| OCR Text |
Show V How Much For Schools? 18 A all gsfte ckgram '' Salt lake CHy, Utah, Thursday, February 2, 1941 S f Z. 1 Voted leeway of Basic 20 6 begins'a,'fOTr-yeajfeCiviLWa&cen.s- tennial observance. The word observance Is carefully chosen; to caff It a celebration would be to warp the stark fact that the war was a tragic mistake as unnecessary as it was stupid. Let there be no celebration. Let there be memory of the gallantry of fighting men, to be sure. But let it also be realized that war has more cowardice, stench, frustration, suffering,' and boredom than it has gallantry. And, during the next four years of remembrance, let fis constantly remember and draw wisdom from the sad fact that it could, have been prevented. When did the war begin? The firing on Fort Sumter on April 121861, is usually considered' the start. But the events of 100 years ago this week really slammed the door on any turning back from conflict. They also shptv, in retrospect, how unnecessary JheyWhole thing was. IT WAS JUST 100 years ago, on Feb. 4, 1861, that delegates from seven Southern States met in Montgomery, Ala.,- to organize the Confederate States of America. They drafted a provisional constitution, declared themselves a provisional legislature, and set up a government.' From that moment, war was inevitable. remembered is that What should this organization of a secessionist government represented no great, inevitable wave of popular feeling. It represented, in fact, only seven of the 15 slave states, some of them lukewarm. South Carolina had seceded as soon as it heard of Lincolns election. Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, and Texas had quickly followed. These were the seven states represented at the Confederate convention 100 years ago. -- - - UTAH schools need more money to provide the kind of -e- ducation needed in Todays rapidly changing world? If more money is needed, can the people of Utah, afford the increased ' cost? But the states that later became the rei backbone of the Confederacy had not . flt that times A convention In Vir- ' vast ginia voted down secessTonCffto 45 Not until after the firing on Fort Sumter had actually begun the War did. Virginia, or . Arkansas, North Carolina,, or Tennessee vote to secede. The slave states of Kentucky,1 Maryland, Delaware, and Missouri never did secede, and West Virginia declared itself a separate state in order to stay In the union. THE VERY MEN chosen to lead the Confederacy bespeak the temper of the times. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was a conservative who had Jiot supported secession. Alexander H. Stephens of as his vice president, had elected Georgia, . openly opposed the break. Of course, '50 years of gradually widening economic and political differences lay behind the conflict. True, excitement over the slave question was great. But remedies were available short of war. One had been offered 17 years earlier by Joseph Smith that Congress appropriate funds to buy slaves from their owners. We fought our costliest war instead. This year and the next three will see a tremendous outpouring of literature about, the Civil War. There will be of most of the major battles and other events. Partly to capture tourist dollars, partly to recapture past .glories, the South will attempt to relive much, of that four-yea- r Wednesday morning at Cape Canav- earlier-failure- USA-USS- R two-to- 60-fo- ot Mills' 23 Mills- - agony. classroom. The chart shows Qualifying DU levy $5922.50 1- 6- DU Mills $5150DU their - one-mi- ll state-supporte- . Why do we have .waitress," hostess, authoress and ' others, but no or clear upthe-confusawkward lady ion ? lawyeress, And avoid ' to the " - non-teachi- One-to-ni- n. . . local districts million. or' income.- share about $3.9 But Utah school enrollment is IN MISS THOMPSON many persons- - and ; "increasing at about 8,000 students ' many causes had a persuasive advocate, . a year, for an estimated 404 and in her death, the Free World has lost.' tribution units This increase one of Its most articulate spokesmen. the school bill about $2.8 . - HOW DOES UTAH compare with other states in wealth, school . , will-boo- st - LEEWAY This term, used in the Coordinating Council proposal, is essentially the same as the supplemental program, described above. It also might be said that Utah spends less than the national average (per child) for education. Both statements are true. Utah does make a superior effort to finance education. Facts gleaned from the National Educa-- t i o n Associations publication, Ranking of the States, 1960, sup- schools. ? expenditures, and teachers