The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-07-22
SCHOOL LEVY is
A GUESS NOW,
SAYS TAX HEAD
Economy Pleas Would
Ruin System, Board Tells
Its Critics.

bOard, the Champer OF Commerce
nor the Indiana Taxpayers Asso-
citation competently can determine
at the present time whether the
school tax rate will be $101, "a
cents or 90 cents, James A. Sho-
walter, chairman Of the state tax
board, declared today.
New valuations have not been
made and so officials necessarily
are completely in the dark concern
ing the total amount of taxable
property in Marion county," he said.
Showalter made his comment to-
day as he studied the school boards
answer to the budget reduction de-
mands made by the budget commit
tee of the Chamber of Commerce
civic affairs division.
Valuations Are Lower
He added that reports from over
the state indicate valuations have
dropped and county assessors have
been notified to appear here next
week for a meeting with the board
to discuss methods Of raising the
low figures.
I'm view OF this utter ignorance
concerning the new valuations it is
mystery to me how they get these
tax rate figures" he said.
The chambers recommendations
for drastic slasheS are scrutinized
item by item by the school board in
a new statement which makes a
definite answer to each point.
Pointing out that reductions rec
commended by the chamber total
S515, 700, the board declared:
Some of these reductions can not
be made because of the law gov
erning them and others violate the
best interests of the city.
Ruin Seen in Cut
qualification of the school sys-
tenn and notification Of much that
has been accomplished would result
from adoption of the chambers pro-
posals, while the Taxpayers Asso-
cations proposed cut would ruin
our school system" it was said.
The boards answers to the vari-
Gus recommendations are:
Free Observation-Disclosures
ance of this phase Of educational
activity can not be done legally.
School attorneys say the board is
obligated to maintain these kinder
gartens and their appropriation can
not be legally cut off.
Adult Vocational Training-Abo-
lition of this subject would save
only $1,000, instead of the $15,225
as is asserted, and if the vocational.
work is halted at Arsenal Technical
high school the property will re-
vert to the government.
Night Schools-Three thousand
ambitious men and women volun-
tarily seeking an education would
find the door of opportunity closed
if these schools were discontinued
They really should be extended ir
this depression period.
Safety, Health Endangered
Maintenance and Repair Funds
Safety and health of thousands of
school children would be endangered
If the $4,000 maintenance fund on
the $22,000,000 Of property and
equipment were eliminated.
Sinking Fund-Diversion of the
$275,0 sinking fund money tc
operating expenses would be ''un-
business like and unwise" and
would create a deficit in 1882 which
would mean either increased taxa
ton or more bonds.
Teacher salary reductions-Me-
dian salaries paid to Indianapolis
elementary and high school teach
ers and principals are less than the
median salaries paid for correspond
ing positions in all cities over 100, 600
population in the United States in
1881. Clerks in positions not re-
curing previous training draw the
same pay as the teachers.
The school board also SCOTS at
the recommendation that $4,000
be deducted from the education
budget in anticipation of absences
Of teachers because of illness. This
would be unsound on the basis of
experience and might cripple the
teaching staff.
Brook Urges Economy
Replying to schools commissioners
statements that they can not pare
their budget, William H. Book, Sec
rotary of the Chamber of Commerce
civic affairs committee, today
suggested that the school board
realize there is a business depression
in indianapolis.
He said the board should be will
ing to accept mild reductions in
planned expenditures for the coming
year, inasmuch as private business
and individuals have been forced tc
do without many things heretofore
thought necessities.
Book declared the school board
should at least cooperate with
other local governments and cut of
the least important items from
their budget.
DATP0I MANI cucpEMnrn