The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-09-28
MUST Be FIXED.
City Schools of Kansas HandI-
capped by Law.
Tax Not Large Enough to Meet
Requirements.
Go TO LEGISLATURE.
School Boards Will Unite in a
Demand.
Ask That the Limit on Levy Be
Raised.
10 TO LEGISLATURES.


All of the nine cities of the first
class in the state are going to join
hands in an appeal to the next Iegisla-
ture for an amendment to the school
laws of the state which will permit the
boards of education in these cities to
levy an increased tax each year for
general school purposes Under the
laws as they now stand, except where
special acts apply, the cities of the
first class are permitted to levy a tax
of but twelve mills for general school
purposes, while cities of the second
class are allowed to levy twenty mills
Several cities of the first class, and
Topeka is included in the number
have grown considerably in population
since these laws were enacted. and
necessarily the school facilities have
been increased. Although the assessed
valuation of property in these cities
has increased with their growth, the
increase in this respect has not been
sufficiently great to provide the funds
necessary for the proper conduct of the
schools on the twelve mill levy.
Because of lack of funds for general
school purposes the Topeka board of
education has been handicapped, not
only in the development OF the cur
riculurn of the schools, but also in its
4AdDlA4ty 10 Increase lAE Sd4dAACS VI Liz
teachers in the grade schools, an in
crease which is recognized by everyone
as being merited. Other cities of the
first class are in the same fix and in
some instances, IL they are not put in
q position where they can obtain more
funds for general school purposes, they
will have to curtail the school hours,
perhaps by putting the children on
half school time.
Some weeks ago the board of educa-
49, it, 10 Il f,o
boards of education of the other cities
to see If they were willing to join in
petitioning the legislature for an
amend ment to the school laws which
would permit the cities of the first
class to make an additional levy for
general school purposes and at least
permit these cities to raise proper
tionately as much money as the cities
of the second class. A special com
mittee of three, with c. T. Hardy as
chairman, was appointed to handle the
matter. This committee prepared a
letter which was sent to each of the
| boards of education at Atchison, Cot
feyviIle, Fort Scott, Kansas City, Leav-
enworth, Parsons, Pittsburg and Wich-
i tia. This letter outlined the views OF
the local board in the matter and a re-
ply has been received from every one
Of the boards of education stating thai
they are in sympathy with the move
ment and that they will Join the To
4
| lature. Not 4 single city Of the first
class is satisfied with the amount OF
money it is permitted to raise for gen.
era1 school purposes, even those cities
which have special educational acts
which permit them to levy more thar
| twelve mills
These replies viii be presented by
the special committee to the board Of
education at its meeting on next Mon
day night and possibly at that time
! the special committee will have ready
preliminary draft of measure
which the legislature will be requested
to enact into law. Conferences may
be held with committees of the boards
of education of the other cities on the
form this measure shall take, but al
of them are agreed that the legisla.
| ture should amend the school law Sc
that they can raise more money fol
| general school purposes, which all o.
them need to provide proper school
| ing for the children living in them
If the legislature permits all the
cities OF the first class to levy twenty
mills for general school purposes in.
stead OF twelve. the amount of mone5
available for next year in Topeka vii
be two-thirds greater than it now Il
and the board of education will bt
enabled not only to increase thu
teachers salaries to a reasona bic hg
ure, but will also be able to deveIoT
the schools along lines which have
been planned.