would simply be pro-rated according to amounts available as has been done in the past. On the other hand, discontinuation of the program would certainly result in either increased taxes at the local level, increased deficit spending. or curtailment of the educational program. The same source cited above to show that ours is not a wealthy school district, indicates that our local school tax rate is among the highest 10% in the state for similar school districts. Considering the tremendous local effort exerted by the people of this community (no school tax increase referendum has ever failed) in support of their schools, it would be a gross injustice to further increase taxes or reduce the school offering as a result of the failure of the federal government to pay its fair share as provided in P.L. $74.

STATEMENT OF COLLIN L. DAVIS, SUPERINTENDENT, RANTOUL CITY SCHOOLS, DISTRICT 137, RANTOUL, ILL.

I am Collin L. Davis, Superintendent of the Rantoul City Schools, District No. 137. Champaign County, Illinois. Chanute Air Force Base is located within the boundaries of our school district. I am grateful for the opportunity to present certain facts emphasizing the absolute necessity for the continuation of Public Law 874 in its present form as proposed in HR 69.

During the entire tenure of Public Law 874 the Rantoul City Schools District has been comprised of approximately 80% federally-connected students and 20% non-federally connected. Of the total enrollment, approximately 50% of the student population lives on Chanute Air Force Base. Residents in our school district are deeply concerned over the los of federal support of the "3b" children enrolled in our schools comprising more than 30% of our total enrollment. In dollars, this would amount to approximately $300,000. Since Chanute Air Force Base has taken such a large portion of taxable land, the remaining assessed valuation will not provide a replacement for this loss even if we doubled our tax rate. which we cannot do according to the statutes of Illinois. We are presently taxing at our limit and would not feel justified in asking our local citizens (non-federal) to increase their tax support to pay for the education of dependents of federal employees.

In reviewing the tax structure I believe that we must consider the tax burden in the school district not only for schools, but we must face the realization that muncipal taxes are necessairly higher to provide supportive services in a community such as ours. All this points to the fact that with the loss of $300,000 in revenue for our school district there is absolutely no means of replacing this lose, and this at a time when all costs are skyrocketing, including teachers' salaries and school supplies.

In the school year 1971-72 the per capita cost for education was just slightly more than $1,000 which is approximately the same as the average per capita eost in Illinois. Under the President's proposed budget we would lose $250 for each of the 1.200 3b students which would leave us $750 to educate each student. Since teachers' salaries are the major portion of the per capita cost, the only recourse would be to increase the class size from 25 to 40.

When Congress enacted PL 874 it was based on the premise of the need to provide funds so that children of the members of the great American defense team could have a decent educational program. There was no distinction made as to whether the members of the team were in the military services or whether they were serving on the team in a civil service capacity. The educational program offered to these children should at least be comparable in quality and quantity to that provided in the best educational atmosphere so that these dependents will not be short changed in the educational offering no matter where they are. since there is a great deal of mobility in both the military and civil service personnel. For the past 22 years PL 874 funds have accomplished this purpose with a remarkable degree of equity. It is obvious that without these funds it would be impossible for the local school district to provide educational opportunities to the dependents of personnel, both military and civilian, employed on Chanute Air Force Base. No other piece of federal legislation can match the success of PL 874. It is uncomplicated. simple to administer and fair to the millions of students involved. In its 22-year history there has been no serious justifiable criticism in connection with PL 874 or the administration of the act. In conclusion. I urge the support of this distinguished committee to renew PL 874 for five years as proposed,

WASHINGTONVILLE CENTRAL SCHOOL, WASHINGTONVILLE, N. Y., February 19, 1973. Re Extend Authorization for Public Lay 874 for an additional five-year period.

Hon. CARL PERKINS,

Congressman, Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR CONGRESSMAN PERKINS: The intent of Public Law 874 is to provide financial assistance to local school districts who are legally responsible for educating pupils who are classified "federally-connected" as follows:

He resided with parent who is employed on "Federal property”; or

He has a parent on full-time active duty (regardless of where stationed) as a member of the uniformed services; or

He resides on "Federal property"

Background

The Washingtonville Central School District is a large, rapidly growing suburban school district covering an area of 75 square miles located sixty miles north of New York City. The enrollment as of September, 1973 is 4.000 pupils with a projected enrollment growth of an estimated 350 pupils annualy. The Board of Education is currently planning the construction of a 1400-pupil middle school scheduled to open in September 1975.

Wealth status

The Washingtonville District is classified by the State Education Department as one of the poorer districts in New York State. The average full valuation per pupil in weighted average daily attendance (WADA) for Washingtonville in 1972-73 is 21,413, compared with the State average of 36.500. In 1973-74, the State average will increase to 39,100, while the full average valuation per pupil for Washingtonville will increase to only 23,767.

