School Estimates Board Defers Action on $1,978,225 Budget


Camden Courier-Post – February 16, 1938

SUM HELD TOO HIGH BY CITY OFFICIALS; REDUCTIONS SOUGHT

Mrs. Kobus Urges Employment of Auditor to Aid in Paring Costs

TEACHER EXPENSE RISES

The Board of School Estimates met yesterday and adjourned without taking any action on the proposed $1,978,225 budget approved by the Board of Education.

The education budget is $135,244 more than the $1,842,981 provided for the 1937-38 year. Mayor Brunner and City Commissioner Hartmann insisted at the board of estimates meeting that the budget was too high and would have to be pruned. At the suggestion of Commissioner Kobus, who also is president of the Board of Education, the meeting authorized City Comptroller McCord to employ an auditor to report on school costs.

It seemed the sense of yesterday’s meeting that the items calling for additional teachers and janitors would have to be cut and that perhaps employment of new teachers for the Davis School to take care of Westfield Acres pupils could be reduced by transfer of some teachers from other schools.

Held Due to Salaries

In addition to the commissioners, the estimates board includes Mrs. Alice K. Predmore and E. George Aaron. The latter was absent.

The estimates board, which must approve the budget, adjourned indefinitely to meet again at the call of the Mayor when McCord’s audit is completed.

Mrs. Kobus explained that virtually the entire increase is due to restoration of one-half of the existing 10 percent salary cuts and the proposed additions of 20 new teachers and two janitors.

The president added that 15 of the new teachers are assigned to the recently enlarged Davis School, three to the two high schools and two to junior schools.

Half of the increase will appear in Camden City’s 1938 budget, which operates on a calendar year as contrasted with the school fiscal year.

Five-Cent Rise on 1938

The total rise is equivalent to 10 cents on the tax rate, so that half the amount means a five-cent increase on the 1938 rate

Mrs. Kobus said she with other board members did everything possible to prevent an increase and pointed out that the only unusual increase, other than teachers’ salaries was for supplies and materials.

In making up the budget the board members pared several appropriations in an effort to apportion $43,000 as a sponsor’s share to obtain a PWA grant of $232,000 for additions, alterations and improvements to several schools.

The appropriation for teachers is $1,487,061, compared to $1,388,745 for the last fiscal year, an increase of $98,316.

For other salaries, including executive, office, clerical and janitors, $262,579 was appropriated. The total for the previous year was $236,386, an increase of $27,868.

The amount for supplies, materials and other items is $226,910, an increase of $9160 over the previous year when the total was $217,850.

The city’s apportionment of revenue to be appropriated is $1,692,225. In estimated sources of revenue, $100,000 is expected to come from an additional state appropriation. Additional state funds include, appropriation, $169,463; manual training, $5000; crippled children, $1500; evening schools, $500.

Other anticipated revenue items include tuition fees, $1000; teachers absence refunds, $3000; miscellaneous, $3000.

Secretary Albert Austermuhl stated additional funds may be anticipated from enrollment of students from schools outside the city. He also stated the state has not paid the city its share for the “education of crippled children. The amount in arrears for two past years is $3000, he said.

For instructions in elementary, high, junior high schools and manual training the amount is fixed at $1,431,117.

The sum of $135,884 is set up for supervisory instruction, with $41,615 for administration.

Costs for operation of elementary schools is placed at $130,067. The cost for the operation of the high schools is $47,605 with $37,750 appropriated for junior high schools.

Other budget items include coordinated activities, $40,956; property maintenance cost, $74,455; fixed charges, $13,760; auxiliary agencies, $8900; special schools, $15,116.

Total salaries for teachers in elementary, kindergarten, special classes and correction classes total $874,955. For high school teachers the amount is $259,467. Junior school teachers salaries total $156,169.

The increases for teachers are: elementary and other classes, $53,535; high schools, $19,146; junior schools, $10,279. Manual training costs increased $5066.

Cost for elementary school janitor salaries is set at $81,217, an increase of $11,428. Most of the increase is due to additional janitorial service required for the Davis school annex.

The sum of $33,655 is appropriated for high school janitors, an increase of $1815. The amount for junior high school janitors is $27,000, an increase of $1483.


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