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r,vT t 8ECTION TWO — PAGE FOUR THE ENTERPRISE, ALTAMONT.N- Y -' F» IPAY » MARCH 29, 1957 k i \ \ t Wr •*:°- v .'.i.- •l 1 -#':••• • PRE-FABRICATED. SCHOOL —in ast \week's issue of the Enterprise, one of the \Letters t o the Edi- tor\ told of a corporation in Boston that builds schools with porcelain-enameled steel. For example, a 5.00-pupil school, built in Emmitshurg,, Md. (pictured above) cost $325,000 complete with all utilities and furniture ready for the students. The best of materials are used, according to the writer. The school pictured here was all ready for teaching, 18 working weeks after signing of the contract. Gary, Ind., also has one of these schools, and there is another under construction in Westport, Conn, useful life of these schools is 75 years. pective builders and home seekers have already asked & is Question ^ d have come up with a negative answer, 'because I understand that home construction is practically nil at the present time I als 0 understand that there are a great number of real estate salesmen at the present time, who are unwilling to attempt to sell property in our area, as they feel it is much too time consuming and unprofitable to move. Let us now take a look at the present home owners in our area. We are not a Westchester type of population. We are made up of a group of middle class, hard working people who moved to the country to have a little room around our homes. We are made up of retired 'business men and farmers and widows, living on Social Security or pensions, or both, who find it absolutely neces- sary to watch every expenditure in order to get toy and to keep bills current. For this last group, I have a great deal of concern. If this proposition were to go ahead, the new school tax would be practically confiscatory, A great number of these honest and respected citizens would he forced to sell their homes and leave this area in which they no doubt have spent a large part of their lives; this area they love so dearly. In fact, I have talked with several people who have made 'the statement, that they would find it * .., »„„...— „ „.* „ .,.,, ..._, „„,....... -.„,. „ aj ......~„ , — . - -- i:_:„_ ^f necessary to leave if our school faxes have paid taxes too. But if I was .bus ports, .this proposal has the com- question more loudly the policies ot „ ' \° v the hi°h figure in- in the deal, I would oppose the swim- -i-^ ^^,~<«™^* „f » -c^t ™ = rw thA StatP Dpnarftmen-t — thevf sound !> \ uu * ui , \PProach tne_ni 0 n iigme in ming pool, as I am retired now. The following clipping was taken from 'the Middleburgh News. (Name Submitted) * * * * Public Support for Education Evaluated In these days of increased school J called for, without -the swimming enrollments, increased personnel sal-! pool. They have made their deds- aries, and of increased costs for fuel,' ion after careful consideration. We books, supplies, etc., the question is; must now make our decision, often raised, \When does a com- j The ultimate question to be? an Estimated Letter To The Editor To the Editor: I 'thought I would add a little more fuel to 'the fire. Everything has gone up, and school tax has got to. I have fanned it all of my life, so for the basic elements of .the pro-' enough to last 50 years! _ Lets try posal. (The writer personally to pay off more of the principal 'be- decked with ithe State Department fore we add more extras. May 1 of Education the reasons for ex-, add that I'm glad to see that the panding tine original citizens com- j \trend\ is hack to two-storied ibuild- miKee proposal). With the excep-J ings. tion of swimming pool proposal ra- Let's be sure -we put the right men •ther than a gymnasium, and the two ' or women on the school board. Let s plete endorsement of a great many of your neighbors personally famil- iar with these needs. The swimming pool proposal is presented in 'the most simple manner possible. The board recommends it. You may accept or reject it. If rejected, a new vote will 'be quickly thev sound => uwuiu approach me nigu u* I they dlca,te< . b y our school 'board. the State Department fffet^'Tard^ldng \b£3 I. * «* point,I also would like to members and citizens committee do ® ve a wwi of warning to the fam- as asked six