Evening star., 1952-08-22
Two Fairfax Groups
Differ on Need for
School Bond Issue

Most members OF the Fairfax
County School Board want to
postpone a proposed new bond is
sue referendum, but the Fedora
ton of Citizens Associations is
anxious to have a prompt vote.
At a meeting Of the School
Board in Fairfax last night. five
of the six members expressed
themselves in favor of delaying
the bond issue because they feel
it cannot pass at this time.
Start Petition Action.
Meeting att the same time 8
miles away in Annandale, the
federation gave the bond issue its
approval and began distributing
petitions for a referendum.
Two weeks ago after a meeting
with the School Board, citizen
groups decided to circulate Pc
titions in, behalf Of a 81 to $40
bond issue referendum.
The only School Board member
who last night urged an early
referendum was Robert F. Davis
of Falls Church district. He wants
the referendum held by mid
October.
Doubts Issue Will Pass.
From what I hear people say,
the bond issue won't pass" said
Mrs. H. c. Crowther, school board
member from Mount Vernon dis
trict. ...,
TT sure won't pass if members
of the school board share that
retorted Mr.. Davis.
Richard E. Stands, school
board member from Providence
district. said he didn't want to see
a bond issue defeated. He re-
called that it happened in Arling-
ton when that county tried to pass
a larger bond issue than the peo-
Pile would accept.
II think it would be suicide to
attempt to pass, a, bond issue in
October" said Fred w. Robinson.
school board chairman.
Charges Foot Dragging.
IF the bond issue fails, it will
be because the people here on the
school board are dragging their
feet" Mr.. Davis said.
We'll, I'm going to drag my
feet until we can tell the people
the facts" replied Mr.. Robinson.
Mrs. Crowther said the super
visors weren't behind the current
bond issue proposal.
R. R. Buckley, Centreville dis
'rict representative, said the
school board ought to have some
thing to sell, but right now does
not.
Hills Lory, of Lee district, said
ne would oppose any bond issue
unless revenue from new con-
could pay for it.
Federation Gets Report.
The federation acted after hear
ing a report that a deficiency of
As classrooms this fall will grow to
317 in 1855.
Presentation of petition with
900 certified names to the board
will force a referendum vote.
Federation members said they
were aiming at an October
referendum.
The school needs report was
presented by its author, Robert
B.. Walker, Fairfax High School
instructor in mathematics.
The federation did not specify
an amount for the bond issue in
voting its approval. But the
range Of 81 to $40 million was
discussed.
Urges Speedy Action.
The federation also urged the
county Commission on Redistrict-
ing to complete its work "as
speedily as possible" A letter
from John w. Rust, commission
chairman. brought comments OF
"dilly- y-dallying" and delaying ac-
ton"
Mr.. Rust's letter said another
hearing on redistricting was likely
in October. But the civic group
said more hearings were hardly
necessary. They pointed out that
they had presented maps and de-
tailed plans at the last hearing
for q realignment Of districts on
the basis Of equal population.