LB32i V8R6 Cornell University Library LB3218.V8R6 Norfolk County and South Norfolk city sc 3 1924 013 371 806 Norfolk County AND South Norfolk City SCHOOL HOUSING SURVEY 1921 ^ ^ JAMES HURST superint;endent CHARLES M. ROBINSON. SCHOOL ARCHITECTS Copyright 1922. W. C. Hill Printing' Co., Blclunond, Va. Cornell University Library The original of tinis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924013371806 Charles M. Robinson, SCHOOL ARCHITECTS Butts Road, Deep Creek, Pleasant Grove. Washington and Western Branch Districts Times-Dispatch Building, Richmond, Virginia Mr. James Hurst, Divisioii Superintendent, Norfolk, Va. Sir: We beg to hand you herewith report on your school survey. We have included as requested the Tanners Greek Districts and South Norfolk in order to make your records complete. Also, we have ignored all district lines as it has been necessary to study the relation of each zone to the adjacent zones. From time to time we will file supplementary reports as develop- ments occur. Yours very truly, CHARLES M. ROBINSON School Architects. "ERRATA" Page 17 under "Urgent Period." (a) should read: "Churchland, an eight room with convertable auditorium, unit school " School Officials of Norfolk County and City of South Norfolk TRUSTEES BUTT'S ROAD DISTRICT. Mr. J. Norman Wood, Chairman, - Hickory, Va. Mr. W. T. Curling, Clerk - Fentress, Va. Mr. T. J. Wenger, ..Fentress, Va. DEEP CREEK DISTRICT Dr. J. Y. Templeton, Chairman, Route No. 2 Portsmouth, Va. Mr. H. C. Harris, Clerk, Gilmerton, Va. Mr. C. A. Willey, Route No. 3...... Portsmouth, Va. PLEASANT GROVE DISTRICT. Mr. S. M. Wright, Chairman Fentress, Va. Mr. E. H. West, Clerk Hickory, Va. Mr. G. C. Nicholas Northwest, Va. TANNERS CREEK DISTRICT. Mr. S. E. Tillitt, Chairman, Arcade Bldg Norfolk, Va. Mr. V. W. Emory, Clerk, 600 Citizens Bank Bldg Norfolk, Va. Mr. J. H. Hume, Guaranty Title & Trust Co Norfolk, Va. WASHINGTON DISTRICT Mr. E. C. Savage, Chairman, 208 Berkley Ave., (Berkley) Norfolk, Va. Mr. Joseph L. Weller, Clerk, care Weller-Brent Grocery Co., (Berkley)-- - - Norfolk, Va. Mr. F. T. Etheridge, care J. G. Wilson Corp. (Berkley) .Norfolk, Va. WESTERN BRANCH DISTRICT. Dr. J. T. Redd, Chairman - Churohland, Va. Mr. C. G. Dennis, care Bohn Roofing Co. 234 W. 24th St., Norfolk, Va. Mr. S. B. Houghton, Westhaven, Portsmouth, Va. MR. V. W. EMORY, 600 Citizens Bank Bldg., Norfolk, Va. Secretary County School Board CITY OF SOUTH NORFOLK Mr. W. E. Adams, Chairman South Norfolk, Va. Mr. Geo. L. Grimes, Clerk, - South Norfolk, Va. Rev. O. D. Poythress, - - .- South Norfolk, Va. MR. JAMES HURST, Division Superintendent, 51-52 Chamberlaine Building, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. Norfolk County and South Norfolk City School Housing Survey Typography : Divided by numerous waterways and swamps into relatively small geo- graphical areas Norfolk County presents some of the most unusual and difficult problems we have ever encountered. Many of these small areas contain but few pupils and are so isolated as to make it impossible to effect any general consoli- dation. Also, some of the largest districts are adjacent to the cities and are prac- tically certain to be annexed at some future date. Roads : Roads and country schools are inseparable. Consolidated schools, long re- cognized as the only solution to the problem of rural education can only be operated when roads are not only passable but reasonably good at all times. It is, there- fore, natural that the present insistent demand for educational facilities for rural children be coupled with a demand for better roads. With the exception of one district of your county you will find numerous one room and two room schools, born of the necessity of "taking the school to the children," it being impossible to "take the children to the school." We believe that the solution of your one room school problem lies in the solu- tion of your road problem, it being a simple matter to haul children by bus any reasonable distance. We also believe that with a good road system country schools can be placed on a par with the best city schools. Present Buildings : You have, as shown on the data sheet on file with your Superintendent, 35 white school buildings divided as follows: Nine are buildings of eight rooms or over. Ten are buildings of three to eight rooms. Eight are buildings of two rooms. Eight are buildings of one room. Of the Larger Schools (8 Rooms or Over) : Six are buildings which have been added to from time to time as necessary without providing for future increases in population, with the result that the buildings represent a large capital expenditure which may not be destroyed but must remain in unsatisfactory school unit for many years. Less than five would probably receive scores of "Good" grade under the Strayer System of scoring. Of the Three to Eight Room Buildings : Three buildings would probably receive "Good" ratings. Two would probably receive "Fair" ratings. Six would probably receive "Fair to Poor" ratings. Of the Two Room Buildings : Four ■would probably receive "Fair" ratings. Four would probably receive "Poor" ratings. Of the One Room Schools : Five would probably receive "Fair" ratings. " Three would probably receive "Poor" ratings. It must not be inferred that the above rating signifies that the one and two room schools are satisfactory for school purposes, on the contrary, it is generally recognized that due to teaching so many grades no teacher can devote the neces- sary time to any grade. This index only indicates the condition of the buildings and the comparative suitability of the buildings as compared with others of equal size. In commenting on this phase of school activities it must be understood that we are School Architects, this data having been clearly shown and reported by prominent educators. We are in no way attempting to comment on the system of instruction other than in its clearly shown relation to housing conditions. Time: In making this survey it is necessary to cover an extended period. It is neither desirable nor practical to attempt to alter school distribution, except in a manner so gradual that it will not interfere with the normal progress of the grades. It is extremely probable that any attempt to force a program of many changes would seriously impair the morale of your entire organiziition. We have found that im- less radical changes occur in economic conditions it is possible to arrange a program for any period up to a maximum of ten years, but believe that this survey should be reviewed from tim5 to time, particularly in sections where population increases are extremely rapid, and such alterations made as are shown to be advisable. With partial, and if necessary complete, reviews of this survey as above out- lined the period ot this survey will be extended so that at any time it should fur- nish accurate information on which to base your housing program. Plan of Survey : The only feasable method of studying so large an area as a county is that shown on map sheet No. 3 of this report, which shows the natural geographical divisions (which we have named High School sections and elementary zones for convenience) of the county based on waterways, swamps and roads. The number of pupils has been transferred from sheets No. 1 and 2 and each section studied in detail. In studying the sections and zones adjacent to the cities it is necessary to pay close attention to the probability of annexation. It