The Mail-Journal, Volume 5, Number 38, Milford, Kosciusko County, 23 October 1968 — Page 11

School Costs Top Issue As --

Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber Os Commerce Hears

Purdum, Helvey, Haney, Augsburger

Lakeland school board candidates Jerry L. Helvey, Charles H. Purdum, Jr., and Kenneth Haney; state senate candidate John F. Augsburger; and Tom Schuldt of Vega Homes were among the 37 members and guests present at the Thursday evening meeting of the Syracuse - WaWasee Chamber of Commerce. The meeting was held at 6:30 in the Driftwood room of the Wawasee Golf club. Mr. Purdum, who is from Van Buren township and represents that township and the east half of Jefferson township on the Lakeland board, told of the board’s work in creating a new high school (Wawasee) and at the same time rebuilding the structures at Milford, North Webster and Syracuse. He stated it was the intent of the present board to have quality schools that compared with the best in the state and at the same time to hold costs to the minimum. The Lakeland school corporation now. has near 250 teachers and employees.

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He stated that probably the board was not 100 per cent successful, but that they were trying to give the community quality schools at the least cost possible. He stated the school corporation does not pay the top salaries to teachers, but is near the center of the salary range. Jerry L. Helvey, who is seeking re-election as Tippecanoe township’s representative on the board, told of the three additions to the present school buildings at Milford, North Webster and Syracuse and of the co-oper-ation that had existed between the three communities in the building of the new high school. The fact that this was all accomplished with no law suits, fights and ill will between the three communities is something all citizens should be proud of. He stated the school board was facing more agressive teacher unions which will want higher wages and more militant teacher unions in Indiana when the next legislature meets. He invited any and all citizens to come before the board with any school problems. Stating, the board met fifty-one times in 1967 with each meeting lasting at least four hours. (A school

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board member receives S2OO per year salary with absolutely no “expense” money available.) Kenneth Haney of Jefferson township, who is running for the Lakeland board as a representative from Van Buren and Jefferson east, was next to be introduced. He is a farmer, bom in this county, an ex-school teacher and has worked for daily wages. Mr. Haney compared the Lakeland schools with the Warsaw schools, which he stated were “good”. The Warsaw schools have exactly twice as many students as the Lakeland schools. He stated the Lakeland Community School Corporation is one of the richest in the state with more than $13,600 behind each student (in taxing ability). Mr. Haney stated that his approach to the problems was to present a challenge to students. “Here it is. . .what youdo with it is up to you.” He gave praise to the citizens of the school district and to the school board for the ease with which the present new high school was built with, a minimum of “fighting”. Mr. Haney read from a Farm Bureau report figures which he stated showed the Lakeland

school board was spending more per pupil, and also had more teachers in proportion to number of pupils than did Warsaw. There were several questions from William Brammer, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and from the floor directed to the board about the tax rate. Mr. Brammer stated the operating costs of the school had gone up 70 per cent since 1966, with fewer students now than at that time. (Leesburg was in the school corporation in 1966 and is not included now). Mr. Purdum and Mr. Helvey denied this. Comparison of Budgets The following figures, taken from the files of The Mail-Journ-al, were presented: Total appropriations budget in 1966 — $1,940,145 and the 1969 budget shows $2,392,034. This is an increase of 23 per cent. The net current operating cost in 1966 was $1,461,583 and the 1969 budget calls for $1,937,064. This is an increase of 32.5 p*»r cent. In addition to this in 1966 there was a county tax (28 cents) that took $107,233 from Lakeland school tax payers. That is not in effect on the county tax rate for 1969. This tax is of course shown in the Lakeland 1969 school tax rate. This county tax was for the purpose of “equalizing” school monies — it took from the more prosperous townships and paid a part of it to the poorer townships. This community did not get back but 25 cents of the 28 cent tax rate it paid. This bringsthe actual raise in taxes for the Lakeland school tax payer downto 28 per cent from 1966 to proposed 1969 rate. The Wawasee high school is now offering 21 courses that were not offered in 1966. Many of these are in so-called “shop” courses for those students who do not intend to go on to college. Mr. Helvey stated the budget should stabilize now as the need for any additional staff would be

