Evening star., 1948-09-15
Referendum Is SOUGHT.
On S5,696,000 School
Program in Arlington

Program in Arlington
Petitions were circulated today
among Arlington County taxpayers
in behalf of a November referendum
on the question of issuing S5,690000
worth of new school construction
bonds.
Proponents of the program set
about obtaining 1000 signatures re-
quired before the Arlington School
Board can ask Circuit Judge Walter
T. Mccarthy to order the referen-
dun.
Meanwhile, school officials reported
that this years enrolment is more
than 600 ahead of last year, the
principal increase being in the first
grade. Total county enrolment yes
terday was 12.176 compared with
about IL 800 last year.
Another factor responsible for the
increase is the decision by District
school officials to charge tuition for
out town pupils Last year the
District permitted children of Gov
errment employees who already were
enrolled to attend school without
tuition.
$50 Attend Meeting.
An expected Endorsement OF the
building proposals came last night
during a public meeting arranged
by the School Board at Thomas
Jefferson Junior High School After
prolonged discussion the crowd OF
$50 settled upon the $500 900 figure
as the best sum to be authorized
at present.
Edward J. Braun, board consult
ant, said the amount would be suf-
f1cient to meet the needs in Airing
ton through the 1872 school year.
He reported that the sum would
cover cost of 20 claSrooms in new
elementary buildings. 80 elemen-
tary clas5rooms added to existing
structures, 33 classrooms in pro-
posed junior high school and i'm
3rovements to the colored Hoffman,
Boston High School, all of which
could be accomplished in the 1901
year.
The following year, MI Braun
said, % classrooms could be added
to elementary schools, 10 clasSrOoms
to Junior high schools and gym
naSium and IL classrooms to the
white Washington-L High School,
The proposed new issue would be
in addition to Sl,776000 worth of
bonds approved last spring and now
being f1oated to provide A more
prises the building program for
l949-50.
Charts Displayed.
Mr. Braun displayed charts based
upon his survey of Arlington school
needs for the next six years.
The consultant's figures showed
hat, on the basis of the present
situation, Arlington's school con-
Sjruction program over the next
SIX years probably will require an
outlay approximating $4,000, 900.
This includes $1,200000 for kinder
ealten quarters. which many par
ents nave urged.
Most of those who addressed the
public meeting last night urged the
School Board to proceed with build
ing expansion by acting on MI
Braun's statistics. Chairman Bar
nard Joy explained that the board
must first get the 1000 signatures
then have Judge Mccarthy call the
bond issue referendum. If the
voters approve the issue, the bonds
can be sold and work started But
Mr.. Joy said bonds approved this
fall cannot be reflected in COM
pleted buildings until September
1850.
County Treasurer John Locke
Green questioned Mr.. Braun about
the estimated cost of school con-
struction. He expressed doubt that
Arlington taxpayers can afford" the
full program.
Five-Cent Tax Increase Seen.
Chairman Joy estimated that the
additional cost to taxpayers will be
cents more per 500 on the cur
rent levy.
Among those advocating the bond
Issue were B. R. DraWheim, presi-
dent Of the County Council of Par
ents and Teachers. George B.
Parker, Mrs. O. G. Dresser and Paul
A. Hill. Mr.. Hill said. however, he
did not speak officially for the
Arlington Chamber of Commerce. of
which he is business manager and
secretary.
The Rev. o. B. Birmingham ad-
vised cautious consideration of the
factors involved, such as acquisition
OF land, equipping buildings and
stating the schools with teachers
MI. Braun estimated that school
operating costs would be increased
by approximately s2OO000 annually
when the new buildings are occu-
pied.
Mr.. Joy told the audience, con-
sisting almost exclusively of citizens
favorable to the new School Board
and its expansion program that the
$l,776000 bond issue now being sold
will provide five new schools. He
said these will be situated in North
Arlington, Dominion Hills and Little
Falls road, and replacements. for
Hume and Glencarlyn buildings.