This Day in History: 1961-07-31
Dr. George B. McClellan, Mahwah Superintendent of Schools, cited the need for new school buildings in his annual report to the community. The need for new elementary classrooms was becoming critical. If Allendale were to withdraw their sending students it might be possible to house some 5th and 6th grade students in the High School, although this would not be educationally desirable, he said. All space in the three existing elementary schools was being fully utilized. Particularly overcrowded were the all-purpose rooms at George Washington and Betsy Ross, he maintained. The total maximum capacity of the three elementary schools, he said, was 100 for George Washington, 275 for Betsy Ross, and 350 for Commodore Perry, less if there were no kindergarten classes. The actual enrollments would greatly exceed these capacities during the 1961-1962 school year. (Bristow)