sal- -' aries? One might say that Utah makes a "superior effort to finance its -- T. .'V '. . D BOARD LEEWAY Both the present law and the new proposals provide for board leeway. This program is an option available to boards of education. They may, at their discretion, provide for a still better program by levying local taxes to pay the increased cost. The state does not help, as it does in the basic and- - supplemental port such a view. programs. Under the present formula board leeway is limited to tax will raise the amount a of the basic program or to 12 (12 of $5,150) whichever is greater. (Some districts can raise more than the 12 with a levy. Other districts must levy more than infive mills to realize a 12 crease.) In personal income per pupil enrolled in public elementary and secondary schools in 1958, Utah ranked 41st among the 48 states and the District of Columbia. Utahs income per pupil was $6,731, compared to the national average of $10,205. In per capita expenditure of state and. local governments for all public education in the same year, Utah ranked fourth in the nation, with an expenditure of VOTED LEEWAY This is an amount, expressed as a percentage of the basic program, that districts can raise, to support a still $126.13. It was exceeded only by better program from local - taxes, Delaware, California, and Arizona provided a special election is held all states with much higher inand a majority of eligible voters come per pupil. (Delaware, $17,- - . approve the increase. As in board 036; California, $11,538; Arizona, leeway, above, the state does not share in raising these funds. $7,799, and Utah, $6,731.) In the same year Utah led the nation in the per cent of state and Idaho the 'average would be over local expenditures devoted to edu$6,000.) cation 49.1 against a national Probably a more significant of Utah 35.5. (The average is the Utah Foundacomparison Foundation notes rthat the per cent statement tion that the average of state and local government exnumber of years it takes a teacher in education for Utah penditures to reach maximum pay is longer in fiscal 1959 was 44.8 compared in Utah. The average number of to 38.2 for the Mountain States years it takes a teacher to reach and 34.1 for the U.S.) maximum pay in the Mountain In 1958, according to the NEA, States 11, compared with 14 in Utah spent a higher percentage Utah. Thus, even if Utah teachers (5.5) of total personal income had equal maximum pay they still for local schools than any other would earn less during their state. (The national average was careers. -- teaching THE UTAH FOUNDATION figures show that teachers in Salt Lake City have much lower average maximum salaries than teachers in large cities elsewhere in the Mountain West. The Salt Lake City maximum is $6,060, compared to $7,031 in Arizona, $6,975 In Colorado, and $7,000 in New Mexico. (Figures are for cities of more than 100,000 population,) These are only a few of the statistics that bear on thfe problem. But they indicate the complexity of the issue. Utah probably makes the best effort of any state in the nation to support public education. Despite this superior effort, the expenditure per child for education is considerably below the national and Mountain States average. 3.7. ONE REASON Utah must make a superior effort in education is that it has more children in public schools in proportion to total population than any other state except New Mexico. (This is brought about by a number of factors, such as high birthrate, fewer private schools.) Thats some of the statistical evidence on cgie side of the coin. Here are some statistics to support the opposite view. In the NEA publication, Esti- mates of School Statistics, 1960-6- 1, the estimated expenditure per 2 If Miss Thompson, whose stimulating' - - d . ht writing appeared in many publications, had been either Russian or Chinese, she would have been either very important . politically or discreetly silenced. levy STATE-SUPPORTE- - -- time-consumi- J6000DU Baste Program Guarantees $6000DU for - -- next. One minute she would be on the lecture platform promoting a favorite program; the next minute she wtmld be on the radio denouncing a program with which she did not agree. In a word, sh gave many persons many sleepless nigfits. But Miss, Thompson, was also one of the ablest and most experienced of acquaint- journalists, with a world-wid-e On ance with high politics. many matters she deserved to be heard with respect, and she always had something challenging to say. One of her most recent deeply-fe- lt and passionately-fougcampaigns was for humane slaughtering. Its a delusion