USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1898 > Part 15
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56.02
56.34
Cost for each grammar and pri- mary pupil
22.87
22.61
Amount paid for new school build- ings .
46,620.92
49,983.00
Cost of repairs and permanent improvements
20,506.77
21,273.82
Entire expenditures for all school purposes
290,400.41
304,722.00
Expended by School Board .
195,037.12
204,229.30
Expended by City Government
ยท
95,363.29
71,257.00
Valuation of city .
50,173,775.00
50,739,700.00
Per cent. of valuation spent to
maintain schools .
0.444
0.460
Per cent. of valuation spent for all school purposes
0.579
0.601
.
.
.
301
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
COST OF SCHOOLS.
According to the appraisal of the Board of Assessors, Somerville has $1,023,441 invested in school property. The most of it is of comparatively recent construction and is in good condition. The repairs and permanent improvements upon this property have this year cost the city $21,274, two per cent. This is probably less than would be expended by a thrifty owner upon property of equal value used for other pur- poses. If building committees and city governments would only remember that schoolhouses are to be used for genera- tions and build with greater thoroughness and stability, not forgetting that a little larger original outlay means future economy in repairs, more money would be annually available for other purposes. This repair expenditure includes the sum of $3,516 towards a new heating and ventilating apparatus at the Prescott School. This building was erected thirty years ago and supplied with a steam-heating plant, but the means of ventilation were wholly inadequate. Nine years ago the sum of $3,562 was expended for a new boiler and for an improved system of heating and ventilation. Lack of funds, however, compelled the committee in charge to leave the job but partly completed. The relief was marked, but if a few hundred dollars had then been available, recent outlays would have been much reduced if not rendered needless. The cost of the original heating apparatus was $3,038. If to these sums there be added $5,500 spent and to be spent since, the total expense for heating and ventilating apparatus for this building will be $12,116.
These repairs were not begun until after the 1st of August. The result was that they were not completed until after the opening of school. Indeed, at the present writing, the middle of December, the work is not yet fully done. The schools have
302
ANNUAL REPORTS.
been greatly interrupted, and on several occasions have been obliged to dismiss.
If some arrangement could be made whereby jobs of this sort could be begun at the commencement of the summer vacation, it would remove a source of great annoyance to the schools.
During the year, also, the interior of the Forster school- house has been completely renovated at a cost of $2,100. New floors have been laid and the woodwork painted and grained. The change from dirt and dinginess to sweetness and light has been marvellous, and has had the happiest effect on both pupils and teachers. At least two other buildings, the Pres- cott and the Bell, need a similar renewal. A fire in the former building on the afternoon of November 7, which occurring at night would doubtless have destroyed it, emphasizes the need of laying and relaying schoolhouse floors so that no combina- tion of yawning cracks, mischievous boys, friction matches, and hungry mice can thus endanger life and property.
Another prominent item of expenditure was caused by the much needed enlargement of the drawing room in the English High School, by the removal of a partition and the inclusion of a little-used corridor. The change greatly improves the facilities for art instruction. Another much appreciated improve- ment was the establishment of telephonic communication throughout the building. The entire expense was $1,114.
To provide fuel, water, and light, and to pay the twenty-five janitors of our schoolhouses has cost the city this year $29,234.37, an average of $3.22 for each child attending. This sum seems large, but it must be remembered that a modern school building is the coal dealer's best friend. To heat thirty cubic feet of cold fresh air for every one of 9,000 children for each of 60,000 minutes is a problem that requires large coal bins for its solution. Our janitors are paid an average salary
303
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
of $830 for large buildings, and $425 for smaller ones. And this is not too much for a janitor who keeps his building at a comfortable and equable temperature without wastefulness, who sweeps with requisite frequency and thoroughness, who sees that walls, windows, blinds, and furniture are always free from dust, who wages constant war against microbes with soap and water and scrubbing brush, who keeps toilet rooms invariably in a healthful condition, whose walks and yards are always attrac- tively free from litter, who denies himself the solace his pipe might afford on school premises, who is always considerate of the pranks and needs of children, who is ready to aid principal and teachers whenever he can, and who, amid all his labors and trials, preserves a cheerful, sunny, and courteous demeanor, - such a janitor is worth all he is ever likely to receive. It is probable that insistence upon the attainment of the standard indicated might leave some vacancies to be filled. Nevertheless, our janitors are not overpaid.
