HomeMy WebLinkAbout2764 Report of Committee on Proposed New High School Building, September 21, 1901 PROPOSEDREPORT OF COMMITTEE
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REPORT OF COMMITTEE
ON PROPOSED
NEW HIGI3 SCHOOL BUILDING.
To the Citizens of Lexington
During the past four or five years, the School Committee has
repeatedly called attention to the need of better accommodations
for our High School. In 1899, the Town appropriated $i,000 for
the purpose of making improvements in the present building; but
the special committee appointed to expend the money unanimously
reported that such an expenditure could not wisely be applied.
PRESS OF H. A. DAVIS, JR. & co. a - The report was received with approval, and no changes or improve-
BOSTON. ments were made, the insufficiency _of accommodations being
suffered to continue in the common understanding that a new
building must soon be erected. Thereupon a committee was
chosen to investigate and consider all matters with reference to the
construction of a new High School house, of sufficient size to
accommodate the High School alone, or the High School together
with some of the upper grades from the Grammar Schools.
In its report, submitted in January of the present year,
that committee, after showing clearly the necessity for more
space in order to accommodate the classes not only in the High
School but in the Hancock School as well, expressed the following
conclusions:
"Considering the present conditions and demands, there seems to your
committee three courses for the Town to choose between;—First, to erect a
new building to be occupied exclusively by the High School, and reopen some of
the old district schools to relieve the Hancock School; Second, to erect a new
building exclusively for the High School, and either enlarge the Hancock School
or build an entirely separate building to relieve it; or, Third, to build a new
building sufficiently large to accomodate the High School and some of the grades
from the Hancock School, and later when necessary,from the Adams School.
"After carefully considering these various plans,your committee disapprove
of the first, because it believes that the reopening of the district schools would be
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a step backward towards the system discarded ten years ago. We disapprove of formance of their duties with the idea that the High School had
the second plan as needlessly expensive at the present time, although otherwise best be kept wholly by itself, and that a separate building should
the most desirable. We approve of the third plan, as under all the present be erected to relieve the Hancock School; but their investi-
circumstances meeting the urgent needs with the least expense, and in no way gations led them to agree heartily in the conclusion above referred
interfering with that part of the second plan, suggesting the enlargement of the
Hancock School, or the erection of a separate primary building when the further to. Indeed, all have come to doubt whether a building exclusively
growth of the town demands it. We therefor recommend that the Town immedi- for the High School and a new building for some of the lower
ately provide for the erection of a new school building on the site of the present grades is, leaving entirely aside the question of extra expense,
High School building,or on some more desirable one, if such can be found; said intrinsically the more desirable scheme. All agree that to gg back
building to comprise not less than eight(8) rooms, to accommodate the High
School and such grades from the Hancock School and Adams School as the to the district school system, and provide Separate Schools, each
School Committee may determine, and as the cost of brick construction is only caring for all of the nine grades below the High Schools, Should
about one-third more than that of wood, while its depreciation is, of course, not be thought of.
scarcely anything as compared with wood, we recommend that the building be There are certain minimum requirements in a modern High
erected of,brick. We urge that its construction be begun as early as possible, in School building which make the cost of one having seating and
order to relieve the present congested condition above referred to without further. recitation room accommodations for a school like ours, numbering,
unnecessary detriment to the school system of the town."
say, too, proportionally much higher than the cost of one
The votes of the town under which the present committee, designed to be occupied by a substantially larger number. These
now presenting its report,has supplemented the investigations con- requirements are, first, a room or hall where all the members of
ducted by the preceding committee., expressed a desire for more the school may, at least occasionally, if not daily, be seated
detailed and definite information,both as regards the cost of a new together, either to receive instructions from the principal, or for
building, and as concerns the expediency of providing one adapted other purposes. Secondly, separate rooms for physical and
to accommodate the High School alone, the urgent and 'increasing chemical laboratories must be provided, if sufficient facilities are.
