May 13 Termed 'd-day For City School Voters

"May 13 ís D-Day, Decisión Day, for Ann Arbor (School District) voters." The speaker last night was University Prof. Ralph Rupp, co - chairman of the citizen's committee to publicize the May 13 school millage election. The occasion was the first of three public infcrmational sessions on the subject. The second session will be held at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow in Tappan Junior High School's auditorium. The final meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday in the Wines School auditorium. Approximately 25 persons attended last night's meeting in the Little Theater of Ann Arbor High School. Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr., School Board V i c e President Robert E. Doerr and Rupp were on hand to present ?. "realistic outline of the needs of the school system," as well as to answer questions of the audience. Questions came steadily for about an hour, centering mainly on throe ideas: the "taxpayer revolt" in school districts, particularly the revolt of the property cwners; teacher negotiations, and possible alternatives if the millage fails. Speaking of the "taxpayer revolt," Rupp commented t h a t local school elections are amotig the few areas left where the voter can make nis wishes known, sírice federal and state taxes are beyond his control. Several persons in the audience also complained about the burden of the property-owner in supporting the public schools, and declared that tax reforms were necessary. The uncertainty of the outcome of teacher-Board of Education neotiations for a 196869 contract also was discussed in relatioA to the millage election. Dr. Doerr said that no predictions could be made about the outcome at this time. "I don't know whether the ers will be with us in the fall or won't be with us," he remarked, apparently referring to the possibility of a system-wide teacher strike. Doerr is a member of the negotiating team for the school board. Westerman also commented that the L385,000 set aside for increased teachers' salaries in the millage proposal may not be adequate. "Transfers withii the budget" may be necessary he said, to complete the nego tiations process. In response to a questioi about plans if the millage fails Westerman said that a numbei of alternatives are being pre pared by the administration. Saying that he was relucían to predict possible courses o iction because they might be nterpreted as "threats" by the koters, he nevertheless an;wered that "cutbacks" of some ;ort would probably have to be mplemetited. These program cutbacks vould have "visible effects in me way or another," the suDerintendent said, but he added L5-mill "renewal" (though that the administration would attempt to "choose those things that wouM do the least harm" when making necessary cuts. The May 13 millage election will put a five-year package of 11.66 milis for operations to the Arm Arbor School District voters. This package will include a nically, it cannot be called a newal since it expired in December) and 7.16 additional milis. An additional amount of 1.09 milis, authorized last year but not levied, would also be levied, making a total of 8.25 new milis. If the millage is approved, it would mean a tax increase of about $8.25 per $1,000 of state equalized valuation. For the Ann Arbor homeowner, whose house has an equalized valuation of $10,000 (market value of $20,000), this would mean a tax hike of about $82.50 per year. The 4.5-mill renewal would mean no tax increase over the 1967-68 tax bill. Westerman also outlined the expected $2 million increases in operating expenses for 1968-69 which are related to the millage propos al. It is estimated that the 196869 operating budget will be about $17,480,000, an increase of $1.98 million from the 1967-68 budget of $15,500,000. Westerman said that this increase is essentially caused by the opening of three new schools, the hiring of additional teachers for the expected student increase, and teacher and staff' salary increases. There are basically no program improvements. The approximately $2 million increase, Westerman explained would be the result of the opening and operation of Huror High, Scarlett Junior High and Martin Luther King Jr. Ele mentary schools, for $500,000; $220,000 and $50,000, respectively; the hiring of about 60 new teachers and per capita expend itures for the expected increase of 1,016 students, $520,000; pres ent teacher salary increases according to the 1967-68 con tract, $360,850; and funds foi salary increases for 1968-69 $385,000. These items add up to slightly more than $2 million. T h c discrepancy from the $1.98 mil lion mentioned earlier would be made up by budget cuts. (Related story on Page 48)