Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-05-16
School Tax.

Schools we clip the following from the Rich
mond Dispatch 1t applies equally as well to
Augusta County as it does to Hensico:
The attention of the voters of Henrico coun-
ty is called to the school laws, and their action
on.the schools now in operation among them.-
The writer has no intention Of discussing the
school question that was settled by the adop-
ton of the Constitution, and its provisions are
obliged to be carried out.
The question now for consideration is, What
is necessary to carry on the schools now In OPP
Grafton under its authority, and how we shall
retain their management, and right to lay a
portion of the tax for their support under our
control?
Under the school law there are three modes
of taxation for public schools:
LIST. The tax imposed by the Legislature and
collected in the general State revenue for the
pay Of teachers.
I'd. The law requiring the county superin-
tendent in each county to submit to the people
at the annual election for township officers a
If laid, is to supplement the salary of the coun-
ty superintendent and the pay Of the teach
erS.
Sd. a school, district, or township tax, which
the law requires the school trustees OF each dis
trict to submit to the votes of the people at
the same time in May, and which, If voted for,
is for furnishing school houses, books for indl
gent children, and other school appliances, and
current expenses, such as are prescribed by
law -
The first tax laid by the Legislature is GER
tain. The second tax is greatly needed, the
State tax being insufficient to establish as many
schools as are wanted in the county, but there
is no penalty affixed if you vote against the
tax
The third tax has penalty affixed to its re-
lection by the voters Of the district. quote
the words OF the law:
mo school district shall receive any part of
the funds State unless it has made provision
for school houses, furniture, apparatus, text
books for INDECENT children, and all other appli-
anoes needful for the successful operation OF
the schools" Cutting off the districts failing
to make these provisions from any participa-
ton in the tax already paid by that district to
the State for the pay Of teachers, and deprl-
wing it of any schools
A tax was laid last December in the differ
ent townships for the support Of the schools
for the present scholastic year, ending lst OF
July, 1871. There will be funds needed for
the maintenance of the schools for the next
scholastic year from September 1871 to July
1872, and the trustees ask district tax of one
property of the district, to enable them to car
ry them on. True economy will dictate vote
in favor Of the proposition:
LIST. Because the people secure to their own
district the tax they have paid to the State
(one-ffth Of the amount) for their schools.
I'd. If by voting against the tax you break
up the schools, the furniture &c., already pur-
chased for your schools. will be scattered and
lost, and when the schools open again new fur
niture will have to be purchased at considera-
bic expense.
Sd. 1t will cost the most of the citizens more
money to pay the tuition of their children than
the tax, Or they will get no education.
4th. If the people will not keep the schools
Legislature will lay tax sufficient to do so.
and the partial control of the matter now liz
their hands will be taken from them.