years ago, we wouldn't \Hes renting. Rent control is slowly •be expandin/hoilers 0 and changing Z^Z^Z ^1\ \L^ £H cafeterias. However, let's not re- peat past mistakes.' One past mistake I made was be- ing \sold\ on 'the financing of the last bond issue even' though I didn't you people imagine what will hap- pen when this day arrives? Do you think your landlords will maintain the low rents now prevalent in some areas, when this day comes? When it does come, \we will have such an like the way it was setup - or the exodus f - fa rf ' as , t o make proposals it made. Where is that • .. . ,, ,. .. , .. ..... , —-- -——- -j— i~ — - «-• - -, , . ... .. f . ,, „ I even our present school facili'ties munity reach the limit of its ability ^^j , bv evervone before voting on ; wonderful athletic field ? seem smffidenttv large without even to support schools? (Saturday is: \Considering the irnme- . I vote that this issue he presented co^^^^ ^ en f arging pr0 gram In evaluating tins problem, the : diate needs and the jong-Term invest-- ms more 'than two parts—fairly. Not Thp ^1 *;.., «,„„„M, a w„ i«>or Jan. 15 issue of the Public Education ££t Ymtfv£7iTtf£lrop^ed pro a vague as the \XYZ\ cost of the r^^^J^^* $£S^ Reearch Bulletin made some interest- o- rarn the best possible way to spend swimming pool as presented in News- - . c c \\\• f. f letter No. 4. ing comments: \Most communities, if they were willing to forego one-twentieth of what they spend on pleasures, includ- ing amusements, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and personal appearance, could spend over a fifth more on < public schools. A 10 per cent econ- To the Editor omy in the purchase and use of the: As a resident of the Guilderland family automobile or our money ? j I feel verv sure that it is. I W-M. SPEXCE BLACK. Letter To The Editor forecast committee report is some- Lets have the proposals separated ^\L.Sftj*' Kne -. . and M shouW ' b e ;,,.„ ^h =HHi.ti™ »Lh .Ma* ™- *h* trimmed down considerably. Getting hack to the school meeting into each addition, each idea, or the board may find themselves losing all. I believe we can manage without the bus garages; the swimming pool, with I attended, during the explanation of the new facilities required, I heard its chlorine filters, swim-suits and *> ™\^ h <™»« tte phrase used, «We washer drver headaches; the two >^ V 1^ %?° ? 1S ' ^ e have ^ t0 rooms in Altamont (the main 'floor j^,*? t ' ™e thought came to me, automobiles Central School district, I would like of the old school would come in ' wno ^ me mastermind ot this whole generally would make possible a 40 to express my opinion, for what k is per cent increase in what is spent for iwprth. As I am not affiliated with public schools. . 'the G. C S. D., I feel free to let \The problem for most communi- people know who is speaking. In ties is not what they are able to other words, I can sign this with no spend for public education, but how t prejudice _to imy gainful employ- situation that much they are willing to spend for this purpose relative to what they are willing and able to spend on pleasure and comfort. The key to adequate school support is the sense of values of the community. \Expenditures for beverages and meals are nearly double the annual ment. Why are some letters sign ed (Name withheld or some such rhubarb) ? Is it because there are some in BIG Business (The largest employer in the town of Guilderland, other ittan Federal, is G. C. S. D.) who have a grievance, hut are un- willing, or afraid to say their piece, outlay for public schools. Expendi-1 because of their job, or are the fcax- tures for tobacco jewelry and. per- payers afraid to ihave Big Business spnail appearance exceed hy aimost took 'on itfliem with an unfavoraible I ven ? The elementary pupil is sel- out J u ^t wl ^2i*^pjtMSi: \JBvrhaS:\--'4s' '^i«^\sfcte\tBufl»lio.Y^I!fttU!*e ? dom in. 'his class with aU. his class- a P£p ,l> * en ?