The Augusta Courier

North Carolina Broadens Its School Policy

RALEIGH, N. C., April 30.-The State has opened two new doors in its public school policy as a result of action by the 1949 General Assembly.

One will embark the state on a school building program and the other sets up the state as a self-insurer of public school buildings.

The first came about when the Legislature voted to take $25 million of the $30 million postwar reserve fund and give it to the various counties for aid in building schools. Each county will get $250,000.

If another $25 million in a bond issue is approved by voters June 4. it will be distributed to counties on the basis of school population.

Originally, it was proposed that the entire 50 million should be a bond issue, subject to a vote of the people. But when freespenders grabbed the postwar reserve to balance the budget, economy-minded forces decreed the spending for buildings.

Some legislators believe this program will mean that the state will take over the entire school program before too many more years have passed. They point out that school building is about the only thing left that the state does not finance.

Backers of the move countered with the claim that this was merely a gift to the schools out of accumulated surplus and should not be construed as the beginning of a new state policy.

The self-insurance proposal will be optional with county boards of education, which may accept state insurance or continue to insure with private companies.

The state insurance will cost 25 per cent less than that by private companies, however.

The measure barely got out of the House insurance committee by a 7-6 vote. and was hotly argued on the House floor.

Opponents charged that it put the state in competition with private business.

Backers said that this was no more competition to private business than state-operated garages to take care of school buses, and that it would save the state millions of dollars within a few years.

The Legislature appropriated some $176,500,000 for operating the public school system during the next two years. This included enough money to give the school-teachers a 28.51 per cent raise over salaries during the current biennium but fell short of the minimum advocated by Governor Scott $2,200 to $3,100 for "A" certificate teachers. The pay scale under these appropriations will run from $2,081 to $2,787 for "A" certificate teachers, compared with the present range of $1,620 to $2,169 under a biennial appropriation of $128,500,000.

RETROACTIVE RAISE

In addition, the Legislature appropriated enough ($15 million for all state employes including teachers) to give teachers a pay raise of 20 per cent retroactive to last October 1.

The 1949-51 appropriations bill carries a proviso that if Federal funds become available, school teachers' pay will be boosted to the minimum urged by Governor Scott. In addition, all surplus funds —if any—will be used to raise teacher salaries.

Other actions affecting public schools included:

Paying of teachers on a 10-month basis, subject to approval of the State Board of Education.

Sick leave for teachers, also subject to State board approval.

Ratification of the regional education pact with other southern states, which would make it possible for a North Carolina student to receive instruction in specific lines at no higher tuition than he would have to pay in the state.

Setting up a system of checks to guard against mishandling of school funds.

Expansion of facilities for teaching the handicapped.

Authorization of a state music supervisor.

Approval of assignment by the Board of Education of special instruction personnel to school units.

Military leaves of absence for school personnel serving with National Guard Organized Reserve units.