Will it be deemed impertinent at this point to raise the ques- tion whether in the revision of our city charter it may not be well to consider whether the appointment and control of school janitors should not be made to rest with the School Board. This is the almost invariable custom in other cities. The rea- sons for the change need not be stated here nor do they involve any reflection on either the present appointing power or the efficient supervisor of janitors.
And in this connection the digressive inquiry is raised whether in the drafting of a new charter it would be amiss to give to a body having in charge interests so vitally connected with our city's welfare and involving such large expenditures as those controlled by the School Board, a representation on the commission ? True, a school committee acts chiefly under state rather than municipal direction, but its powers and duties and efficiency depend in an important degree upon the
304
ANNUAL REPORTS.
organization of the city government and its relations thereto. In recent charter revisions throughout the country, marked changes in this direction have been made. The tendency everywhere is towards smaller boards with greater powers. It is hardly an open question whether the location, the construc- tion, the care, the repairs of school buildings are not matters that can better be committed to the hands of a board with a degree of permanency in its term of service, and composed of men possessing thorough acquaintance with educational needs and with all questions of school architecture and management, and having withal the business experience and sagacity to conserve the financial interests of the city. A calm and intel- ligent discussion of these questions would at least show the wisdom of the present arrangement if it did not perchance disclose a better way.
The sum of $184,543.71 has been paid for teachers' salaries during the year, and $4,700 for superintendent, truant officers, and clerk hire. This aggregates $189,243.71, and shows a per capita expenditure of $20.83 as compared with $20.98 in 1897.
The sum paid for teachers' services constitutes by far the larger part of our school expenses. The question of increase in the salary paid women in the elementary schools has been before the Board during the year, and was decided adversely. A discussion of the general question of teachers' pay in all its phases, while interesting, would here be out of place. Suffice it to say, that the trend is upward. Increasing demands, a wider range of subjects, higher standards, require longer periods of preparation, broader qualifications, better teachers. There is a recognition of the justice of the demand for increased pay, and sooner or later the call will be met. It is for each community to decide for itself when that time has come.
305
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Since the last paragraph was written, the city of Cambridge has increased the salaries of its women teachers about fifteen per cent. After January 1st, masters' assistants are to be paid $900, and grammar and primary teachers, $700. There is, besides, a provision whereby the salaries of not more than one third of the whole number of teachers may be increased to $750 after one year's service, if necessary to keep them in the city. This increase will undoubtedly cost us some of our best teachers.
The fourth and last element in the cost of school main- tenance is that of text-books and school supplies. The expen- diture for the year is $14,985.59, $1.65 per pupil. The average cost in Somerville for the last ten years has been $1.74, and throughout the State $1.62. The equipment of a new school building has been an unusual source of expense.
The main items of expenditure are as follows : -
SCHOOL SUPPLY EXPENSES.
Text-books
$5,333.85
Stationery and Supplies
3,965.68
Rebinding 4,000 Books
649.37
Book Covers
115.00
Laboratory Supplies
1,198.83
Drawing Material
687.80
Kindergarten Supplies
158.95
Pianos
500.00
Graduation Exercises
641.56
Printing
483.75
Expressage and Postage
295.18
Telephones
125.73
Travel
213.13
School Census
100.00
Miscellaneous
516.46
Total,
$14,985.59
306
ANNUAL REPORTS.
The aggregate cost of maintaining the day and evening schools of the city is $233,463.67, and the cost per pupil $25.70 as compared with $26.00 in 1897. The following table shows the comparative expenditures in detail : -
PER CAPITA COST OF MAINTAINING SCHOOLS, 1897 AND 1898.
High Schools.
Grammar and Primary Schools.
All Schools.
AMOUNT PAID FOR
1897
1898
In- crease.
1897
1898
De- crease.
1897
1898
De. crease.
Instruction and Supervision .
$44 68
$45 51
$0 83
$18 52
$18 34
$0 18
$20 98
$20 83
$0 15
'Text- Books and
Supplies . . .
