Page images
PDF
EPUB

STATEMENT OF LYLE K. KLITZKE, SUPERINTENDENT, MUNDELEIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, DISTRICT 75, MUNDELEIN, ILL.

To Whom It May Concern:

The School District of which I am Superintendent, has for several years supplemented its revenue from Federal sources not the least of which has been the above captioned fund.

Any reduction or elimination of any category or classification of P.L. 81-874 will seriously cripple our educational program, including instructional services, and necessary supplies and equipment.

Since our wealth factor of only $18,000 per pupil in A.D.A. is well below the area and state average it can readily be seen that any loss or reduction of this income will very definitely adversely affect our already bare essentials educational program.

STATEMENT OF WILLIAM SCHUETT, DIRECTOR OF FISCAL AFFAIRS, TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 113, LAKE COUNTY, HIGHLAND, PARK, ILL.

The 1972 claim of this school district was paid at an entitlement amount of $1,234.20. This claim was paid on the following enrollment:

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

The 1973 claim for this district has now been filed. It shows a significant Increase over 1972. This 1973 claim shows the following enrollments:

[blocks in formation]

The entitlement of this claim is $1,281.27 per student and would amount to the following:

Ba

3bm 3be

Total

$171,690. 18 1,921. 91 30, 109, 85

203, 721.94

This school district cannot afford the loss of any portion of this $203,721.94 claim. It is vitally necessary for the continuing educational program now being given to students in the schools of this district.

STATEMENT OF HARRY S. BOWEN, ASSOCIATE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 60, WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS

[blocks in formation]

All students allowed under Public Law 874:

Full funding----

Same percent as 1972__.

Only military "B" students:
Full funding--.

Same percent as 1972.

Loss to general funds in the Waukegan Public Schools:

If only military allowed (same percent as 1972)-

If impact aid is not legislated (same percent as 1972)--

Amount $570,000 450, 000

97,000

75,000

375,000

450,000

IMPACT TO WAUKEGAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, SEPTEMBER 1, 1973 Should Impact Aid, P.L. 874 be cut, the Waukegan Public Schools would be forced to reduce our staff by at least 50 classroom teachers, effective September 1, 1973.

Should Impact Aid, P.L. 874 be cut, it would cause the Waukegan Public Schools to request the voters to approve at least a .18 cent referendum or an increase in their tax structure of $18.00 for each $10,000 of appraised valued property. This we feel would be next to impossible.

It is imperative that decisions be made immediately regarding Impact Aid. P.L. 874 in order for the school district to plan for the orderly dismissal of 50 to 60 teachers to the already overcrowded labor market.

Last year, 1972, the school district had 8000 applications for a total of 122 specialized vacancies. At this time in point, of reference to 1972, the number of applications surpasses those of 1972 for a lesser number of vacancies this year.

STATEMENT OF Dr. Donald R. JENKINS, SUPERINTENDENT, ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT 111, HIGH WOOD-HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS

In the interest of furthering the quest for an equal opportunity for a quality educational program for each student, Elementary School District 111 respectfully urges this session of the Congress of the United States to do the following: 1. Enact Congressman Carl J. Perkins' H.R. 69 extending education laws for five years, thereby assuring continuance of the vital Federal Impact Aid program; 2. Approve a Continuing Resolution providing full funding for all 3a, 3b military, and 3b civilian students for impacted school districts; and

3. Approve an appropriation bill which provides sufficient funds for the above. The only two major studies of the impact aid program, the Stanford Research Institute study of 1965 and the Battelle Memorial Institute study of 1969, indicated that the Federal Government does impose a financial burden on impacted school districts. The provisions of Public Law 81-874 have efficiently and fairly alleviated this financial burden.

Thirty percent, 477 students, of District 111's enrollment lives at Fort Sheridan, which is Federal property. Additionally, three percent of its enrollment are dependents of military personnel not living on Federal property, or dependents of civilians who work on Federal property. Additional Army units, including the Army Recruiting Command, will be transferred to Fort Sheridan during the 1973 calendar year. These units will bring as many as 736 military and civilian families, with many elementary students, to Fort Sheridan and local communities.