would be disastrous to, place schools where the buildings would be annexed by the cities and the pupils remain in the county without school facilities. On the other hand it would be almost as bad to have the pupils taken into the city leaving the county with an expensive building and not sufficient pupils to fill it. Map sheet Nos. 1, 2 and 3 follow, and master maps are on file with your Super- intendent. Sheets No. 1 and 2 show location of pupils' homes in groups of five each in order to simplify taking off of quantities. You will note that in most cases the school population figures given do not correspond with the enrollment. This is due to the fact that our figures show the number of pupils living within the geographical areas, no attention being paid to the school now attended. This, of course, is subject to slight modification parti- cularly on account of the smaller children going with their brothers and sisters to the high schools, which practice will tend to increase the enrollment over that normally expected in the larger schools. (6) HIGH SCHOOL SECTIONS SECTION A— Churchland High School : Population: West Norfolk 12 high school pupils Churchland 12 high school pupils Total 24 high school pupils Center of high school population I mile east of Churchland. Hard road Churchland to West Norfolk; macadam to Rodman Heights. Sand and dirt to other points. Population increase in this school has been great up to the present. In addi- tion to the above 13 pupils attend from Rodman Heights. To some extent this is the result of the congestion in the Deep Creek School. As the proportion of high ■school population to elementary population is large, great increases are not to be expected except from outside sources such as Rodman Heights. The problem of Rodman Neights should receive attention at this point as it does not geographically belong in either the Churchland or Deep Creek sections and has a comparatively high probability of annexation. We would recommend that it remain a filler from which pupils can be shifted to either of the above schools which plan will inaterially increase the flexibility of your system. A new six room combination school is being plaimed which will provide for the 'Churchland section and to which units can be added as necessary. SECTION B— Deep Creek : . Population: Bowers Hill 8 high school pupils Rodman Heights 20 high school pupils Craddock 45 high school pupils Gilmerton 10 high school pupils Deep Creek 25 high school pupils Indian 2 high school pupils Joliff 2 h igh school pupils Total 112 high school pupils Center of population one mile southwest of Craddock. Roads, concrete Deep Creek to Rodman Heights. Poor Deep Creek to Bowers Hill. Population Increase : Bowers Hill 12% per year Rodman Heights 15% per year Craddock No data Gilmerton 15% per year Deep Creek 2% per year Prom the above data you will note that the center of population is gradually approaching Craddock. This would indicate that if the Government releases this building it should be made the basis of a new high school system releasing Deep Creek for elementary purposes and obviating the necessity of an addition to the Deep Creek building. With the good roads a bus line could easily be operated for the high school pupils. At present the majority of the Rodman Heights high school pupils attend Churchland primarily on account of the congestion at Deep Creek. We believe this will gradually be adjusted when the Craddock problem is solved. (6) In this you have at present a high school population of 125. Of these at least 85 will return to school next year in addition to your new high school pupils. These new pupils will number at least 60% of your seventh grade or 60 additional pupils making a minimum high school enrollment of 145 for 1922-1923. We have found that this figure is usually exceeded due to outside pupils moving into the territory in practically every section where property is developing rapidly. SECTION C— Hickory Ground. Population: Wallacetown Cornland Gertie Northwest Church Northwest Station Indian Creek Benefit Butts Road Hickory Ground Total 4 high school pupils 3 high school pupils 1 high school pupil 3 high school pupils 2 high school pupils 4 high school pupils 3 high school pupils 4 high school pupils 10 high school pupils 34 high school pupils Center of population about 1 mile south of Hickory. Roads undeveloped. New state road will, when constructed, run from Fen- tress to Northwest Station. Population increase 6% per year mainly along state road (The Great Road) which section is gradually building up into truck farms. Western portion has practically no increase it being a lumber district. A new eight room elementary and high school is being planned for Hickory- Ground, the nearest available point to the center of population, which with addi- tions when necessary should carry consolidation to this large district as far forward as is possible until roads are improved. Pupils are widely scattered and at times roads are practically impassible. For total pupils in buildings see Section No. 10. SECTION D— Great Bridge. Population: Elbow Hickory Grove Mount Pleasant Oak Grove Great Bridge Total 2 high school pupils 4 high school pupils 2 high school pupils 4 high school pupils 16 high school pupils 28 high school pupils Center of population about J mile north east of Great Bridge school. Roads are comparatively undeveloped. Population increase about 6% per year. This high school district, now housed in the Great Bridge building, lies between Hickory and Portlock. You will note that as soon as the Hickory building is open- ed it will have more high school pupils than live in the Great Bridge section. On the north the Portlock section has also more pupils as shown in the f ollowiug table (7) By Location of Homes: Portlock has 40 high school pupils Great Bridge has 28 high school pupils Hickory Ground has 34 high school pupils Also, the Portlock and Hickory Ground buildings can be extended as necessary, while at Great Bridge the buildings are not suited to extension. You will see from the above that as the elementary grades become more and more crowded they will finally crowd out the high school pupils resulting in the final abandonment of Great Bridge as a high school center and then with Portlock and Hickory Ground as the northern and southern high schools respectively. This will reduce the average distance traveled by your pupils to the high schools nearly i with an average of 3 instead of 5 miles traveled by each pupil. A new Agricultural building has recently been built at Great Bridge and it would be imwise to attempt to force the abandonment of this school, it being pre- ferable to use these buildings to capacity as long as possible and permit the ele- mentary grades to crowd out the high school by natural growth. SECTION E— Portlock : Population : Portlock 20 high school pupils Campostella 15 high school pupils Norfolk Highlands 5 high school pupils Total 40 high school pupils Center of population one mile north east of Portlock. Roads macadam to Great Bridge and South Norfolk lines. Dirt to Norfolk Highlands and Campostella (via Carolina Junction). Population increase 5% per year in Portlock and Norfolk Highlands. Com- postella 20 per cent per year. At present there is no high school at this point, the pupils attending Great Bridge and South Norfolk. On account of the erection of the new building at Portlock, and in view of the already