to think that getting more household help necessarily lightens the housewifes burden supervising help can be ipore demanding, exhausting and than doing the job one. self. . DISTRIBUTION UNIT A formula for distributing money needed to guarantee the basic program, explained above. Generally speaking, one distribution unit is allowed for each 27 pupils (assumed to be a normal classroom load for SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAM An amount, under the present law, over and above the basic program that districts can choose at their option. In effect, it provides extra money provided that the district levies extra taxes. If the extra taxes dont raise the specified amount per distribution unit, the state makes up the deficiency, as it does for the basic program. Channel Miss Thompson's Silenced Pen object-lesso- Guarantees 5900DU toneteacher) in average, daily attendance. Additional units are allowed for operation of isolated small schools, for special education for exceptional children, etc. For every nine - regular distribution units, a district is allowed one extra unit to allow for principals, supervisors, and other professional people who do not actually teach. (see glossary) of per distribution unit. (Well refer to a distribution unit as 7 Watch DU.) The supplemental program enables a district to go to $5,922.50 per DU; board leeTWO respected members of Utah House of Repreway further raises the program to $6,540 per DU, and voted leesentatives who are dedicated to way could raise the total program improving education will argue to $7,828 per DU. (Although sides of the question, different some Utah districts have a porWe Pay for Better How Can tion of the amount possible under Schools in Utah f voted leeway no district has the entire amount.) Representative Algie E. Bal-l- if Presently the average expendibelieves that increased funds ture per DU in Utah districts is $6,981, according to the Utah .must be made available, and Education Assn. Estimated total "Representative Franklin Gunnel expenditure for current operation argues that no substantial inof schools in Utah for the 1960-6- 1 crease is necessary or possible. school year is $67.8 million. (This They will present does not include expenditures for points of view tonight at 8:30 capital outlay.) over KUED, Channel 7. THE UTAH Coordinating Council on Education (a group that includes the UEA, the State School million a year under the present Office, Utah School Boards Assn., the Society of - Superintendents, law and about $3 million a year under the council proposal. and the Utah Congress of Parents Bills to put the council proand Teachers) has proposed that school expenditures be raised. This posals into law (HB 62 and HB 63) have befn introduced in the gioup feels that Utah should House. Debate on the bills is exspend as much per child for education as the average spent by the pected next week. Mountain States. It says the Utah THE DEBATE probably will be expenditure per child is about a lively one and there will be $345 while the Mountain States much disagreement. Not all school average is $382. superintendents nor all board memThe council has proposed a probers agree to the Coordinating gram, outlined on the chart on Council proposaL this page, that would accomplish Heres why. The assessed this aim. valuation per child in Utah school It- should be noted that the districts ranges from a low of basic program .would be in9 in Wayne District to $3,032 creased to $6,000 per DU. Other in San Juan District. The increases are alp noted on the amount of money per DU that chart. The tax levies would also tax levy would raise a be increased. varies from $56 in Wayne DisOne special explanation needs trict to $1,430 in San Juan Disto be made. The council feels that trict. districts should be encouraged to Districts with low assessed make greater effort. To do this, valuation per child generally favor it proposes that a district must a high degree of state equalizalevy an additional seven mills to tion. They want formulas to be leequalify for written so poor districts will have way. Only five of the seven mills, as much money as rich districts. however, would be figured in the Rich districts, on the other state guarantee. If a district could hand, generally favor programs not raise $900 per DU with five have larger amounts of that mills, the state would make up the board leeway. They want to be difference. to use their wealth to provide free If the Coordinating Council better programs and employ the plan were adopted, it would inbest teachers. crease the state bill for current THIS POINT can be illustrated