Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-01-08
New Budgets
Would Require
3.1-Cent Boost

that would require a 31-cent in.
crease in the present Montgom-
cry County school tax rate Of
Sl.29 per $500 of assessed valua-
ton was recommended today by
School Supt. Forbes H. Norris.
DR.. Norris submitted his rec
commended budgets for current
operations and capital expendi-
lures for the fiscal year Begin
ming July ! at a meeting of the
School Board in Rockville.
They call for $21 million for
operations and $12.3 million for
school construction.
The total recommendation of
1888 million is a $7.6 million
increase over the sum appropri-
ated this year by the County
Council.
Operations Costs Rise
The funds requested for oper.
atlonS represent a PA per cent
increase over those appropriated
Tor the present fiscal year.
DR.. Norris said that even if the
per pupil cost could be main
tanned, the budget would have
been increased Sis million.
The increases range from 1863
per cent for transportation to
40.5 per cent for administration,
Institutional services, which in
clude funds for teachers salaries,
would be up 26 per cent under
the superintendent recommen-
dations.
The increased enrolment is
estimated at just under 10 per-
cent and is placed at 62,633 for
the next school year.
The funds sought by the
superintendent include provision
for 222 new classroom teachers.
% new special teachers and 81
additional special education and
corrective workers.
Average Salary
The average salary for the new
teachers is estimated to be
1923.
DR.. Norris said that the in
lcreases over and above that
Icaused by normal growth amount
to about So million in the operat-
ing budget. He attributed these
increases to:
l. About $1.2 million to adj
just salaries to the schedules
adopted last March.
2. About $131 900 to hire addi-
tional clerical workers and adj
just the present staff to new
schedules.
8. More than $3.50. 900 to pro-
vide books and supplies to meet
minimum standards established
last April.
4. Some $114,000 for replace
ing and adding equipment in
existing schools.
S. About $950,000 for increased
personnel wage adjustments and
higher material costs in oper-
alton. maintenance and trans.
portation.
6. Other increases in the ad-
ministrative division and fixed
charges add another $290,000.
The budget would require $15.3
million to be provided by the
county: SAT million by the State:
$685.. 900 from Federal funds, and
$4,000 from the board itself.
Other Sources Suggested
The $1.60 tax rate would be
that required if the county pro-
vided all its funds from the tax
levy based on an estimated as
sessable base next year of $940
million. The board previously
has suggested that about 20 per
cent of the total county funds
come from sources other than
the tax levy.
The tax rate and operating
budget does not include funds
for paying off the school debt
which this year amounts to $2.9
million. The capital budget is
devoted almost entirely to pro-
viding additions to overcrowded
schools. OF 40 projects, 10 are
in the elementary field.
The capital budget recon-
mendations propose a SIT mill
lion new junior high school in
Gaithersburg and a Sic million
new administrative building.
The budget recommends 20
classroom and gymnasium addi-
ton at Western Junior High
School costing $9l5.000 and a
SIS million addition including
a library and auditorium at
Bethesda Chevy Chase High
School.