USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1932-1935 > Part 15
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Public hearings were held, as well as a great many meetings with the various boards. Reductions were agreed upon wherever possible and a budget was finally presented at the March town meeting which contem- plated no increase in tax burden over the previous year provided a 5% contribution of salaries and wages was received from all employees of the Town. The contribution idea was not accepted by enough employees to make it operative and the tax burden was therefore increased. It is gratifying that finally, at the end of 1932 contributions have been definitely pledged from all employees for the year 1933, even though the amount of such contributions is somewhat less than recommended by the Finance Commission.
At the Special Town Meeting in July a small group of voters appro- priated money to purchase another Town Yard against the recommendation of the Selectmen and Finance Commission. This, together with the necessity of additional funds for Welfare purposes and further reduction in outside revenue led to a higher tax burden for 1932.
During the year $157,800 of funded debt was retired, making a net reduction of $100,100. In spite of the fact that the Finance Commission is opposed to borrowing, on account of the emergency situation, it was decided to do so for permanent public works to the extent of $50,700 and the Special Town Meeting of July increased this amount by $7,000.
The present time emphasizes the danger of heavy borrowings in good times for permanent improvements, such as has been indulged in from time to time in the past. While we have splendid Municipal and School Buildings, the fact remains that in 1932 approximately 16% of the 1932 tax burden was required to meet debt and interest charges. This is a heavy burden and in times like these makes the problem of reducing our tax burden a difficult one for any Finance Commission.
H. G. JOHNSON, Chairman, ARTHUR P. ALLEN, Clerk FRANCIS W. SMITH, Finance Commission
ANNUAL REPORT -of the-
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT -of the-
TOWN OF NORWOOD Massachusetts
For the Year Ending December 31, 1932.
239
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
School Committee 1932
John J. Conley, 13 Central Street, term expires 1933.
Gladwin M. Nead, 40 Hoyle Street, term expires 1933.
Eugene L. Connolly, 13 Howard Street, term expires 1934.
Harold E. Shaw, 220 Walpole Street, term expires 1934.
Josephine A. Chandler, S Charles Street, term expires 1935.
Christine L. Probert, 11 Marion Avenue, term expires 1935.
Organization
Gladwin M. Nead Chairman
Secretary Elizabeth Zurba .
Standing Committees
Educational Program Committee: Mrs. Probert, Mrs. Chandler and Mr. Shaw.
Finance Committee: Mr. Shaw, Mr. Connolly and Mr. Conley.
Janitors, Schoolhouses and Grounds: Mr. Conley, Mr. Connolly and Mr. Shaw.
Fuel, Books and Supplies: Mrs. Chandler, Mrs. Probert and Mr. Conley. Appointment of Teachers: Mr. Connolly, Mr. Conley and Mrs. Probert.
Committee Meetings
The regular monthly meeting of the School Committee is held at the School Committee Rooms, Junior High School, at eight o'clock p. m., on the second Thursday of each month.
Superintendent of Schools
Leonard W. Grant, 414 Prospect Street, Telephone Norwood 1266.
The office of the Superintendent of Schools is at the Junior High School, and is open from 8:00 a. m. until 5:00 p. m. every day except Saturday, when it is open from 8:00 a. m. until 12:00 m. Telephone Norwood 0133.
Clerks
Elizabeth Zurba, 49 Saunders Road, Telephone Norwood 1155-W.
Mabel H. Newark, 36 Berwick Road, Telephone Norwood 1207-J.
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1932-1933
First term begins September 7, 1932, ends December 23, 1932 16 weeks Second term begins January 3, 1933, ends February 17, 1933. 7 weeks Third term begins February 27, 1933, ends April 14, 1933 7 weeks Fourth term begins April 24, 1933, ends June 23, 1933 9 weeks
First term begins September 6, 1933, ends December 22, 1933 16 weeks
240
Holidays
October 12, 1932, Columbus Day.
October 21, 1932, County Convention Day for Teachers.
November 11, 1932, Armistice Day.
November 24 and 25, 1932, Thanksgiving Recess.
December 23, 1932 to January 3, 1933, Christmas Recess.
February 19, 1933 to February 27, 1933, Winter Recess. April 14, 1933, Good Friday.
April 16, 1933 to April 24, 1933, Spring Recess.
May 30, 1933, Memorial Day.
No School Signal 2-2
Repeated at 7:15 a. m. No forenoon session for any school.
Repeated at 7:45 a. m. No forenoon session for first six grades.
