Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-04-26
Public Heariinq
On School Plans
Denied Sd Time
Women Rebuffed
On Sc Million Project
In Prince Georges

In Prince Georges
The Prince Georges County
School Board cold-shouldered
for the third time last night
requests for a public hearing on
its proposed Sc million school
construction program.
Mrs. Sterling Ament, president
of the League Of Women Voters,
was handed the last refusal at
a board session at Bladensburg
High School when members
agreed cit would serve no useful
purpose to have a public hearing
on the school construction pro-
gram"
Instead, the board rested on
its previous offer to send Acting
Supt. George H. Robinson and
other administrative officials to
a May 10 meeting of the County
Council of PTAs. They will make
a generalized presentation OF
plans.
Entitled to information"
In seeking reconsideration Of
a previous refusal of the leagues
public heariry request, Mrs.
Ament said, 1.-THE public is en-
titled to information on any
proposal to spend Sc million in
public funds. And we ought to
have a hearing before the pro-
gram reaches a final decision"
Mrs. Ament said the public
wants to know what the pro-
posed program is. what assump-
tions have been made as to
enrollments, standards of facil-
tiles to be provided, class sizes
and number Of shifts antici-
pated, and what makeshift
quarters still will be necessary
after the 1856 building pro-
gram Is completed.
She said the public should be
informed as to the number Of
new schools proposed, facilities
they will have and their general
location if sites are not now
owned by the board.
1--WE also want to know" she
said. "how the program will re.
ieve present crowded condi-
TONS"
Seeks Total Cost Figures
She said cost figures could DO
restricted to totals for construc-
ton. equipment and site acquisi-
tons in order not to risk In
creased bids by contractors and
increased land prices.
Board members fearing a pub
lie hearing feel information on
the program will cause construc-
ton bidders to increase prices
and give local groups an oppor-
tunity to work for the priority
Of one project over another.
Mrs. Ament questioned the
validity of these arguments.
I'VE do not want cost esti-
mates for each project" she
said.
Groups interested in facilities
for a particular area only will
learn of the needs elsewhere by
attending the public hearing and
having information made avail
able on general problems"
Say They Don't Have Data
But board members continued
cool to the proposal.
I'VE just don't have the infor-
nation" said Mrs. Louise D.
Yuill, member I'VE depend
on our staff school officials) for
information. We, in many cases,
don't know any more about these
things than you do" she told
Mrs. Ament.
Mrs. Muriel Stelzer, another
member, said the only proper
way to inform the public is to
send school officials to the PTA
Council meeting, to which other
groups could be invited, after
a final approval of the program
by the county commissioners,
expected the first week in May.
The PTA Councils Executive
Committee also is dissatisfied
with plans for the meeting at
Bladensburg High School.
1t also has requested a public
hearing and been turned down.
Council President Carl MUIR
said last night, 1.-THE meeting Is
not at all satisfactory with us.
and we are going to continue to
try to get a public hearing.
They'll probably send us a
speaker just to come and make a
speech" he said. That's not
what we want. The board itself
is responsible for the construc-
ton program and the responsible
officials should be the ones to
discuss it,"
He said he felt all people in
terested in schools would profit
by hearing a discussion from all
Sides"
Mrs. Margaret Conant, mem-
Der of the councils Executive
Committee. also has supported
efforts for a public hearing.