Forest School Plans Presented

Forest School Plans Presented

Board Gives Tentative OK, Suggests Changes

YPSILANTI-A tentative sketch of the proposed Forest Ave. elementary school was given a hesitant nod of approval by the Board of Education last night, and Architect Ralph S. Gerganoff was told to incorporate several changes and present a revamped drawing at another special board meeting next week.

Under Gerganoff's plan, two separate buildings would be constructed on school district-owned property fronting on W. Forest Ave. and N. Adams St. Total coast for the structures was given as approximately $233,870.

One of the proposed buildings would house a seven-classroom elementary school. In line with present board planning, Central Elementary School pupils would be transferred to the new school. A separate junior high division encompassing the seventh, eighth and ninth grades would then be set up in the high school building. The junior high system is slated to start by September, 1955.

School administrative offices would be housed in the second proposed unit, freeing space for about three additional classrooms in the high school building. A single heating plant in the office building would serve the school, Gerganoff pointed out.

Expected to be included in the revised sketch are small kitchen and stage facilities and additional activities space for one of the grades. The proposed school, measuring 166 by 66 feet, would cost around $165,750 to build. The administrative building would cost an additional $37,120. Remainder of the total construction estimate would be made up of outside work, planning, engineering and equipment costs.

Monies to defray a portion of the construction costs are expected from the federal government, Supt. Evart W. Ardis and Business Manager Donald H. Porter reminded the board. The two officials conferred in Washington recently with government education offices, and said that "some payment under Public Law 815 should be forthcoming."

Discussed in conjunction with the proposed school was the possibility of buying a neighboring property for use as additional playground space.

Porter was authorized to seek bids for the sale of the two houses presently on the proposed school site. He said that the houses will have to be moved before July 15.