The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-10-22

zen.
Those most interested paint it in
the blacklist possible oolors, but even
allowing for militant spirit Of prop
uganda 1t is plenty bad enough.
In something like q thousand dis
tricts there wouldn't be enough
money for proper operation Of the
schools II all Of the taxes were paid.
Their position, in view of current low
tax collections. isn't hard to imagine.
The answer. obviously, lies in one
Of two directions or in both. It is
either reduce the expenses. increase
the income or adopt = policy which
will combine the two.
AS now prepared for presentation
to the legislature, the educators plan
to ask only for an increase in reve-
nue.. Unquestionably they have
thought about reducing the necessary
outgo but either the problem has been
too much for them or they have de-
cided it would be poor politics to
raise the issue.
As presented in the latest issue Of
the North Dakota Teacher, magazine
devoted to education subjects, the
tentative proposal for presentation to
the legislature Is this:
Il. State Appropriation: A direct
appropriation by the state Of 800 per
elementary class room unit, and $525
per high school class room unit. or
$500 as the basis for each elemen-
tary class room unit and $lO5O Is
basis for each high school class room
unit. Subtract from these amounts
the amount Of the county tax Of 1
mills, allowing about 49, for tax De.
linquency: and let the balance be
furnished by the state. This latter
method might the more fully equal
lie the contribution by the state ac-
cording to the wealth of the district
Or county.
Mote: Class room unit should be
defined by the state department Of
education and should be 50 limited as
to discourage maintenance Of small
schools and small classes. In other
words, no state appropriations should
be given to class room units below
minimum enrolment. nor should ap-
preparations be given to schools not
reaching standard requirements Is to
teachers. length Of term, etc.
Mote: The state appropriation
should be used exclusively in the pa1-
ment Of teachers salaries. The source
Of income for the appropriation by
the state should come from . general
tax such as the gross income tax, tax
severance tax, excise tax. etc. The
state appropriation should be distrib-
uted at the same time as the state
tuition funds.
-. County Tax: A county tax Of
I mills should b levied on I'LL real
and personal property within the
county by the county commissioners.
The proceeds Of this tax should Be
distributed on per capita basis ia
the same manner and 1t the same
time Of the distribution Of the county
tuition fund.
g. Local District Tax: A direct
tax may be levied by the school dis
trict board Of not to exceed Z, 8 or Z
mills. depending upon the kind Of
schools maintained In the district, or
al real and personal property. The
proceeds Of this tax to be used t.
supplement state appropriations and
general county tax In order to main
tain standard school. as defined b
the state superintendent. and re.
quired by law.
=. State Equalization Fund: Il
the event that the state appropria.
tons, the general county tax and TIN
local district tax, plus other incomes
are not sufficient to maintain ,
standard school as required and de-
fined then the necessary funds shal
be provided for from the state equal
ization fund. It IS recommended tina
the state equalization fund law b
amended 20 Is to eliminate the pro.
vision Of distribution Of funds on
per capita basis to all districts, AM
cos1fine it, distribution Of funds en-,
tirely to districts in need. The equal
ization fund could Be finance,
through taxes On cigarettes, snuff, to
bacco, liquor o. beer and amuse
lnents."
i y a ambitious program. but
d doubtful X some o. its rather OBJ
vious dssses WI p 1smsdisd By IL