The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-09-27

This is the last two stories in the local
school system situation under the pro-
posed $3.50 tax law.
Much Of the objection to the in
crease Of 81 cents in the city school
levy is caused by lack of knowledge
Of the facts, school officials believe.
"A higher levy does not necessar-
lily mean the taxpayer will be forced
to pay more taxes" said A. B. Good
school business director.
AS an example, person whose
property is assessed at $4,000, would
be taxed with 500 with a levy of
81 on each 500.
If his property valuation should
be decreased 20 per cent to $4,000,
his taxes would be only $86.96, CT
S1304 less, with a. levy of S1087.
The school city budget has been
decreased $857 1000 which, on the
basis of the present valuation, would
require levy Of only 88 cents.
At Rock Bottom Figure
However, with an 10 per cent
decrease in assessed valuation, and
with tax delinquency increased from
per cent to per cent, it is neces-
sary to set the levy at Sl087 in or
der to raise the budget"
Good pointed out even with a
total tax rate for Indianapolis in
Center township of 1912, as it APP
pears the rate will be set, less taxes
will be collected next year than
we're collected under this years
S2.79 total rate.
"A total levy of $2.79 on a $4,000
valuation would raise $279 in taxes"
he said. But with 20 per cent
reduction in valuation, similar to
that enjoyed by local real estate,
S3.l2 levy would raise only $249.60
in taxes"
The school city, Good pointed out,
has reduced its proposed expendi-
lures for next year to the point
where further substantial cuts would
cripple the school system.
Arouse Storm of Protest
In order to effect an $857 900
budget reduction, it was necessary
for school officials to eliminate
many worth while activities, includ-
ing free night schools and day voca-
tional schools, he pointed out.
) Elimination Of these two activities,
both of which in the past have
proven OF inestimable benefit to the
underprivileged classes, has aroused
: storm of protest among taxpayers.
With thousands of persons job
less, and with nothing but spare
time on their hands, enrolment,
: particularly in the night schools,
probably would have seen an I'M
precedented increase this year, 1t
is felt
School officials, realizing the worth
of these institutions in building
better citizens, issued a statement
regretting the necessity for their
discontinuance.
I'VE reluctantly have eliminated.
all night schools in order TO effect
a saving of $4,000 in salaries of
night school teachers" the board
statement asserted.
Called Costly Economy
This is a serious step. These
schools, especially during present
times, are of inestimable value to
the community. However, on the
theory that our first duty is to the
child, night schools for adults and
UNDER privileged young people must
go. We fear it is costly economy"
A spontaneous movement has
sprung up for the working out of
plan whereby these night schools
can be continued through public
cooperation.
Several other departments of the
school system have been abolished,
in cutting the budget.
In addition, appropriations for the
business and the buildings ana
grounds departments have been cut
$206,400. This latter cut threatens
the impairing of care and operation
OF the school city'S $4,000, 900 worth
of school property.
Fear Cost Will Rise
For the last two years, school
budgets have provided inadequate
amounts for maintenance and re-
pairs of its school buildings. Only
the most essential repairs could be
made.
The new budget provides much
less for this work, which will mean
the necessity in the future of spend
ing much larger sums to make major
repairs which, without neglect,
could have been made at much less
cost.
1t has been necessary to suspend
the painting program, under which
each building was scheduled to be
painted every four years, fourth
of the work being done each year.
Similar cuts have been made in
the various other funds of the
budget.
hIENIAR NAHA NnEE