needs of the Hancock School to be met in such case. by erecting to he had for the teaching of the sciences, which properly play so
a separate building or buildings for that purpose. important a part in a High, School course. It is found that in
February i8th, this committee was instructed 14 to present to fulfilling these conditions, —necessary conditions, unless Lex-
the town, with as little delay as possible, definite plans and esti- ington's pupils are to content themselves with makeshift facilities
mates for the erection of one or more school buildings, to acom- inferior to those enjoyed by neighboring towns, —a building
modate the High School, and to relieve the present crowded condi- assumes a size which easily furnishes class-rooms capable of
tion of the Hancock School. For this purpose the town appro- seating more than the number embraced in the High School alone.
priates the sum of $250, or so much thereof as ' may be found In other words, the problem of getting a proper High School
necessary, to be expended by said committee in securing plans and building means much more than the mere providing of space for
estimates." seating the school in appropriate class-rooms ; and a building
After conferences with the School Committee and''Superinten- which provides, in the important particulars referred to, adequate
dent of Schools, a study of Lexington's school statistics, an exami- accommodations naturally adapts itself to the furnishing of space
nation of the school houses lately erected and in process of erection for class-rooms beyond the seating requirements of the four classes.
elsewhere, and inquiry among the State officers of education and It will readily be seen, therefore, that to bring into the same
other authorities' on the subject, the members of your committee building with the High School, some of the grammar school
have unanimously reached substantially the same conclusion that grades, is an economical plan.
was reached by their 'predecessors, namely, that reasons of The facts presented by Superintendent Buck showed that to
economy, at least, require that the new.school house should be take care of the present overflow at the Hancock School House,
adapted to accommodate both the High School and two upper such numbers must be removed as will empty three rooms. If
classes of the Hancock-School. these pupils should be taken wholly from the lower grades, and
Several members of the present committee came to the per- the building proposed to be built upon the present site of the High
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School should be adapted to the needs of that school alone, a new
primary school building would have to be erected; and no one
would think of constructing a school house for primary purposes
having less than four rooms. The committee considered the ques-
tion of erecting a separate wooden building of that size, but soon
found that, apart from the difficulty of deciding upon the most
suitable and convenient site, the expense of the undertaking (it was
agreed that such a site would mean an expenditure for the purchase
of land) added to the cost of a High School building having
accommodations for that school alone, would far exceed the amount
necessary to erect a suitable single building furnishing room for
two-fold uses.
A brief survey of the recent growth in school population, and
of the conditions with which we'have to deal, will be in place here.
For nearly five years now, the Hancock School House has
been taxed beyond its capacity. A school house with only eight
class rooms, it was not adapted to seat more than about 350 pupils.
The two rooms on the third floor were intended for use, not as
regular class rooms, but for special work or exercises. The normal
capacity of the building seating the nine regular grades failing to be
sufficient to care for the steadily increasing numbers from year to
year, it became necessary, in the absence of accommodations else-
where, not only to re-open the Tidd School,but to press into service
these two upper rooms. For the school year ending in i89i, the
total average membership of the Hancock School was 291. This
number rose to 323 in 1893, increased year by year thereafter, and for
the year lately closed it was about 42 5. The over crowding at the
beginning of the present* school year is such that the pupils in one
grade are permitted to come to school for only one session a day.
To give proper present relief to this school, provision should
be made at once for at least three grades elsewhere.
In the not distant future, we believe that Lexington must
establish neighborhood schools for the lower grades. This means
not a return to district schools, for all pupils beyond the primary
stage should be brought, as heretofore, to the central grammar
schools,—at the centre and at East Lexington,—where they may
enjoy the advantages afforded by schools that are well graded
and that have a large membership drawn from many sections of
the town. But the plan which seems to be the one for our com-
munity to aim at means local schools for the very young, while
they are receiving only primary instruction, and are of an age
*The Superintendent reports 490 now in attendance.
