Milford chronicle., 1941-07-11
Milford. Friday, July II, islI

WILL MlLFOhD HAVE A NEf
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL? Thi
question will be definitely, an,
finally, decided by the voters 0
the Milford Special School Distric
at a referendum election to be hell
on July "a. 1t is we'll that the vot
ers should know exactly the con
dftions under which the State o.
Delaware has appropriated money
to aid in the building and equip
ping of this proposed building. Al
the last session Of the General As
sembly a bill passed both Houses
of that body, and was approved by
Governor Bacon, which provided
for the assistance of several school
districts in their building pro-
gram. 1t was no easy matter to
get this legislation through the
General Assembly and approved by
the Governor. 1t is certainly not
confusing the issue when we say
that IL is our belief that Governor
Bacon was not over enthusiastic in
supporting the legislation. In fact,
he is quoted as saying on several
occasions that the bill was not an
administration measure, but that if
passed he would approve the bill
In the closing hours of the session
it finally passed the House.. after
those advocating its passage mad
about given up hope of its ultimate
passage. The above statement is
a matter Of record.
Now, with this knowledge of con-
ditions confronting the voters of
the Milford Special School District,
it is necessary that they consider
well their future problem before
they cast their vote at the referen-
dunn election. It will most assured
ly be the part Of wisdom for them
to ponder we'll the likelihood of the
state again appropriating money
for this district should the bond is
sue be defeated. Under the legis-
lation providing for the bond issue
referendum. their are definite pro-
visions which make it necessary
for the Milford District to raise
funds to add to the 100000 which
the State is giving the district for
this new school building. There is
a further provision that if the
money is not accepted by this dis
trict it shall revert to other pur-
poses which are specified in the
bill. In other words, the problem
narrows itself down to this propo-
sition-approve the bond issue for
$150.OO0 and receive the 5000, 900
state aid money, or refuse to pass
the bond issue and in the future
have to pay the full amount by To-
cal taxation. That is just what
confronts the district.
On the first page of this issue of
the Chronicle there appears a SER
les Of answers to questions asked
of the Milford Board of Education.
They are self-explanatory and need
no interpreter to understand. They
have been approved by the Board
and are correct in every respect.
With an assessed valuation of &c.
250,000 of real estate the tax rate
for all purposes, according to the
Board of Education, will be only
$1.35 on the $1,000 of assessed val
uation of property. There will De
no tax on personal property, nor
will there be a poll tax imposed
for this purpose.
No person of sane mind can dis
pute the fact that this elementary
school building. for use of kiddies
in the first six grades of the school
is needed. The members of the Leg
islature who visited the school last
spring were horror stricken when
they saw the fire hazards and
other dangers confronting the
youngsters in the lower grades in
Milford. The Speaker of the House
of Representatives, in conversation
with the writer, said that his peo-
PIE in Newark were demanding ad-
ditional school facilities, but that
he had told them that Milford's
suffering need should have his first
consideration among all requests
for school building aid. He took
that attitude when the bill was up
for consideration and final pass
age.
The local Board of Education,
local service clubs and unselfish
individuals who have sought no
self-gIory in fighting to get this
necessary state aid through the
Legislature, spent endless hours
and untiring efforts to get this state
assistance. They have done their
work, it is up to the voters in the
district to approve and make their
efforts fruitful. Vote for the bond
issue. 1t is your last chance.