very limited and apply only to class room teachers when the numbers exceed 30 per class. In the new Wawasee high school the average number of pupils per class is near 23. It was indicated that in planning for the next school year when teacher contracts will be given out, the school board will review the pupil - teacher ratio. Mr. Brammer criticized the school board for the “high ratio” of teachers, as compared to number of students. In 1966 there were 3,270 students enrolled in Lakeland’s schools (including Leesburg). In 1969 there will be 2,984 in Lakeland schools. The cost per pupil in 1966 was $431.69. For 1969 it will be $609.76. This does not include debt service, capital outlay or cummulative bui .ing fund. The total amount received from local taxes in 1966 was sl,304,384. In 1969 it will be $1,819, 554. Other Guests Prior to the introduction of school board candidates Tom Schuldt of Vega Homes, a new Svracuse industry, was introduced and told of the progress his company has made in the past six weeks. They are now producing travel trailers. He also told those present that construction is to begin on another building in the industrial 4frea, a 20,000 square feet factory'} that will produce steel products for the trailer industry. John F. Augsburger, candidate for Indiana state senator from this area, was also introduced. He gave his views on what the next session of the Indiana legislature will act upon. One of the most perplexing problems will be “What to do about lowering the tax rate on property”, according to the Milford resident. The present tax rate on property is in, effect a “sales tax” of 17 per cent. Mr. Augsburger stated the legisla-

ture must increase the state sales tax cf two per cent or increase the net income tax and gross tax, or do both, in order to give, any relief to the property tax that people now pay. According to figures quoted by Mr. Augsburger, Indiana leads all surrounding states in percentage of highway deaths; due to this state’s lag in modern highway construction. There has been a 73 per cent increase in highway costs since eight years ago, making the problem more difficult now. The Indiana state government has been spending all of its income the past two years, plus some 30 million dollars it has taken from state retirement funds that will have to be replaced. Welfare, mental health facilities, conservation and polution problems, school costs and other problems of the state government were discussed. One bill that will be introduced in the next legislature, according to Mr. Augsburger, will be a bill that will exempt industry and business from an inventory tax, and also remove the personal tax from machinery and equipment. Other states have already done this and to give industry and business a better tax picture and Indiana must compete or Jose much industry that wedfa like to come here but cannot because of these features of the tax picture. President Brammer, secretary William Beemer and treasurer Robert Mauzy were in charge of the meeting. BALD EAGLE SIGHTED Oscar Werstler of r 1 Pierceton sighted a young bald eagle two different mornings last week over the north end of Ridinger lake. These birds are almost never .seen in this area. Mr. Werstler reports the young bird swooped down over the lake to catch fish. -- & SYRACUSE LOCAL Mrs. Louise Byland, Syracuse, accompanied Mrs. Lulu Francis to Florida. They left Sunday morning. Mrs. Byland will visit her son, then return to Syracuse.

ENJOY KATHRYN'S DINNERS Every WED. - FRI. - SAT. Yellow Banks Hotel North Webster

Re-Elect --- Thames Mauzy FOR * STATE REPRESENTATIVE OF Fulton, Huntington, Kqsciusko, Wabash and Whitley Counties

„ fIE MM

TO—Cut unnecessary spending and get the much needed property tax relief TO—lmprove our highway system and to help reduce our traffic fatalities TO —Re-establish our State Universities as a place we will be proud to send our children TO—NOT DISARM our law enforcement officers TO—Bring back “home rule” so our local citizens may again have a voice in their local government You have asked me for the above changes. With your help we will have a team that will fight for you. Re-Elect Thames Mauzy State Representative This ad paid for by Thames Mauzy