Repeated at 12:15 p. m. No afternoon session for any grades below the Senior High School.
Repeated at 12:30 p. m. No afternonn session for first six grades.
Repeated at 6:15 p. m. No session for evening school.
241
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE FOR 1932
We believe that our report and that of the Superintendent of Schools should this year more than ever before place before the citizens rcadable statistics relating to school enrollment and school costs.
The tabulations which appear in this report are intended to offer a check up on all of the generally discussed matters relating to educational costs. It is only to be expected that in these days when the operation of government should come under closer scrutiny than in those years when it was easier for business and taxpayers to raise the tax levies and to meet other community requirements.
Table Ia. Enrollment for Ten Year Period-1921-22 to 1931-32 Enrollment
Year
Elementary
Junior High
Senior High
Total
1921-1922
1826
577
278
2681
1922-1923
1902
611
300
2813
1923-1924
1975
682
310
2852
1924-1925
1985
745
341
3071
1925-1926
2063
802
394
3259
1926-1927
2063
803
394
3259
1927-1928
1974
816
488
3278
1928-1929
1828
886
493
3208
1929-1930
1707
930
513 .
3150
1930-1931
1570
980
573
3123
1931-1932
1502
937
709
3148
% of increase
10 year period
62.39
155.03
17.42
% of decrease
10 year period
17.74
Comment on Tables Ia and Ib
A study of these tables reveals that Norwood is no exception to the situation which prevails country-wide in the growth of high school enroll- ment. For the ten-year period beginning September, 1931 and ending June, 1932, while the elementary schools have shown an enrollment de- crease of 18% the Senior High School enrollment has increased 155% and the Junior High School grades 62%. This story alone can almost account for the increased school costs in Norwood. For several years there has been the need of adding one or more teachers to the staff of both of these school divisions. The per capita cost of education in Junior High School and Senior High School has run from $10 to $65 more than for an elementary school pupil.
While the gain in secondary school enrollment in Norwood has been greater during the past two years which are labeled depression years, than in the preceding ones, the increased enrollment has nevertheless been
242
steady over a period of fifteen years, proving the demand for higher educa- tion and the recognition of its merits. The desire of foreign born parents to have their children take advantage of the opportunities offered in public education has displaced in large measure the desire to take their children out of school at the end of the eighth grade year and place them in positions bringing small financial returns.
Table Ib. Enrollment
1932-33
Anticipated 1933-34
Senior High:
12
171
269
11
269
266
10
266
324
706
859
Junior High:
9
324
288
8
288
277
7
277
24.
Elementary:
6
249
230
5
230
226
4
226
238
3
238
219
2
219
247
1
247
264
Special
42
42
1451
1466
Total
3046
3139
- 889
814
Table Ib shows an anticipated increase of more than 150 pupils in the Senior High School for registration in September, 1933. This will mean that the facilities of that building will be cramped to the utmost capacity in spite of the addition built two years ago. It will also mean the proba- bility of engaging additional teachers if the enrollment holds up to these anticipated figures.
The anticipated enrollment in the Junior High School is smaller by seventy-five than that of this year. This will allow the elimination of one and possibly two teaching positions. Indications are that the ele- mentary enrollment situation will remain about the same as that of Sep- tember, 1932.
243
Table II. School Cost Reductions-1932, 1933
Expended for schools, 1931
$362,522.97
Approved budget for 1932
$343,387.00
Approved for lunch counter operation
9,944.04
353,331.04
Reduction .
9,191.93
1933 budget as approved by School Committee
331,047.00
Lunch counter operation
10,688.70
341,735.70
Total of salary contributions agreed upon for 1933
29,579.10
Actual money to be expended on account of schools.
312,156.60
Total saving to town on school expenses for two years
50,366.37
Table III. Teachers Employed
School
1930-31
1931-32
1932-33
Senior High .
26
31
31
Junior High .
30
31
28
Elementary
59
57
53
Specials .
23
23
20
Total
138
142
132
Eliminations in Educational Program 1931-1933
a. Teaching positions eliminated:
1. Teacher of shop work, grades 5 and 6.
2. Teacher of sewing, grades 5 and 6.
3. Junior High School librarian.
4. Three teaching positions in the Junior High School.
5. Four teaching positions in the elementary schools.
b. School activities suspended or eliminated:
1. Beacon School closed.
2. Adult evening vocational classes suspended.
3. Summer school sessions decreased.
4. Supervision of lunch periods by teachers discontinued except in Junior High School.
c. Budget decreases:
To meet the emergency, the School Committee has made reductions in several budget sub-headings. It means in some cases the postponement of many necessary attentions to school property.
