Johnson Hits Millage Hike For Schools

School Trustee Paul H. Johnson released a statement today blasting the May 13 millage proposal and charging the school board and administration with "fiscal irresponsibility." Johnson was not present at the special meeting when the May 13 election for 11.66 milis for school operations was set. "In deciding which way to vote May 13," Johnson said, "voters will need more than a 'dedication to education' attitude. They will need a close study of the money requests included in this proposed 1968-69 budget (of $17,480,000). "I am opposed to the proposed millage increase. If the millage passes, the property owners will pay a whopping 51 per cent more taxes with only an expected six per cent increase in pupils and no improvement in educational quality. "Property owners are now paying $8,576,079 in taxes for schools. After the May 13 increase, they will be paying $12,955,612. This is the largest increase in history and there is much waste in the proposed budget. The waste is best exemplified by the proposed increase in the administration. "In spite of an already large administrative staff, the board proposes adding a very expensjve public relations staff and a eostly human relations staff: One could argue that these additional staff people would not be needed if the present administrators and the board were to do their jobs properly. "If the voters reject the millage, it will not be a vote against education. It will be a vote against the actions of the Board of Education. A closer scrutiny of policies and spending must be the order of the day. The education of the children musn be given first priority. 'Cuts' will not be enough. A complete! and in-depth restructuring ofl the budget is absolutely necessary. It will be a difficult task. "It is unfortunate that fiscal irresponsibility eventually causes its own corrective actions. It forces the return tol realistic expenditures patterned to the finest education 'within our means' rather than 'at any cost.' "Any budget which demands 51 per cent more revenue from property owners in one year is irresponsible."