The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-02-01
SCHOOL BILL
CAINSFAV0R
More Sentiment Behind g.
Month Term Plan, De-
spite Demonstration
Bv ]. c. BASKERVILL
The Times-News Bureau
Sir Walter Hotel

By J. {. BAShCNSiL
The Times News Bureau
Sir Walter Hotel
RALEIGH, Feb. In spite OF
the big mass meeting being heid
here Tuesday afternoon to protest
against any reduction in the APP
preparations for the public schools
of the state, sentiment is steaaily
growing in both houses OF the
General assembly for state-sup-
ported eight months school telni
as an economy and tax reduction
measure. For according TO pres
emit plans, the budget for TINS
statewide eight months schooI
term would not greatly exceed
the present budget for the SIX
months term. while some estl-
mates place it at even less tnan
the present cost of the six months
term.
The cost of the present six
months term as supported entire
ly by the state is $17,O 100000 d
year, while the total cost OF the
six months and extended term III
the 1000 special tax and charter
districts is estimated at $22, $780,
600 for this year. This means
that the property owners in these
districts are paying $4,000,000 a
year in property taxes for the
support of the extended term,
since the remaining $1.5OO,00O
has been supplied by the state
from the so-called tax reduction
fund for the help of the extended
term. 1t is the belief of those who
have studied the problem that the
state can operate an eight months
term for $20,000,000 a year on
present standards with no reduc-
ton in salaries whatever. or per-
haps for even less.
But the general assembly is 60
ing to reduce school costs below
their present level, it is generally
conceded, and in spite of the Bit
ter opposition from the North
Carolina Education association,
the State Parent-Teacher associa-
ton and other school fostered or
carnations. Indications are that
the assembly is going to start |
with the city and county superin-
tendents and reduce the number
of these from about 100 to not
more than so or 60 at most and
save from 100000 to $750,000 a
year in supervision costs. In ad-
dition it is likely that the present
salary schedule for teachers will
be cut at least 10 per cent and
perhaps even Is per cent.
The new appropriations bill rec
commended by the budget commits
sion recommends only $685.
900 for support of the six months
school term as compared with
$15,7OO,0Oe appropriated in 1881,
or total of only $14,450,000 for
both six months and extended
term aid as compared with S17,-
$4,000 for both as now being
provided. The appropriation as
recommended will make necessary
reduction Of 25 per cent in SUI
perintendents' salaries or in the
cost of supervision and cut Of
Is per cent in teachers salaries.
1t is believed that by adding
only 100000 more to the
amount recommended for the six
months and the extended terms
and thus increase this amount
from $14,450,000 to S17,450,000
that the state can take over the
operation of the extended terms
and provide statewide eight
months term at virtually no in
crease over the cost of the six
months term at present. At the
same time, this will remove tax
load of $4,000,000 year in the
property taxes now being paid in
the various districts for the sup
port of the extended school term.
The nine months school districts
will be the only one left that will
be permitted to levy any property
taxes for schools, except for debt
service.
If this is done. the cost of op-
Grating the schools will be reduced
fully 100000 year and the
taxpayers will be relieved of $4,-
100000 a year in school taxes.
The only obstacle in the course
of this procedure, however, is
where to get the additional 49,
100000 needed. 1t is generally
conceded that fully $5,000,000 a
year in new revenue must be OBJ
tanned to balance the budget as
now recommended and so far no
new sources of revenue have been
uncovered to secure even this $751;
100000.
AS result, indications are that
sentiment is leaning stronger and
stronger toward a general sales
tax of some sort. If sales tax
is adopted it will then be possible
to boost income and franchise
rates high enough to recapture
the 100000 to S5,O00,OOO in
property taxes from which the
corporations and large business
interests will be relieved, with the
result that a sales tax that will
yield only from $4,000, 200 to $4,-
100000 a year will be sufficient.
1t is believed that a sales tax of
this sort can be worked out so
that it will not be especially bur-
densome on any particular class,
h,,., ~ -, J,,,k.,,