Evening star., 1956-03-10
500 Million Asked
By Arlington Schools
Budget Seeks
Pay Increases
Up to $400


An Arlington school budget
for the next fiscal year of nearly
$9.6 million, including funds fo1
a pay increase up to $400 fol-
teachers, was recommended to-
day by Supt. T. Edward Rutter
The proposed budget could be
put into effect with a 22-cent
tax rate increase on both real
and personal property. Presented
to the School Board by Mr.. Rut-
ter, it is $947,285 higher than
the current budget.
An increase in personnel, in
cluding 48 new teachers, is pre-
vided for to meet an anticipated
enrolment jump of S per cent
The recommended budget does
not include any special pro-
visions for a desegregation pro-
gram, nor does it preclude such
a move, according to the super
intendent.
Approval Up to State
Last January, the School Board
voted to begin desegregation this
September in the elementary
level, provided the plan meets
with State approval. No tuition
grants would be needed. school
officials said then, because non
integrated schools would be pro
vided for children whose parents
objected to integration.
Part of the budget increase is
reflected in a $268,100 item to
finance a pay hike for the teach
ing staff.
For a teacher with a bach
elor's degree. the starting salary
would be raised from $500 to
$3,7O0, and the top scale would
Jump from $1,000 to $500.
The present $4,000 minimum
for a teacher with a masters
degree would go up to $4,000
The top level would be hiked
from $1,000 to $4,000.
In addition. the annual incre-
ments would be raised from $100
to 5000 in the seventh and eighth
years of service.
For the teaching person.
mel, about $74.000 has been set
aside for a pay raise ranging
from $120 to $3.50.
Heavy Enrolment Due
With an anticipated enroll
ment of 22,475 and two new
schools slated to open-AShlawn
Elementary and Kenmore Junior
the budget provides funds for
SO additional employees. These
would include 48 teachers and 3
principals.
Also covered in the budget in
creases are two projects in the
School Boards proposed budget
last year, but eliminated because
of a $435. 900 slash by the County
Board.
One is a $4,000 item for
free textbooks for students in
the eighth through the 18th
grades. The other is $25,000 for
q bus replacement program.
A debt service increase ac-
counts for $110,389.
Left unanswered was the ques-
ton of what emergency measures
will be taken to house the over
flow school population this fall.
A portion of the $94 million
construction bond issue that was
defeated at the polls last month
would have financed SIS elemen-
tary classroom additions.
Questioned at a press confer
ence yesterday, Mr.. Rutter said
1t will be up to the School Board
to decide whether or not to re-
quest funds for renting class
room space. It is still uncertain
how many classrooms will be on
double shifts. he said.
Brandon School. which officials
had hoped to sell, must remain
open, the superintendent re-
ported.
Specific increases in tax caused
by the increased spending will
be set by the County Board.
The yield for a 1-cent levy on
the total assessment-approxi-
mately 1924 miilion-is about
$4,000. But, if applied separately
to real estate and personal prop
erty assessments, the returns
vary because of difference in
the rate of collection.
Added Uncertainty
Adding to the tax rate uncer-
tainty are provisions in School
Supt. T. Edward Rutter's pro-
posed budget for anticipated Fed
eral funds. The figure for the
next fiscal year is 100000. An
additional 100000 is included
In this years anticipated surplus
and would be carried over.
Mr.. Rutter said school officials
will ask to advertise the 22-cent
tax rate increase provided they
may substitute 54-cent figure
before April IA if the Federal
funds do not materialize.
The present tax rates are $3.26
per $l00 on real estate and SAT-
on personal property. OF these
full rates, schools receive $1.9O
on the real estate and $2.49 on
personal property.
The School Board must SUBJ
NIT its proposed budget to the
County Board by March IS. The
county managers propose
budget will be presented to the
County Board next Thursday
May Is is the deadline for Coun-
ty Board members to adopt the
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