Military housing

Military housing located within the district according to our census taken in August 1972, is as follows:

A total of 548 pupils reside in the 1227 military dwellings and attend the Washingtonville School. Since the military dwellings are exempt from property tax, the district is eligible to receive funds under Public Law 874 to finance the education of the 548 pupils. If the dwellings were subject to property tax and were assessed at the average rate of $4,000 per unit, the 1227 dwellings would yield property tax for school purposes in the amount of $402,652 for the current school year.

The 1972-73 school budget includes an expenditure of approximately $400,000 to cover the cost of educating the 548 pupils from military dwellings. The same budget includes anticipated revenue of over $400,000 from P.L. 874 funds. If the district were denied federal aid in accordance with P.L. 874, the current budget would be over-expended by more than $400,000. The loss of federal aid would require an estimated increase in taxes of $80.00 from every home owner in the district.

Since the district has not yet received its first federal aid payment, it will be necessary to borrow funds in order to continue operating the schools.

The Board of Education strongly urges the Education and Labor Cmmittee to do all within its power to extend authorization of Public Law 874 for an additional five year period.

Respectfully submitted.

DR. JOSEPH V. BRUST,
District Principal.

STATEMENT OF RAYMOND HOPPER, ED. D., SUPERINTENDENT, MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS, DAYTON, OHIO

THE IMPACT OF WRIGHT PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE UPON THE COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS OF MAD RIVER TOWNSHIP, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, DAYTON, OHIO

The Mad River Local School District is situated between the City of Dayton on the west and Wright Patterson Air Force Base on the east in Montgomery County, Ohio. The school district is located entirely within Mad River Township and encompasses an area of over eleven square miles.

Census data reveals that the population of Mad River Township increased from 4,866 in 1940 to 33,903 in 1960-an increase of 275 percent, with an increased rate continuing into the 1970s. This trenmendous growth of population resulted in an equally exploding student enrollment. The school census showed an increase from 836 students in 1940 to 8,092 in the current 1972-73 school year. This rapid growth in population and federal activities at the adjacent military installation has created many problems for the school district. We observed a school district, described in the history of Montgomery County as the richest area of the county, explode into a housing area for Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Today this school district has a per-pupil wealth of $6,744.88 in a state that has the average $16.723.74.

Mad River has a 26.2 mill operating levy or $176.71 per sudent to support the education on the local level. The average cost of educating one pupil in Ohio for the 1971-72 school year was $782.18. If Mad River is going to give an education equal to only the average in the State of Ohio, we must secure an additional $605.46 from other sources, state and federal. We believe the students who attend Mad River schools deserve an education that is at least equal to the average in the state.

There are a number of school districts, of which Mad River is a prime example, in which P.L. 874 and P.L. 815 represent a large part of their funds. Any proration with the limited tax base available must result in a major increase in local property taxes, severe reduction in programs, or both. A phase out of the 3-B student funding has the irony of taking the burden from the Federal Government and placing it firmly upon the shoulders of the parents of the 3-B students through increased local taxes. The goal of the all voluntary service should not have as a part of it a second rate financed education for the military dependents nor should it force them to live only in military housing.

For the current year Mad River has 1,293 students classified as 3-B. To supplement their education we should receive $278,085.00. If 3-B students are not funded it would require an additional 4.87 mill tax to replace this income. We have experienced an extreme reluctance on the part of the home owners in Ohio to increase property taxes to replace a loss of federal funds.

We firmly believe that the envisioned educational revenue sharing is not the answer to some special problems that exist throughout the United States.

The presence of a military installation placed there by the Federal Government creates an extreme hardship for the school district connected with that Air Force base or military installation. We firmly feel that it is the Federal Governments responsibility in placing it there and they should share some of the burden of educating the dependents of the employees of that base.

Hon. CARL D. PERKINS,

O'FALLON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL,

DISTRICT No. 203, O'Fallon, Ill., February 13, 1973.

Chairman, House Education and Labor Committee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. PERKINS: Enclosed is information which I respectfully request be submitted as testimony for HR-69 on February 20, 1973. Thank you for your efforts on behalf of education.

Sincerely,

M. A. HESSE,
Superintendent.

O'Fallon Township High School District No. 203, 1971-72 School Term Data

Estimated taxes received per pupil on real estate owned or rented by Federal employees-‒‒‒

Total

Expenditure
Income

Balance to be financed by other sources_

1 All of these are 3B pupils.

1, 227 1381

$1, 167.00

$237.00 408.00

260.00

905.00

$1, 167.00 905. 00

262.00

2 This is based upon a Federal employee owning or renting a home that would sell for $25,000. (Many own property that is valued at a lesser amount.)

