Omaha daily bee., 1915-01-07
PUBLIC SCHOOL
100000 DEFICIT
Question Confronts Board Of Educa'
tion-Bond Issne or Policy Of
Retrenchmenti
WHAT DO THE TAXPAYERS sAYl

what to do about its inherited deficit
of approximately s2oooc0 is one Of the big
questions perplexing the reorganized
Board Of Education.
That the board, is keenly alive to u
was indicated by President c. J. Ernst
who. after remariing in his inaugural"
address that the board was faced at the
outset with such a deficit. said;
we must endeavor 60 do our full duty
70 the children OF our city and their
parents; likewise 20 the employees OF the
board and to the taxpayers. And It viii
be no easy task 10 reconcile and adjust
without fear. favor OF prejudice all the
conflicting propositions we win have 10
art upon"
Members OF the board see two alter
natives available in attacking this de-
ficit. Ono Is to vote bonds and wipe Il
out: the other 20 retrench by cuttinA
salaries or the upkeep Of the schools, or
both.
which DO the people prefer9
Early Relief in Bonds.
Admittedly, tho bona issue would afford
early relief and, IL is pointed out by
those favoring e. clear the decks for fur
fher advance along necessary lines. re
trenchment is said 10 be possible only at
the risl OF inefficiency.
There is no general complaint Of ex.
travaeance IN tho conduct OF omaha's
public school systen. Salaries are up 10
standards of other cities Of this class.
hut they have only been so for two or
three years Previous to that they were
below grade. II Ii regarded az extremely
doubtful n the patrons OF the schools
would wish them again reduced.
The physical condition Of the schools
is also good. although more room h
neededNin certain places. Il requires rees-
lar attention and expense. however. TO
maintain good physical condition.
Someone has said that the upkeep coat
might be cut, that Is, instead Of having
$4,000 worth OF improvements and re-
pairs made each year. restrict them tu
$1,000. At that rate for five years the
g3o.ooo deficit would vanish
In answer TO this the statement IL made
that sooner or later. not only the de-
ferred improvements. but others In con-
sequence Of the delay would be required,
30 that At the end Of five years the ac-
rumulated repairs might cost more than
20 have kept up with current needs.
Members Not AgitntfnR.
Board members are not as yet agltat.
ing the bond proposition openly. and, SC
far a. known, have not signifled theli
attitude toward II, but do not hesitate e
say they would like advice on the subject
Here is n newiy-orsaniSed board OF
admittedly high standing. eight OF whose
members have recently ridden into office
on the crest OF tidal wave Of popu-
laSity thus bringing with them tho high
est expression Of the peopic< confidence
And they and the four holdoVer members
enter the new period on amicabie terms
which tends to deepen public confidence
Ia the board a. whole.
Now, the question IL asked, suppose the
board deemed bond issue necessary and
proposed 4, what would be the disposI.
tion Of the votorsf ,wouId the same dc.
gree OF confidence expressed. for IN.
stance OF the eight members ON Novem
Der Z again manifest itself in theil
1udgment7
The matter probably will bo gone int.
more In detail from time to time, ant
threshed out in the forum Of public dis.
cussion.