Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-27
SCHOOL TAX LEVY
VOTED LAST NIGHT
Amount To Be Raised For
Support Of Public Schools
Smaller Than Usual

The proposed levy of 81 mills for the
maintenance of the city public schools
was adopted by an unanimous vote at
the annual tax payers meeting held in
the auditorium of the high school last
evening As usual, the attendance at
this annual meeting was small. OF this
6.7 mills levy, 81 mills is for mainten-
ance and l.6 mills for the payment of
interest on bonds. One year ago the
levy was 7 mills and two years ago, 7.3
mills
OF the $l38, l66.20 to be raised next
year, 5,666.60 is from direct taxes
and the remainder from county and
state funds and tuition.
The motion for the adoption of the
budget, after being read by Clerk W.
H. Burghardt, Jr., was made by Joseph
Baumgartner, and seconded by J. l..
Stockton.
Attorney s. M. Endicott was elected
chairman of the meeting, who stated
that he had all confidence in the school
board of directors and that they were
doing the best that could be done
Chairman Miles of the board expressed
the opinion that Salem had schools sec
ond to none in Oregon, and that after
visiting several schools in California
was satisfied that southern California
had nothing on US, the size of our city
taken into consideration.
A. A. Lee, chairman of the financial
committee of the board, explained how
the board was able to reduce the levy
three mills compared to last year, al
though the valuation in this district
had been reduced $57S,000. A few
teachers salaries had been increased
and few teachers added, on account
of the increase in the high school at
tendance by pupils coming from out
side districts. He explained the in
crease of pupils in the high school from
the fact that the efficiency of the
school was such that very few pupils
drop out at the seventh and eighth
grades, but continue into the higher
grades, even to graduation. GAS Il
schools become more efficient more
stay in for the higher grades, " said Mr..
| Lee.
From financial standpoint, Mr.. Lee
was in favor of reducing the bonded in
debtedness each year and not pass it on
to the next generation. The Mckinley
school is all paid for excepting $4,000
and the building and lot cost close to
$4,000. AS to carrying bonds on a
school, Mr.. Lee said that the Lincoln,
Park and Washington were built in
1888 and 1889. A $4,000 bond was
floated for 20 years at 6 per cent and
re-floated at per cent. "We have
been paying interest all these years
and the buildings not paid for yet, ,
said Mr.. Lee, "and it will pay thi,
district to permit the payments OIL
bonded Indebtedness until wiped out ;
Other opinions expressed were a
follows:
Chairman Miles, We consider our
selves fortunate in having Mr.. Elliot
at the head of the Salem schools ant
we know their management is in gOoC
hands.
Henry w. Meyers: had the pleasure
of endorsing the action of the schoo
board one year ago and am pleased t.
again support the actions of the board
. As to the salaries Of the teachers,
would like very much to see them in
creased.
; j. l.. Stockton: / also want to con
gratulate the board and superintendent
on the good work being done. l know
they are preparing our children to g
: out into life. AS to paying on bonds
l am in favor of paying as we go.
Walter Winslow: l believe with MT
Meyers that our teachers are under
paid. I am impressed with the burdei
of their work, without sufficient pay.
8. NJ. Endicott When l ceSne her,
five years ago, there was discord OIL
the school board, but am glad to not,
they are pulling together now. Peopl,
should visit their schools more, compli
ment the teachers, and at the same tim,
tell the children that what the teache
says is right. l also believe in paying
as we 60 along.
j. l.. Stockton: j understand severa
children cannot enter the schools on ac
count Of not having sufficient clothes
l want to state that if any such cont
to school without proper clothes, let mt
know, and they will be clothed.
A. A. Lee: Our teachers are work
ing hard We have new schedule BY
which teachers receive additional pa
for years of service. / am glad to sa,
that the board is in absolute harmon,
throughout. In the future, when w
have served our time, it behooves tn,
city to keep men of actual retail bust
ness experience on the board Whel
we go out, the district cannot affort
to turn its business over to any bu