The Farmville herald. (Farmville, Va.) 1957-current, 1961-09-26
New Academy
Termed A Most
Practical Plant
Harold Garrett
Tells Why 1t Is
Such A School
BY BEN BOWERS

1.-The new Prince Edward
Academy is just about as prac-
teal aaschool building as l have
ever SEEN"
From the unsung hero of the
plants erection. Harold Garrett.
building superintendent on the
job for the foundation, that state
ment could be taken at face
value For Garrett. of Farmville,
has supervised the construction
of more than 20 school buildings
in Virginia.
But. one reporter was less
than satisfied to let that state
ment ride alone. Garrett con-
scented to show the building S
principal features of practically
to back his statement.
First, there are six separate
buildings. all requiring heat,
There is no central heating plant
Instead. there are four heating
units. each serving a building
and a half. This is practical Gar
rett says because if something
happens to one unit, you still
have three functioning. Makes
good sense.
The water system is the same
way. TrOubl in one place
doesn't disturb five other build
ingS.
Covered Walkways
Covered walkways. They are
a story in themselves. and if
you don't believe so, ask any
teacher. The confusion in hall
ways and on steps used to be
problem as recess and class
changing time. Now. with out
side entrances to all classrooms,
there is the wide open spaces to
absorb the noise. The fresh air
offers its health advantages too.
Garrett explains further that
the walkways eliminate costly
venetian blinds or shades, the
glare of sunlight being kept out
Of classrooms already. The solar
panel which provides a decora-
tive front serves the same light
blending purposes at the large
windows in the library.
THE building is permanent.
Garrett said. Pointing to the
brick and masonry construction
he noted that there is nothing
to show wear and tear. Cinder-
block walls. even when painted
aren't susceptible to pencil
mark to speak Of.
Ventilation in the building is
emphasized. There are air ducts
and power fans.
Lighting is designed to afford
the best possible for proper
study. Florescent lighting is in
the library and in each class
room in addition to maximum
use of natural light through
many windows.
The lighting practically angle
doesn't stop with the interior.
Lights on the many walkways
are controlled with a solar
switch come on when its gets
dark. go off when it gets day
automatically.
The arrangement of class
rooms, administration, shop. etc.
is as good as the location of the
school to Farmville's chief rec
reation area.
1.-The administrative section is
located as .cloSe to the center
of the plant as we could get it, .
Garrett related. That includes a
general office, headmaster' Of
flee. office for assistant head.
master. and two conference
rooms. The library is also cen
trally located and with ample
entrances to make it easily the
most accessible area of the en-.
tire school.
The shop and industrial arts
section is located far enough
away from other classrooms tc
avoid machines disturbing any
one.
There is bus loading anC
unloading zone capable of handl
ing four buses at a time. Covered
walkways protect the pupil from
the weather, either way.
Metal lockers are provided fol
each student. the boys in one
end of the buildings and the
girls in the other.
Each of the q Classroom
have as standard equipmen
ample chalk and bulletin board.
and a teachers closet with book
case.
An hour later, Garrett wa
still spelling out angles of prac
ticality such as that three-incl
2O-year bonded roof designed Il
absorb heat.
Let's face it though, the build
ing is practical. A reporte
should have taken his word il
the beginning, for parents ant
pupils must agree as the founda
ton does, Garrett did a goo