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_ below that of children old enough to endure, without harm, the
strain of long walks or of transportation in barges. The Tidd
School, re-opened for the primary pupils in that section, is an
+ example. It seems a little early yet to determine where a new
primary school house may best be located, having regard not only
to present conditions, but also to the probable future growth of the
Q town.
In the mean time, the most feasible way in which to meet
pressing necessities, and at.the same. time to,make reasonable pro-
` vision for the near future, seems to be to put the two upper grades
d of the Hancock Grammar School, the eighth i and ninth, perma-
nently fi
a ® � in the High School building, and also,to maintain there,for
a limited time, a primary school embracing children that belong in
the two lowest grades. With the eighth and,ninth grades located
0 in the new building, and a primary school of, say, 40 to 50 pupils,
also opened in one of its large class-rooms, the pupils remaining in. i
- - - W the Hancock building may be so seated throughout its eight several
rooms that the accommodations afforded by them will be adequate
r, and comfortable. This arrangement cannot, however, be regarded
as permanent. It will serve only fora few years; and then_nothing
short of one or more separate primary-school buildings, located
� where the then,school population shall suggest, will be sufficient to r
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�" ii lid meet the necessities of the case. The primary school conducted
Q in the temporary quarters •afforded,by the new High School house
W= will be composed of those children, now attending the Hancock
School, who live in a district having the new building for an
approximate centre, and limits extending perhaps as far as Utica
0 Street along;the Woburn Road, ;and Pelham Road along Massa-
chusetts Avenue. The district would, of course, be defined by the
School Committee. An estimate made by the Superintendent shows
that in the territory which a primary school placed where the High
School house now is would naturally serve, there are now first and
lsecond grade pupils to the number of nearly 50.
It is with pleasure that we find.that the plan which financial
necessities of the town, urging economy, seem to dictate, is, in
the. opinion of high authorities in educational matters, at.heart
desirable. To say.a word further upon the subject before calling
attention to the sketches which form part.of this report, we :quote
from a report. made"only two ,years ago, by a committee of the i
National Education Association. That committee advises that the
reforms most needed in.the.public schools can be worked out best I
by making the eighth and ninth grades. parts of the High School
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under the immediate direction of the High School principal," and several sets of plans offered, we employed an expert, a professional
says : architect who had no interest in the matter.
'.From an adminstrative point of view, the six High School grades should The preliminary plans selected have, after further study by
eventually be in one building. As far as statistics are accessible on this point, the their makers and some changes introduced in order to fit more
C experiment of placing these grades in the High School building has been success- perfectly the needs of the situation, been re-drawn to the full
ful, resulting in better scholarship and a greater percentage in the number of
students entering the ninth grade. The gradual change to this system would scale commonly prepared for builders, and process reproductions,
probably lead to the establishment of a larger number of less expensive High on a reduced scale, are printed herewith. The originals are ready
Schools, thus placing the 'People's college' nearer their homes without addl- for use if they are found acceptable .to, and are desired by, the
tional expense to the taxpayer, but with a saving in money and strength to town.
students attending the High School.
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The Committee says further that by the proposed change the THE BUILDING RECOMMENDED.
students of.the two upper grammar grades I
"would gradually gain the inspiration of the High School life, and the desire to With the sketch and diagrams here printed, the proposed
go farther in the languages and sciences which they have already begun under building will, we think, speak clearly for itself, leaving little in the
favorable conditions. The result would doubtless be a more closely articulated way of verbal description necessary. To the committee it seems
system, with a larger percentage of High School graduates." that the architects, stimulated to the utmost of their skill by the
This view has the approval of our own State Board of Educa- reflection that"its product may be seen by the thousands who pass
tion, and the tendency observable today in Massachusetts is in to and fro along Massachusetts'Ave,nue in this historic town, have
accordance with it. In Arlington, the new High School house, produced a building remarkable for the simple and chaste beauty
built only a few years ago, contains the highest grade of the of its exterior. It is well =calculated, we believe, to meet the re
Grammar Schools, and probably would have the eighth as well, if quireriient which has many times been urged upon the committee,
there were room. Many towns could be cited which have adopted namely, a building which shall be an ornament to the town. Of a
the same idea. I distinctly colonial appearance, and resembling, as it does, an
f Your committee, after reaching the conclusion above expressed entrance which,clearly suggests, if it does not preserve, the pillared
and deciding upon the extent of accommodations which it seemed N front of the old building, the proposed structure seems particularly
best to provide, invited competition from several architects in the appropriate for the conspicuous site on which it is intended to j
preparation of preliminary plans, each set to be accompanied by a place it.
