Evening star., 1948-11-01
Arlington School Issues

Arlington VOVeTS Will De calleQ upon W
pass on the merits of two questions in
volving schools when they 60 to the polls
tomorrow. The two questions, in which
interest equals, If not exceeds, others
before the voters, are referendums on
$4,750,000 school construction bond Issue
and on shifting the School Board election
from November to May of odd-numbered
years.
The bond issue has been the subject of
but citizens groups have been campaign
ing vigorously on both propositions. Al
though other points have been brought ap,
the chief question respecting the bond pro-
posal has been how its passage will affect
the tax rate. =
A special census last spring estimated
the Arlington school population would
grow from q current 1S,200 to 81 600 in
1s53-A. To meet this growth, the School
Board decided a total Of los classrooms,
plus three gymnasiums and other auxil-
larry facilities, will be necessary by 1951-52.
Cost is calculated at $4,750,000 This would
be in addition to A elementary classrooms
authorized under a $1,776,000 bond issue
approved in May 1947, and sold last
month.
Representatives of several county wide
civic groups, formed into the Co-ordinat
ing Council for the Arlington School Bond
Campaign, have spearheaded the fight for
a favorable vote on the bond Issue. Until
last week, public opposition had been
limited to John Locke, Green, county
treasurer and two of four candidates for
the County Board. Last week, however, a
group called the Fact Finders Council came
out against the bonds.
The School Board estimates cost of
interest and amortization of the bonds
would necessitate an average increase in
the tax rate, over the life of bonds, of "a
cents per $l00 of assessed valuation. This
does not include cost of maintenance and
operation, which, the board says, increases
with enrolment regardless of how pupils
are housed. The board points out also
that the estimates are based on the pres
ent valuation of taxable property although
this has increased from year to year in
the past and undoubtedly will continue to
do so. s
Mr.. Green, on the other hand, states the
cost to the taxpayer would be rs cents per
500 of assessed valuation. The treasurer,
however, includes in bis estimate the cost
of maintenance and operation of the new
buildings, plus interest and amortization
on $750000 in county incinerator bonds
sold last month. He excludes, though, the
cost of teachers salaries
On the question of moving the School
Board election, proponents contend such
change would keep schools out of politics
while those who favor continuation Of
the November voting say thiS cannot be
accomplished as long as the County Board
retains veto power over the School Boards
recommended budget. The proponents
point to the fact that 81 per cent of city
school districts in the United States have
separate elections and the trend in large
cities Is in that direction. To this
opponents reply that most of the commu-
mites having separate elections are in the
North and West where a strong two-party
system of government prevails.
In The Stars opinion the best interests
OF Arlington's schools will be served IL the
bond issue is passed and the change in
date of the School Board election approved.