*. schools;, if the cost for these \are At a meeting, .the panel of the G. added to the cost of beverages, meals j C. S. <D/ tried to answer my ques handy now!) As to the other class- ^\\ L \\\ T \^ Cre £l eS A ^ 2 MI9 ' rooms, I was for them until I read S^f \ \ * our board of educa- Letter No. 5, and saw what a lot of £°\; J s >* the NY. State Depart- revamping had to be done. Let's do ment of Education ? I have always a bit of investigating available spaces * eIt . * at ^f a f taxpayers, we who and so-called outmoded schools first. foot .the 'bills have a little nght to The K's adn first grade would he S W ^ whut, our money is to be very happy in spots away from the s P enl \ fo £ ^M 131 h » w much we , cax \ bigger children, especially the Kin- aff01 ? • : 5'-! I # i - If our own local dergarteners .'board ls^at f^ult, we as voters have All this building means more per- ' a \^ to o^ect If it is our State sonel and maintenance. Before next Department of Education that has so year's budget, may I suggest the Citi- ™ ch ^ctatonal authority to create zens committee look into the real this situation;; it is about time we need and benefits of some of the farted writing to our state legisla- 1 extra classes that are now being gi- tors to have .a? investigation to fmd oviti and-pleasure, the total is about $38 billion or nearly five ;jtimes the annual outlay for public\ schools. \The ability of most, communities to support schools out of income would not be strained if they doubled their . taxes for public schools. It would simply represent a slight cur- tailment on what they spend for comfort, pleasure, and style. It would not cause them, to cut essen^ tial living standards. \Probably the major cause of the existing patterns' of consumption and the sense of values which they rep- resent is in the way we pay for things, Consumer credit and easy payment plans create large markets for automobiles, television sets, and other costly semi-durable goods. Mortgages that can be paid off in monthly installments like rent have made possible a great expansion and tion as to why some' .thought wasn't put into the tremendous (400 percent or more since the 1931 water short- age) increase of water consumption in Altamont. before the new school. The answer was, other .than Alta- morit's water 'supply, there was only one other alternative, that of drill- ing a well. Altamont depends en- tirely on rainfall for its reservoirs. Couldn't we lighten Altamont's over- burdened water demands (to which Altamont Elementary school has largely contributed) by also Using .'this abundant rain supply? I was told by •the-commiftee that I was the first and only person to propose spending more money for the schools. My thought was to SAVE, NOT SPEND, MONEY! Having in mind a cistern, and as we already are •the proud possesors of- the top and sides of one, I fail to see where we improvement in housing. Most out-1 would foe spending an exorbitant sum lays for pleasure and comfort are i by the installation of the bottom of made in small payments or at fre- the vessel. Realizing that this is quent intervals. The consumer sel- \ighiy impracticable in a completed dom realizes what he spends on them building, but for the added small mates at one lesson. How can a teacher do a good job with only a out just whyws are faced with such problem ',v| There is Mdouibt' in' any.' one's mind that overl&period of years, the part of a class at a time? aow State Educa^KD^p'aebment has re- many second year (grade school) Sparlish or French lessons provide ceived- ^raetkjlpy) 'anything it has asked for. Jpn7'Yact, i understand in the course of a year. \However in the case of schools he often gets the full bill for the whole year. Translating this sum in- to what it costs per hour or per day puts it into perspective, but it does not solve the problem of paying rt Perhaps what is needed where people get concerned about ability to pay is a new easy payment plan for public education.\ Letter To Editor To the Editor: By now the average citizen of our school district, I am sure, is con- cerned if not confused by the many issues raised regarding the proposed school building program. This let- ter is written in the hope that some of this concern can be eliminated. The confusion I will leave to bigger and better \.Letters to the Editor.