Model School

Few 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 Morrilton was trying to decide whether it would accept the offer to become "a pattern for other school districts to follow."

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 also have to maintain the system itself after five years. The question was also raised as to whether white and Negro students would be integrated under the model system. Said a Rockefeller representative: "No one in his right mind would set out to build two separate systems under the present laws." At week's end, with Morrilton's city council, Chamber of Commerce and civic groups favoring the plan, it looked as if Morrilton would accept Winthrop Rockefeller's offer.

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