Evening star., 1941-08-28
Fairfax Seeks
S612,066 for
School Projects
Request for Federal
Aid Cite- -rr=Sponsion
p-eto Defense
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
FAIRFAX, Va, Aug. 28.-Applica-
ton for a $612,066 grant for num-
ber of Fairfax County school pro-
jects, including equipment, was for
warded to the Federal Works Ad-
ministration yesterday and a similar
application seeking a $63,295 grant
for additions to the Courthouse
building, was filed in Richmond
Tuesday by County Purchasing
Agent r. M. Loughborough.
Several weeks ago the Board OF
Supervisors opened bids on pro-
posed additions to the Courthouse
building to relieve serious over
crowding in practically every Office
but all bids were rejected because
the county did not have sufficient
funds to do the work.
The request made by Mr.. Lough-
borough cites heavy increase in
county business brought on by the
national defense program, and it
further shows that while the popu-
htion of the county grew by approx
imately $4,000 between the 1880 and
1910 census periods, it is expected
that by the first of the coming year
there will probably be an additional
jump of 5000 in the population.
Badly Cramped for Space.
It was suggested that the $50, 1000
building fund the county now has
on hand would provide for the nor
NAL increase in population, and the
extra money sought will largely take
care of the situation brought on by
the defense program. 1t is believed
the two wings can be built for about
S113,295.
At the present time the police de-
partment, health department, Offices
of the county clerk, commissioner of
the revenue, agricultural agent and
School Board are badly cramped for
working space, and the Selective
Service Board is compelled to use
a room in the basement of the build
ing because no other rooms are
available.
Mr.. Loughborough stated that II
the grant is approved, work can be-
gin on the addition almost at once,
since plans and specifications have
already been completed, and only
await the necessary money. When
bids were opened some weeks ago,
1t was found impossible to build even
one of the wings needed with money
Ia the building fund.
Emergency Housing Cited.
In citing a need for school funds,
the application prepared by Division
Supt. w. T. Woodson and j.. B.
Arnfield, jr., clerk of the School
Board, points to the fact the United
States Bureau of Public Roads has
acquired a large tract of land in
the county for locating an office and
other buildings; the Government Is
now acquiring property in at least
two sections for emergency hous-
ing, and approximately 1000 addi-
tionai acres are being sought by the
Government for expansion of Fort
Belvoir.
Aside from the fact that all land
taken over by the Government tends
to decrease the taxable base for
schools, the application cites that
many of the houses being built for
Government workers will carry
valuations that will not return more
than SIS a year in taxes, while the
per capita cost Of education IN the
county is about $50. Real estate
and tangible personal property are
the only local source OF revenue for
schools.
In order to meet partially the de-
mand anticipated from the defense
program, the application explains
the School Board has already
bonded itself to the limit to build
q new seven-room elementary center
at Lincolnia; six classrooms and
home economics cottage at Mount
Vernon High School; general shop
at Fairfax High School; general
shop and cafeteria at Herndon and
a two-room addition at Gum Spring
Elementary. The cost of this con-
struction Is set at approximately
500, 500.
Falls Church School Sought.
Included among the projects that
would be carried out If the grant
Is allowed is a new high school plant
at Falls Church. The cost of this is
estimated at 100000, with $4,000
set up for q site, and $23,958 for
equipment.
Other projects listed in the appli-
cation are a separate three-teacher
home economics cottage at Fairfax
High School, at cost OF $25 900,
with $1,750 for equipment; two
classrooms, an auditorium and
kitchen unit for serving lunches,
and q gymnasium at Mount Vernon
High School, at cost of $120 900
with $6,073 set up for equipment;
three classrooms and a small
kitchen unit for serving lunches at
Groveton elementary center, at a
cost Of $25, 900, with 81 ,147 for equip
naent, and two classrooms, an audi
torium and kitchen unit for serving
lunches at Woodlawn elementary
center, at q cost of $4,000, with an
additional $2,148 for equipment.
Likewise, the county also this
week submitted an application for
4,150, 900 in funds under the Lam
ham Act, as these latest requests
we're for water and sewer systems in
certain congested sections.
To finance schools, the county
now levies the highest tax rate al
lowed by law for this purpose.