The Topeka state journal., 1909-02-16
MUST LOOK OUT.
Move Which May Cripple To-
peka Schools.
Bill Which Would Force a Large
Reduction.
MEAN A BIG DEFICIT.
Senator Hamilton Places Es-
innate at $35, 900.
Would Probably Force Cut in
Teachers Salaries.
MEAN A BIG DEFICIT.

A reduction of more than s35, 600
in the revenues of the Topeka public
schools for the year 1909, Will be the
result of the enactment into law of
the proposed senate bill No. 427. regu-
lating and limiting the levy of taxes
by county commissioners, city coun-
els. and school boards in the state.
This is the estimate furnished Sen
ator Hamilton. of Shawnee county.
by friends of the city schools relative
to the effect of the act now before the
legislature, in the event It becomes
law.
This bill was introduced in the SEN
ate by the committee on assessment
and taxation, several days ago. and
its details were set forth at consider
able length In the State Journal
According to the friends of the 10
cal schools, who are protesting against
certain provisions of the bill. the re-
duction in the school fund, occasion
ed by the reduced rate of lew for
school purposes would result in a de-
felt Of nearly $4,000 a year, if the
public schools were to be nainta ined
on their present basis If such a law
were TO be enacted the Topeka board
of education. in order to prevent a
deficit, would be obliged TO either
lower the salaries of the teachers all
around or else shorten the school
year. 1t would also be necessary to
ings which are deemed necessary for
the safety and comfort of pupils.
The rate of levy for the support of
the schools in this city for the year
1908, was 4 7-10 mills for the gen
eraI fund and $40 Of a mill for the
building fund, making at total rate of
levy OF $40 mills The amount of
the actual levy. in dollars and cents,
based upon a valuation of s44. .344 49s,
was $20S, ,419-14 for the general fund
and s35,4T5-59 for the building fund,
total of $243,S94.73- This amount
was $17,064-63 less than the limit per-
mftted by law
Under the provisions Of the senate
bill No 427, cities of the first class
with population over 10000, are
prohibited from Ievying more than
schools and not more than 6-10 of
mill for the building fund. or a total
Of 4 7-10 mills The effect on the
Topeka schools, Of this reduction in
rate of levy, based on last years val
uatton, would bring the amount of
revenue for the general fund down to
$1S1. 1.S12.44 and for the building fund
to $25, 5,606.69, a total reduction of
school revenues Of $s5.475-6o below
the amount allowed for 1905
The estimated cost of conducting
the Topeka schools for 1909-1910 is
placed at S20S, 500. This amount is
exclusive Of new buildings and i'm
proyemeutS According to this estf-
mate there would be a deficit under
the new law Of approximately s26,-
6S7.56
The local citizens who are protest
ing against the limit of levy as fixed
by the bill, suggest that it would be
reasonable for the legislature to fix
the maximum levy for cities OF the
first class at s mills for general sup
port and buildings, dividing this for
cities of over 10000, if desired into
5 2-10 mills for general support and
$40 of a mill for buildings and re-
pairs
Senator Hamilton is giving this
feature of the bill careful considera-
ton and is IN a receptive mood for
suggestions from his constituents rel
atfve to the proposed legislation