. Xavier school
showed a gain of so pupils at
the beginning of the current
school term, and the Hardin
high school is now experience
ing some classroom crOwding
with no more space available.
These facts, the board men,
berS said, must be kept in mind
in planning expansion of the
Hardin elementary system, and
care must be exercised that the
districts financial status be
maintained In condition to cope
with possible expansion needs
of these other units of the dis
trict.
An open discussion followed
the talks and 1t was pointed
out that if a structure were
placed on the present location
at this time, it might be made
quate within a few years and a
similar problem would arise. For
that reason some discussion
favored a new site now, rather
than building on the present
site.
Board members pointed out
that the problem is one for
the school patrons and taxpay-
ers to decide upon, and it is
thsir purpose to present the
situation to the public, adding
that they belive something must
be done soon. To place a bond
issue on the ballot in the COM
ing school election in April
would necessitate action within
the next 20 days, board mem
berS said.
H. r. Salyer, superintendent
of the district, explained the
need for additional claSsrooms
using a chart to point out the
overcroWded conditions in the
Hardin elementary system. He
explained that the ideal teach
ing load per room recommends
ed by MEA is Is pupils per
room. He said that Eastern
Montana College Of Education
in Billings limits classroom
loads to 20, and that excellent
results had been obtained UNI
der those conditions.
In the Hardin elementary
system, Slayer said, the first
grade classes are in the 25-pupil
range and are satisfactory. In
the second grade, teaching
loads are increased to 26 to %
pupils; in three third grade
rooms are 80 and 81 pupils,
making a difficult situation, but
an almost impossible teaching
load was experienced in the
fourth grade at the beginning
of this wear when AT pupils had
to be placed in each of two
rooms. Later, an office was con-
verified into a classroom to han
die 20 pupils, thus decreasing
the other two fourth grade
rooms to 81 each, a condition
which still exists.
Two fifth grade rooms have
Al pupils each and two sixth
grade rooms 40 each. In addi-
ton, a total of 90 pupils of the
fifth and sixth grade are nous
ed in sub-standard basement
rooms, Salyer pointed out.
Also discussing the crowded
situation we're David Hill. grade
school principal, and John M.
Fisher, high school principal.
The fact was brought out that
to comply with elementary ac-
creditation regulations, not
more than 20 pupils could be
assigned to one classroom.
During the business meeting
of the Lions club, H. r. Salyer
was indicted into the club with
L. C. Lippert of Crow Agency
reading the induction cere-
mony. It was announced that
the clubs first meeting in
March would be a ladies night,
with Lions ladies taking charge
of the dinner and meeting.