overcrowded conditions at Great Bridge, it is extremely probable that this building will ultimately become the high school for the northern end of the district. SECTION F— South Norfolk ' Population: 165 high school pupils Center of population 4 blocks south of present school. South Norfolk is a city of the second class and as such is not part of the county school system. We connot, therefose, include it when considering the surrounding territory. As this must be considered as a unit, it will be discussed under Zone 14. SECTION G— Tanners Creek Dist. (Lafayette High SchooL) Primarily in all other sections of the county (except the City of South Norfolk) the problem is that of highway transportation and scattered pupils. In the (8) Tanners Creek District, however, due to improved roads, streets and street car lines we approach the condition of the cities where is is possible to handle large high school units with junior high schools for feeders. At present your high scnool is badly congested, is not suitable for economical expansion and is at a point where many of the children must pay two or three car fares. With the presant high school population of approximately 250 pupils vou can expect at least 175 to return to school next year. In addition, at least 60% of your seventh grade (numbering about 240), or 145 new pupils, will enter the high school, making a minimum total of 320 pupils to be cared for next year. This conclusion is from standard mortality tables, and we have found in every case these figures are exceeded. It is obvious that you will be unable to provide for this increase without crowding out elementary grades. Already there are at least 100 pupils who belong in elementary grades in Lafayette School attending other buildings on account of lack of seats. These pupils can be seen on sheet 2 of the master maps, which show that pupils living all around the Lafayette school are forced to attend Balentine school six- teen blocks distant. We would suggest as the most satisfactory remedy the starting of a unit high school at Norview with space for the lower grade pupils of this zone as well-. One reason for this location is that it is the only point where the majority of the high school pupils could attend school on one car fare. This would release the 242 seats in Lafayette for elementary school purposes. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ZONES ZONE 1— West Norfolk. Population: West Norfolk 70 elementary pupils. Center of population, practically at school. Roads — macadam to Churchland. Population increase, negligable. This building is in good condition and should serve indefinitely by shifting upper grade pupils to Churchland. ZONE 2— Churchland Population: Churchland 65 elementary pupils. Center of population, practically at school. Roads — Macadam to West Norfolk. Sand and sand clay elsewhere. Roads in bad condition to southwest. Population increase, 3% per year. In addition to the above there are at present 48 high school pupils attending this school of whom 28 belong in the district proper. Plans are being made for a 6 room unit building with auditorium at this point which should serve this section for many years to come, it being possible to extend the building in units of four rooms. (9) ZONE 3^ Joliff, Bowers Hill and Indian. Population : Joliff 24 elementary pupils Bowers Hill 75 elementary pupils Indian 17 elementary pupils Total 116 elementary pupils. Center of Population. Practically at Bovvers Hill School. Roads. Unimproved. Population increase. 12% per year. Due to the unimproved roads it ivill be necessary to maintain the Joliff School until a bus line can be operated. As this building is on a cross road this will prob- ably not be done for many years, and we can see no way to improve conditions until a bus line to Bowers Hill can be operated. At Bowers Hill you have a two room rented building with a legal seating capa- city of 36. Into this building are crowded 76 pupils. Immediate relief is necessary ill the shape of a four room building of the unit type. It will be necessary to pro- vide for a comparatively great increase in population as shown by the 12% per year increase. Indian School has an enrollment of 17, but an average attendance of less than 50%. With this record combined with the providing of sufficient facilities at Bowers Hill mentioned above we can see no justification for maintaining a school, at this point. ZONE 4— Westhaven. Population: Westhaven 190 elementary pupils Center of population, about 5 blocks north of school. Roads — Concrete and macadam main roads. Population increase 20% per j'ear. This zone needs practically no comment, there having been recently completed a four room addition to the present building which will probably provide for this zone until the question of annexation is again considered. ZONE 5— Cradock. Population: Cradock 420 elementary pupils Center of population, practically at school. Population increase. No data. New government development built during war. This section presents an extremely odd problem. Due to location and condi- tions it is the key position of the entire north western portion of the County, and until some disposition is made of it, it would be unwise to plan anj' development at Deep Creek. Built by the Government this school represent one of the finest buildings in the county being of a very expensive type. We do not believe that it would be policy, however, to attempt to pattern new buildings after this until you have provided good school facilities for all your pupils as you will find it will tax your finances to raise the necessary funds to build even moderate priced buildings for all your pupils. Thisbuilding would probably rate very high, but we seriously question that this increase in suitability would justify the greatly increased cost. (10) The Cradock School contains 18 large (45 pupil) class rooms of which only 12 are now in use. This would comfortably house your high school, removed from Deep Creek, until such time as it would be crowded out by natural increase in population, then your enrollment would justify the erection of a new building at such point as should be determined by a review of this survey for high school population. As this would release your rooms now used for high school purposes at Deep Creek and make unnecessary the spending of any more money at this time in this section we would recommend that every effort "be made to secure the release of this building. ZONE 6— Gilmerton. Population: Gilmerton 85 Elementary pupils. Center of population, slightly west of school. Roads — Fairly good to Deep Creek. Population increase 10% per year. This is a rapidly developing but small section lying on a peninsula to the east of the road between Cradock and Deep Creek. At present only the lower grades are housed in the Gilmerton School, but as soon as Deep Creek again reaches capa- city (assuming that Cradock is made the high school) it is at this point your next building should be erected. This is obvious as this section is developing much more rapidly than that around Deep Creek. ZONE 7— Deep Creek. Population: Deep Creek 175 Elementary pupils. Center of population about i mile north of school. Roads — macadam north and South. Poor to Bowers Hill. Population increase about 5% per year. , With the release of Cradock as above explained it will be possible to house your elementary pupils in the present building. Some repairs, however, should