Evening star., 1945-06-15
30-Cent Levy 10 Aid
Schools
Urged at Hearing
County Groups Protest
ST, 900 Slash in
Education Budget

Demands by more than score OF
civic and parent-teacher associa-
tons representatives that a $77,000
slash in the Board of Education
budget for the coming year be re-
stored, "even if it means an increase
in the tax rate" were being studied
today by Montgomery County COM
missioners.
The request was made at a public
hearing last night on the proposed
1856 county budget before the
county commissioners in the Rock
vile Courthouse. More than 100 per.
sons attended.
In their proposed budget, which
probably will be signed Tuesday, the
commissioners allotted 81 ,446,141 to
the public school system-an in
crease of $135 900 over last years ap-
preparation. They cut $77,852 from
the Board of Education's estimate of
$1,523,993.
30 Cents on Levy.
Alfred D. Noyes, president of the
Board of County Commissioners,
pointed out in statement at the
opening of the hearing that ap-
proval of proposed increases in de-
partmental appropriations would re-
quire an increase of 80 cents in the
s1.50 county levy.
After several speakers protested
the proposed cut in the school bud
get on the ground that county school
buildings are maintained poorly"
at present, DR.. Stephen o. Beebe,
Sandy Spring, declared:
Il don't thing you'll have so much
objection to 30-cent increase in
the tax rate if it is earmarked for
schools. Why not go ahead and
give us our money and levy special
school tax to cover it. After all, our
schools are totally inadequate and
you know it,
His remarks met with loud and
prolonged applause by those attend
| ing the hearing.
Cites Improvement Needs.
| Asserting that he thought such a
provision could be inserted in the
budget without special legislation,
Alexander K. Hancock, county con-
troller, warned that it would give
the Board of Education the power
to tax and the power to destroy"
Citing the need for improvement
Sin the upkeep of the various county
schools, Mrs. Dean Dinwoodey, rep
resenting the Chevy Chase Ele-
mentary School Parent-Teacher
Association, said a survey of 49
schools showed that the janitorial
service in only 10 of the schools
was satisfactory.
OF these 10 schools, she added.
four used pupils, teachers and trus-
tees as janitors. Forty-four Of the
; 40 schools used students to supple
ment the janitor staff, she said, al
though 2l of the 49 principals ques-
toned did not approve of such &
! practice.
Roofs Leak.
I'm 10 of the schools" Mrs Din
), woodey said, sanitary facilitie
, were reported poor and eight other
). reported they had practically n
' running water.
Sixteen schools reported thei
roofs leaked and one principal salt
his school needed new floors ant
new walls"
According to Joseph Guandolo o.
the Bethesda Chevy Chase Parent.
Teacher Association, survey of the
Bethesda Chevy Chase High School
revealed that only four janitors were
employed there, three of whom were
IS years old.
Engineer Recommended.
He said the school principal had
recommended appointment of an
engineer to receive between $500
and $4,000 a year; two flremen at
81 500 each; six janitors and one
charwoman.
Others opposing the proposed cut
in the school boards estimate in
cluded Mrs. H. P. Morris of the
Silver Spring branch, American As
sociation of University Women:
Mrs. Ralph Himstead, president of
the Montgomery County League Of
Women Voters; Mrs. Edward Rowse,
Leland Junior High School Parent
Teacher Association; Mrs. Howard
IC. Woster, Takoma Park; Leslie
Able, Rockville, who charged this
commissioners with looking at edu-
cation through the wrong end Of
the telescope; w. B. Dawson, Pooles-
vile Parent Association:
Mrs. Malcolm White, Dickerson, and
F. S. Warner, Kensington, who said
the roof of the Kensington Ele-
mentary School has leaked for the
last 20 years.