\ The writer is a home owner and a parent. Further, I have had the opportunity to observe, closely and critically, the development of this proposal (from its inception. Close- ly, as a member of the Citizens Plan- ning committee; and \critically through training and experience as an architect. \Having become in the past year very familiar with the operation of (this major Industry (our school plant Bias a real estate value of §4.665.000 and an annual budget of $1,568,000). The many doubts and concerns I be- ,gian with have been put aside. The people who operate this big (business are, purely and simply, citi- zens., even as you and I. They, the Board of Education, receive no (re- wand whatsoever tor the long hours and dilffficult problems they fo.ee . Ha'pily, most rt them are adtive in iBheV .prliyate business world. They Ibnng; it£ bear on these problems the (benefit '«tf close contact, with sound business practices. Having come to Kriow/bhe.tooard better,ovehthe last yUM^l lepl'iwe'are very-fortunate 5n- deed ifed (find ,istt!dh. men among us. The grave concern I had ori'ginal- •Jy jfior JtHe.h&ed. jpf (this program has ; .e^: : fo^-\$$k iiMi3&- • Three groups of ioifiizehs' ariwsHSigaited thoroughly, enflihaiVe ample 'evidence Of *he need '\ cost by square ft. prices, we can save before adding to the present build- ing Altamont by analyzing the cost of each — a drilled well or a cistern bottom. One a gamble (well), the otfier a sure bet (cistern). Now -for sq. ft. price quotations. These are the most misunderstood and probably the most misleading figures presented. We have been quoted figures for New York state of §13 per sq. ft t o $32 per sq. ft: Just what do these figures mean? , Ap- parently there are Ford and Cadillac prices. Now let us think a moment! The first figure is probably a hare building, without electrical, plumb the child with a knowledge of the mere ' has been*ta)k of providing our language outside of class? Half- Commissioner of Education with an day sessions are not desirable; the $85,000 home. This sounds like quite children do not have any \fun\; but a precedent t o start. • Why not build might help the finances of the fu- such a home for all of our state tu-re. A certain size class was re- commissioners?. If one has it, surely contended as being the 'best, but per- *& of the rest are entitled to it; or naps that quota could be upper and does the State Education Depart- not hurt the quality of the work men* w 'th its tremendous lobby done. This would certainly be bet- st » nd ' in a class by itself? ter than imposing two different I read an article in a New York grades on one teacher (as is now be- paper this last week thht proved very ing done). Let's not take on any interesting, and bears directly on our more salaries than we need to. problem. It tells about the hottest Many families in this area are man- 'bill yet to reach- the 1957 Legisla- aging .with less than the minimum ture, Assemblmail' William, Passan- teacher's salary. nante's measure' to scrap the junior • Let's get what we need, but not high schools for economy. The be such spenders doing it. Perhaps writer hoped the foil! would not be the homemaking or woodworking pigeonholed and forgotten, at the in- classes could help refurbish some of sistence of the eduoation lobby or the old one-room schools. Would for any other reason. There is con- give them .better exerience than turn- siderable doubt wiiether the duplicat- ng on a Bendix, or polishing the ing equipment arid tremendous cost what t o spend. In the face of recent school building bids and contracts, I am of the opinion that their figures are fantastic. I am not in favor of the two propositions they have of- fered us to vote on. I would suggest, that the school board discharge the firm of archi- tects from New York city which has been retained; that they hire one of a dozen of good competent architects we have in our own area, a firm that lives with us and understands our problems; that this firm be instructed to give us our mimimtun needs for the next five years. If this is done, I feel confident that the reasonable people in our area will go along with our school board. Why buy a \pig in a poke\ for which we may be extremely sorry? E. W. SANFORD, JR. Letter To The Editor To the Editor: Some of the opponents of the pending proposal covering the con- struction of a junior high school and of additions to other school buildings, have made reference to questions that have arisen in this district in the past regarding the legality of the so-called \package deal.