The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1921-12-09
THE SCHOOL BUDGET


Annapolis, Maryland.
My dear Governor:
At the time OF discussion of the
school budget in your office last Wed.
nesday, you stated that the money
raised by direct taxation is by law
dedicated first, to the bonded debt re-
quirements of the State, and secondly
to the schools. The conversation then
developed the fact that public educa-
tion is the only State activity that is
supported principally out of the di-
rectly levied tax, and that the in
situations caring for the sick, the i'm
digent, the criminal, the insane, agri-
culture, higher education, etc, are
supported by funds raised by indirect
taxation. Later you asked me II |
thought that the public would stand
for q ten cent raise In the tax rate in
order to carry out the proposed pro-
gram OF the State Board OF Education.
The Implication carried by this ques-
tion was. take il, that the demands
of other State managed social activi-
ties would so reduce the general
fund, that the schools would be obllg-
ed to go directly to the people for adj
ditional money.
have. since leaving your office,
been considering the status of the
school budget under the existing meth
cd OF providing funds, and It seems
that the situation, which possibly
might embarrass the Executive, the
Legislature, and the school system Is
substantially this:---
Everything but bond and school re-
quirements is provided out of the
fund raised by indirect taxation. II
after everything else is provided for
any money remains in the general
fund, that money goes to supplement
an amount raised by direct taxation
for the support Of the schools.
The schools, then. are sustained
from two sources. both variable The
first source, namely, the general fund,
contributes a small proportion; and
the second source. namely the direct
tax, a large proportion The first
source Is not under the close scrutiny
of the taxpayers: the second, because
It is on the tax bill, Is under critical
scrutiny at all times, not only OF the
taxpayers, but of the politicians as
well. Az both sources Of income vary,
and as the first Is by custom and law
the one that supplies the other social
activities OF the State, II naturally
follows that the schools, by reason of
being the residuary legatee, so TO
speak. are forced to levy taxes in di-
rect proportion TO the degree OF eX-
pansion that the necessities uf the
other organizations demand. When the
schools. in order to meet the demands
of progress are forced to fall back on
funds derived from direct taxes they
are in position to be attacked by tho
uniformed public as being extrava-
CANT, and the sole cause of the in
creased tax rate. The first source &c
ponds on and varies in proportion 10
the needs OF other activities. the sec
0nd depends on and varies with the
experience. inclination and sense of
eXpediency of those who decide wha.
the rate is to be at any particular
time.
Now there are some features abous
the school system Of the State that
are, perhaps, occasionally lost sight
OF, but which by reason Of their i'm
portance must be recogT lied
FIRST: II is in direct touch with
a majority OF the families OF the State
SECOND; IL deals directly with
about quarter of a million children
and is under the most critical scrutiny
OF their parents.
THIRD: II is a means provided by
democracy to produce and maintain
such constantly rising level Of in
telligence and information as will in
sure progressive improvement. In
the general character OF our national
life.
FOURTH: II employs seven thou
sand persons who to a very large ex-
tent influence the fundamental
thoughts and characters OF quarter
of Il million children during the most
impressionable period Of their lives
FIFTH; The one universal com
pulsory obligation imposed by the
State is the attendance at school OF
children between the ages of seven
and seventeen years, regardless Of the
sect, color. social position or fnan-
cial status Of The pa ents and Ieast
parents send their children to the pub
lie schools.
With the foregoing in mind, as
member of a Board the function OF
which 1t Is to represent the people IN
the matter OF public education, to see
TO 1t that the school facilities are ade-
quate, and at the same time sensible
uniform, and progressive, | wish to
protest against the method by which
the schools are financed because IL
seems to be poor state policy to per-
nit so fundamental an obligation as
the education of children to remain In
a less secure position as regards its
revenue than are such other actiyi-
ties as the care OF the sick, INDECENT,
the criminal. the insane, agriculture.
higher education, etc. The present
method in effect discriminates against
the schools in favor of all other social
activities that are assumed by the
State and financed by the public
purse.
] protest then:
FIRST: That 1t seems to be poor
State policy to so arrange for the f.
nancing of one fundamental activity,
!. O., the school system, as to make Il
appear to the taxpayers that its ne
cessities are the principal cause OF
increased direct State taxation.
SECOND: That 1t seems to be poor
State policy to so arrange for the A.
nancing OF an institution whose work
is vltally fundamental, that is in direct
nnYfao ~ NTH the unafpritv NJ tho nap-