sketch or perspective view of the building proposed, and by an It will be seen that while a pleasing architectural effect has +
estimate of the cost of construction. Eight different ones accepted been sought for, the aim has been regulated by considerations of
the-invitation and submitted plans and sketches in accordance economy. The plan calls for a rectangular building, without wings,
therewith. In order to insure a collection of plans, every set of bays, or.projections or other costly features. It measures 67 x 124
which should offer a building exhibiting room and facilities adapted feet, and has an area of about 8,300 feet.
as nearly a possible,-to our needs, we drew up some general specifi- It is proposed to build it of plain, pale,red brick, of ordinary
cations prescribing the number of full-sized class rooms (six) and size, known as old Colonial or Harvard brick, the roof balustrade,
the number of half-size rooms (two), the latter available for recita- however, the cornice, and the columns to be of wood painted
tion purposes, or, in the alternative, for seating the smaller high white. The use of wood in these ornamental features will, of
school classes, juniors and seniors, and prescribing also the extent course, be much less expensive than metal and stone, and the less u
of space requisite for laboratory arrangements and some other main costly material may well enough, we, think, be employed. Granite
points. In this work we were aided not only by the examination front steps and buttresses, a line of granite in the underpinning
previously made of buildings erected and in use but b a stud of
P Y g � Y Y next above the basement wall, a water-table of Ohio, or Indiana
plans of buildings that the committee were unable to visit. limestone, and a slate roof are'other features.
To assist us in passing upon the merits and defects of the The six full-sized rooms'are each 23 x 35 feet; those marked
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recitation and class rooms are 23 x 27. All are Iz feet high. The ducts or flues, and the foul air is withdrawn and forced through
former will seat easily, at desks, 40 pupils (the number recom- separate flues to the atmosphere outside by the direct radiation
mended), each, and 45 or 48 if the desks be arranged as near of steam coils inserted in them. In the corridors will be ordinary
together as is often allowed.
steam radiators, and in a few other places heat will be supplied by
g direct radiation. No method of ventilation can be quite so effective
The two smaller rooms, intended for either class rooms or
recitation rooms, will accommodate 24 desks. It will thus be seen as a blower system operated by mechanical or electrical power;
that the minimum seating capacity of the building in class room but this costs much more to install originally, and is more expensive
service is 288, and more than 300 could be received if occasion to maintain ; and the one proposed not only meets the full approval
should require. of the State authorities but follows the scheme of ventilating now
The present High School with a membership of Ioo strong in most general use in school houses and other public buildings.
may be suitably arranged by its four classes and seated in three Following are examples of schoolhouses that use it :
of the larger rooms (taken on either the first or second floor as Boston, (nearly all) Somerville Roslindale
may be preferred), and one of the smaller rooms, leaving the other Roxbury Southborough Winthrop
of the two 23 x 27 rooms on the first floor available for separate use Stoneham Brighton Newton
in recitation work. For some time, therefore, the remaining three No. Adams Fall River Cambridge
of the larger class-rooms, and also one of the smaller ones, may be Arlington Heights Milford Malden
utilized for the two grammar grades and the primary school pro- s Belmont Leominster Westfield
posed to be detached from the Hancock School and installed in the Brookline Newbury Beverly
new building temporarily. Quincy Winchester
The basement space, save that required for boilers and fresh ( The cost of the building constructed as planned, including
air closets, forming part of the heating and ventilating system, and plumbing, heating and ventilating, electric wiring, tables and
for ample coal bins sufficient for a year's supply, has been left as fixtures in the laboratories, rough grading, architects' commission
open as possible, inasmuch as a proper disposition of it may be and everything outside of such new desks and school furniture
better determined in the future. The rooms or spaces marked A, as the School Committee may find to be necessary, on occupy-
V B, and C, on the basement plan may be utilized in accordance with ing the finished structure, will not, we are assured, exceed $55,000.