A significant portion of the District's revenues are provided by Public Law 81-874. Anything less than full funding for all 3a, 3b military, and 3b civilian students will impose a severe financial burden upon School District 111 which already has an extremely large deficit. Such action by the Federal Government will result in classes of unmanageable size; elimination of necessary services such as remedial reading, speech and language therapy, special programs for the handicapped, and guidance programs; and insufficient educational materials and supplies. The result will be a deprivation of School District 111 students' right to the opportunity to realize their full intellectual, social, and emotional potential.

STATEMENT OF LESTER J. HARMAN, SUPERINTENDENT, DISTRICT NO. 123,

CHICAGO, ILL.

This communication is written in support of full appropriations for impacted aid now under consideration in Congress as a result of presidential vetoes prior to the election.

The North Chicago High School budget for the current school year, including income through federal reimbursement for 288-3B civilian students, amounts to $112,150.00. Even with this figure, the projected budget deficit on June 30, 1973 will be $92,766.00.

The financial future of the districts is already discouraging and the elimination of the 3B2 category as a federal government responsibility will be disastrous. The local taxes because of the fairly low assessed valuation of the school district and the per pupil state aid are not sufficient to carry additional costs resulting from federal impact.

At the present rate of income from all sources, and spending, at our current rate ($150,000.00 reduction this past year), this district can probably operate through the 1974–75 school year but will then be dangerously close to the legal point of its borrowing ability. It would then be a matter of just how long the new taxes would enable the school to run into the 1975-76 school year before the doors would be closed.

This day of reckoning could be delayed if this Board of Education decided to close it doors to all students other than those coming from the local community. The assessed valuation behind each student would be raised considerably as a result and this, together with reduced demands for new space and facilities, the district could support its program without the uncertainty that comes each year when it is required to wait to see what "amount" will be allowed us by Congress after they get through appropriating money for military and foreign aid. Current enrollment of the school is 1,392 students which includes:

[blocks in formation]

This district's 3B entitlement based upon 50 percent of the per capita cost entitlement of 3A tsudents would be $206,522.19. Since we never receive full entitlement for these students, and in some years not even for 3A's, this works a hardship.

The Great Lakes Naval Station and the Veteran's Administration Hospital represent $200,000,000.00 of assessed valuation. This is approximately three times the assessed valuation of the rest of the school district. An industry located in our community, even though it attracts workers, also goes on our tax roles and helps support the local government and schools through taxes.

Studies of impact aid authorized by Congress in the past have concluded that impact aid can be justified and it is probably the best method conceived for distribution of federal dollars for education. The fact that members of Congress have an opportunity to view P.L. 874 and P.L. 815 in the Washington, D.C. area results in an unfair evaluation of the program. We think we can make a strong case for our position and are asking your support of 3B civilian students who attend our school.

Again, I quote the President. "American opportunity begins in the classrooms of this nation. When we talk about cutting the expenses of government, either the Federal, State, or local, the one area we can't shortchange is education. Education is the area in which we must keep doing everything that is necessary to help achieve the American Dream."

There are 1,392 students in this integrated school who have already felt the reduction in the school program so necessary for success today. It is important, as many of these youngsters are most in need of a good education. The enrollment of minority students has grown from 17 percent to 47 percent over a period of seventeen years. Previous figures show the high percentage of P.L. 874 students. Their mobility resulting in change of orders within the military quite often works

a hardship requiring a higher per capita cost just to keep them up with other students.

We have experienced three defeats at the polls in the past six months in our efforts to raise taxes to support a quality program. Local people point to the fact that they are subsidizing the federal government by providing needed facilities and support of the program.

At the time the original building was constructed, P.L. 815 money was made available to this district in the amount of about ten percent of the costs. This figure was established based upon the percentage of impact students enrolled. A review of the records shows that, from 1954 to the present, this percentage has grown from 22 percent to 52 percent. It is not difficult to see, then, that this community has subsidized the federal government in educating and providing the space for the education of 3A and 3B students.

To broaden our presentation somewhat, but briefly, Congressional District 13 will lose $979,991.78 in 3B students revenue while Congressional District 12 will lose $180,854.42. This will have a detrimental effect upon education in this area. We would. again, ask for your help. Please feel free to call me for further information if necessary.

LUDLOW COMMUNITY CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 142,
Ludlow, Ill., February 15, 1973.

Mr. HARTWELL D. REED.

General Counsel, House Committee on Education and Labor,
Washington, D.C.

