The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1949-04-22


Montana public school law.
School superintendent and school
boards are now struggling with the
new law on planning next years bud
gets. Here is brief outline of the
new school finance law.
State Support
Each year the state will contribute
about $7,800,O00 toward the total
cost of public education for element
airy and high school levels. Of this
money $4,300,000 is a direct approp-
ration by the legislature. Last year
the legislature provided only $1,500,-
900. In addition to the $4,300,O00
yearly from the state treasury the
schools will get the usual amounts of
about 100000 from the Interest
and Income fund and about $780,
900 or % per cent of the personal
income tax and corporation licenses
tax.
The remainder of the money need
ed for the schools will come from
the counties and school districts, ex-
cept whatever is paid by the federal
government for Indian children tut
ton, vocational education. (There
is also the possibility of some federal
aid if present legislation in congress
is passed.
Guide For Budgeting
The new school finance law for
Montana provides a guide for bud
egtting for every school district bas-
ed on per pupil payments except for
certain lump sum allowances for
small schools. Per pupil schedules,
one for elementary schools and an
other for high schools, give the
amounts guaranteed each district
under the plan.
Small Rural Schools
Schools with one to eight pupils in
average number belonging during
the year will be allowed $4,000 if
the schools are declared isolated by
the county commissioners and county
superintendent. Schools not declar-
ed isolated get only $1,000 under the
state formula. More than that
amount for non-isolated schools must
come from additional district levies.
Elementary Schedule
Schools with more than eight pu-
pills but less than IS are allowed
$4,000 plus $100 for each pupil over
eight.
Schools with IS to 80 pupils in
elusive budget for $4,000 where one
teacher is employed and $4,000
where two teachers are employed.
Schools with 81 to 100 pupils in
elusive budget on the basis of $238
per pupil with that amount being de-
creased by DO cents per pupil for
each pupil over 80.
For schools with more than 100 |
pupils allowances per pupil decrease
as enrollments go up. Where this
schedule does not provide enough
money local district may increase its
budget by 20 per cent over the
amount thus allowed without a vote
of the people, but the new money
must come from additional local
taxes.
High School Schedule
High schools with an average num-
Der belonging of so or fewer pupils
budget for $340 per pupil. A high
school of 25 or fewer pupils will not
receive any state aid unless it is ac-
credited by the state board of educa-
ion and is given permission to re-
,eive state aid.
High schools with 81 to 100 pupils
inclusive budget for $340 per pupil
With that amount being decreased by
S1.25 per pupil over so pupils Sim
lar amounts are allowed larger high l
schools or decreasing graduations {
Is enrollments increase. I
High schools finding the amounts l
hus guaranteed insufficient for OPP
,ration may add Is per cent to this t
schedule by additional local levies I
a vote of the people. This q
Lpplies to the local district where f
he high school is located, the high q
chool district or county where coun- a
v high school exists, depending on e
ocal situation.
Program For t