Wed., Oct. 23, 1968 —THE MAIL-JOURNAL

North Webster Auxiliary Hear Conference Reports

Mrs. Elinore Enyeart and Mrs. Virginia Schafer gave reports on the Presidents’ and Secretaries’ conference they attended October 4-5 at the War Memorial building in Indianapolis at the October 15 meeting of the North Webster Women’s Auxiliary of the Herbert Kuhn Post 253. Work Day Planned During the meeting it was announced a “work-day” will be held October 20 to start the remodeling of the kitchen in the upstairs of the Legion home. The work is to be completed before the annual fall festival supper which is to be held November 23. There will be a birthday supLIGONIER NEWS By Rose Cunningham UNICEF 'Trick Or Treat' The UNICEF “Trick or Treat” drive sponsored by churches of the community will be Monday. Oct. 28. Children of the cooperating churches will be carrying orange collection cartons and will be from the Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Centenary United Methodist, Catholic churches, Calvary Temple and Wawaka Church of the Brethren. The children collected over $169 last year for this worthy cause. UF Kick-Off Held This Week The annual United Fund campaign held its kickoff meeting in the Ligonier Presbyterian church this week. The following budget was set up: Salvation Army, $500; Girl Scouts, $2,529; Boy Scouts, $2,605; Red Cross, $2,200; Mental Health, $750: Civil Defense, SSCO; Cerebral Palsy, $150; U. 5.0., $125; Muscular Distrophy, $100; United Fund dues, SSO. That means a total of $9,509 for 10 agencies. ATTENDS CONVENTION Mrs. Wayne Houser, R.N., medical assistant in the office of Dr. Robert C. Stone at Ligonier, attended the 12th annual convention of American Association of Medical Assistants in Columbus, Ohio, October 9-12.

REPUBLICAN I Do Personally Endorse Ed. Whitcomb for Governor and William “Bill” Ruckelshaus U. S. Senator We need their help to make changes you have requested

per at the Legion home on October 26 in celebration of the Legion’s 50 years. Following the supper, a dance will start at 9 p. m. and the masqueraders will be judged. Boxes for Servicemen Cookies, candy, gum and.KoolAid are to be sent to the servicemen for Christmas. All cookies should be at the Legion home by November 5. The two- pound size coffee cans are needed. Money for postage will also be needed. Names of area service men should either be submitted to’ The Press or to Mrs. Enyeart so the boxes can be mailed early. Dwight L. Wilbur, M.D., president of -the American Medical Association, was the featured speaker at a special luncheon in his honor. Mrs. Robert J. Beer, Milford, Complimented Mrs. Robert Jessop Beer, of west Emeline street, the former Jacquelyn Craft of Galesburg, 111., was complimented at a baby shower Friday in the social room of the fire station. Hostesses for the evening were Mrs. Kurman Dale Jessop of Milford and her ter-in-law, Mrs. Joseph W. Jessop, of r 1 New Paris. In a fun contest, winners were Mrs. Besr and Mrs. Cecelia Mercier of Cambridge City. The expectant mother was presented a white and pink colored carnation corsage. The long table holding the many gifts was decorated with pastel colored paper flowers and streamers. Mrs. Joseph W. Jessop and Deborah Jessop assisted her. Lovely refreshments of white cake and ice cream and pink punch were served from a table made beautiful with crystal and silver. Pastel colored paper flowers were placed about Among the 41 guests present, from out of town were Mrs. Eunice Craft and Mrs. Victoria Waters, both of Galesburg, mother and grandmother of Mrs. Beer; Mrs. Hans Kuchler of Indianapolis; Mrs. Virginia Sutton of Cambridge City; and Mrs. Floyd Hollar of Warsaw. WHITES ARRIVE IN FLORIDA Mrs. James McNabb of Bar-" bee lake received a telephone call from her sister, Mrs. D. K. White, from Punta Gorda on Saturday night telling of their safe arrival. The Whites took a large boat for deep sea fishing to Florida and plan to go on to Naples. There they will purchase a mobile home in which they will reside for the next eight months. Resident of East Barbee lake, the Whites rented their home to Mr. and Mrs. Tom King, teachers in the Wawasee high school, through June.

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