I such needs as shall arise. Some or all of them might well be used The figures approach very closely this sum. This is no rough
for manual training purposes, if hereafter desired. The falling estimate, either by architects or builders; for full and detailed
surface of the ground in the rear of the building admits of long specifications of the building, in addition to completed plans,
windows in C, which give the room abundant light. Its height have been prepared and submitted to contractors for their bids.
is eleven feet, since the floor in this portion of the basement drops The statement which we make of the cost is based upon bids
two and one-half feet lower than the level of the concrete in the already received from thoroughly responsible parties;. but they-are
front basement. Into the basement at either end are doors opening conditioned upon early acceptance.
from out of doors and placed beneath the steps which lead to the Of the $25o appropriation made for the uses of the committee
end entrances of the building. the amount expended, exclusive of the cost of printing this
In the third story, the central roof space allows a hall about report is about $T85. To Messrs. Cooper & Bailey, whose
44 x 52 feet, exclusive of the stage, the length of the hall extending courtesy and skill have produced the plans and drawings
across the building. The finishing of this hall is included in the now in the committee's hands, the town has come under no
cost. liability, and no compensation will accrue to them unless the town
The heating and ventilating system embraced in the plans is shall proceed in accordance with their plans, employing them as
no experiment. Its basis is steam heat. In the several fresh-air the architects, in which case they will receive the usual commission
compartments in the basement, the air, thoroughly warmed by of five per cent on the cost of the building. As already said, such
steam radiating surface, is supplied to the rooms through brick commission is included in the above statement as to cost.
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What disposition to make of the High School during the con-
struction, is not an easy problem. Several schemes have been
considered. On the whole only one course seems at all practi-
cable, and that is to move the present structure to the rear of the ti
lot, place it upon a temporary wooden underpining made tight and
warm for the winter, and let the school be continued in the
building until the new one shall be ready for use. The school
must necessarily be closed for a short time while the removal is
being effected. It may be determined later what shall be the
final use or disposition of the old building. As to the probable `{
cost of moving and setting it up, and the time required for the
work, the committee will report orally at the town meeting.
In conclusion, the committee recommends that the town pro-
vide for the immediate construction of substantially the building
described in this report, to this end appropriating the sum of
$55,000, the money to be borrowed on the notes of the town,
payable one each year during the period of ten years; and that
to enable the placing of the new building in a suitable location
upon the High School House lot, the present building be moved to
the rear of the lot. For this latter purpose there should be a
special appropriation of a few hundred dollars.
In view of the fact that the last instalment of the Hancock
School House Loan has now been paid so that the town is relieved
of the $6,000 annual charge which has been upon it for several
years, and in. view, also, of the fact that the first of a series of
po,000 annual payments on account of the Water Loan will begin
in 1906, the committee believes that instead of providing for
payment of the new loan iIi ten equal instalments, it would be
more prudent to make p' ovision for paying$io,000 in each of the
years 1902, 1903, 1904, and 1905, thereby making the remaining
six annual payments to be met concurrently with. the Water Loan
payments only $2,5oo each.
Respectfully submitted.
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EDWIN A. BAYLEY,
ROBERT P. CLAPP,
HENRY W. LEWIS, It Committee.
ROGER I. SHERMAN,
H. A. C. WOODWARD,
September 21, 1901.
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