\ They summon to their aid the Gov- ernor of the state and quote him as to some supposed illegality of this kind arising in connection with the proceedings of a fire district. Whatever may be the rule as to fire districts, it is clear beyond the shadow of a doubt that the submis- sion of a school building program to the voters in a single proposition is well within the power of a board of education, both under court decisions and the applicable law as enacted by the Legislature. The leading court authority on this subject is the decision of the Supreme Court in the Corbett case, decided in 1951, in which case the court said in part: \No language in the . . . law prohibits the inclusion in a single proposition of a comprehensive pro- gram for school development in a district. The board of education. is necessarily vested with a large dis- cretion in the form of a proposition to be submitted to a district meeting, and in a large district where rapid and considerable increases in popula- tion have occurred, propositions in the form here employed may well be found by boards of education to be not only desirable but necessary if the physical needs of these districts are to be wisely met. . . . There will be judgment on the merits for the defendants.\ This language, remember, is not that of the commissioner of educa- tion, but of the Supreme Court. Since 'that decision was made, the Legislature has seen fit to amend the Local Finance- Law, in order to re- move all possible doubt as to whether a class of objects may be submitted to the voters in a single proposition. In connection with the bill which brought about this change, the State Department of Audit and Control submitted to the Governor a memorandum in which it pointed', out •that the bill' \will permit a school v (Oontdnued on page 5, Sect. Two) BATH TUB ENCLOSURES Made to Our Sped- fications. Designed for Safety. Term* to Suit your con- venience. Free Home Demonstra- tion. I Hanvy Ripplad Glau • • Doors 1% Polished Aluminum Framework Installed Towol Ian on '• lath Door 4 DOOM Hung from Top for • Easy, Troublo-Froo Operation E Blend Handiamely with All Color Combinations SCHUN1R McCAMMON TELEPHONE 3-4271 fg¥ GLASS 31 WORKS \Our Reputation If Reflected in Our Work\ 212 HUDSON AVENUE OMN SATS. 9 TO 5 BETWEEN SWAN AND HAWK STREETS ALBANY, N. Y. ITS HAPPENED SINCE 1940 FOOD COSTS t32.%M0G£ r«*e THE PRICE OP PHONE SERVICE. 1$ UP 20%* Our revenues simply haven't kept pace with our costs. So we are now asking for a modest increase in telephone rates (only 50tf a month for most home phones, 65(f for some). We need this adjustment in order to continue to provide the kind of telephone service you want, deserve — and get. *Average increase for all service, local and long dis- tance, since 1940. More for some users, less for others, , I depending on the type of service and the use made of it. NEW YORK TELEPHONE COMPANY Try an \Ad\ in the Enterprise - - It Will Pay You iilverware. (Name submitted). A PARENT. Letter to the Editor of the junior high schools, wedged between the old'.^ammar and high schools, pay off ih any substantial extra benefits to the students. Per- haps our legislators should give this bill a little serious attention, 'as on the surface, it seepis to merit. It has been stated- by some, that it is extremely easy to criticize; but OUR SCHOOL SITUATION To the Editor: _ ^ ^^„ W11C1 ca = ^ ~ - , J h l l3St J^ w we( *s I have read ' wiSoutTsoIutionlt) our present im all the articles and letters in .the mediate needs we-are at the same newspapers, and also have been to a spot from which We started. In my meeting at the Altamont Elementary mind -there shouM be one or two schoo , at which time members of the points we could start with, school board, chairmen of different Our forecast committee tells us citizens' groups, and a representative that we will need- 1 approximately 29 of the architects were present I additional elementary classrooms ^^e, v,„, iwut ^^^^, .