The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-05-06

The salary of the Superintendent Of Schools
is $4,000, but this will be paid by the amount
received from the Peabody fund and from the
State.
Resolved therefore, that the city Council be
requested to appropriate the sum of $9,85G,00
for the pay Of Teachers and the sum Of 81, 343,-
90 for incidental expenses and purchase of fuel
and furniture for the next scholastic year.
Resolved further, that this Board respectful
ly recommend to the Council to lay special
levy Of three ~ mills on the dollar, real and per-
sonal property, for school purposes; that the
capitation tax be appropriated exclusively to
the support OF the Schools, and that the add-
tional amount necessary to make the amount
of the abeYe estimate, be appropriated from
the tax on licenses.
Resolved that the levy be asked for in the
above form in order that the tax payers may
be informed directly Of the costs Of the schools,
that tire schools may stand or fall on their mer-
its.
In the above estimate the Board have incltl-
ded nothing for the rent Of school buildings,
because they regard it to be the duty of the
Council to furnish the necessary accommoda-
tons for the schools. The number Of teachers
estimated for is, i'll the Judgment of the Board,
necessary to meet the expected growth Of the
schools.
The Council is especially requested to keep
the school funds in the Treasury separate from
other funds, that the Teachers may be paid in
money their small salaries upon which they are
dependent.
Resolved that the President of the Board be
instructed to present the foregoing estimates
and resolutions to the city Council and request
that the proper provision may be made in the
levy for the expenses of the Schools.
A copy from the Records.
P. B.. HoGE, Clerk.
After reading the above, Maj. Bell said that
he understood that ne estimate had been made
for school purposes in the levy. The 81, 100
would not sustain the schools for more than
five months. 1t was to be determined by the
council whether or not it was to the interest
Of the people to maintain the public schools.
Mr.. Burke-'sWhy do our schools cost more
than those Of other cities?''
Maj. Bell-Itis known to every one that the eA-
pense per capitu, of small schools is much great
er than that OF large ones. IF any fault can be
found with the present management of the
schools would be glad to have it pointed out
and aremedy suggested. livery tax payer pays
less for the education Of his children under the
free school system than it would cost to send
them to a private school. In my opinion it is an
economical measure, and meets the wants Of
the people. Ii the present ordinance is to re-
main i'll force, the schools must close.
Good schools are a blessing to the COM
munity, bat if only half conducted, are worse
than nothing. We have been compelled to in
crease the number Of teachers in order to ac-
commodate the increase Of schools. It will re-
qtire twenty-four teachers next year, and the
appropriation made will only last for five
months. In order to make up the deficiency
I propose an ordinance which will provide the
requisite amount.
Maj. Bell then offered an ordinance which
provided that the tax shall be Sl.IO on the 800
on all real and personal property not exempt
from taxation, and amending section 81 Of the
tax ordinance so as to make the commissioner
Of the Revenue apportion tIle taxes as follows:
Fifty cents on each 500 value of real and per-
sonal property for interest and sinking. fund;
| 20 per cent. OF tax Oh licenses for interest ac-
! count; 80 cents on each 800 value of real and
personal property; al. OF the capitation tax and
II per cent. Of the tax on licenses for free
| schools This would realize fund Of SlI $50.