The preceding data indicates that Public Law 874 Funds are not adequate to finance the present costs of education in our district, yet, the present administration's policy of funding for fiscal '73 will eliminate approximately $53,000 from our district's entitlement. Under the administration's proposed budget for fiscal '74, all funds (approximately $133,000) would be eliminated since all our students are 3B category. This means our total school budget would be cut 12%.

Our tax rate would have to be increased 36¢ per $100 of assessed valuation to raise $133,000. Our present tax rate is already one of the highest in the Metropolitan St. Louis area.

The argument that parents of 3B pupils purchase or rent property and pay taxes to support the schools is not valid. I believe it is only fair to provide the children of our military and civil service employees an adequate educational program. It is grossly unfair to expect citizens of a community to finance the education of children who are an impact on the school system because a large military installation is located in the area. In summary, the Federal government created the installation where over 30% of our pupils' parents are employed and the Federal government should pay their fair share in providing an adequate education for these pupils.

I respectfully request that the preceding comments and data be included in the testimony on hearings for H.R. 69 which proposes to extend Public Law 874 legislation for five more years.

Sincerely,

M. A. HESSE,
Superintendent.

P.S.-I am enclosing a summary of Public Law 874 funds received during the past ten (10) years.

TABLE 1.-0'FALLON TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL, DISTRICT 203-SUMMARY OF PUBLIC LAW 874 RECEIPTS

1 During the 5-year period, 1968-72, our district has lost $85,548, and, if present fiscal 1973 payments are paid for military only, our district will lose another $53.667 in funds.

150 percent of $79,440 for 225 military. No funds have been allocated for 152 civil service.

STATEMENT OF FRED REIFSTECK, SUPERINTENDENT, RANTOUL TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL NO. 193, RANTOUL, ILL.

The recently announced cut-backs in Federal Impact Aid by President Nixon will have a tremendous financial effect on the Rantoul Township High School. District No. 193. Since Chanute Air Force Base is located here, approximately 950 students are considered federally connected and claims are being filed regularly for them. Our total enrollment is approximately 1600 students. therefore those students who are covered by Impact Aid make up a large part of our total enrollment.

If no payment is received for the 3B civilians as proposed for this year or 3B military for next year, our district will lose approximately $200,000.00. This figure represents a substantial portion of money in our operating budget for a year. Also, like many school districts today, we are now in our third year of operation on a deficit budget. The proposed loss for next year would pay the approximate salaries of twenty members of our teaching staff. It is my belief that $200,000.00 worth of equipment and supplies that would not be available would handicap us greatly in providing the best education possible for the young men and women of our school district.

I have cited two examples above of what the proposed cut in 1973-74 would create for our school. The financial operation of this school district would become critical if the proposed loss of revenue becomes a reality. Our present tax structure will not finance the operation needed to provide a quality education for our present enrollment. Facts have been stated above, as to the enrollment in our district caused by the location of Chanute Air Force Base.

In my opinion we need the amount of Federal Aid we are now receiving to accomplish our goal, that being, to provide the very best education possible for the boys and girls of the Rantoul Township High School, so that they may take their place in our society today.

STATEMENT OF DEAN G. LARSON, ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT, LIBERTYVILLE HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 128, LIBERTYVILLE, ILL.

GENTLEMEN: Since 1950, Public Law 874 has been an outstanding example of good legislation which well serves the original intent and purpose of Congress when it is fully funded. Unfortunately, it has not been fully funded under the present continuing resolution and a substantial portion of the act has been omitted in the Presidents proposed budget for the 197 fiscal year.

The loss of $62.466 in Public Law 874 funds for our school district, would not only mean a one year loss, but a continuing one that would be difficult to make up as we are at our maximum authorized tax rate. The tax payers in our district have voted high taxes on themselves to support good schools and pay to the Federal Government taxes many times over our comparative small impact claim. It does not seem fair to take money away from a moral obligation just for the sake of complying with some abstract principle.

STATEMENT OF LOUIS WHITE, BUSINESS MANAGER, LIBERTYVILLE ELEMENTARY DISTRICT No. 70, LIBERTYVILLE, ILL.

GENTLEMEN: We, here in the Libertyville Elementary School District, are greatly concerned in the proposed cut in Federal funds for PL 874. The prospect of not funding the 3be portion of PL 874 has created a disquieting attitude among many citizens.

Our school district will lose, if this portion is not funded, $28,128 in funds which are greatly needed. School finance in the State of Illinois is so structured that any increase in the local tax levies must be approved by the local voters. As you know, the percentage of voter approval of such an increase in tax levies has been very low. So the possibility of increasing the local tax rate to make up the loss of funds by the non-funding of PL 874 is quite small. Also the percentage of state aid to local schools is small and the possibility of an increase is very small.

We feel Congressman Perkins' bill HR 69 should be passed.