be made. If Cradock cannot be secured we would recommend that a four room addition be placed on the rear of this building with an auditorium and the present audi- torium altered for class rooms. This will provide high school space to meet the rapid expansion in all sections of the high school district, and postpone the erection of the Gilmerton school for an indefinite period. ZONE 8— Wallaceton, Cornland & Gertie. Population : Wallaceton 43 Elementary pupils Cornland 30 Elementary pupils Gertie 12 Elementary pupils Total 85 Elementary pupils Center of population near Lake Drummond Church. Roads — Generally poor. Population increase, about 2% per year. (11) • Due to the condition of the roads we doubt if anything can be done in this section for som,e time. We believe you should keep in mind, however, the possi- bilities offered for a centralized four room school at Lake Drummond Church. It is possible that with the co-operation of your citizens in this zone this could be done in the near future assuming they would undertake the providing of ways and means of transporting the children to school. ZONE 9— I Northwest Church, Northwest Station & Indian Creek. Population: Northwest Church 32 Elementary pupils Northwest Station 22 Elementary pupils Indian Creek 48 Elementary pupils Total 102 Elementary pupils Center of population J mile north of Northwest Station. Roads — Unimproved. Population increase 10% per year. At some future period this must become a school zone. However, it has a road problem similar to that of zone 8 and also it will be affected by pupils being diverted to the new school at Hickory Ground. It is primarily a feeder to Hick- ory Ground, and we believe should only be developed after sufficient pupils are provided to justify an four room school and to secure relief from congestion in the Hickory Ground school. This would appear to be far in the future were it not for the obvious probability of the absorption of the Great Bridge by Hickory and Portlock and the relatively high per cent of increase in enrollment. ZONE 10— Hickory Ground, Butts Road and Benefit. Population: Hickory Ground 98 Elementary pupils Butts Road 44 Elementary pupils Benefit 31 Elementary pupils Total 173 Elementarj' pupils Center of population, near Hickory School. Roads — undeveloped. Population increase, 10% per year. This is the logical point for consolidation of the schools in the southern portion of the country. With a high school population of only 34 from widely scattered sections it will be practically necessary to provide bus lines for these children. This can only be justified if these buses also haul elementary pupils sufBcient to fill them to capacity. Plans are being made for a new eight room building at Hickory Ground and we would recommend that after building is completed that as fast as roads permit bus lines be put in operation and the survey reviewed before attempt- ing any further development. ■ (12) ZONE 11— Elbow, Hickory Grove & Mount Pleasant. Population: Elbow 22 Elementary pupils Hickory Grove 28 Elementary pupils Mount Pleasant 23 Elementary pupils Total 73 Elementary pupils Center of population J mile east of Hickory Grove. Roads — undeveloped . Population increase, 5% per year. This section is formed by a projection of the county following two forks of the Northlanding River. It is primarily a farming section and should have four room unit school at the cross roads near Hickory Grove. The development, while not as rapid as along the Great Road, indicates a healthy growth. ZONE 12— Oak Grove and Great Bridge. Population: Oak Grove 40 Elementary pupils Great Bridge 120 Elementary pupils Total 160 Elementary pupils Center of population, J mile northeast of Great Bridge. Roads, good Oak Grove to Great Bridge. Population increase, 10% per year. It will be only a comparatively short time before the increasing number of elementary pupils will crowd out the high school as previously explained. In fact we believe, if it were not that you have recently erected the agricidtural build- ing, which is valuable, that it would be policy to combine Oak Grove and Great Bridge moving the high school to Portlock and Hickory Ground as soon as these buildings are completed. You have but slight possibilities oi any economical development at Great Bridge. ZONE 13— Portlock. Population: Portlock 170 Elementary pupils Center of population. Practically at school building. Roads, macadam. Population increase. About 5% per year. This is what might be termed a sub-city school, being connected by trolly with South Norfolk yet not a part of it. As fsefore explained it is probable that this will in the hear future become a high school center. A new^building for which the contract ha^ been let being of the unit type can be extended from time to time as occasion arises so this zone is provided for a reasonable period. Attention must be called however, to the fact that this is an industrial center and great increases in population' may be expected at any time. (13) Zone 14— South Norfolk. Population: South Norfolk 1230 Elementary Pupils Center of population, south of present school. Population increase 5% per year. With the present rate of increase of 50 pupils per year it will be only a com- paratively short period before a new building will be an urgent necessity; for the present, however, the number of the ground-floor rooms in the present building can be converted into class-rooms. Zone 15— Campostella. Population : Campostella 185 Elementary Pupils Center of population, practically at school. Population increase, 20% per year. This is one of the most rapidlj' developing sections of the county. The present building is only four rooms and many of the children properly belonging in this school are forced to attend the Norfolk Highlands School. This shifting of pupils has nearly reached the point of serious inconvenience to many and within a short period it will be necessary to extend this building. At present the center of popu- lation based on enrollment wo\iId appear to lay to the west of the building. This is, however, only apparent and is due to the pupils being shifted. Zone 16 — Norfolk Highlands. Population : Norfolk Highlands 41 Elementary Pupils Center of population, south of school (natural population). Population increase, not over 2%. Here as in Campostella the population center has been moved by the shifting of pupils from Campostella. This zone has but a small population actually living within its boundaries. It will need no attention for many 3'ears to come. Zone 17— Lafayette. Population : Lafayette 475 Elementary Pupils Center of population. Near building Population increase 12% per year. Lafayette school at the present time houses 242 high school pupils and 380' elementary pupils. As stated under Zone G by removing the high school to Nor- view you will release sufficient seats to house the natural elementary population of 475. The additional pupils are now housed at Ballentine school, this will re- lease 100 seats in this building. (14) Lafayette will -then become an elementary school with some reserve space available for increases in population. Zone 18— Ballentine. Population : Ballentine 240 Elementary Pupils Center of population, 6. blocks Northwest of building. Population increase, 12% per year. (The apparent increase greatly exceeds this figure due to this building having to care for the overflow from Lafayette.) ■ As before stated 100 pupils now attending