by expenses to an estimated $71.4 school year million for the 1961-6comparing the situations , in based on current enrollments Salt Lake, City, Murray, and ' Granite districts, all in the metro- -, THE COUNCIL also, proposes that politan area. ' the ratio for perIf the Coordinating Council prosonnel (see "Distribution Unit in were passed into law and posal glossary) be changed from went all the way, 'district each This would to including leeway, Salt Lake voting add about $1.8 million a year to could raise $8,547 per DU, the total cost of the program. Granite $8,626 and Murray $8,417. Under the council proposal the The estimated tax levy (for school average expenditure per DU operation) in Salt Lake would be would increase from an estimated 30.44 mills. It would be 37.19 in $6,981 to an estimated $7,378. Granite and 40.88 in Murray. If Expressed in dollars, it would was to pay its teachers add about $8.8 million a year " Murray. salaries, if Would have comparable '(state and local funds combined) - to levy higher taxes. to the total school bill for current Most observers agree that It operation, including 'the $1.8 milthe schools are to receive .more lion for the change in ratio. The taxes will- - have.to be state's share of the bill would be money, either on property, sales, increased about $4.9 million and . " leeway, 5 Mills ll basic program BEING HUMAN, we continue to ponder this notion, and not being hliman, the groundhog, we fear, isnt much interested. Parents who lecture their children ought to remember Bernard Shaws advipe: If you must hold yourself up to your n children as an (which is not at all necessary), hold yourself up as a warning, and not as an example. $700008 4 $6540.50 $5,150 burrows weeks ago to enjoy our misplaced summer and that did venture forth today, we hope they cast shadows from here to there. As it slipped away Tuesday, January finally gave us a wonderful short sample of what winter but too should be about a dandy rain for our parched country. Perhaps this bit of rain was enough to have sent the groundhogs back to their burrows Tuesday night so that they could have tried their luck again today and produced some shadows with accompanying rain and snow. ' r that under the present law Utah provides a Our Shadowy Tradition Thoughts In Passing t $6900Dir $67,-31- IT WAS FREQUENTLY impossible to tell what target Dorothy Thompson, Americas bombshell Journalist, would hit lewT ll ; A PROGRAM minimum - level of financial support for education. In effect, the state guarantees a sort of standard program for every school fflsbdct in the state. If the district cant raise the money, meededi for .this standard pro: gram, the state wiff make- - up the ' difference. $7900DU Beard leeway ,5 Mills or of Bask. 15 Glossary Of Term- s- BASIC -- agreed disarmament. As our missile race accelerates, idealists and scientists alike hold forth the hope that the excitement and sense of imminent achievement that the space frontier holds may yet divert mankind from quarrels and conflicts. BUT UNTIL this dream is realized, it is comforting to know that American scientists and workers are making giant strides in keeping the Free Worlds deterrent power strong enough to be effective. To these scientists, and to the Utahns who had a special part in the success of the Minutemans initial launching, we extend our congratulations. THE ORIGIN of the groundhog myth is lost in the mists of antiquity. There is even slight confusion as to whether winter lasts six weeks longer if the groundhog sees his shadow on Candlemas Day or if there will be more cold weather if he fails to do so. According to those who know about the ways of beasts and birds, the first version is the correct, one. For centuries that flitting shadow has been talked about and discussed with the utmost gravity, but hardly anyone except zoologists and small boys ever gives a thought to the substance that makes that shadow. "Nevertheless, if There are any groundhogs in this country that did leave their - $9100DU -- It must be concluded from what has been published that the Russians have missiles in service hundreds of long-rang- e or coming into service. These probably would be capable of destroying all of the Free Worlds bomber bases. Until our. armory of underground and undersea missiles is in sufficient production, we will have to rely on a dispersal of factories, airborne patrols flying Trom bases ringing Russia, and our present supply of medium-rang- e missiles' to serve as a strong enough deterrent. Some time ago President Eisenhower said that Americas deterrent power could not be destroyed by surprise attack and that it will remain immune. But the cost of this immunity, even now, is immense, and it is one of the many incentives for eral in its first try. Utahns particularly will be doubly pleased because of their part in producing in two of the three launching motors. After all the adverse publicity that s went with fhe .in the of American ballistic missiles, the firing successful launching of three widely different missiles in two days should help close the alleged gap in the missile race.