Old School

Fact 1:
Concerned about overcrowded classrooms, voters in Los Angeles generously approved a $250,000 special tax in 1907 for “the erection of grammar school buildings”.  At an average cost of $3000 to build a classroom, it was expected the funds would go a long way toward reducing the problem.  Today, however, the entire $250,000 would not get you more than a corner table and a couple of chairs.  Average cost to construct a classroom in 2011:  $1.6 million.