The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-04-10

IHE CITY COUNCIL AND THE PUBLIC
SCHooLs.-In commenting last week upon
the failure of the Finance committee to rec
ommend the appropriation of the amount
asked by the Trustees for the support of the
public schools, whilst we stated nothing but
facts as presented ON the face OF the pro.
ceedings, the inference deduced may have
been harsher than was justified. Since then
we have taken the trouble to examine into
the matter thoroughly, and are led to the
conclusion, that the Committee did not act
unadvsedly in the premises, and further
that considering the condition of the city
and the demands made upon Its resources.
they perhaps did the best they could in be-
half of the schools.
| After cutting down the salaries to mini
mum and reducing all expenditures to the
most economical basis, the School Board es
timated the expenses for the scholastic year
at $6,500,a and SO reported to the Finance com
mittee. On this estimate, however, no credit
was allowed for amounts from the State and
| Peabody Fund, as the Trustees were moi
justified in calculating that they would re-
ceive any help from those sources. Staun-
toms apportionment of the State Fund has
been about $500 per annum, but for the
past three or four years she has not received
one,third of that amount. At no time has
the expense of the schools exceeded the es
| innate, but owing to the failure of the State
to furnish its quota, there has been de-
| fict for several consecutive years, which had
to be made up by anticipating appropria-
tions from one session to another. For in
stance, the fiscal year, when the different ap-
portionments are made, commences On the
1st of May, and the scholastic year about
the middle of September. Last year, the
States quota being embraced in the esli-
mate, and not being paid, the fund set apart
for the use of the schools was exhausted a
month and half before the session closed
In this exigency, the Board applied to the
Council and received funds sufficient to last
them for month. The remaining half
month had to be made up from the amount
dedicated to the next succeeding session.
The estimate for this year again embraced
the State fund, and again there was failure
to receive it, so that at the end of this scho-
lastic year, the deficit OF last session will be
augmented by an amount equal to that
which should have been received from the
State.
In making up its estimate for the session
Of 70 80, the Board determined not to rely
upon the State, and therefore applied to tn
Council for the entire amount necessary to
the operation of the schools. II anything
should be received from the State, it was
the purpose to use it in discharge OF arrears.
The Finance committee, in making its ap-
portionment, observed that no estimate was
made for the States quota, and thinking
that under the provisions Of the Henkei bill
lately adopted, that quota would certainly
be paid, concluded to appropriate an amount
which added to that to be received from the
State, would suffice to run the schools.
This is why the $4,000 was given instead of the
$4,000 as asked. Should there again be
failure on the part OF the State, we are as
sured by members of the Council the defici.
ency will be made up. SO that the schools
will not suffer, and that the question OF ar
rears will also receive attention.
We have deemed this statement necessary,
not only in justice to those whom we were
disposed to censure. but also that the peo-
pie may understand the actual condition OF
an institution in which they are so deeply
which might have been adduced to more
clearly explain the situation, but the above
is sufficient.