Newark post. (Newark, Del.) 1910-1969, 1918-03-20
SCHOOL PROBLEM CON-
FRONTS COMMUNITY


R. S. Gallaher, in discussing the
situation said, 81 thoroughly ap-
preciate the Importance of good
schools, and do not wish to be
classed as non-progressive. At
the same time do not feel like vot-
ing for improvements unless the
people of the district are willing
to foot the bill. Our income at
the present time is approximately
$4,000. The budget as prepared
by Mr.. koehler shows necessary
outlay of $4,000. This means a
large increase and one that | per-
sonally hesitate to support unless
we have an expression to that eff
feet on the part of the taxpayers.
An increase of even $4,000 means
an actual hardship to some of our
citizens. There is no question Of
the necessity of Increasing the
salaries of the teachers, if we ex-
pect to hold our present staff. Some
of the other items in the budget,
although desirable and practical,
may prove Independent, at this
time, under prevailing local con-
ditions."
Harvey Hoffecker, secretary of
the Board, discussed the subject
informally. "The Board IS whole
tries to do the very best they can,
with the money at their disposal"
he said. Every member would
like to do more, but it is a question
of doing the best we can.
personally, l am in favor of
strict economy during the period
of the war, in school affairs as we'll
as in personal affairs. We cannot
hope to have everything we would
like to have; we must limit our
selves to necessities. Repairs and
heat we must have, no matter what
the cost. l believe we should keep
all else down to the very lowest
figure. Undoubtedly the war is
the chief cause Of the increased
need for funds. Teachers salaries
alone amount to S1,100 per month
this year, sum which owing to
economic conditions, must be in
creased next year. The same con-
dition applies to all sorts of sup
plies, furnishings, and books"
Regarding the delinquent tax
item which was the subject of con-
siderable comment at the open
meeting in the high school on Feb
ruary 28th, Mr.. Hoffecker said,
perhaps $500 Of this amount re-
presents uncollected head tax, an
item which no board to date has
found means of overcoming.
Newark has among it's population
many 'floaters, who work in the
industrial plants. These men, if
they hear their salary is about to
be attached move on to the next
mill. In many instances they bring
to the school four or five children,
swelling the enrolment far beyond
their proportionate return in taxes.
The remainder of the total under
delinquent taxes is made up of
few large amounts known to be
perfectly safe, fact which makes
the Board feel that drastic action
is unjustifable. In one instance a
sum of $500 is held up on account
Of litigation.
Relative to the present neces-
sity for more funds" Mr.. Hoffeck-
err said, sit would seem far better
to meet the increased cost each
year as it comes, rather than let it
pile up at the end of the war
period. The Board members are
only the trustees of the people,
however, and wish to carry out the
wishes of our citizens"
E. L. Richards declared himself
in favor of raising the tax rate to
provide funds sufficient for the
needs of the school. 81 feel per-
haps we have been rather timid
about taking this stand,' Mr..
Richards said, "but it is an impos-
sible proposition to keep a school
up to standard without sufficient
funds. In our personal affairs we
feel that it pays us to work a little
harder in order that we may have
the money necessary to buy the
thing that we need. I think we
should feel the same way about the
school-willing to pay an extra tax
in order that we may take care of
those growing needs that prove to
be fair and practical. At present
the buildings need repairs; we
have, l believe, an efficient teach
ing staff, but l fear we shall lose
a number of these unless some
means is found of increasing the
,,y,,p conditions orn