4 95
4 44
*0 51
1 39
1 37
0 02
1 73
1 65
0 08
Schoolhouse Ex- penses . . .
6 39
6 39
0
2 96
2 90
0 06
3 29
3 22
0 07
Total
$56 02
$56 34
$0 32
$22 87
$22 61
$0 26
$26 00
$25 70
$0 30
*Decrease.
It will be seen that the per capita cost of high school instruction has increased 83 cents as compared with last year, while the cost of supplies for the high schools has decreased 51 cents, making the net increase of cost of high school mainte- nance 32 cents per pupil. Schoolhouse expenses were $6.39 for each year.
In grammar and primary schools there has been a per capita decrease of 18 cents in the cost of instruction, 2 cents in the cost of supplies, and 6 cents in schoolhouse expenses,-an aggregate decrease of 26 cents.
Taking all schools together, the cost of instruction has decreased 15 cents, supplies 8 cents, and schoolhouse expenses 7 cents,- an aggregate decrease of 30 cents for the year.
Although the estimates of the financial needs of the school department for any given year can be made with comparative certainty, it has grown to be the custom of the City Council to make appropriations considerably below the estimate of the
307
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
Board, thus placing that body in the attitude of overdrawing appropriations.
In this connection the following comparisons will be interesting : -
FOR SALARIES.
1897
1898
Estimate of Board .
$174,105
$185,125
Expenditures
.
174,064
184,544
Appropriation .
165,000
171,597
FOR SCHOOL CONTINGENT EXPENSES.
1897
1898
Estimate of Board .
$19,640
$20,000
Expenditures
19,522
19,686
Appropriation
18,000
18,000
The following shows how cach dollar of the $233,463.67 spent for school maintenance has been distributed : -
Care of school buildings
12.735 cents
Supervision .
2.013
High school instruction
16.014
Grammar and primary school instruction
58.209
Kindergartens
2.053
66
Music .
.989
66
Drawing
.428
66
Sewing
.627
66
Penmanship .
.514
Supplies
6.418
The cost of the schools is a matter concerning which the taxpayer is properly sensitive. "How can it be reduced " is a question more frequently heard than the more vital one, " Do the results justify the outlay "? If there is waste, or extrava- gance, or expenditure for which no needful equivalent is returned, there certainly ought to be retrenchment. But if for every
308
ANNUAL REPORTS.
dollar expended there is received full value in the wise and careful training and development of our children, there need be no complaint. Nor will there be. Our citizens have always demanded the best educational facilities. They require as good schools, as broad and thorough, as well equipped and as well taught, as those of their neighbors. While inquiring critics abound, no one has yet been found to advocate the false economy of neglecting suitable repairs upon school buildings. No one has yet asked, " Are not our schoolhouses too well cared for, too well ventilated, too comfortable" ? or " Are not our janitors overpaid"? Nor has any one yet appeared with sufficient temerity to ask that teachers' salaries should be reduced. Should the captious critic claim that classes are too small, he may be met with the rejoinder that at present the average num- ber to a teacher throughout the city is 46.3, that 40 is the maximum advocated by educators, that some cities have but 30, that extremists like President Eliot claim that 15 are enough, and that it is apparent to every intelligent observer that no other reform would be so effectual in securing greater efficiency for the schools and a shortened school life with its resulting decrease of cost, than a reduction in the number of pupils assigned to a teacher and the consequent opportunity of individualizing instruction and adapting it to specific needs. Should the anxious economist suggest that money could be saved by shortening the school year, he should be reminded that this matter is regulated by State enactment, and not by local option. The same reply would be made to the improbable suggestion that the same result could be secured by curtailing evening and high school instruction. The law requires these, and compels us to fit for college, for normal schools, and for technical institutions. Should our critic say that $1,000 might annually be saved by dispensing with the services of a drawing specialist, it would be said that the statutes require drawing to
*
309
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
be taught, that its economic and educative value is indisputable, that no subject yields greater returns in elevating and refining influences, and to secure unity of work along correct artistic lines, the services of an expert director are needed. Should one whose ear is not moved by concord of sweet sounds, argue that $2,400 now spent in musical direction and instruction might be used for more practical purposes, a thousand voices would be raised in harmony to tell him that while musical instruction is a matter of local option, after thirty years' test of its value to educate, to refine, to uplift, Somerville is not ready to abandon it and thus antagonize the overwhelming sentiment of the country. Should some fortunate benedict claim that the $1,500 paid to our sewing teachers could better be spent upon the highways, every mother in the city would dispute the claim and