When a young man gets himself an education, then a good job with a bright
future, and finally a bride, he needs a house. But he seldom hag enough
money in the bank to pay cash for a big purchase.
It might take him 20 years to save enoug from his earnings to pay cash.
But he needs the house now. So he borrow$ much of the money to buy it, moves
in and pays back the money, with interest, over the 20 years which he otherwise
would have spent without a roof over his family's head.
The same principle applies to the bond issue which the citizens of this community will vote on May 15.
If the voters of Atlanta and Fulton County approve it, our local governments will in effect borrow $54.9 million to meet immediate needs mainly for streets, schools and sewers-and bond us taxpayers to pay back the money over the next 30 years. The payments on this debt can be made without a tax increase, we are told. But if the bond issue is rejected and borrowing prevented, then our taxes may have to be increased in order to raise the cash to meet the needs, according to officials.
STUDY
The individual citizen, therefore, needs to study the bond issue and exercise
his own judgment when he votes May 15. The majority will prevail.
What are the community needs that a citizens' bond committee has asked us to pay for? Consider schools. Of the $54.9 million, $18 million is needed by the Atlanta Public School System, we are told.
NEW SCHOOLS
The planners of the bond issue say Atlanta needs 10 new schools containing
257 new claw rooms to meet the community's needs, just as the young married
man needs a house and caret wait 20 years for it. Moreover, 99 old schools
need renovating, 11 sites are needed for future buildings before the land
price goes up, and hundreds of thousands of dollars are needed for other
school purposes. Why the rush?
INCREASE
Because, say the planners, enrollment in Atlanta schools increases by 4,000
students yearly. And more than 6,000 students already are being forced to
attend school on double session for lack of classroom space. Schools are
overcrowded now-and the crowd is swelling by 4,000 more students a year,
they say.
Therefore, according to proponents of the bond issue, we voters should approve the bonds to meet the needs. Opponents question the needs or else the manner of paying for them. Do your thinking.
Since then, although the Council has explained its function to the student body, the latter has lent it little or no thought. And this seems the major complaint given in answer to the question, "How well has the Honor Council worked?"
LONG WAY
Most students feel that the Council has a long way to go. Says one HC member,
"I don't think its been effective because the student body not only
does not understand the Honor Council, but it is not aware of it ... teachers
should support it more."
Many feel that the Honor Council has started on its way to success. One student thinks that, "It's been effective to a certain degree, but it has a long way to go, And people must understand that. Right now they're crucifying the leaders." Another agrees, "It takes time, but it's been effective."
LESS CHEATING
A junior says more concretely, "I've noticed less cheating this year
in my classes than last year. I think this is the result of the Honor Council.
Many people are afraid of it."
Perhaps conclusively, one remarks, "In my opinion, in the last few years there has been a general maturing of the student body in regard to cheating. Bluntly, cheating is passe. Those who cheat are looked down upon. As a result, there is less cheating. To how great a degree the Honor Council is responsible for this, no one can say."
This is no time to reopen the questions of structure and method of functioning of the Honor Council. It is set up the way it is, and it must be given a fair chance as such. Two years is time enough to see evidence, but not a, pattern.
The student body must give the Honor Council opportunity to prove itself. With more effort to make all students and teachers aware of its possibilities, the effectiveness and worth of the Honor Council can be increased.