School Cuts Loom In Split Tax Decision

Ann Arbor School District voters gave their approval yesterday to a $12.9 million bonding proposal but at the same time narrowly defeated a request for an operating millage increase. The bonding proposal, which includes the construction of three elementary schools, a library addition and a service facility, received 9,363 "yes" votes to 7,310 "no" votes. The proposal for a 2.61-mill increase for five years was turned down by only 70 votes with 8,359 voting against the tax increase and 8,289 voting for it. Returns are unofficial. Voters also elected Ted Heusel, Duane Renken and Ralph Bolhouse to threeyear terms on the Board of Education. (Story on page 17.) Approximately 32 per cent of the registered voters cast ballots in yesterday's school election, with about 16,806 turning out. Last year, 35 per cent of the registered voters turned out for the school election to cast a total of 17,609 votes. In addition 840 absentee ballots were reported this morning from the 40 precincts which ran in favor of the millage 2-1. "The success of the bond issue is very good news," said School Supt. W. Scott Westerman Jr. "This offers relief from the acute shortage of classroom space and provides the funds to make other essential improvements in the physical environment. "The loss of the millage, however, predicts a deterioration of the educational program within that physical environment," Westerman said. "It is our task now to find ways to control the harmful effects. That work will begin this Wednesday at the Board of Education meeting." The administration, according t o Westerman, will present an altérnate budget which reduces spending by the 2.61 milis or $1,568,000. He said it will be impossible to achieve that objective .without significant program reduction. "Perhaps these consequences will lead the board and the community to request an opportunity to vote for additional operational millage in August. These and other decisions must be made promptly," Westerman said. According to School Trustee Heusel, who was re-elected to the school board with the highest total of the 12 school board candidates: "I think that this election tells us something we should have known a long time ago- the people want to know what is going on in our schools. And they want something done and done fast about the discipline problems, the disruptions and the fear that exists in schools because they have just about reached their end in taxes. "I'm a firm believer now that if negotiations continue between staff and the Board of Education for increases in salary that we should open all tions up to the public," Heusel said last night. "The people of Ann Arbor should know, step-by-step, what the schools are offering in all áreas and they should no longer be in the dark about salary increases and fringe benefits for teachers. This should be made public." The president of the Ann Arbor Education Association (AAEA) said this morning that the association is extremely disappointed with the millage defeat. "We are fearful of the program cutbacks and the lack of program improvements for the coming year," said Anne Enderby, AAEA president. "We hope the new superintendent will not have his hands tied too badly because of the defeat. But there is no change in our stand that all 256 probationary teachers bei offered positions for next f all," she said. The 256 probationary staff were issued termination of employment notices last April because of the district's financial uncertainties. Since then, some 139 have been rehired but the fate of the other 116 rested with the millage election. The AAEA said last week it would not negotiate a settlement of a new contract until all remaining probationary teach. ers were rehired. By approving the bonding proposal last night, Ann Arbor taxpayers will increase their taxes by about .73 milis or about 73 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. The proposal will provide additions and renovations for Carpenter, Dixboro, Mitchell, Pittsfield, Stone, Slauson, Tappan and Forsythe schools. Área School Results On Pages 5, 17; Statewide Results On Page 16