European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 23, 1964, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Daily science can Sion now Are held on fourth floor once a typewriter repair Point. By Bob Hoyer staff writer several yka11s ago a Painter was working in the corridor of in Amer ican school in Munich when a Parent came up to him unit asked in Sec the principal. The Painter pointed to the principal s office then quietly ducked into a Back room slipped out of his coveralls wiped the paint from his hands and stepped into the office. Now what can i do for you the Painter said to the Parent. You mean you re the principal but i thought you were a  the startled Parent said. I m the principal. But i also paint when the occasion demands it said Gerald w. Mcdougall. When the Parent had gone. Principal Mcdougall climbed Back into his cover alls and became Painter Mcdoug Allonce again. The incident was typical of the Mcdougall personality. It also was typical of his pragmatic approach to a difficult project the conversion of a former German army warehouse into a school. When Mcdougall became principal of the school in North Munich in 1959, classes were held on the second floor Ofa four Story building in Alabama Cavern. The army had a vehicle repair shop on the first floor pm offices occupied the third floor. Sewing and typewriter re pair shops were on lie fourth floor. Soldiers used to wander Down our corridors asking Tor the snuck bar. The had no idea we were holding classes in the warehouse. For three months we operated without drinking fountains blackboards or bulletin boards Mcdougall  soon discovered i Hud to pitch in myself if we were i i Iii to provide the children with even the modest facilities they deserved. The army helped  volunteers and scrounged materials we went to work. We be been working Ever since. The Job in t com plete yet. But we be made the place  the process Mcdo Insull has been More than Painter. He s pounded nails pushed a saw and even swept floors i carrying out the modification of the entire four floors of the building int Munich american elementary school a cafeteria and administrative offices now occupy the first floor vehicle shop. A 100-seat theater built by the army Tor the schools audio visual program occupies a basement bomb shelter. A Large Section of the basement has been converted into a playroom. The Library is situated in a former storage room on the third floor. It was constructed along with half the third floor which includes classrooms by car Penter Mcdougall his former assistant principal a German Carpenter and six soldiers. The Job was completed in 17  the entire building was made available to us we had plenty of space. It was a matter of remodelling it Tor school  Mcdougall said. The band room of music instructor Henry i by illustrates the use of scrounged material. Every instrument you see Here is from properly Dis  the principal  Mcdoug Jill took Over the school in the full of 1059. He had a staff of 15 teachers and two Miculs wage hate employees to handle an enrolment of 430 is photos by Bob Milnes pupils. As enrolment increased in sub sequent years the school gradually spread throughout the entire building. The latest project painting the school s Interior was completed just three Days in fore pupils retort cd for classes this fall. Enrolment fur the 1064-05 school terms 1,125 in kindergarten in muh eighth Grade. The teaching and administrative stuff consists of More than 50 its oink. A native of Kurt Edward . Me Gnu Bill came to Europe in the full of 1953 to teach at kaisers Lauvern. Ger Many. Alter spending the 19s4-55 terms teaching principal in bad Kissinger he came to Munich in the full of 1955. His wife Helen a native of new Haven. Conn., is Counselor at Munich elementary school no. 1 in Perlach Ernrst. She was a teacher principal at  before coming to Munich and met her Tutura husband while teaching at Kaiserslautern. In 1953-34. How a warehouse became a schoolhouse what formerly wot a Lorage room serves As a modern sound proof music Roo p Sci Al Gerald w Mcdougall shows reporter Loo Seal auditorium in basement. Abandoned Railroad track outside the Munich school Are constant  23. 1964