The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-09-19
BOARD CONVINCED
BY SCHOOL men
The Order Reducing Graded
School Levy Rescinded.
THE FACTS AND FIGURES
Statements Made by Secretary G. Rosenthal,
Mr.. A. A Thompson, and Or. R. H.
leWis-.-Board Decided in
EeM Minutes
Few Minutes.

The Raleigh Graded School Committee
convincing the Board of Commissioners
that it was big mistake to reduce the
tax levy for graded schools. Secretary
RosenthaPs facts and figures and the logic
and eloquence of Mr.. A. A. Thompson
and DIR. r. H. Lewis did the work in
about an hour and half.
The committee of the Raleigh Graded
Schools met with the Board of County
Commissioners yesterday at II O'Clock
to confer with that body concerning the
reduction in the tax rate for graded
schools in this township, and for the school
bonds.
The members of the committee present
were: Mayor A. NJ. Powell. chairman; MI.
G.. RosenthaL Secretary; Mr.. a. A.
Thompson, DR. r. II. Lewis, Mr.. e. l..
Harris and Mr. j. w. Bailey. Statements
were made by Mr.. Rosenthal, Mr.. Thomp-
son and DR. Lewis, showing that the present
tax levy, even under the new assessment Df
property, would be necessary to maintain
the schools and to make a
number, of much needed improvements,
such as the purchase OF fire
escapes for the Murphy, Wiley and Wash
ington schools, an engine for heating pur-
poses at the Wiley, furniture for the new
schools now building at Caraleigh and
Pilot Mills, additional teachers for these
schools, and instruction in manual train
ing and domestic science, which has long
been in contemplation.
The committee was heard by the Board
CT Commissioners for about an hour and
a half, at the conclusion of which time
the board took the subject under advise
ment.
Mr. Rosenthal in his statement of the
financial condition of the schools, furn-
ished the following facts and figures:
The total amount of the Wake county
school fund to June 80, 1903, including bal
ance on hand from 1902, was $42, 144.32.
The apportionment to Raleigh township
was $11 102.7o, and to other townships
$21 40, leaving,a balance of S9,448.22.
Taking from this the balance on hand
June 30, 1903, to be carried over, 1881 81,
leaves S6,066.95, of which amount about
$3,S12.75 has been paid for school houses
furniture, repairs, rent of houses and
purchase of land, leaving $2,254 20 paid out
for salaries, teachers Institutes, janltor,
per diem of County Board of Education
The above includes receipts from all
sources, general tax, State appropriation
of $2,90625, fines and liquor license,
amounting to 1868 So. Raleigh township
received 1854 per cent of the public
school fund last year.
The old valuation of property in Raj
eigh township was S6,766,62 AT 20 cents
on the 800, the tax was s19520.72. Esti-
mated from polls and other sources, at
60 cents poll, $1,729.75. Total s15,250.47
for the graded schools.
The new valuation of Raleigh property
is $3.50, 1862. At Is cents this would bring
only $12,39O.54 Together with tax from
polls, at is cents and other sources, the
total would be s13,S20.29, or 81, 430.1S less
than last year.
The valuation of property in the coun-
ty is s15,67S,3 $50, which at Is cents would
yield S,22O.99, plus poll tax $3S, 1909,
less sheriff's commission and insolvent
tax, about s35,0OO plus State appropria-
tions, fines, license and balance On hand
july 1st. 1903, $4S,951.47.
If Raleigh receives this year 1884 per
cent. of the gross amount, she will get
$12S93.S2, as against 81, 1O2.70 last year,
an excess of only s-,79l.12. Deducting
the deficiency in the graded school tax,
$1,420.1S, leaves $370.94
The total known expenses this year,
Mr.. Rosenthal said, would aggregate $780,
3787S.
Mr.. Rosenthal also gave the enrolment
this year and last, as follows:
White schools, now 1921; last year en-
tire, 1854; colored schools, now 1910; last
year, entire, 1,213
He said new teachers We're needed at
the Pilot and Caraleigh schools, and there
was a necessity for increased pay of
assistant teachers. New furniture was
also needed for the Pilot and Caraleigh
schools, and fire escapes for three schools
two each. An engine was needed now