Atlanta Daily World

Board To Review Survey Report On 6 Million Dollar School Plan Here

12 Schools Would Be Torn Down If Plan Is Adopted

BY ROBERT E. JOHNSON

The Atlanta Board of Education is set to review today a state survey report which endorses a plan that would provide $6 million in state aid for improvement of Negro and white schools.

Dr. Kenneth A. Williams, chairman of the State Board of Education survey committee, said the report recommends building new schools to replace 10 newly-annexed Negro elementary schools.

All total, 12 of the 118 schools in the expanded Atlanta area would be torn down if the report is adopted, Dr. Williams said.

Interviewed by an Atlanta Daily World reporter, the survey committee chairman emphasized that the report favors a "build first, then abandon" program in carrying out school improvements.

On the question of the report's effect upon Negro schools, Dr. Williams observed that the majority of the Negro elementary schools in the annexed areas are below standards.

"It is the committee's opinion that these sub-standard buildings be torn down and new buildings built," Dr. Williams asserted.

He said that any attempt to improve the substandard facilities "would be like pouring money in a sink or rat hole." "We have a moral obligation to every youngster in Atlanta," he said, "and we feel that our recommendations will help us discharge that obligation," he added.

"New facilities ought to be built for Negroes and then the sub-standard facilities abandoned," he said. "We have designated a permanent replacement for every school building abandoned. We urge that for every one (school) abandoned a new one should be created," he continued.

Dr. Williams pointed out that it is the committee's opinion that 13 schools should not be continued as permanent buildings because they are substandard and should be replaced by new facilities.

He said the 10 schools are former county Negro schools and listed them: Anderson Park, Stewart, South Atlanta, New Hope, Philadelphia, Hunter Hill, Hapeville, Carter, Blandtown and Battle Hill.

We are not urging that the schools have a 'building-abandonment' ration because the shifting population may make some sites undesirable for new facilities," Dr. Williams stated.

He said the State Department of Education appointed his committee to review the school facilities in Atlanta to determine which of the present schools could, as far as possible, be designated "permanent" building centers and hence become eligible for state funds.