Evening star., 1954-05-02
New Hearing
On Budget Set
In Arlington
Interim Committee
Proposes Cuts of
Nearly 100000


Another Arlington budget
hearing has been set for 8 pm.
Thursday by the County Board.
which yesterday received the re-
port of its Interim Budget Com
mittee recommending cuts of
nearly $4,000 in proposals sub
mitted to the board. Place of
the meeting has not yet been
selected.
The committee completed its
study before the School Board
revised its budget from $8,ll9.-
OFT to $8.150.617 to include all
teachers in its pay raise plan.
The amended school budget
recommends increasing the
starting pay for teachers with
a bachelors degree from $4,000
to $3.450. and giving other
teachers with up to five years
experience increases of from $1O0
to $3.50.
The committee chairman, Err
nest j. Holcomb, said that
although his group was urging
a $760.000 cut in the school
budget. and $4,000 in the
general county budget, expendi-
lures would still be ahead of
the current year.
The $l2.1 million general
county budget submitted by
County Manager A. T. Lundberg
provides for a $2.5 million in
crease over 1953-54. Supt. Ed
ward Rutter recommended an
increase of about $l.3 million for
schools for the fiscal year begin
ming July /.
Would Keep Tax Rates.
1--WE believe that both the
county and the schools can oper-
ate successfully and make sig
nificant operational and capital
Improvements with the same tax
rates. respectively, as in 1883
81" the committee reported. The
rates are $2.91 on real estate and
$3.50 for personal property.
"The schools, with this rate"
the report added. will be able to
make a reasonable pay improve
ment for teachers"
These are the committees spe-
cif1c proposals for reducing the
school budget:
Eliminate the kindergarten
proposal of $258.20O at least
until a referendum can be held
to determine public sentiment.
Cut administration by $25.000;
reduce the proposed number Of
assistant principals, counselors.
helping teachers, clerks and liz
brarians. Also reduce recon-
mendations for higher appro-
priations for health services.
psychological services and trans
portation.
Fix the elementary school
teacher-pupil ratio at 80, which
will establish an average daily
attendance of 29." Set the ratio
for secondary schools at %.
which will establish an aver
age daily attendance of 2l."
These pupil-teacher ratios
would save $l67,20O. the COM
mittee estimates.
Facilities "Overbuilt."
Elementary facilities are "tem-
porarily overbuilt." the report
said, because "the elementary
school construction program has
proceeded faster than neces-
sary." The committee added that
all the factors in total attend
ance could not have been antici-
pated when contracts were let.
Use of excess" elementary class
rooms may prevent the need
for high school classrooms from
becoming serious, the report said.
The committee urged CONSOLE
dation of county and school
health departments, libraries.
purchasing systems, custodial
services. grounds maintenance.
and automotive servicing sys-
TENS.
In the county budget, the
recommendations submitted by
the manager:
Allow the police department
an increase of 100000 rather
than the $144.200 proposed.
Have the fire department re-
view its agreement with the City
of Falls Church.
Abolish the country's civil de-
fense department and let the
Public Safety Department absorb
"such of its functions as are
deemed essential" The commit
tee said "the development of the
H-bomb raises serious policy
questions concerning the future
Of this Office. Civil defense must
now be considered interstate
rather than local"
Reduce the planning budget by
$4,000.
Cut $4,000 from the proposed
budget of the treasurer's Office by
saving that amount through
transfer Of county auto tag rec
ord-keeping to machines.
Discontinue the practice of al
lowing discounts for early pay
ment Of water bills. Thisr would
save $685. 900. the commit te2 ssti-
mates.
Reduce the highway budgets
contingency from $65. 900 to $780,
600.