this building should attend La- fayette school and with the removal of the high school will attend Lafayette. This will leave 200 vacant seats in this building, sufficient to comfortably house the entire East Brambleton school, which is only i mile distant, and still have some room for expansion. This, however, should not be necessary as this space should be used tor popu- lation increase, the building being admirably located for this purpose. We would recommend that after readjustments are made that only the fifth and sixth grades from East Brambleton be brought to this building. Zone 19— East Brambleton. Population : East Brambelton 90 pupils in 1-4 grades 22 pupils in 5-6 grades Center of population, two blocks south of building. Population increase, 10% per year (estimated.) This section is served by a four-room building. It is I mile from BallSntine and 5 mile from the Chesterfield Heights schools, the Norfolk and Southern Ele- trio Line running near the building. We would reccommend that this building be used for the lower grades only and the upper elementary grades transferred to the above buildings where there is (or will be) when your high school is built) more than sufficient space. We question the advisability of erecting a building at or near this poiit on account of the fact that you will have a surplus of seats in buildings within a reason- able distance, and as it lies near the center of the four border zones the proper location of a new building cannot be determined until your population is readjusted after the high school is completed. We would recommend that the upper grades be transferred as above and when your high school is completed the survey be reviewed in this zone before attempt ing any further developments. Zone 20— Chesterfield Heights. Population : Chesterfield Heights 205 Elementary Pupils Center of population, 3 blocks east of school. Population increase, probably about 10%. Was very rapid durmg war period . This building with a seating capacity if 344 now houses only 185 pupils. As mentioned in Zone 19 some pupils should be shifted to this building. In fact we (15) find that a large portion of the East Branibleton children live almost as near this building as the one they attend. Your Chesterfield Heights building is one of the best, although designed so that it cannot be readily extended without wasting considerable money. Zone 21— Norview. Population : Norview 95 Elementary Pupils Center of population, indeterminate. Population increase, no data. As before stated it is at this point that we wouldr ecommend the placing of your new high school. With your expected enrollment of 320 high school students plus at least 95 elementary pupils we believe 16 rooms should be the minimum, as otherwise you will be forced to build an addition within the next two or three years. It also appears probable that a considerable number of pupils living in the section between Ballentine and the county line will be diverted to this building and will tend to increase its enrollment and decrease that of Ballentine and Lafayette. Zone 22— Larchmont. Population : Larchmont 275 Elementary Pupils Center of population, near building. Population increase, 15% per year. This zone is geographically a portion of Norfolk City and can only be con- sidered as a separate unit from the balance of the county. The present building is ample and should care for the needs of this zone until annexation is probable. Zone 23— Meadowbrook. Population : Meadowbrook 125 Elementary Pupils Center of population, near building. Concrete roads. Population increase, rapid during war period, will probably be slower. This is only a four room building and as such creates the usual problem of grade distribution. At present a number of pupils living in this zone attend the Larch- mont school, a very satisfactory arrangement. It is not probable that it will be necessary to provide any extension for a number of years unless Larchmont is annexed. Zone 24— Ocean View. Population : Ocean View 705 Elementary Pupils Center of population, near school. Population increase, extremely rapid. It is very doubtful if such rapid growth can be maintained as the rate dropped from an average of 40% per year 1917-1920 to 10% in 1920-1921. (16) You have in this zone 705 pupils with a legal seating capacity of 683. Due to inequality of grades it is not possible to seat within 90% of capacity. Therefore, you now need at least 100 additional seats to which must be added at least 70 seats ■ (minimum rate of increase) before a new building can be completed. For this reason it will be necessary to place at least an eight room building on the opposite side of the center of population which would be in the section known as Bay View. Time Periods. In the foregoing we have made numerous recommendations without regard to the time. This portion of the report gives the time of putting into effect the recommendations previously made omitting all data that does not concern the recommendations and giving such constructional data as necessary for a guide in the carrying out of the suggestions. The first period should cover items to be put into effect at once and includes all urgent needs. This we have called the "Urgent Period." The second will include the readjustment of conditions and the shifting of population to the proper school. This we have called the "Readjustment Period." After your readjustment has been made and its result observed you will con- tinue to develop your system, after reviewing the various portions of this survey. This we have called the "Development Period." These time divisions are purely for convenience in the handling of this report and cannot be set at any particular date. We believe", however, that all the urgent needs should be completed before the 1923 fall term which will put the readjust- ment period during 1923-1924 and the development period will extend indefinitely after that time. You will realize, of course, that this survey and report is but the results of our analysis of your school housing conditions at the present time, plus the result of conferences with Mr. Hurst, who has advised us on all lines, and where we comment on educational problems that appear to be outside the province of school housing or distribution, these are primarily his observations. It would be ridi- culous to attempt to follow any survey blindly, and as your School Architects we do not consider that any survey can be final. We expect to continue to review and report from time to time on varying conditions and shifting population during our employment. It is for the above reasons that we have in some oases advised against the erection of buildings apparently necessary at this time in sections where they may be affected during the readjustment period. Urgent Period. We would recommend that as soon as funds can be secured that the following developments be undertaken. (a) Churchland,' a six room and auditorium unit school to care for high school and elementary pupils in this section of the county. (b) The erection of a 4 room unit school at Bowers Hill, the releasing of the present rented building and the abandonment of the Indian School. (c) Cradock. That every effort be made to secure the release of this build- ing to serve as a high school. Transferring the present high school from Deep Creek and releasing the present high school rooms for elementary pupils. (d) Hickory Ground. The erection of an eight room