contend there is no subject taught that can compare with sewing in practical value and training power. Should the advocate of retrenchment claim that the $1,200 now paid for supervision in penmanship could at least in part be diverted to the purchase of copy books, and fifty per cent. of the sum be saved, he could be informed that that question had already been fully discussed by competent judges and decided in the negative. And lastly, if those who desire to lessen the burden of taxation without materially affecting the efficiency of the schools, should claim that the $5,000 now annually spent for the kindergarten train- ing of 200 children is a questionable expenditure on the ground that equal opportunities are not given all citizens, that only a few localities are favored with these advantages, that only one child in every fourteen entering the primary school has had this training and hence that the progress of any class cannot be materially enhanced thereby, that the per capita cost is twice that of any other school, the element of time being considered, that the just extension of kindergarten advantages to all parts of our city alike would require an additional twenty thousand
310
ANNUAL REPORTS.
annually, that the rooms are needed for primary school purposes, and that while the value of this training is admitted, still it is not an essential element of our school system, and hence, a community struggling with financial burdens ought to be relieved of this one,-to these somewhat plausible arguments it might be replied that the patrons of the kindergartens in our city are unanimous in their approval, that there is no disagree- ment among experts as to the educative value of this training, that every good thing must have a beginning, that the system will be extended to include all sections of the city as soon as suitable accommodations are furnished, that possibly the expense may be lessened by utilizing the services of the same teachers in different localities at different hours, and that the best of our citizens would feel that our city had made a decided educa- tional retrogression if by any possibility the kindergartens should be abandoned.
Thus each proposition for retrenchment may be shown to be incompatible with the requirements of those who insist upon the best. The more vital question and one much more difficult to answer, " Are our schools returning suitable dividends upon our investment " ? may be considered later in this report.
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS.
At no time within a dozen years have the school children of Somerville been so comfortably accommodated as at present. During the first six months of the year there were fourteen classes in the Spring Hill district on four-hour time, and during the three months ending June 30 there were crowded and half- time conditions in other sections brought about by April admissions, now happily abandoned. Relief was secured in September by the completion of the Martin W. Carr School which replaced the old chapel that under protest had masquer- aded so long as a schoolhouse in Beech street. The old lot
311
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
was enlarged by the addition of a strip on the westerly side and the building, which was begun in July, 1897, was ready for occupancy at the end of fourteen months, September, 1898. Of the building itself nothing more need be said than to call attention to the architect's description and plans, and to the photographs found elsewhere in this report. It is the largest grammar schoolhouse in the city and contains fifteen class- rooms, two recitation rooms, and teachers' rooms, store-rooms, and closets in abundance. At the risk of seeming ungracious. it may be remarked that in one respect the construction of the building is open to a criticism that applies with equal force to several others in the city. Although three stories in height with three quarters of the pupils upon the two upper floors, the only toilet facilities for children are in the basement and reached only by a toilsome trip over several long flights of stairs. When reached, these rooms are too small, a defect which occasions inconvenience and a loss of school time. In our future schoolhouse construction the health and time of pupils should be considered and adequate toilet rooms provided on each floor of the building.
The state of the city finances in 1897 compelled an unfor- tunate, but let us hope only temporary, advertisement of our municipal poverty in the curtailment of the lot on which this, the finest grammar schoolhouse in the city, stands. There are but narrow passages on either side of the building and but little room in the front and rear. A building that speaks so loudly of our educational facilities should have been so located that its architecture could be seen and appreciated, to say nothing of the desirability of room enough to keep the pupils out of the street and off the neighboring premises. It must be the aim of the immediate future to add the land between the building and Harvard street to the present lot. Public convenience would be much promoted if Cleveland avenue could be
312
ANNUAL REPORTS.
extended to Elm place, as easier access to the school would be thus afforded for a large part of the district.
