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Show NEW SCHOOL LAWS TO EQUALIZE PROPERTY TAX Greater equalization of education educa-tion opportunities and uniformity of property tax levies, particularly for current operating expenses of schools, are among advantages of new Utah laws on school financing now a half year old, according to a study reported by the state department de-partment of public instruction. In an evaluation of the new laws which shifted a larger burden of school financing to a state-wide basis, four 'points are enumerated in support of the conclusion that "considerable progress has been made in equalizing the financing of public education in Utah." A more consistent definition of individual financial needs among the 40 school districts is possible under the new laws, stated the report re-port submitted by Drayton B. Nut-tal Nut-tal assistant research director, to Dr. E. Allen Bateman, state superintendent sup-erintendent of public instruction. By setting the classroom unit need at $3300, of which the state guarantees under a set formula up to 75, greater equalization of the amount of money available to districts dis-tricts on a unit basis is provided, according to the study. The spread between high andi low expenditures per classroom i unit in all districts of the state was 114 .before the new law and 44 on the basis of estimated expenditures ex-penditures after the new law had been in effect six months. The spread between average high and low tax levies, including those by the state and district, for operating expenses was 10.37 mills before the new law and 8.3 mills after the new law. The computation, computa-tion, showing the average high levy 29.4 mills and the average low levy 21.1 mills after the new law, excludes charges for building and debt service. Ability of districts to employ competent teaching personnel is improved by the new law, states the report. A computation dealing with beginning and maximum teacher salaries before and after the new law shows the average high pay for beginners was $2000 before the new law, 150 higher than the average low pay for beginners. be-ginners. After the new law the spread was 113 in that computation. computa-tion. The average high salary in the "maximum" group before the new law was $3300, 168 higher than the average low salary. After the new law the spread in that category was 136, stated the report. |