The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1946-06-27
SCHOOLS FUTURE
HINGES ON TWO
MILL LEVY VOTE
Decision On Basis Continuation
OF Broad Curriculum To Be
Decided At Polls
Problem OF Balancing School
Revenue And Expenditures
Long Major Problem

A decision of major policy af-
fecting future operation of Bluffton
schools will be made by voters of
the school district when they go to
the polls next November to ballot
on the proposal for an additional
two-mill levy outside the 10-mill tax
limitation.
In submitting the proposal to the
school district electorate, spokesman
for the board of education stated
frankly that they are turning over
to the people problem that has
been plaguing each succeeding school
board since before the war.
Now the time has come when a de-
cision must be made as to whether
Bluffton schools are to maintain the
present curriculum and relatively
broad courses of study by providing
thru the levy additional funds for
operating revenue, or whether school
coun,es will have to be retrenched
to such an extent as will be neces-
sary if the levy should not pass.
This problem has been a major
one facing the several preceding
boards of education, but by tempor-
airy expedients the final decision
heretofore has always been post
poned. Now, however, board men,
bers say there can be no further
temporizing, and the question def
nitely must be answered by the elec-
torate at the polls next November.
MUST HAVE MORE FUNDS
Forcing a decision at this time is
a situation embracing mounting costs
of school operation, including the
question of higher pay for teachers
and maintenance personnel, together
with multiplying deferred building
repairs.
If authorized, the two-mill levy
will increase annual revenue of the
schools approximately $4,000. This
will in no way warrant any expan-
sion in equipment or personnel, but
will be barely sufficient to cover
the cost of the most urgent repairs
to buildings and provide the basis
or a modest increase in school staff
salaries.
Should the levy fail, board men,
bers have indicated retrenchments
promptly must be made to whatever
extent is necessary TO balance ex-
penditures with the school income.
Informal discussion has indicated
curtailment in curriculum likely
would first affect speech and the
arts departments together with other
courses.
100000 INCOME
Under the present financial setup
of the schools, they have an income
of roughly 100000 annually. OF
this sum, $4,000 is earmarked for
salaries of teachers, administrators,
ianitors, school bus drivers and 9TH
er employees.
This leaves only $4,000 for main
tenance and operation of two public
school buildings, including fuel,
lights, water, telephone, insurance,
operation of four buses, purchasing
textbooks, school supplies, band in
struments, Harmon field maintenance
and repairs.
Three major building maintenance
programs demanding immediate at
tention include the installation of a
boiler and stoker for the grade
school building; new roof for the
old part of the high school building,
and repair of the high school venti-
lating system. Contract for the
heating system repair has been le~
by the board Of education, and work
on the other two projects is pending.