Word: morrilton
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...Morrilton, Ark. (pop. 6,000) the burning question is whether to keep up with a millionaire named Winthrop Rockefeller, who has fostered something rare in his' adopted state: a school district that spends money. This began in 1956, when Rockefeller launched a $2,500,000 plan "to set a pattern for other school districts to follow." He has since given Morrilton schools $100,000 a year, picked up the $800,000 tab for a model elementary school, and so roused the citizenry that they floated a $350,000 bond issue, doubled real estate assessment and boosted school taxes...
...what happens when the plan ends next year? To match Rockefeller's annual $100,000 means another 26% tax boost, and last week Morrilton was trying to decide whether to hold its gains. In the Rockefeller era, the 2,000-student district has closed rural schools, upgraded graduation requirements, acquired the latest science equipment. It has hired new teachers and the only school psychologist in Arkansas. It has given Negro students (15%) precisely equal, if separate schools, and academic achievements have been doubled...
...trouble is that mounting civic pride has also stirred Morrilton to shell out more cash for new churches, sewers and an industrial-development fund, leaving little surplus for schools. Should the town not boost school taxes, it will have to drop the psychologist, art instruction, adult education and numerous other "frills." Last week some citizens seemed inclined to do just that. "Our town is too small for big, spectacular things," said one housewife. But other citizens were ready to pay at least a little more in taxes, retain some of the frills. Whatever the decision, Morrilton will never forget...
...states in the Union spend less per child on education than Arkansas, but an Arkansas millionaire is determined to give the state one school system that will be the envy of the nation. Winthrop Rockefeller, who has lived in Arkansas since 1953, has offered the Morrilton school district an educational bonanza-enough money (about $2,500,000) to help the citizenry create a truly model school system. As chairman of the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission, Rockefeller "is interested in education as a means of improving the standard of living in Arkansas and attracting more industry to the state." Last week...
Under a tentative five-year plan, Morrilton would get for its 1,848 white and 418 Negro students, and its 58 white and 14 Negro teachers, a new high school and as many new grade schools as needed, with special facilities for handicapped children and special classes for exceptional children, increased library and physical-education facilities, expanded programs for fine arts and music, personal guidance and health, raises for teachers. But Morrilton would have to increase school taxes to pay for the difference between the Rockefeller contribution and the plan's estimated cost of $3,000,000. It would...