Evening star., 1954-04-30
School Funds
Proposals Hit
In Montgomery
200 at Hearing
On Tentative IS
CupitoI Budget
D. Hllh LIZ
BY Chorles 1. Hoffman

CupituI Budget
BY Chorles l. Hoffmon
Some so persons last night
leveled their guns on tentative
proposals for $7.3 million in cap
ital expenditures next year in
Montgomery County and most
had their sights trained on cuts
in school board requests.
About 200 persons-the vast
majority Parent-Teacher Asso-
citation members-turned out for
the informal hearing on the pro-
posals Of the county manager
which would clip nearly IS mil
lion of school board requests.
The board requests for $9.2
million would be cut to $4.3 mill
lion under proposals made pub
lie by Acting County Manager
Jeptha J. Carrell.
Cites Arlington Schools.
The tone of the criticism was
summed up by Myron s. Isaacs,
president-elect of the PTA Coun-
Gil, who looked with envy at
reports Arlington schools were
the best in the area.
I'VE in Montgomery County
had better take a new look at the
economic and political policies
that have held us back while
Arlington has forged ahead" :" he
said.
The county managers Office
had provided funds for site pur-
chasing and planning for the
three high schools. Further ap-
preparation was deemed unneces-
sary at this time. Mr.. Carrel
said.
Wylie w. Barrow. school board
president. however. said if the
funds were not provided in this
years budget. the schools could
not be completed by September,
1856. when they will be needed.
Predicts 18,626 Students.
Philander Claxton Of the PTA
council said by that time the
high school enrolment will have
scared more than 5000 to an
estimated 1885. The three
schools would then provide for
these pupils and a small emerg-
ency reserve capacity" he added.
But Morris Allen, executive
secretary Of the Montgomery
County Taxpayers, Inc. chal-
lenged capacity figures Of Tie
school board.
Using what he termed s3la1ll.
mum capacity. :" he esttld1A ted
that the high school capacity
would be only abo6t 1926 short
Of providing for all STUDENTS
anticipated 81 1ls I. 3,sI;sss,
Mr.. Alien set btf q storm 81
protest by suggesting that efen
this deficit could be overcome
by adding study hall each day
for. ali pupilS-
Would Use Cafeterias.
BY using cafeterias as study
halls to, handle $50 to 400 stu
dents at q time, the capacity
could be increased from 1870
to 1890, he said. He added his
plan had been deemed feasible
by some school board officials.
His proposal was aimed at
minimizing adding to the eounty's
bonded Indebtedness.
1--WE need q breather. We
cannot continue at the rate
we're going" he. said, as he
scored the ceunty,s bond rating
and the increasing per capita
debt burden.
A spokesman for the Home
owners Tax League asked the
council to hold the line on the
tentative request budget. He
also urged that at least 81 mil
lion in surplus funds be used for
the capital improvement pro-
gram.
Asks Re-examination.
Stephen Hotsko, of the Allied
Civic Group Of Silver Spring,
asked the council to re-examine
all capital projects proposed be-
fore the June budget hearings.
"Only those projects which
are Of top priority and absolutely
essential this year (should) be
approved in the capital budget"
he said.
Mr.. Hotsko said the per capita
debt had increased from 500 in
1945 to $210 today.
Members Of the council were
told by Mr.. Barrow that If the
fun $S.2 million were appro-
priated the School Board would
have no trouble getting it under
contract during the year. He
added the board could not conz
tract for any project for which
the full amount had not been
authorized by the council.
Questions Location.
Claude L. Fauver of the Allied
Civic Group said construction Of
the proposed North Bethesda
high school would provide an
excess capacity of 500 pupils in
that area in 1857. In contrast,
he said, completion'of two schools
in the eastern suburban section
would still leave the area short
1000 classroom seats.
Although nearly all the more
than four hours devoted to the
budget hearing was taken up
with the school problem. the
council also heard support for:
l. The proposed $285. 900 Sill
yer Spring library.
2. The $195.000 new police
substation in Wheaton.
8. The $2.1 million roads and
street program.