1. Care of grounds-$1,000.
2. Books, supplies and new equipment-$1,000.
3. Maintenance of school buildings-$1,402.
The total reductions in the school budget since 1931 on account of the eliminations described in the foregoing tables amount to $50,366.37.
244
School Department Contributions
Every School Department employee has agreed to contribute to the Town for the fiscal year 1933 at least 10% of his salary and in four in- stances the contributions are 15%. The total of these contributions based on the 1933 budget request for salaries as approved by the School Com- mittee will be $29,579.10.
The conclusion to be gained from this tabulation and the comment preceding it is that the budget if approved in town meeting will actually allow the School Committee an expenditure for all school purposes of an amount less by $50,366.37 than for the year 1931 and $41,174.44 less than for the year 1932.
The total anticipated expenditure for schools for 1933 will be $312,156.60 which amount represents the appropriation of $341,735.70 less contribu- tions of $29,579.10. The lunch counter allowance is included in the ap- propriation and is balanced by receipts as shown in the following table.
Receipts
While receipts accruing on account of schools are not credited to the school budget, the attention of taxpayers should be drawn to the fact that substantial amounts are received on account of education. The list follows:
Table IV. Estimated Receipts on Account of Education for 1933
Reimbursement from State-Income Tax:
Teachers' salaries (apportionment basis)
$26,400
Americanization.
2,000
Tuition of State Wards.
1,200
Vocational tuition .
800
Tuition of City of Boston Wards
1,200
Town of Westwood-tuition
2,400
Lunch counter operation .
10,000
Rentals.
300
Manual Arts
200
Supplies and miscellaneous
60
Telephone.
25
Total
$44,585
This amount subtracted from the total of $312,156.60 leaves $267,571.60 as the net amount which the town is actually called upon to spend for schools during 1933.
Conclusion
We have attempted through use of the foregoing tables and those you will find in the Superintendent's report, which immediately follows this, to show our recognition of our need of economy and the steps taken to affect it wherever possible.
245
The problems of operating the schools are many and diversified. Through the more than 3,000 pupils enrolled and their parents, over two-thirds of the population of the town come in direct contact with this all-important branch of municipal government. We believe it our duty to disseminate as far as possible information relative to the program and methods in use, for giving these pupils educational opportunities which will allow them to successfully compete with their contemporaries in other com- munities. Our committee has regretfully discontinued several teaching positions and temporarily suspended many educational activities. The program in the Norwood schools as it now exists is not an over-enriched one nor one which supports a set-up of so-called "fads and frills." We believe that the fairminded and unprejudiced citizen will agree that the curriculum offerings are not more than are ordinarily to be found in all communities comparable to Norwood and that in some instances an ex- pansion of our program is highly desirable and much needed.
We do not want our girls and boys to undergo attendance under poor school conditions and be submitted to the disadvantages in 1933 of a limited program of the 1900 type. We believe that our educational program should not be further impoverished.
Resolutions
Whereas Miss Lizzie E. Hadley has been a teacher in the Public Schools of Norwood, Massachusetts, for thirty-one years and has rendered faithful service, giving unsparingly of her time and effort for the children who came under her care,
Resolved: That the Norwood School Committee hereby records its deep appreciation of the services rendered by Miss Lizzie E. Hadley as a teacher for thirty-one years and expresses to her the gratitude of the Com- mittee and the Town of Norwood.
Whereas Miss Mary A. Hadley has been a teacher in the Public Schools of Norwood, Massachusetts, for eighteen years, and has rendered faithful service, giving unsparingly of her time and effort for the children who came under her care,
Resolved: That the Norwood School Committee hereby records its deep appreciation of the services rendered by Miss Mary A. Hadley as a teacher for eighteen years and expresses to her the gratitude of the Com- mittee and the Town of Norwood.
Signed: GLADWIN M. NEAD, Chairman, JOSEPHINE A. CHANDLER, JOHN J. CONLEY, EUGENE L. CONNOLLY, CHRISTINE L. PROBERT. HAROLD E. SHAW.
246
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Norwood:
I submit herewith my sixth annual report as Superintendent of Schools.
The School Budget
The report of the School Committee shows several tables relating to the cost of schools and the ways in which these costs have been reduced during the past three years. As a major portion of my report I wish to deal with the further explanation of Norwood school costs, bringing the considerations down to sub-items of the school budget, distribution of costs by subjects, and the expense to the town for education of the indi- vidual pupil.