unit combination elementary and high school on the present lot and the securing of additional play- ground space either by gift or purchase. (17) (e) The erection of an eight room unit school at Portlook with the idea of developing this as a combination school at some future date. (Note: This con- tract has been let.) (f ) The erection of a modern unit high school at Norview with space for ele- mentary pupils to care for the entire Tanners Creek District. (g) The erection of an eight room unit school at Bay View to relieve the congestion at Ocean View with the idea of it ultimately becoming a Junior High School. Readjustment Period. Upon the completion of the above items we would recommend that the follow- ing items be put into efTect. (a) That every facility be offered the elementary pupils living within high school sections A, C and D to attend the lower grades in high school buildings as a preliminary step toward consolidation. At some points bus lines can be, or have been started and after taking all high school pupils efforts should be made to get elementary school pupils, particularly the younger brothers and sisters of the high school children to fill the busses. In other words, we recommend that you adopt a policy of gathering all possible pupils into the larger schools, wherever it can be done without material inconvenience to the children, with the ultimate idea of abandoning as many of the one and two room schools as possible. (b) That means, be provided for transporting more pupils from Campo- stella to Norfolk Highlands until the new bridge to Norfolk, now under construct- ion, be completed and its affect be observed on the school population. (c) That after the new high school at Norview be completed the following distribution order be put into effect: All pupils living north of Ocean View Avenue in Lafayette Park and Winona attend Lafayette School. All pupils living between Ocean View Avenue and Princess Anne Turnpike attend Ballentine school. All fifth, sixth and seventh grade pupils living between Princess Anne Turn- pike and Broad Creek Turnpike attend Ballentine School. All firstj second, third and fourth grade pupils living between Broad Creek Turnpike and Princess Anne Turnpike attend East Brambleton School. All pupils living south of Broad Creek turnpike attend Chesterfield Heights school. This should relieve the congestion throughout the above buildings and still leave ample space for expansion. When the enrollment figures are compiled after this re-division they should automatically show the proportions of population as they will adjust themselves to any special cases, and also by comparison with present figures it can be readily seen at what points the next development will be necessary. Development Period. After the above has been put into effect and the results analyzed the following improvements will be needed. The order in which they are placed in no way indicates time as they are dependent upon so many variable factors. No attempt can be made to force this part of the program as each item must be handled when necessary and feasible. (a) The starting of a unit school at Gilmerton when Deep Creek becomes again crowded. (See Section 6). (18) (b) The erection of a four room unit building at Lake Drummond Church when provision can be made for transporting pupils. (c) The erection of a four room unit school at Northwest Station when the Hickory Ground school approaches capacity. (d) The erection of a four room unit school at Hickory Grove when neces- sary to relieve Great Bridge or when transportation can be provided. (e) The erection of an addition to the Campostella School or a new build- ing when location and size can be determined. (f) The erection of a school (of size to be determined, at location to be determined,) between Ballentine and Chesterfield Heights. (g) The erection of a four room addition to Meadowbrook when either Larchmont is annexed or the Larchmont School approaches its capacity. (h) Additions to unit schools where and when necessary. At this point it would be well to add a word of caution. We believe that it would be very unwise to do any material improving of buildings which will be later abandoned or replaced, as in this way a considerable capital expenditure will be incurred which would become later a total loss. These buildings should be habitable and in so far as possible comfortable. Neither do we believe it policy to erect any building of a temporary nature such as a frame structure. Such buildings unless kept painted and frequently repaired will at the end of say twenty years be worthless and have to be replaced On the other hand if they are kept in repair and painted they will in a short time represent a greater capital expenditure than a more permanent structure and will remain a constant drain on your school operating funds. We realize that buildings have stood for long periods in the past with practically no attention, but must point out the fact that the material of which they were built was very cheap yet of a much higher grade than that now obtainable at a greatly increased price. This also has another side; no workman whether mechanic or teacher can take the pride in doing the best work in an un- kept, delapidated building where endless work apparently accomplishes no result. In traveling through your county in the rural districts the writer noticed a wide variation in the "esprit de corps." It is particularly noticeable that where the teachers were given better facilities the general morale was better. However, there were some rather striking exceptions both ways. One incident stands out particularly clear. In about the center of the southern section of your county the writer with Mr. Hurst arrived at a little one room school during the recess period. A new children's magazine/ has just arrived and the children instead of being out at play were gathered around the teachers desk while she read them a story. The picture was so striking that we paused for some time in the doorway, just watching. Probably no better example of morale could be given than this. In an out of the way, isolated spot, over four miles from a railroad, almost in the center of the swamps, this girl, the product of one of your county high schools, traveled over four miles from her home to the school giving with what little she was furnished the best she could and holding the rapt attention and interest of her pupils. You are to be congratulated that you can.develop in your school system this type of teacher, who off by herself without the association and inspiration of working along with others, can day after day carry on. Surely such teachers deserve your support in giving them reasonable facilities for educating your children. CONSTRUCTION We would make the following recommendations in regard to the constrruc- tion both for buildings now contemplated and for all future buildings : (19) Fireproof ing : In view of the comparatively high costs of fireproof buildings, it is usual- ly impracticable to use fireproof construction except for the larger buildings. No building, however, should be built unless of the so called "Fire Resisting" class. By this we mean fireproof walls, corridors, stairs and fireproof slab over the heating plant. The roof should be covered with an Underwriters' "Class A" roof, and all wood framing covered with rnetal lath and plaster. This construction while not fireproof, gives protection to the children