Milford chronicle., 1924-12-19
9,7O5,OOO
17,547,5OO

The object of this discussion is to
set forth certain facts which MAY
lead to the method of financing a
school building program and to
show that the plan is both just and
reasonable.
/. What reasons can be given for
recommend ng that the State, instead
of the counties or local school dis.
tr cts shall assume the whole or
greater part of the remaining school
building work?
% Because the Constitution of
the State of Delaware provides, Ar
ticle x, Section l 1.-THE General As
sembly shall provide for the estab-
lishment and maintenance of a gen.
eral and efficient system of free pub
lie schools, and may require by law
that every child, not physically or
mentally sabled, shall attend the
public school, unless educated by
other means" Therefore, compul-
sorry education and the public school
system are affairs of the State.
CD The State pays a large
for the operation and main
tenance of the school buildings;
it should have the right
to decide when and how these build
ings are to be replaced so as to Sc
cure greatest economy in operation
and repairs, with best service to tha
pupils.
CD The school building sites,
those of the special school
districts and of the city of Whining
ton, are now owned by the State.
(4) The State can assess and col
Iect additional taxes for school
purposes without much add
ed expense. 1t now costs some of the |
local districts 5 per cent to 10 per |
cent to assess and collect local taxes;
he average is about per cent. |
Some of the districts allow per
ant discount for prompt payment of
axes. Their total cost of assessment
Ind collection varies, therefore, from
per cent to 18 per cent of the
otal revenue raised without allow
tnce for delinquencies that add no
mall amount to the costs.
(5) In order. to carry out the
chool building program econOmi-
ally and with proper attention to
he results to be obtained, it will be
Necessary to arrange many CONSOLE
ations of districts. The difficulty
f this work will be much increased
the question of financing is thrown
pom the new districts as we'll as the
uestions of size and location of
chool, district boundaries, and so
orth.
C6) Many school districts that
eed school buildings badly have not
properly to support the
obstruction of a modern school.
hus, if it is proposed to build and
quip a one room school, the cost
I'LL be about $4,000. Under the
resent law, which seems sufficiently
beral, district may borrow 5 per
ent. only Of the assessed value of
s property. To borrow $4,000
'oud require an assessed valuation
100000. In Kent and SUSSEX
ounties II out of Al incorpor ated
owns have less than this assessed
alue. Ill Sussex County there are
80 school districts averaging $14S,-
90 assessed value. Even though
lese districts were consolidated as
ropOsed in the plan for consOlida.
ons, only out of the 4S created
Isrricts could borrow enough 70
uiid a school. In short, state aid
imperative.
CD If bonds are to be issued, the
tate can make the arrangements
,r legal investigation. drawing of
lpers, advertising, and so forth, at
luch less cost than can a number
, local districts.
CS) An issue of state bonds will
Id wider and reader market than !
number of small local issues The !
of the State and its I
edit can be more easily determined ]
IAN that of one OF the many Ioc,a:
stricts. It's bonds would attract
rger bond houses, bsnks and inves-