Table I Cost Analysis-School Budget Subdivisions for 1933
Subdivision
Allowed in Budget $250.466
Per Cent of Budget 75.7
Salaries-Instruction .
Janitors.
23,280
7.
General Control and Health
14,140
4.3
Total for Salaries .
287,886
87.
Other Expense of General Control.
2,252
.7
Textbooks.
5,150
1.5
Instruction Supplies
7,100
2.1
Fuel, Water, Light and Power
13,350
4.
Other Expense of Operation
1,225
.4
Repairs and Replacements
6,400
1.9
Transportation
4,294
1.3
Other Auxiliary Agencies.
S55
.3
Grounds.
800
.3
New Equipment.
1,735
.5
Total.
$331,047
100.
The following conclusions are important in considering Table I:
a. The total for salaries is practically 87% of the total budget.
b. All functions of the school department outside of salaries have to be conducted on a total of $43,161.
e. The allowance for textbooks and supplies total but 3.7% of the entire budget, or 2% under the recognized index for these items.
d. The maintenance for all buildings (repairs and replacements) is but $6,400-four years ago $12,000 was used for this itemn. The total money called for to purchase new equipment and to use on school grounds is less than 1% of the total amount requested.
247
It is true that this is the budget approved by the School Committee for 1933 but a study of the 1932 figures shows a similar analysis. The total budget for 1932, however, was higher by about $10,000 as shown in the School Committee's report. The definite economies by which this amount was taken from the 1932 budget are also listed there.
Table II. Per Pupil Cost-School Year 1931-1932
School
Year
Month
Week
Day
Hour
Senior High
$157.82
$17.534
$4.3835
$.8767
$.1753
Junior High
107.39
11.932
2.983
.5966
.1193
Elementary
92.13
10.236
2.559
.5118
1059
Estimated Per Pupil Cost-Fiscal Year 1933
School
Year
Month
Week
Dav
Hour
Senior High
$135.81
$15.09
$3.7725
$.7545
$.1509
Junior High
94.21
10.466
2.6165
.5233
1046
Elementary
78.53
8.724
2.181
.4362
.0872
Comments:
a. The most important observation to note in Table II is the drop in per pupil cost of education from the 1932 figures as estimated for 1933. There have been contributing causes making this possible other than the salary assignments by school employees and the economies effected by the School Committee. Chief among these other factors has been the enlargement of class groups in the Junior and Senior High Schools and the accommodation of increased enrollment without the addition of teacher time commensurate with common practice. It is believed that with the ending of the year when the net average membership becomes known, that there is good possibility of bringing the average cost per pupil down to lower than $100.
b. The cost by month, week, day, and even hour has been computed for 1932 and estimated for 1933. A grade school child is given five hours of excellent training under the best of conditions for less than 45c a day; an amount smaller than that expended for the care of a child during an afternoon or evening.
Table III. Distribution of Costs Per Pupil-Fiscal Year 1933
Total Cost
School
Teachers' Salaries $105.48
Other Salaries $12.18
Books and Supplies $7.18
Heat Light, Power $6.55
Other Expense $4.42
per Pupil $135.81 149.57*
Senior High
117.80*
13.62*
Junior High
66.97
11.82
4.12
5.54
5.76
94.21
72.38*
13.22*
101.02*
Elementary
58.98
9.75
2.65
2.68
4.47
78.53
65.53*
10.92*
S6.25*
* Cost with salary contributions not deducted.
248
Comments:
a. This table shows the way in which the costs per pupil are distributed in respect to the chief items of the budget. These figures check with those in Table II in respect to per capita costs for the year.
b. The lowering effect by salary contributions is shown as for example under the Senior High School group, where through salary contributions the cost per pupil under this heading is reduced by $12.42.
Table IV. Special Department Costs-1932
Department
Salaries
Supplies Equipment
Total Cost
Per Cent of School Budget
*Americanization
$ 3,950
$ 100
$ 4,050
1.2
Drawing
4,000
700
4,700
1.4
Health
5,900
250
6,150
1.8
Home Economics
8,892
500
9,392
2.7
Manual Arts
10,096
1,700
11,796
3.4
Music
4,200
4,200
1.2
Physical Education
12,500
225
12,725
3.7
Totals.
$49,538
$3,475
$53,013
15.4
The State reimburses the Town for one-half of this amount. This is not credited to the school budget.
