Time capsule

As reported 40 years ago in the pages of The Columbia News, Thursday, Dec. 10, 1964:

School additions planned

Classroom additions to six county schools and the construction of three physical education buildings are planned for the third county-wide building program, the School Board has announced.

Superintendent of Schools John Pierce Blanchard said, "The board is very happy to announce that the third school construction program should get underway during 1965. We are definitely unhoused at this time."

According to a survey by the State Department of Education, 863 pupils in the county are improperly housed or unhoused.

Total cost of the program is $750,000, of which the state will furnish $487,000. The balance of funds will be raised locally through a school bond referendum.

Space demonstration

Students and teachers at Harlem High School were figuratively blasted into orbit Monday morning when they attended a unique space-science demonstration in the school auditorium.

A team of science-education specialists utilizing authentic scale models and performing dramatic experiments, reviewed U.S. space exploration programs. The lecturer was Edward Cushman from the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala.

The one-hour program was an educational feature of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Tax rates discussed

Tax equalization was discussed at Martinez Elementary School Wednesday night.

Hill Healan, executive director of the Association of County Commissioners, told an audience of approximately 30 persons that in order to provide the services necessary for growth of industry, schools and communities, it is necessary to equalize taxes.

"Most counties that undertake tax equalization programs have three things to correct," Healan said. "Low assessment, high millage and thousands of acres not on the tax books. This is true in almost every county."