At least half of the state’s rural schools will be compelled to
close before expiration of the regular month term due to lack of funds, it was
estimated by W.W. Trent, state superintendent of schools.
Trent said, “Already many of them have shut their doors because
of the state’s inability to meet the second installment of state aid amounting
to approximately $500,000 due in January.”
The superintendent said that the condition of the treasury does
not warrant even the promise of payment of a third installment due in April and
that he is advising district boards of education that there is no alternative
other than discontinuing schools.
The superintendent estimated that 7,200 teachers will be
affected by the shortage in districts receiving state aid. A proposed new plan
provides that money shall be distributed on a pupil to teacher basis varying
with the density of school population. The number of pupils per teacher will
range from 18 to 38 in different districts. An estimate under this plan places
the reduction in the number of teachers at 12 per cent.
Phillip L. Charles, Parkersburg’s
IRS
district director, cautioned taxpayers to make sure
they know a person is a bona fide federal tax
representative before they pay him any money.
There have been a few episodes in Kentucky, where individuals
are impersonating revenue service employees and fraudulently taking funds from
taxpayers.
Charles urged public cooperation in bringing about the downfall
of such unscrupulous individuals by requesting presentation of proper
credentials.
Cabot Corp. has either a computer or
a couple of meters that may be afflicted with an
occasional case of the hiccups, or else one or the
other, or both, has a diabolical sense of humor.
Bill Harris of Grantsville came into the Chronicle office to pay
his gas bill, or rather, not to pay his gas bill. He had just been to the post
office to collect his mail. His usual monthly gas bill runs about $60. The bill
he received, covering just one month, was sensationally higher than it should
have been.
He asked, “Who do I complain to about my gas bill?” Karen Allen
of the Chronicle staff advised him to get in touch with the Cabot business
office at Oak Hill. She inquired as to his problem.
She was told that the bill was for $3,450.07. The Cabot computer
helpfully printed out the message on the bottom of the bill that his average
daily cost was $119.67.
“I will protest,” said Harris as he departed the office staring
pensively at his unusual bill.
Later the same day, the Chronicle heard of yet another exciting
gas bill. This one was received by Orville Kight, whose monthly gas bill runs
about $45. This time, he was billed $1,503.94.
There is a possible clue to why these two bills turned out to be
so high. Both gentlemen involved reported that their gas meters had been changed
recently. Perhaps the trouble isn’t with the computer at all. The culprits may
be the meters. Whichever, we thought Cabot Corp. would like to know about these
situations.