The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-06-17
SCHOOL BUDGET
IS SLASHED, BUT
TAX UNCHANGED
Levy to Stay at $1.01; Date
Set for Public Hearing
on $7,459,546 Total.

VII VI BFSSgOI0 WAL
Public hearing on the s7.459 $40
indianapolis school budget for 1881
80, tentatively adopted by the school
board Tuesday afternoon, will be
held June 30, it was announced to-
day by A. 3. Good, business direc-
tor.
The budget, a reduction Of S28,746
from the previous budget. viii re-
quire a S101 tax levy, the same as
this years levy. The budget re-
duction is more than equalized by
an anticipated $4,000 decrease in
state aid funds distributed next
year, Good said.
The budget will become effective
July l. The board recently decided
TO change the school operating year
from its former calendar year basis
TO a July 1-June 80 basis.
Limited by New Law
The board was limited in prepara-
ton Of the budget to the total Of
the budget for this year by law
passed by the last legislature. This
law prevents any increase in the ag-
gregate amount of the budget Of
taxing units for the next two years.
The board voluntarily reduced its
tax levy l cent last year.
IN a statement issued by Russell
Wilson, board president, it is point
ed out that while the budget does
not permit of expansion, it will per-
nit operation Of schools next year
without seriously inpairing their
efficiency.
School corporations that last year
voluntarily practiced economy in
their budgets are finding themselves
penaized for that economy, under
this law. he said.
Cut Bonded Debt
Wilson's statement pointed out
that the board in the year and a
half it has been in office has con-
structed four new buildings and two
additions at a cost of $3.50 ,944, at the
same time reducing the bonded in
debtedness approximately $4,000.
Wilson stated only emergency
repairs and teaching staff addi-
tions will be made. Recently, the
boarded decided to suspend the au-
tomato salary increase schedule for
teachers and refused raises to other
employees.
Included in the budget, Wilson
pointed out, is $403,335 for opera
ton of the public library, reduction
of S6,460; the sum of $4,000 for
operation of free kindergartens, and
$4,000 contributed to the Art asso-
citation and Children's museum,
leaving a total Of $6,981,011 for OPP
Grafton Of schools.
Portables Required
Increase of $27,34O is shown in
the budget for capital outlay at the
six high schools This, Good ex-
planned, is occasioned by crowded
conditions at all except Manual
Training and Shortridge high
schools, requiring placing Of port
able buildings at the other high
schools. Efforts to induce more
pupils to attend Manual will be
made, superintendent Paul G.
Stetson said.
Increase Of $17,507 is included In
budget for administration expenses,
the largest item increased being the
buildings and grounds department,
hiked $12,590.
Board members found it difficult
to reconcile recent promises of H.
F.. Osler, buildings and grounds SUI
perintendent, that $9,527 would be
saved the school city through GER
tain changes he recommended, with
budget figures showing a $4,000 net
increase.
Change Pay Basis
Acting on Osler's request week
ago, the board named nine forenen
in his department supervisors and
placed their pay On a salary basis
instead OF hourly basis. In the flu
ture, these supervisors will work in
stead of directing, and will be paid
out Of administrative funds instead
of their services being charged up,
by the hour, to jobs they work on,
it was stated.
When Good explained that while
the departments administrative
fund was increased $12,590 to pay
the supervisors, decrease Of $4,000
was made in the elementary school
repair and maintenance fund, from
which the supervisors formerly were
paid. the board still was mystified
and, with a mathematical head
ache" dropped the subject.
Bond Fund Cut Largest
Largest single decreases in the
budget is that for debt service, COW
ering bond retirement and interest.
This figure is S1,o93, 200, resduction
of $4,000.
Heaviest increase in the budget
items is that for instruction super
visors and directors salaries, $116,-
$50, hike Of $4,000.
The budget by departments is:
Administration $322,750, increase of
S17,507; instruction $4,670,8o0, de-
crease of $500; operation, decrease
of $1,781; maintenance $14S,350, de-
crease Of $7,959; auxiliary agencies
S44. 140, increase of 500; libraries
$40S, 1876, decrease of $6,460; CO.
ordinate activities $24,124, increase
of $3.50; debt service $1,03S,2 200, de-
crease of $4,000; fixed charges and
contingencies $38,372, decrease OF
$500; capital outlay s20S,S15, in