Smyrna times., 1920-07-28
COUNTY SCHOOL BUDGETS
. AND THE TAX RATE FIXED
COMMISSIONERS EXPLAIN WHY
1T is NECESSARY TO RAISE TAX
Debts Had Accumulated and General
Expenses Had Amounted SO High
the Rate Was Fixed to Meet It


the Rate Was Fixed to Meet It
Elijah Melvin, president; J. NJ. Har-
ringtOn, vice president; H. V. Hollo- |
way, secretary, and Elmer Bowdle. |
comprising the Board Of Education of
Kent county, have issued a statement
explaining why they were obliged to
make the county school tax rate 95c
on the 500 this year They feel that
in going before the people with an
increased tax rate for school pun
poses this year, in spite of the addi-
tional appropriation for schools, made
by the State at the special session of
HE Legislature, full explanation Of
conditions which are responsible
lould be made in order that every
one may know and appreciate the rea-
sOa for the increase.
The following increases over last
years budget should be noted:
| (D Debt Service $35,385 60
~ Permanent Improve
ments and Repairs 49,. 5,65O.0O
(9) General control (office
expenses, salary of
SuptD ........ 1,196.OO
az Institutional Service
(Teachers salaries,
textbooks, tuition, etc) 24,250.00
(5) Operating school plant
(Janitors, fuel, etc.).. 10000
| co. Transportation of pupils II 100000
| (O Fixed charges Gnsur-
ance and contingencies) $4,000
Total increase ......$ $87, ,460.60
Increase in States appro-
tiOn and from other
sources over year 1919
and 1920 .............$55,8 ,87745
Net increase of this
years budget S31,59315
Allowed for poll taxes this
year over last year.. 4,644.O0
Net increase to be raised
by the rate ........ SIG, ,S39.1 Is
On the basis of $11,000000 assess
ment this means an increase Of nearly
25c over last year, making the cur
rent rate 95 cents, with a poll tax Of
$500.
The increase shown in the debt ac-
count, is made up of $10,8O3 of debts
assumed by the County Board from
the old districts last year, $4,000 es-
timated shortage in receipt of taxes
from the County on last years bud
get, due to rebates, errors, delinquents
cost of assessment and collection, and
$1,000 allowed this year for rebates
for which no provision was made in
the last years budget
For Permanent improvement little
was allowed in anticipation of an
early building program. This having
been deferred, therepairs for two
years have to be put in one.
Item (3) would be a decrease had 1t
not been necessary to add a bookkeep-
or to the Office force and to pay the
County Treasurer and County Comp
trOller in connection with the collec-
tiOn of taxes.
Item (4) carries a substantial in
crease in the salaries of qualified
teachers, provision for actual cost of
tuition of rural pupils on special dis
tricts, estimated last year $1,000 too
low, and increase in cost of textbooks
and school supplies.
Item (5) is due to the increase in
the cost of fuel.
Item CD provides for contingent
fund upon which to draw in case the
amounts provided for in other items
are found inadequate. No provision
was made last year for this. This
item also includes cost of collection
and assessment, not provided for last
year. The Service Citizens of Della
ware, you should know, have this year
contributed to the relief of the schools
in our district S14,779.83, thus making
the rate 13c less than would have been
necessary without their aid.
The County Board of Education be-
speaks your aid in meeting the situa-
ton. 1t feels that there should have
been rate of 65c, which would have
been possible without item (1), but it
also feels that these debts should be
and must be paid. 1t also feels that
with an assessment equal to that in
either Sussex or New Castle, the rate
would be no higher than in those
counties.