El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-04-14
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proud record and carrying on that
magnificent system
The average man who attacks public
school officials. usually earns several
100 percent more than the teacher, has
less exacting duties. does not perform
one-half of the labor and has less re-
finement and education.
Finances.
From June 1, 1JO9, TO March 81, 1910,
there has been expended for the benefit
Of the schools the following amount, to-
wit:
Permanent improvements, ma
chinery, furniture, fix
lures. heating plants, side
walks, paving. repairs in
buildings, Libraries, ETC. 5 35,407.S9
Teachers salaries ..-..... 135,335-75
Other employees and janitOrs. 10,419.20
Miscellaneous expenses, fuel.
insurance, water, light, gas,
and power, stationery,
printing, interest, supplies
for janitors, etc ..-.... 14.S63-93
Total expenditures $500. 1896, O26.77
Appropriation.
State appropriation, S6-25 per
capita ...... .........s 100000
Interest on county school
lands -. .... 100000
City appropriation, S-441S on
2s,O00.O00 valuation 80. 123.704.O0
Total appropriation 49,. $40, 200. 90
School Tax.
The general laws and city charter
contemplate the necessity of a so cents
tax rate upon which to operate our
school. This rate has never been grant
ed by the council because the council
has not considered it necessary and has
not had the necessary margin in the tax
Limitation.
During the past year il became neces-
sary to remodel buildings, make per-
manent Improvement and install steam
heating plants, build sidewalks pay
for street paving, install manual
training equipment and purchase Ii
braries; this cost the schools $50, 407.S9,
heretofore it has been the practice OF
school boards 10 ask for a bond issue
for permanent improvements, fastening
upon the people for period of 20 years
a bonded debt drawing 5 PERCENT in
terest; this year the school board ig-
noring the free advice of supposed
financiers. sought to carry the debt,
determination upon rs part, which. rich-
ly merits the approval of every think
ing business man.
For teachers salary was expended
s135, 1856; this was necessary, TO at
impair the schools and result in cheap
teachers and cheaper education. For
other employees, such as secretary of
school board, treasurer stenographer
to superintendent. superintendent jan
itOrs etc, $10,419.20 You could econO-
mize by discharging the janitors. but
the state health regulations would not
permit and the city sanitary department
could not be utilized for fumigation as
it is elsewhere employed.
Fuel. insurance, water, light, gas and
power, stationery, printing, interest and
janitor's supplies, S14.S63.9S. All seem
TO be necessary adjuncts to modern
school.
Eliminating sS5,4O7S9 cost of per-
manent improvements leaves a balance
of S16O.6IS.SS cost of maintaining the
public schools for 10 months and de-
Quoting same from S170.70O school APP
preparation leaves S1O.Os1.12 surplus.
"InteIligent Mems Mistakes"
Many intelligent men seem TO ignore
the fact that the schools operate one
year behind To illustrate: For past
year expenses. taxes are collected this
year the schools operate from Septem-
Der 10 May; taxes for the city are col |
lected in March, the state awards its APP /
preparation in November, so II we would |
permanently close the schools IN May |
and cease TO operate them in the future, |
We would still be entitled to the state |
appropriation, which would pay all |
school debts and leave surplus in the
treasury. so you can readily see that !
the school finances are in good condi- /
ton
The schools have issued s1s6,O26.77 in
warrants since June l. 1909, of that 1
account the treasurer has retired Sis. /
4S3.5S, leaving a balance of s79.542.i9,
from which deduct s1S.60S-O1. cash on
hand. leaving S6O935.1S, with about Is
percent of the school tax delinquent, 50
\ on can see how previously the schools
have been misrepresented by indi-
viduals, who evidently were sincere. The
schools are in splendid condition ir-
respective of reports hysterical and 9TH
erwise 10 the contrary. As far as can
{ hServe the present board members have
discharged their respective duties hon
cstIy. faithfully and ably and are en-
titled to the thanks of the entire COM
instead of abuse and malicious
of dishonesty and inability
schools Under the Mayor.
The assaults upon the honor and in
tegrity OF school trustees for the pur-
pose of advancing the political prestige
t. I