Evening star., 1961-03-19

] bIOhCIl hUOub OU,UUV pdIlcS.
Figuring the cost of replau
per pane-counting glass, putty
and labor-the total bill for the
last IL months would pay the
salaries of almost 20 first-rate
teachers for a year. 1t also
would build three top-grade
claSsrooms or a large gym
nasium. O.,
To illustrate further, the
100000 which the District and
nearby Maryland and Virginia
have recently finished spending
on pane replacement is equal
to more than five times the
annual salary Of District School
Supt. Carl F. Hansen, and five
times the salary Of Walter N
Tobriner, president Of the Dis
trict Board of Commissioners
Problem Increases
| Making matters worse, the
situation is not improving.
school officials say. Every year
the number Of broken panes is
increasing.
Heightening the problem are
reports from most quarters that
school administrators, princi-
pals and teachers have about
run out Of ideas on how to cut
down the wanton window-pane
vandalism.
While all jurisdictions -
Montgomery and Prince Georges
Counties in Maryland, and
Arlington, Alexandria, Fall;
Church and Fairfax and Loud
oun Counties in nearby Vir-
ginia-are having to pay the
price. the District, by far, is
traditionally the hardest hit.
In the last three years the
District has spent a phenomena
$212,414.30 for replacement o.
panes. This would cover almost
half the cost Of a small ele'
mentary school.
The District toll three year,
ago was $64, ,427.36 for 19,00(
panes. Two years ago it was 6
whopping $75,705.29 for 21,15E
panes, an all-time District high
In the last year the cityIs
tab totaled 2,281. IS for 20,11(
panes.
All Feel Blow
Only the District keeps ar
annual pane-by-pane account
Of losses but Arlington, Prince
Georges, Montgomery and Fair.
fax Counties, as well as othel
area jurisdictions, always allow
certain amounts in every schoo
budget for window replacement
Some are specifically labeled
for window breakage and Others
are covered in maintenance al
lowances.
Fairfax, for instance, allows
about $4,000 a year for glas'
and putty. Arlington allowi
about $4,000 and AlexandriG
81, 900.
It is a rare year, indeed
when there's any money left
and .spokesmen for those area'
say the last year was no ex'
ception.
Montgomery. ranking second
to the District in total loss
spent $22,381.
Why is the Districts mos
recent figure-$72, ,000-so much
higher than those in the out.
lying areas?
School spokesmen maintain
that youngsters in suburban
areas have more to do in term!
Of honest recreation. They alsC
have more places to play-parks
and yards away from schoo
buildings. Also, many nearby
schools are used at night fol
civic meetings, which keeps the
vandals away.
"City youngsters" says
Thomas B. Netting, supervisor
Of buildings and grounds ir
Arlington. "are often short oi
play space and end up using
school yards. The temptation
to break windows stares them
in the face. particularly in
early evening when few OBJ
servers are around"
In Falls Church, where Of
ficialS say recent pane smash
ings have been slightly fewer
than in the past. another point
is made.
Parents Had to Pay
1--WE caught q few kids about
a year ago." one school admin
istrator explains, "and the par.
entS had to pay. The word got
around and after that the
amount of breakage dropped.
Parental responsibility also
has been emphasized in Prince
eorges and Montgomery
where the young vandals are
sometimes caught in the act
Everybody knows everybody
in these housing developments. >
a Prince Georges educator says
land when the windows are
broken there are often witnes-
ses. We learn the names Of the
culprits and then go to their