LETTER AND TABLES SUBMITTED BY JAMES B. FRITCHMAN, PRESident, Board of To: Committee on Labor and Public Welfare. Port Neches Independent School District submits the following brief bearing upon its housing deficiencies brought about by the location in Port Neches of the Neches Butane Products Co. and the B. F. Goodrich Co., subsidiaries of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation: I. In 1941, the year immediately prior to the beginning construction of these plants, the average membership of the Port Neches schools totaled 1,434. For 1948-49 the average membership is 2,204, an increase of 53 percent. (See exhibit A attached.) Prospects for the future point to a total of 3,400 scholastics by 1960, or an increase of 137 percent based on present population trends. (See exhibit B attached.) II. The RFC properties are listed on the tax rolls and revenue from them helps support the operational cost of the school. However, there is not enough revenue to build new buildings and bond purchasers are loath to purchase bonds based on the uncertain future of a Government installation. For this reason, the school district is unable to issue sufficient bonds to relieve the present acute housing shortage, and has no prospects whatever for the imminent increases in scholastics. III. The Neches Butane Products Co. manufactures butadiene, a highly explosive material, used by the B. F. Goodrich Co. as a principal ingredient in its process. Inasmuch as the RFC properties are located adjacent to schools which house 1,400 children, school authorities obtained an investigation by a Government expert, Mr. G. N. Kintz, in August 1948, who recommended an evacuation of the present site as soon as practicable in the interest of safety. (See exhibit C and D attached.) IV. In 1948, the Port Neches school district spent $700,000 for building construction. At the present time, it has approximately $550,000 bonds yet unissued, which approximates the maximum in bonded indebtedenss which the district can The total needs of the district as a result of defense installations approximate $2,350,000 cost. Without immediate Federal aid this district will be unable to erect the buildings necessary for the proper education of its children. Respectfully submitted. assume. BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PORT NECHES INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. By JAMES B. FRITCHMAN, President. 112 118 122 311 199 204 178 238 218 275 283 286 277 319 333 339 314 293 275 257 245 132 154 142 136 157 279 260 195 189 209 241 218 275 283 286 277 319 333 339 314 293 275 257 143 134 221 230 204 179 145 130 125 204 117 185 151 160 176 195 175 200 202 194 189 208 241 218 275 283 286 1,580 1,608 1,683 2, 902 2,350 2, 271 2, 201 2,322 2,312 2, 442 2, 556 2,666 2, 748 2,892 3,025 3, 162 3, 282 3,386 3, 453 3, 469 2, 416 2, 542 2,656 2, 766 2, 848 2, 992 3, 125 3, 262 3, 382 3, 486 3, 553 3, 569 1,261 1,322 1,366 1, 408 1, 449 1,521 1,594 1,653 1, 697 1, 730 1,747 1,752 1, 764 1 Estimated enrollment as forecast by the U. S. Bureau of Census. 2 Based on estimated number of new homes to be built as based on figures released by the school tax office. Last year 350 new homes were built in the district, and it is estimated 1954-55 1 1955-56 1 1956-57 1 1957-58 1 1958-59 1 1 09-6961 1960-61 1 Estimated number of students for each building in Port Neches based on figures released by the U. S. Bureau of Census. NOTE. From the figures given for 1960-61, the present elementary and high school buildings in Port Neches would only take care of the minimum needs for the first 8 grades. 1 Estimated enrollment as forecast by the U. S. Bureau of Census. New building. To be determined in planning new building. 1 Music, visual education, art, library, auditorium, and rest room. 2 Estimated enrollment as forecast by the U. S. Bureau of Census. NOTE. It is estimated that 3 rooms would be needed to take care of kindergarten children, if a kindergarten is established. Groves Elementary School 2 Visual education library. Estimated enrollment as forecast by the U. S. Bureau of Census. NOTE. It is estimated that 3 rooms would be needed to take care of kindergarten children, if a kindergarten is established. |