The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1921-12-22
bIARYLAND'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BUDGET FOR 1922 s3,5OO 900
Board OF Education Pares Estimate
to Governor Ritchie's Figures


Cutting approximately but 100000
from its budget for next year, the
State Board of Education last We'd
nesday in session in Baltimore,
brought the limit set by Governor
Richie, which is $3,5O0,O00. This
amount if $750,0OO more than was
provided for schools for 1921 and
1922. The board had hoped to get
S1,250,0O0 more. The additional
amount over last year viii be obtain
ed without an addition to the direct
tax rate.
The board spent Wednesday after
noon in pairing down the figures.
Among the heaviest cuts made were
these: From high school aid, $685.
$50; part payment of salaries of
county school officers, $4,000; in
crease in textbook allotment to the
counties, 100000; leaving this fund
still $4,000 higher than it was last
year; the entire increase on mater
ials for instruction, amounting to
$4,000; from the fund for vocational
education to meet the appropriation
from the Federal fund, $4,000; from
the fund for health and physical ed
ucation, $4,000, leaving $4,000 with
which to look out for the health Of
100000 children, and the Americana
cation fund, $4,000, being the en-.
tire amount set apart for this pur-
pose.
In addition the increases in ray for
thirdgrade teachers was cut out en-
tirely, and the proposed increases all
along the line for other teachers was
cut $50 year except for colored
teachers, whose proposed increases
were cut $40, and the supervisors
and superintendent were cut SEQ
each.
The equalization fund was also re-
duced by $4,000, leaving S265OOO
provided for 1923 and 100000 for
1924. Superintendent of Schools
Cook points out that if in the course
Of 10 years frst-grade teacher could
be put in every elementary school in
the State the entire equalization fund
would not amount to more than ST.
100000.
The board gave out the following
statement concerning its work of the
afternoon:
THE State Board of Education. at
its meeting today, finally adopted the
State program for education which it
hopes to put into effect. The main
features of the program provide for
securing better teaching ability thru
the payment of better salaries to
teachers holding the higher grades
Of certificates, and by offering ex-
tension courses to third grade teach
ers in their home communities so
that they may secure highest grades
of certificates.
The program also provides for
helping teachers and Supervisory
teachers to provide for training
teachers already in service, and to Sc
cure more efficient work wherever the
situation is weak; for extending the
State high school to communities now
needing high school facilities; for
producing at least 300 Normal school
graduates in 1923 and 1924 instead of
! so in 1921, in short, the purpose of
the program is to improve and equal
ize the quality of teaching in the ru-
raj schools throughout the State.
at provides, through an eouali-
cation fund, derived from indirect in
come Of the State, that every county
in the State can carry the State pro-
gram on school tax rate of not ex-
ceeding 81 cents, and at the same
time can maintain its school build
ings and equipment.
"The entire appropriation that Gov
ernor Richie has proposed to place
in the State budget for the public
schools is $4,000, OO0.T The State Board
of Education has made its budget
conform to the amount the Governor
felt he could provide, with the dis
tinct understanding that no increase
in the direct tax rate would be nee
essary to meet this allowance to the
public schools The board will be
able to put into effect the principle
policies of the new program but will
have to modify its plans concerning
certain features, which are regarded
as important.