- - . n Samos One missile was the satellite that serves ds a watch dog; another was the missile carrying the chimpanzee, and the third was the Minuteman that will carry An atomic warhead. They represented, respectfully, progress in defensive alertness, in space exploration, and in destructive power. The important military question is net whether the Russians have more missiles or even whether they can, in Premier Khrushchevs words, wipe our potential enemies off the face of the earth. It is whether they can do this without fear of retaliation. An answer to this must be based on facts, and it is, of course, particularly difficult for the public to distinguish fiction from fact. This weeks successful launchings should help reassure Americans that the Russians must fear retaliation. 28 - jrrrrffiL - The 'Minuteman' In Action missiles, Americans can well be pleased with the dramatic success of the Minute-ma- n $7828DU- These are questions that the Legislature and the people of the state must ' determine in the ' weeks Immediately ahead. Most educators, and many leaders closely associated with the schools and school needs emphatically declare that the schools do need more money. ' . ,Many other persons, including. Gov. George D. Clyde, agree that Utah must have good schools. They point' out, however that, school "finances have increased sharply in recent years, and that no matter how good a program the educators might want, the ex- penditures for education must be balanced against state income. WHAT. IS THE LEVEL of Utah school support at present? This is difficult to nail .down,, be-- ., cause terms mean different things to different people. Adjacent to this column is a chart that shows the general level of Utah school expenditure per distribution unit. (For an explanation of distribusee .the glossary of tion unit terms also on this page.) For talking purposes well assume that a distribution unit means essentially the same as one BUT WE HAVE LEARNED nothing from the deaths of 525,000 Americans in this nations bloodiest war if we have not learned this : wisdom is better than bullets, patience than rashness, cooperation than demagoguery. This is the lesson that comes down from the Montgomery convention a century ago this week. MANY failures in initial of various other ballistic N .. - By LAVOR CHAFFIN ret Newr Education Writer ""'natfdfr IQ Educational Coals And Then Finding The Best Tax Setting 7 trr , Formula Is One Of Our Legislature's Most DifficuIt Tasks We Stand for the Constitution of the United States m having' been divine! f inspired. AS - ANY LITERATE American must know by now, 1961 Is the year the UulSMiii jr - t 7 pupil in average daily attendance for the U.S. is $390. This is $50 per pupil higher than Utahs $340. The Mountain States average is $387.85. The only Mountain State below Utah is Idaho, at $285. In the same publication, the - MANY OBSERVERS say that expenditure per child is not necessarily an indication of quality. They contend that Utahs superior- school organization. Its highly consolidated schools; and its more highly educated teaching corps provide better eduction at . less cost. current average salary for classroom teachers is $5,215 for the U.S., $5,132 for the Mountain States and $4,950 for Utah. THE UTAH FOUNDATION also reports Utah teacher salaries to be below Mountain States aver- ages in most categories. The foundation reports the rural areas cost more per pupil to average - maximum Salary for operate than large schools in urban bachelor - degree teachers to be areas. - ; $5,698 in the Mountain States and il In, Utah the highest $5,700 in Utah. But the average costs'are imDaggett District Few maximum salary is so low in would argue, however, that educaIdaho ($4,790) that it brings down -- tion In Daggett is better than in the average unrealistically. . Salt "Lake City or Granite districts. - With exception of Idaho,' Utah These are some of the has. the lowest average maximum orations legislators have to weigh. They wiff have a tremendous' salary of any of the eight Moun- tain West States. (Excluding job finding the right answers. per-pup- -- i i N V |