^uj,^- f „;rl, ,Tf mg a P ,anne< 3 Program from kindergarten'through the sixth ing, heating facilities, or athletic ^ K L V, expansion was present- grade to take care of young children fields, grading, sidewalks, blacktop, i M D y me board and committee chair- in our school district. Perhaps a re- a 6 percent fee, etc. Now then, let's Hf n ' ana the , n tne ^e\mg was vised forecast could cut this number - — - - - - thrown open to questions from a in half. If so they could be added large group of citizens and taxpay- to v our present schools with' no ers. This proved very interesting, trouble a a cost of approximately because it tended to indicate that $500,000. This amount should seem try th e $32 question. This is prob- ably a complete operating plant fur- nished and ready tq go. However, without detailed information, the above quotations mean very little. My own observation is fchat these Guilderland Central school meetings have left me in the dark. Oh, Great White Father, where is the light switch ? ERIK E. RASMUSSEN. Letter To The Editor To the Editor: For ray children's benefit, I wish to remain anonymous. To 'boost •the NO Vote, I wish to add my bit to the letters. With an outstanding debt in .the Guilderland School, district of about $4,400,000 and'almost 30, years to be paying — I am concerned about spending another million and a half for more of the same. Economists agree that we are having a definite •trend toward regression if not a de- pression. I think we toad (better count our pennies more carefully. What happens,if we cannot pay for this debt? No matter what a dol- lar is N worth five years >£rom now (now worth about-60 cents), or hard to get, ifihese debt figures stay on the boolks a s iwriiften. • We had the nerve to mortgage our grandchildren's pay- cheeks. Is itfiat as 'kind and thought- ful as auditoriums and bus garages ? I hope ifihese schools have quality there were a great many people at-.to be sufficient to'take care of our tending who were vitally interested' present needs in this situation. There seemed to ; Our present high school', after it is be an atbtude in the air of apprecia- finally finished will accommodate f 10n t i^f larg S \IP 1 \ 361 \ of , c °mmit- approximately^'l000 students.' .If tee members who have worked long and when the number of seventh and and djhgently to bnng this program eighth grade Siite reach the before the citizenry; but there also number indicated to the forecast, I seemed to be an air of frustration would suggest taring * double ses- ™L d ^Vl^\™ n *l.?Ll^ ^on whicfisS^one in a great number of schools throughout the state. This suggestion will no doubt meet with a grek deal of objection: but to me in tie face of economy it is the only practical 1 solution at the present time. Perhaps from the foregoing para^ graphs you win \.gather that I am not in favor of giving our children and grandchildreri sufficient facilities for a proper education. This is far from the truth as I f eel *** X kntw the advantages of a good education and I feel fea* fo meet the future that industry will come in \tot* SK'S?* ^^l^henTTalso us pay our even now high taxes? ™hat Z^ 81 JI^mMren as S One. of the very first considerations grow un T^lS fsb^S of industry, before locating in a new with a Jf™ Sho ? ld ' ?\£ MM «SMwe area is: \How' high ate the taxeir ^s%o^l mhe ^^^£e%h^ One of the very first considerations them S ParetlW '.** beque ^ ttle<1 tofan 1 Sft: %£***&*£ „.<& *»* of education has given *e re ta*e S? Can I afford to ^^^^S^^S I believe a great number of p ros - S&Fff&fi &£ £ E % many people as to how this projected program could be paid for. This is a very serious matter, not only to US' here in Altamont or the different small communities through- out the Guilderland school district, but to our entire town. On this issue alone can hinge the future growth and prosperity of the entire sur- rounding territory influenced by this school district. Our town officials tell us that we need more building, more industry to help pay the present burdensome taxes. Are we so naive as to believe I SPECIAL!! Limited Time Only YOUR CHOICE OF FABRIC \FREE RUBBER FOAM CUSHIONS' We Do !! ALL SPRINGS TIED EIGHT WAYS SPRINGS REPLACED IF NEEDED ALL FRAMES COMPLETELY RENEWED RE-STYLED TO MODERNIZE YOUR SET SOFAS MADE INTO,SECTIONALS —ALL OLD MATERIALS COMPLETELY REMOVED ALL WORK DONE AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU Made To Your All Work Under Personal Supervision 2310 Western Avenue Guilderland, N. Y. Write or Phone Albany 8-3718 \We Service tne Entire Capital Area' &^*^*^^*^^**^ y^o<;^^v-« iiisi^ijt$&^^
