The award of a $659,850 contract for the construction of new vocational training facilities at Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kansas, was announced today by Philleo Nash, Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
The project marks the first major step toward conversion of the 80-year-old high school for Indians into a post-secondary technical institute.
In announcing the construction contract award Nash said:
"The new look we plan for Haskell Institute reflects the nationwide trend toward free schooling beyond the high school level to prepare young people for jobs in the world of science and technology. Haskell will be the equivalent of the community and junior colleges that are emerging in many of the better public school systems throughout the country. Haskell, traditionally serving Indian youth, will continue to offer academic as well as vocational programs, with stress upon the special counseling and guidance services that ease the transition of Indian boys and girls into the world beyond the reservations."
The construction plans call for two new vocational education buildings to supplant limited facilities currently devoted to building trades training. Emphasis will be upon high skill training in such occupations as air conditioning and refrigeration technology, sheet metal work, drafting, carpentry and masonry, and painting.
The new facilities will help provide not only the construction skills but classroom curricular in mathematics as applied to construction and design; physics and chemistry as applied to metal composition and use of new alloys; and electronics as related to air conditioning, heating, lighting and motor generating systems commonly used in modern construction.
The new facilities are expected to be completed by the beginning of the September 1965 school term. The contractor is L. R. Foy Construction Co., Inc., of Hutchinson, Kansas, the lowest of three bidders.