Special subjects such as tabulated in Table IV seem to be the ones which draw the most attention from critics of school curricula. People seem to think that these studies are a luxury that have found a place in the educa- tional program through fanciful and extravagant ideas of experimenters in this line of work. This is in no sense true and it may be proven to the most sceptical, if he is willing to give his time to be shown, that these subjects are and should be as much a part of the school curriculum as any of the so-called "three R's" or the academic studies found in the high school. Many of the advanced academic studies required for college entrance cost more money than any of the subjects listed in Table IV, for the mortality is greater and the number choosing such academic studies is smaller. Further economy in the high school curriculum could be effected by dropping several academic and college preparatory subjects, making it necessary for those seeking preparation for College Board examinations to attend private preparatory schools. I believe such a move would not be favored by many since it would directly affect the standing of the Nor- wood High School.
Those who clamor for the elimination of any of the work coming under special departinents, so-called, should bear in mind that the pupils, if barred from taking such work, would have to elect other work in place of it. There would be no saving in the end in the matter of teacher time and only a negligible one in the matter of equipment and supplies. Pupils turned
249
away from work they like and desire would be driven into academic studies or other subjects offered which they could not appreciate, in which they would lack interest, and from which they would eventually, in many cases, be dropped as failures. Program eliminations have gone so far enough now that I believe I am safe in declaring that the closing up of any other sections of the school program would mean absolutely no saving to the Town and that the only result would be discontent among large groups of pupils who would otherwise be satisfied in pursuing the program of work they had chosen.
Please observe the very small percentage of cost coming from the school budget for 1932 for any one of these subjects. While the entire cost of Americanization is carried in the school budget, one-half of this amount is refunded by the State to the Town, going directly to the Town Treasurer and not being credited to the school budget. The total cost of all these subjects is less than one-sixth of the entire school budget for 1932.
Table V. Textbooks-1933
Estimated Enrollment
Appropriation Requested $2,000
Per Pupil Allowance $2.50
Senior High .
800
Junior High
850
1,300
1.529
Elementary
1,400
1,800
1.285
All Schools
3.050
5,100
1.672
Instruction Supplies-1933
Estimated Enrollment
Appropriation Requested
Per Pupil Allowance $2.25
Senior High
800
$1,800
Junior High
850
1,075
1.264
Elementary
1,400
1,800
1.285
All Schools .
3,050
4,675
1.532
This table is planned to show the very small per pupil allowance for the common tools of teaching, textbooks and instruction supplies. It is normal to expect that the high school costs under these headings will run higher than those of any other divisions of the system since scientific equipment and textbooks for high school subjects are of greater cost. Every effort has been made to withstand cutting the allowance for text- books. In most school budgets this has been the first sub-heading to suffer, as a result of which children are using ancient textbooks, germ- laden and ragged. It is to the interest of several of the chief industries of Norwood that as much money should be used for textbooks as may be justified.
250
Table VI. Number of Teachers
1930-31
1931-32
1932-33
Average Number of Pupils per Teacher
Senior High .
26
31
31
27
Junior High
30
31
28
29
Elementary
59
57
53
28
Specials
23
23
20
Total
138
142
132
24
Through elimination of ten teaching positions the number of teachers has been reduced to 132. In the elementary branch of the system a list of all classrooms shows enrollment varying all the way from 14 to 41. In the three elementary special classes the enrollment is limited to 15-this of course tends to lower the average. The most desirable enrollment for the first three grades is 32; for grades four, five and six not over 35; for Junior High School not over 32; and for Senior High School groups not more than 30.
Centralizing any division of a school system always makes possible larger divisions-an example of that was shown in our own system when combining the Beacon School with the Shattuck School, it was required to fill all the rooms in that building to a normal capacity.
Winslow-West Schools
While considering matters of enrollment it should be again reported that the unusually large lower grade enrollment in this school district makes it appear imminent that an extension of classroom facilities must be provided within two years. Should the first grades continue to be as large as the one received this year, at least two more rooms than are now available will be needed by September, 1935, and all other grades would be left in a crowded condition unless more room became available. The Beacon School could be opened in this event.
Vocational Education
Under State laws pertaining to education a town which does not provide trade school courses is required to pay the tuition for such courses for pupils desiring them at trade schools located elsewhere. Nine Norwood pupils attend Boston Trade Schools where the tuition is $220 for boys end $160 for girls. One-half of this expense is returned to the Town by the State. Appropriations for this expenditure have always been made through the school budget, but under a recent ruling by the Town Counsel appropria- tion must be made by the Town for this expense under a separate article.
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