Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1955-12-07
'S3.9 Million Sci
AS Tentative
School Budget
$551 900 More for
Alexandria includes
$3.50 Teacher Raise

9IoU Ie0Cnef K0lSe
The Alexandria School Board
last night disclosed a tentative
budget estimate of $3,973,991 for
school operation in 1956-57-an
increase of 900 over the
current budget.
The budget contemplates a
$3.50 a year raise in the teacher
pay scale. which would make be-
giruing teachers in Alexandria
the highest paid in Northern
Virginia.
Supt. T. c. williams said the
preliminary estimate was sub
mitted earlier than usual be-
cause the City Council, which
must approve the budget, asked
for next years figures this
month. Mr.. williams emphasized
that the budget estimate is tenta-
tive and detailed figures will be
submitted to Council in the
spring.
| $3,121,991 from City
The city would contribute
1888, l21 ,99l Of the total amount. or
$500, 900 more than the total
contributed for the current budg-
let. The remainder would come
from State and Federal appro-
Ipriations and miscellaneous
Isources.
A sum Of SITS. 900 is set up for
Operation of the new Hammond
High School. which will open
next September. Additions to the
staff would cost $4,000 addi-
4ional, and the teacher pay raise
would cost $4,000.
The $3.50 increase would bring
the pay scale to $500 minimum
and $500 maximum for teachers
with bachelors degrees. The
highest minimum salary now
! paid in Northern Virginia is
iArlington's, which has starting
salary of $500. All other juris-
dictionS in the Metropolitan
Area, except the District, have
400 minimums. The Districts
is $1,000.
1t also was disclosed at the
Joint meeting between the school
board and the city PTA Council
that plans will have to be made
soon for fourth high school.
Expects so Per Cent Jump
I Mr.. williams said high school
enrolment is expected to jump
80 per cent by 1860, reaching a
total Of nearly 5000. George
Washington and Hammond High.
for white students. and Parker
Gray High, for Negroes, have a
maximum capacity Of 400. the
superintendent said. Present high
school enrolment Is 3,27l.
i He said the high school en-
i rollment estimates are based on
children now in the city and do
not allow for population in
creases. He noted that the city's
annexed area is being developed
rapidly. which would add to the
expected enrolment.
/ The superintendent said he
I feels a jurisdictional problem
will result If the City Council
decides to build an auditorium
gymnasium at George Washing
ton High School for joint school
and municipal use.
1t was pointed out that the
high school has been criticized
by the Southern Association of
Secondary Schools and Colleges
for inadequate gym facilities.
Action on providing facilities has
been delayed pending a decision
of the council on whether sepa-
rate or joint facilities should be
built.
| Urges Separate Facilities
| Mr.. Williams said the only
workable plan is to build sepa-
rate facilities. He said the argu-
ments which have held up action
so far are only an indication of
the "jurisdictional squabbles"
which would result when the
school, the recreation depart
ment and other civic groups tried
to schedule events and classes
in the building.
/ Members of the school board
were invited to joint meeting
of three PTAs scheduled for De-
cember Is in the Minnie Howard
School to discuss the proposed
State constitutional amendments
which would allow State aid for
private schooling.
Joseph LeverenZ, board men,
Der, told members of the PTA
Council the severest test in school
administration parent relations
lies ahead in the next IL months.
as we try to implement the
Supreme Court ruling on segre-
CATION"
I'VE don't know what Is before
us yet. but we should approach
the problem with as little emo
ton as possible" Mr.. Leyerenz
said.
W.T. D~III