Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-06-28
Fairfax Board
Opposed Tax
Il Had Voted
Three on School Group
Privately Indicted
Levy Was Not Vital
By JAMES BIRCHFIELD.

1SV/ VF0S u\VN VIlOI
BY JAMES BIRCHFIELD.
Three members OF the Fairfax
County School Board who twice
voted 7l-cent tax increase for q
school construction program, pri-
vately told members of the County
Board Of Supervisors that the tax
boost was not necessary, The Star
has learned. .....
The conversations were verified by
members Of the Board of Super
visors, but the three School Board
members explained their intention
was to point out to the supervisors
that other funds, such as alcoholic
beverage control store receipts
from the State, might be used for
the building program.
The School Board members who
voted for the increase last February
and then privately informed the
supervisors that it was not neces-
sary were Fred w. Robinson, Hern-
don, board chairman; John Middle
ton. member from Dranesville dis
trict, and Alex Haight, Centerville.
Supervisors Reject Budget.
The school budget was passed
unanimously by the School Board
and then sent to the supervisors for
approval. It was returned to the
School Board with request that
the 71-cent tax increase be reduced,
but again was sent to the SUPER
visors after the School Board re-
passed it unanimously.
The increase was not allowed by
the Board of Supervisors when the
budget was passed In April.
When questioned about the report,
received from other sources, G. WAL
lace Carper, chairman of the Board
Of Supervisors, said that it was true
but added that he did not like to
make charges In the press. He
agreed, however, that the School
Board should accept the responsible
ity for its action, thus relieving the
Board OF Supervisors from shoulder
ing the entire blame for ruthlessly
cutting school budget.
Herbert Blunt, supervisor repre-
senting Mount Vernon district, and
Maurice w. Fox, supervisor from
Dranesville district, also said they
had been told by tht three School
Board members that the increase
was unnecessary.
Recalling a conversation with Mr.
Robinson in Herndon. Mr.. Fox said
the School Board chairman had
demonstrated on paper that the
school system could operate another
year without the increase.
Mr.. Robinson not only voted for
the increase as q member of the
board, but appeared at the public
budget hearing as spokesman for
the School Board, asking that the
budget be adopted.
Mr.. Blunt said that while it is
doubtful If the Board of Supervisors
would have granted the entire IL
cent increase as called for in the
budget, he felt more money would
have been made available to schools
If the School Board had presented q
realistic budget.
He said the budget didn't tally
and added the supervisors could get
no statement from the School Board
concerning the amount of funds ex-
pected from the State.
Misunderstood, Says Robinson.
Chairman Robinson said that he
had never stated that the total
budget, which required a 7l-cent tax
boost, was unnecessary. He said
that he told supervisors that the
71-cent increase would not be needed
to raise the total budget fund If
the supervisors would turn over to
the schools all funds received from
the State as the county's share in
Alcoholic Beverage Control Board
profits.
Mr.. Robinson said he did not be-
lieve that any member of the School
Board had any other idea in mind
in private conversations with super
viSorS.
Il was not convinced that the
building program outlined in the
budget could be carried through this
next year." Mr. Robinson said, but
felt that we should have the funds
and be ready If materials and labor
became more plentiful.
II am sure there will be no fric-
ton between the two boards" he
said. I'VE have co-operated In the
past and will, I am sure, continue
to do so in the future"
Haight Explains Stand.
Mr.. Haight said his statement to
board members had been misunder-
stood. He said that he told SUPER
visors that the schools would need
all the money provided for in the
budget, but that he thought it would
be unnecessary for the supervisors
to make the 71-cent tax increase to
provide these funds.
He pointed out, he said, that de-
linquent tax collections were ex-
pected to be heavy and that some
Of this money could be channeled
into school funds. In addition, he
said, additional State funds were
expected. He felt that funds from
these sources would relieve the
county school tax burden to some
extent.
Middleton Cites Other Funds.
Mr.. Middleton said he did not
want the Board Of Supervisors to
take the blame for something that
was not their doing.
He said that when the school
budget was drawn up the School
Board felt that the total amount
was needed to put the schools in
first-class condition, but that it was
not his feeling or that Of other
members that the 71-cent increase
was necessary.
He said that it was Questionable
If certain buildings would be prac-
ticable in war year. and that, in
addition, it was felt that other funds
might be found that would lessen