Imperial Valley Press

CIVIC GROUPS

URGED TO PLAN

NEW PROJECTS

Although Imperial county has no projects at present which might come under the recent Works Progress Administration allotment of $70,886 made available for educational projects in Imperial, San Bernardino and Riverside counties such projects may be planned by valley civic organizations if so desired, according to J. Kenneth Hickox, WPA manager.

Forty-two male and 52 women teachers are provided for in the program, according to Herman L. Schwartz, district supervisor of education for WPA. He plans to get the program under way in principal communities of the three counties within the next two weeks.

"California has made reasonable provision for the education of those of usual school age," Schwartz said, "and there is no intention of using federal funds to duplicate or supplement existing facilities in this field. It is felt, however, that inadequate financial resources of local school districts have limited down development of pre-school and adult education facilities. It is the purpose of the Works Progress Administration to provide additional facilities for these particular groups."

Teachers will be assigned wherever there is a demonstrated need for their services, Schwartz said. The larger per cent of them will be drawn from the relief rolls and from the large number of unemployed teachers in the district.

Classes in citizenship and Americanization are especially to be emphasized, but studies in language, American history, business and social institutions, and in the crafts, will be conducted as local communities express interest.

The WPA educational program, Director Smith stated, will be carried out in full cooperation with the State Department of Education and local school authorities.