The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1960-09-09

4 adequate ADJ IlSCmoIIuS IOT tHe llSiC<as
| ing enrollments and increasing cost
of operation the foundation program
was providing 719o in 1859. Thi
means that all of the difference o
1890 had to be raised by the loca
property taxpayers in addition II
the regular 5-mill district and ten
mill county taxes included within thu
foundation program.
NATURALIZATION FOR
TAXES AND EDUCATION
The purpose of the foundation pro
gram. which became law in 1949
was to equalize the tax burden anC
educational opportunities for the boys
and girls of Montana. The MEA has
never proposed bill in the legisla.
ture which would have increased the
foundation program beyond the cur
rent. spending level of the general
fund budgets. In fact, the most we
have ever recommended would, if
enacted into law, have provided a
foundation program schedule of only
$3.50 of the general fund budgets.
If the efforts of the MEA had been
completely successful the State of
Montana would be contributing ap-
So of the costs of oper-
ating our schools instead of the pres
emit 22%o. The national average is
approximately Al 20 state aid.
In your editorial you state that
local school boards have been
forced to make additional levies.
Yet l note that Malta has defeated
three requests of the school board
for necessary special levies to OPP
crate their schools. As result of
this defeat the educational program
for the boys and girls of Malta is
to be curtailed. In 1958-59, the
people in 495 school districts voted
special levies totaling more than
four million dollars to maintain
their school standards.
1t would appear that, contrary |
to the statements in your editorial,
the authority for decisions still
rests with local boards and the
people.
Again, contrary to statements in
ne editorial, the MEA has not been
1orking for higher property taxes.
; has tried and will continue to try
, obtain adequate financing for the
,hools of Montana on more equit-
Bile basis-one that will provide
ore funds from sources other than
lie property tax and that will equal
e the tax burdens among the school
stricts and the counties.
DEQUATE PROGRAM MEANS
OVER PROPERTY TAXES +,
We are proud of our efforts to
crease qualifications and salaries t
our teachers. We feel that the boys |
I'd girls of Montana are as entitled I
as good teachers as those of any Y
her state. At the present time the e
erage salary of Montana teachers z
$500 below the national average. v
e rank 30th among the states. o
HERE is OUR SHAME? n
Unless Montana pays comparable =
alaries and provides comparable g
,b security she will not long hold
n adequate staff of competent
OF the eleven Western =.
ates who compete for our teach =
Is Montana ranks tenth. Should :.
e be ashamed of trying to inn =,
rove this situation? Or should we,
e people of Montana, be ashamed -
at such a condition exists? -
The statement that teachers sala- cs
) could be increased to $4,000 per tr
n without any additional revenue w
Montana is sparsely
,ulated state with many small /,
ools-many of which are isolated !.
should not be eliminated. In our
n and city schools the average
s load per teacher is now SO high :
to jeopardize the highest quality !:
instruction. just how would you !
pose to increase teachers salaries !.
over 81 900, 900 without increas- !.
revenue? ~ 34s
his brings us, to another state :.
it which indicates lack of knowl- :
e and lack of careful study. In
d of 1000 teachers in Montana
tated in your editorial, Montana we
a teaching staff OF over 7.4OO. TAI