DEAR SIR: We are a small elementary school district with about 200 students. Half of these students are 3b (either 3be or 3bm). In the past we have carried on a program that compared to national averages :

1. Has a reduced dropout rate.

2. Places our students in a position to add more than the average to life expected earnings.

3. Gives the children in our district a superior education.

4. Provides an atmosphere conducive to social and emotional well being. Let me stress again, this is "How it is". This has been made possible partially because this district receives about % of its educational budget income from P.L. 81–874. This income of $23,169.00 represents the impact aid received for 1⁄2 of our enrollment.

Should there be a loss of this income it it is a certainty that:

(a) Education programs would be curtailed.

(b) Classes would become larger and/or grades combined.

(c) Extra curicular activities would be eliminated.

There is every possibility of being forced to close the school. This possibility can be evidenced by the following:

Present educational tax rate: .9077.

Maximum educational tax rate: .9200.

Additional income possible = .0123 × assessed valuation; or $948.50. Still more money, perhaps up to $10,000 could be saved by cutting down on the educational program. Is this really what the Congress wants done? The 1971-72 Federal entitlement for District No. 142 (at the 73% level) was $23.169.

The difference in the "cut to the bone" budget and the loss of revenue would represent an annual loss of about $12.000.00 with a poorer program for as long as we might be able to remain in existence.

Let me therefore urge you, on behalf of the parents, and especially for the children of this district-Fund P.L. 81- 874.

Most sincerely.

GARY D. MATTESON,
Superintendent.

Chairman PERKINS. The hearings will recess until 9 a.m. tomorrow. [Whereupon, at 1:05 p.m., the hearing was recessed, to reconvene at 9 a.m., Wednesday, February 21, 1973.]

[The following material pertaining to impact aid was submitted for

the record:]

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES,

Hon. CARL PERKINS,

Chairman, Education and Labor Committee,
Washington, D.C.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Washington, D.C. February 20, 1973.

DEAR CARL: I was visited today by representatives of several school districts in my area urging my support for extending authorization of Public Law 874 for an additional five year period.

Reduction or termination of the impact aid provided for in Public Law 874 will have severe, adverse affects on four school districts in Orange County: Cornwall, Newburgh, Washingtonville and Valley Central. As our district houses both West Point and Steward Airbase over one million dollars in federal funding will be denied to these school districts if H.R. 69 is not passed by the Congress. The monies provided by impact aid constitute a substantial portion of the school budgets, in some instances as much as 15% of the total school budget is funded by P.L. 874.

In light of the additional tax burden a reduction in impact aid would place on the citizens of our area, I ask you and the Committee to do all within your power to extend authorization of Public Law 874 for an additional five year period. With best wishes, Sincerely,

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN,
Member of Congress.

Hon. CARL D. PERKINS

CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Washington, D.C., February 19, 1973.

Chairman, House Edcation and Labor Committee, Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Just yesterday morning I received a telegram requesting that I urge the continuance of funds for Federally Impacted Areas. The telegram came from the Lompoc Unified School District, whcih encompasses Vandenberg A.F.B., the largest missile-connected SAC base on the West Coast. This school district has the responsibility of educating Lompoc's children and many Air Force children. They accept this responsibility willingly and achieve it well. This responsibility will be theirs whether or not funding for the various Impacted Aid categories continues. Their question is: Can they meet it?

This school district, like many others not in my area, has received help in the past. their number of students has not diminished, and they still need help. I know the Lompoc School District feels the continued partnership is only reasonable. Trusting the judgment of those directly responsible, I agree.

Sincerely,

Enclosure.

CHARLES M. TEAGUE,
Member of Congress.

COPY OF NIGHT LETTER SENT TO CONGRESSMAN TEAGUE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1973 We request that you present testimony on behalf of the Lompoc Unified School District on H.R. 69 which is to be heard at 9 a.m. on February 20, 1973.

The proposal to eliminate 3b students would mean a loss of revenue to this district in the amount of one million twenty eight thousand nine hundred and eight six dollars which equals 8.22 percent of our current operating cost. The loss of these funds would drastically effect our educational program in this district which has already been reduced due to curtailment of Federal funds. We urge that you support H.R. 69 to extend the current program for five years and introduce the above testimony on behalf of this district.

(signed) ALICE MILLIGAN,

Assistant Superintendent, Personnel & Special Services.
Lompoc Unified School District.

« PreviousContinue »