The following description of the building has been kindly furnished by the architect, Aaron H. Gould of Somerville : -
"The Martin W. Carr school building, Beech street, was built by W. L. Clark & Co., contractors, of Somerville and Boston. The contract was made in August, 1897, and the building completed September, 1898.
"The building covers 928 square feet ; foundation, large dimension stones ; basement walls, large ledge stone up to grade line ; granite plinth course around the entire building, and struck granite steps to all entrances, both front and rear super-structure of hard burned water-struck red brick, and the trimmings of Indiana limestone ; copper gutters and conduc- tors, the best Monson slate, copper ridges and valleys, and copper hoods to vent stakes.
"There are four entrances to the basement, at the rear of building, which are provided with runs for bicycles. These entrances permit scholars to enter with their wheels, and pass to lavatories in basement, before going to schoolrooms. There are two bicycle rooms, one for girls and one for boys. One of these rooms is used for a wardroom.
" The boilers are located in centre of building. The boiler- room floor is three feet lower than that of other parts of base- ment. This provides ample rooms for boilers and other appa- ratus required in a properly arranged boiler-room.
" The coal bunkers extend out under the concrete, at north- west side of building, as far as the end of wings. By this arrangement the coal is dumped through scuttles provided for the purpose.
"The ceiling of the entire basement is of plaster, that of the boiler-room being on metal lathing.
313
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
"The lavatories are fitted with the latest and best class of fixtures to be found in the market.
" All wood used for finishing basement is North Carolina pine.
"The first floor is reached by three entrances, one at each end of building, and one at the side. It contains four class- rooms and two recitation rooms, - all of which are provided with slate blackboards; teachers' room with lavatory ; four wardrobes ; a large store-room ; a wide corridor with three stair- cases leading to the second floor, one at each end and one at the centre, directly in front of the side entrance. Stairs are also provided from the first floor to basement, directly under each of the above-named staircases.
" The classrooms, corridor and wardrobes are all well lighted.
" The second floor contains four classrooms arranged in the same manner as those on the first floor. This floor has one large recitation room, provided with slate blackboards, which can be used at any time for a small classroom seating 36 pupils. A principal's room, a store-room, and a teachers' room with lavatory, are also provided on this floor. The corridor is wide and all rooms are well lighted. There are two stair- cases from this floor to the third floor, one at each end of the corridor, and directly over the stairs from first to second floors. The centre stairs terminate at the second floor.
"The third floor has six classrooms, the centre rooms having a seating capacity of 45 and 50 pupils respectively. All are provided with wardrobes and closets in the same manner as those on the first and second floors, and well lighted. There is a teachers' room with lavatory on this floor, and a staircase leading to the attic. Each corridor has two sinks, one at each end. The stock used in finishing the building throughout, above basement, is Southern Ash. All floors are of rift Georgia pine. The heating apparatus is the best of its kind."
-
314
ANNUAL REPORTS.
On the 30th of August, 1897, the School Board, with hearty unanimity, requested the City Government to name the new school after a resident of Spring Hill, who for many years has been prominently identified with the educational and civic interests of our city. With equal heartiness the City Council endorsed this action, and voted to name the new institution the Martin W. Carr School.
Martin W. Carr was born at Easton, Mass., March 9, 1829, the son of Caleb and Chloe (Parker) Carr, of that place. He is a direct descendant of Robert Carr, governor of Rhode Island in 1692. His education was obtained in the district school and the Adelphian Academy at North Bridgewater. He began his business life by learning the manufacture of shovels with the Ames Company at North Easton. Thence he went to Attleboro', where he acquired a thorough knowledge of the art of manufacturing jewelry. In 1856 he went into business for himself at Attleboro'. Five years after he was offered a foremanship at the United States Armory at Spring- field, which he accepted, and remained there till 1864, when he came to Boston and re-entered the jewelry business in which he still continues. Mr. Carr came to Somerville in 1864 and served the city two years as a member of the Council and two years as alderman, the last year of that service being president of the Board. He also was a member of the Water Board one year, and has been a member of the School Committee since 1884.
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