in that the exits are always safe, and by the fireproof slab over the heating plant and the metal lath over the wood framing the chance of fire s reduced to a mini- mum. A somewhat more fireproof building can be built of brick with the so- called "Metal Lumber" floor construction. This type of building is incom- bustible and we believe will prove fireproof for all building where no great quantity of combustible material is stored. We would recommend, how- ever, that a concrete slab be placed over the furnace and coal rooms. This type of building is rated fireproof by the Unterwriters with a slight penalty. Next comes the reinforced concrete building. In most cases we have built this type of school with wood framed roof as the cost of a fireproof roof slab has been out of proportion to its value. Unless your building is exposed to a serious fire risk from surrounding buildings this construction should prove satisfactory. ^ Light: The Virginia State Law requires that window area of school rooms be equal to one-fourth of the floor area, and light to be admitted from the left or left and rear of the pupils. This may be done by either the unilateral or bi- laterial system. Both systems have their advocates, but in large buildings bi-laterial lighting is not practical except in corner rooms. In our opinion, the important thing is to get plenty of window area located with the tops close to the ceiling and without division between the windows. The reason for the latter recommendation is to prevent alternate light and shadows in the rooms. Heating and Ventilation : Probably no one item in school construction presents as much difficulty as in the school heating and ventilating system. The law requires 30 cu. ft. of fresh air per pupil per minute. This means 72,000 cu. ft. of air per hour for each forty pupil class room. The controlling of the temperature of this large quantity of air has been in the past the most difficult problem in school heating. When no temperature control is provided it is almost impossible to maintain a satisfactory temperature in the rooms as the air is changed every 6| minutes. Temperature control apparatus has been developed to the point where it can now be depended upon to produce satisfactory results. Afe to the manner of or method of heating, we have long preferred the warm air plant as specified by us on account of its simplicity. We know there are many technical and theoretical arguments pro and con for each system, but have regarded them as to a great extent talking points for the systems advocated by the salesman. Practically it is possible to design any system to meet any reasonable efficiency or guarantee. As a test of this we recently designed three plants for a large school building to meet the same efficiency. We had these checked by a prominent consulting heating engineer who reported the efficiencies to be practically the same and that to (20) reduce the cost of any system would make any of the others preferable. Bids were secured from both local and large outside firms recently, as follows Warm Air $34,782.00 Bond, Guarantee & maintenance 5 years. Hot Blast (steam) $40,092.00 Guarantee 1 year, no maintenance or bond. Split (steam) $40,986.00 Guarantee 1 year, no maintenance or bond. The low bids on the steam plant were from one of the largest heating concerns in the country and no local contractor was within $10,000 of the low figure. With this data before us it would appear impossible for a steam plant of the same efficiency to compete in price with a well designed warm air plant. We believe, however, that all specifications should be so written that any contractor may bid on any system he desires, in order to take advanage of any new developments brought out. Hurnidity control is prehaps as serious as any problem in heating and ventilation. In a closed room without ventilation the human bodies usually give off enough moisture to maintain a humidity relatively high, but fre- quently of a dangerous character. In ventilated rooms the heating of the air lowers its humidity with the result that the air feels dry. This is over- come to some extent by the introduction of water pans into the heating chamber. As health authorities have never agreed on what is the proper amount of humidity we have placed a humidifier pan in the plenum chamber and made no attempt at control. Damp Prevention : Humidity suggest the question of furring or waterproofing outside walls to prevent dampness. We have observed considerable tendency in the Tidewater section for dampness to show on the inside of the exterior walls. This may be due to dampness coming through the wall, or it may be condensation on the inside. Waterproof paint under the plaster would cure the former, but it will have no effect on the latter. Furring the walls with wood strips, laths and plaster, or lining with hollow tile, is the only, remedy for condensation. Soil: In all tidewater sections is run the risk of bad foundations, that is, the soil will not sustain great loads. This often forces the use of either piling or increased footings to compensate for weakness of soil. The lightest building you can erect consistent with strength is desirable and is also the most economical. It does not follow that a building of massive construction is the strongest or most lasting. In recent years "Metal Lumber" has been introduced which would be a better material than wood joists and lighter than steel and concrete. It should be given consideration when you plan your future buildings. Ventilated Wardrobes : Ventilated wardrobes, originated by us a number of years ago, and now being used in many parts of the country, are unquestionably the most satis- factory soluation of the cloak room problem. They occupy less space and thoroughly ventilate the clothes. If the clothes are wet when hung up they will be dry when again needed. They also act to distribute the air evenly over the class room and prevent drafts on the floor. (21) Sanitaries : This is one of your most serious problems. In most section you have no sewers and in other places the sewers are not adequate. Few people realize that during five hours per day the few toilets in your schools must handle the sewage from one-fifth of your total population. These toilets are always congested during the recess periods and it is impossible to use the same ap- paratus in a toilet room handling some 20 pupils per seat as could be used in private home. Toilet stalls for boys should have no doors for obvious reasons, but all stalls for girls should have doors even in the elementary grades. Drinking Fountains : Drinking fountains should be put 24 inches high on first floor in element- ary schools and 30 inches on second floor. They should never be placed over a wash basin. If more than one head is required, used a special ename! trough. Drinking fountains are sources of endless trouble to school au- thorities. Water pressue varies in every municipal system and some times the flow is so weak that nothing but a "bubbling cup" will answer. This type of fountain is condemned by health authorities, because the child puts its mouth on it and spits in it. Heads having several streams together in the center are considered sanitary, but it is difficult to regulate the pressue, some- times the water cannot be reached and next time when valve is open it strikes the child in the face. We have remedied this by placing a tank to give a constant pressue. Accessory Rooms : Your present buildings are not well supplied with rooms other than class room, such as teachers' rest rooms, principal's office, infirmaries, etc., and when your new buildings are planned a more convenient arrangement should be obtained. Regarding medical inspection, the infirmary at each school should be fitted up with toilet, an examining room, scale, etc. A room for testing of eyes sould be a great aid to the medical inspector. Open Air Classes : Medical inspection is almost certain to bring out the need of open air for which rooms should be specially designed. Twenty pupils can be very comfortably housed in an open air class room occupying the same space as a regular class room., and kitchenette, wardrobes and place for cots, blankets and wraps must be provided. Blackboards : This is a very minor item, but we hear lots of complaints especially where blackboards are not of right height for the different grade pupils. Recently a questionaire was sent out to a large number of teachers to get their views, answers varied, but the prevailing opinion was that blackboards should be 3 feet 6 inches wide, and: Kindergarten set 26 inches above floor. 1st, 2nd & 3rd grades set 28 inches above floor 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th grades set 32 inches above floor High School set 32 inches above floor (22) Extensive Building Programs. Your attention is called to many sections in the North and West where ex- tensive school building programs involving millions are now under way, ahd where old school buildings are often ignored and some times destroyed. These people have learned that the old policy of erecting a school building by accident, personal whim or self-interest of some one in authority, or special group interest, does not pay financially and usually results in not having school facilities for many of the children. This policy of wiping the slate clean and beginning a new program will be watched with interest. I do not doubt that many years hence these sections will be ahead in a financial sense, and be able to educate their children at less cost per capita than formerly. We. do not believe, however, that it would be policy for Norfolk County to attempt any such program as it yet remains to be proven that it be more econo- mical than the policy of using all available buildings and adding as necessary. Standardization. Your school buildings should be standardized as far as possible. This does not mean that they should not have individuality; on the contrary no two school buildings should look alike, but in many cases money can be saved and the effici- ency of the building improved by having certain features standardized. If you will examine a number of plans of school buildings you will find the size of school rooms vary so much that you are compelled to think there is no recognized stand- ard. School children of a given grade will average the same size the country over and the desks provided for each grade are standardized, therefore, why not stand- ardize the room size? And if the room size, why not the size of windows, as the law requires you to proportion the window sizes in relation to the room size? Would it not be an advantage, as well as a saving if the window shade of any window would fit any other window? Width of corridors, heights of ceilings, dimensions of doors, and a thousand and one things have a logical size and character, which when once determined will make for economy. You will find no one item which will greatly decrease the cost of school build- ings. The savings must be made up of a large number of economies, which stand- ardization makes possible. Unit Buildings. We believe your Boards should adopt a policy of erecting only unit buildings. By unit buildings we mean schools which are units of larger buildings. This will permit of low first costs and buildings which can meet the needs of a growing disn trict without destroying anything already built. In our experience covering over three hundred schools we have adopted a policy of designing only schools which are so arranged as to be capable of expand- ing in units of four rooms. These standards require that the building be designed for its ultimate capacity; with stairs, administration room and mechanical plant arranged to suit. The first unit of such a plan can then be built at a minimum cost with provision for additional class rooms as needed. It has been our experience in the past, that wherever we have used the unit standard building, the Board has been able to house pupils more satisfactorily and at a smaller expenditure of money than in any other way. (23) POLICY. _ Before attempting any building program you should adopt a general policy. This will in no way obligate either yourselves or any future boards to its objectives. It will, however, have the advantage in that your boards will have a definite objective in view and will provide means whereby the majority of your people will be working along the same lines toward a definite end. From the data before given we would suggest a policy of: 1st. A central high school for each of the geographical high school sections. 2nd. Consolidation of elementarj^ schools as rapidly as facilities can be pro- vided and the erection of zone elementary schools of not less than four rooms. 3rd. All buildings to be standardized unit construction to which extensions may be made economically. 4th. The providing of "fire-resisting" buildings for all buildings of over one story (See page No. 20), except as noted below. 5th. The providing of fireproof buildings where exposed to serious fire hazard. 6th. The providing of not less than two acres of land for each school buiding. 7th. The ignoring of district lines, where one building can serve a geographical section lying in two or more districts, to avoid duplication of effort and expense. 8th. The co-operation of district boards and the operation of schools on a per capita basis where schools serve more than one district. 9th. The immediate erection of buildings at Churchland, Bowers Hill, Hickory Ground, Portlock, Norview and Bay View as given on page No. 17. 10th. The readjusting of school distribution as recommended on page 18. 11th. The reviewing of such portions of the survey as may seem advisable be- fore any further developments are undertaken. CONCLUSION. The making of this survey has been the work of months. It has entailed the co-relating and revising of existing maps and adapting them to school purposes, the securing from your teachers the name, grade and home location of every pupil and the transferring of these to the maps. Also, each building has been surveyed, its advantages and limitations listed, your road system has been carefully gone over and records of population increase studied. Its value to you will be determined entirely by the use to which it is put. In the compiling and analyzing of this data we must express our appreciation of the hearty cooperation given us and the interest taken by your teachers and school officials without whose assistance this report would have been almost im- possible. We are particularly indebted to Mr. Hurst for the valuable information furnished from his records, and his criticisms and suggestions, and feel that in making this report a large measure of its success is due to his intimate knowledge of conditions and great personal interest in securing for your county the best educational facilities that can be had. (24) Missing Page