Evening star., 1948-03-19
County Pressed
For Decision on
School Bonds
Montgomery Heads
Wait CIurificution
OF Financial Stutus
By John v. Horner

The Montgomery County commits
sioners today were being pressed for
an early decision on whether they
will authorize additional bonds of
$4,000, 900 to cover costs of vast
school construction program.
At their second meeting this week,
the commissioners yesterday were
requested to assure the Montgomery
Board of Education that the bond
issue will be approved, so the school
authorities can proceed with plans
to relieve crowded classrooms
throughout the county.
The commissioners made no COM
ment.
Persons close to the governing
body said the bond issue decision
was being withheld pending a clari-
flcation of Montgomery County's
financial status. County authorities
have been seeking to strengthen the
governments credit rating since a
recent comment by Moody's In
vestors' Service.
In its widely circulated bond sur
vey, Moody's suggested that Mont
gomery should proceed cautiously
in future financing, in order not to
impair it's current rating. With this
in view, the commissioners, other
county officials and some Mont
gomery bankers have been confer
ring on fiscal policies. They are
also conferring with representatives
of Prince Georges County and
of the Washington Suburban San
itary Commission, whose bonds
Montgomery and Prince Georges
Counties must guarantee, in addition
to their individual county issues.
BY authority of the last session OF
the General Assembly, the Mont
pomery commissioner already have
approved the floating of $4,000, ,00O
in school bonds. Under the same
legislation they may add $4,000, ,OoO
more.
The Board Of Education told the
commissioners yesterday that II
hoped for early reinsurance on this
latter financing.
School Plans Outlined.
The School Board forwarded a
copy of its revised construction
plans and in an accompanying letter
said: A~5
I'm view of the present uncer-
tainty regarding the issuance OF the
remaining 100000 Of bonds, the
Board of Education does not see
how it can proceed with the pro-
gram outlined in this report until
the remaining 100000 OF bonds
have been issued"
The report emphasized that Mont
gomery's school population is ex-
pected to increase by almost 5000
pupils next fall, and existing schools
are already Inadequate.
Meanwhile, the board told the
commissioners, "there is an imme-
diate problem involving the expen-
diture of approximately $500,000
over and above the original $2,0O0,-
900 authorization"
-,...,.. Danger Seen in Delay.
"The acquisition of school sites
cannot be delayed without seriously
ieopardizing the educational system
of Montgomery County," the Board
of Education wrote.
Furniture and equipment must
be ordered to equip classrooms now
under construction. The recondi.
tioning program must be continued
if the projects now under way anc
planned are to be completed BY
next September.
I'm fact, if many of these projects
are not started within the next
few weeks it will be necessary K
postpone them until 1949."
The Board of Education sale
Montgomery needs new elementary
schools Immediately in develop
ments at Viers Mill Village, Twin
brook, Mckinney Hills and neal
Glenmont, and that primary schools
are needed in Rock Creek Fores
and Bradley Village.