Evening star., 1962-12-24
Tuwes Booking
Expansion in
State Colleges


of both the Tawes administra-
ton and the influential Legis-
lative Council. a
Gov. Tawes says he has
reached no decision on the idea
of changing the formula for
State aid to elementary and
high schools. But he figuratively
arched his eyebrows over the
fact 1t would cost the State
$14.2 million more a year based
on current enrolment.
This will be the second move
by Gov. Tawes to implement
demands for more liberal arts
education in State Colleges. The
legislature baked at his first
effort to take one step by max
ing the teachers college at
Frostburg a branch of the Uni
versity of Maryland.
A new study by a commission
headed by John N. Curlett was
ordered by Gov. Tawes. 1t will
be made public when the Leg
islature convenes January 2 for
three months.
New Board Of Trustees
Its principal recommendation
is for creation of a board Of
trustees to administer the five
teacher colleges and Morgan
State. The State Board of Ed
ucation has been responsible
for the teacher colleges, and
Morgan has had its own board
of trustees.
The University of Maryland
would continue to be overseen
by a board of regents. The
State Board of Education would
continue to have jurisdiction
over two-year community col
Ieges and a new assistant super
intendent would be named to
coordinate higher education
plans.
The Curlett Commission pro-
posed that an advisory council
be named by the Governor to
link the three supervisory seq
ments Of higher education.
Members Of the council would
come from the university re-
gents, the new board Of trustees
and the State Department Of
Education.
Delegate A. Gordon Boone,
Democrat Of Baltimore County.
said he will attempt in the
Legislature to spell out the
composition and duties of the
advisory council in a law. He
wants to, have some members
from outside the boards them
selves.
Aid Changes In Doubt
The proposal for the first
major revision in 40 years in
the State system Of aiding
lower education faces q ques-
tionable reception without full
Endorsement of Gov. Tawes.
1t was prepared by the Mary
land State Teachers AsSocia-
ton and has been supported by
school superintendents and the
Parent Teacher Association.
1t would shift the foundation
for distributing State money
from teacher salaries to pupils.
1t also would provide aid for
the first time for kindergartens
which are operated now without
State funds In Baltimore City
and Caroline, Montgomery,
Worcester and Washington
Counties.
All subdivisions would re-
ceive more State money on q
per-pupil basis, ranging from a
low of $34 ,433 in Talbot County
to $40 million In Baltimore.
This is on the basis of the
number Of current pupils. The
amount Of money naturally
would rise with expected in
creases in enrolment.
Half From State
The new formula would estab-
lish a minimum Of $225 for
each pupil. The State would
contribute half Of the cost for
all pupils.
But the total would be dis
tributed on the basis Of the
amount Of property assessments
in each subdivision. on the
theory that poorer counties
should receive a larger share
Of the percentage. p
Thus. Baltimore City and
Montgomery. Worcester and
Baltimore Counties would re-
ceive less than so per cent
toward the $225 minimum.
while the 20 other counties
would receive more. Somerset
would receive $i82.li for each
pupil and Baltimore County
$74.S3.
The necessity TO raise teacher
salary scales In order TO pro-
vide more State aid 10 lower
education has been q major
stumbling block in recent legis-
latiye sessions.
The present State scale rang
ing from $500 to $500 was
established in 1861. and ell
counties are paying more
through local experimentation.