Report of the city of Somerville 1938, Part 10

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1938
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 444


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1938 > Part 10


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PER CAPITA COST AND PER CAPITA VALUATION


Each year it has been the practice to show by comparison with the schools of surrounding cities and towns the relative per capita costs. Last year considerable space was devoted to details to show the economical manner in which the schools of this city are financed and administered. Only two factors will be referred to in this report, namely, per capita cost and per capita valuation, the latter of which indicates the ability of the community to pay for a suitable education for its youth.


From figures released by the State Department of Educa- tion covering the school year September 1, 1937 to June 30, 1938, it is found that the average per capita cost for the thirty-nine cities of the State is $103.46. The following cities


161


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


show an excess above the average for the State: Newton, $128.07; Boston, $123.56; Cambridge, 119.72; Fitchburg, $116.45; Springfield, $114.48; Lawrence, $107.19; and Wor- cester, $104.59.


Included among those whose costs are below the average for the state are found: Lynn, $97.27; Medford, $92.52; and Somerville, $88.58.


It should be noted that the average per capita cost for the thirty-nine cities has increased $2.66 over last year, or from $100.80 to $103.46, and that most of the cities have made com- parative increases, as Newton, $2.48; Boston, $1.06; Spring- field, $5.75; Lawrence, $7.22; Lynn, $3.12; and Medford, $1.40; while the per capita cost for Somerville was decreased $2.57 or from $91.15 to $88.58, giving it a standing of $14.88 less than the average for the State in comparison with $9.65 less than the average last year. It might also be noted that this placed Somerville in twenty-fourth position this year against twelfth last year. This certainly is an administrative accom- plishment of which to be quite proud.


Another important factor for consideration is that of per capita valuation, that is, the relation between the number of school children in the average membership and the valuation of the taxable property, real estate and personal, which shows the amount of valuation supporting each school child. Over a period of years in Somerville this pupil per capita valuation has been as follows :


Valuation of City


Average Membership


1927


$116,406,900


15,042


Per Capita Valuation $7,738


1928


120,172,300


15,190


7,911


1929


118,840,900


15,521


7,657


1930


122,420,200


15,632


7,831


1931


123,051,300


15,915


7,732


1932


150,285,500


16,030


9,375


1933


119,798,800


16,303


7,348


1934


118,100,500


16,616


7,108


1935


117,182,500


16,613


7,053


1936


115,688,600


16,707


6,925


1937


113,453,300


16,626


6,824


1938


114,522,100


16,623


6,889


Comparing this figure of $6,889 with similar figures from some other cities, as : Newton, $14,078 ; Boston, $12,536 ; Spring- field, $11,578; Cambridge, $11,470; Lynn, $8,915; Lawrence, $8,494; Worcester, $8,453; Medford, $7,121; average for the


162


ANNUAL REPORTS


thirty-nine cities, $9,578; and recalling the comparison of per capita costs, is it not exceptionally encouraging and worthy of commendation that Somerville, the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth, can and does operate a successful modern school system with a support for each child of only $6,889, ranking twenty-sixth in the State, at a per capita cost of $88.58, ranking twenty-fourth among the cities of the State?


CHANGES IN PERSONNEL


Each year the Superintendent is obliged to perform an ex- tremely regrettable duty in reporting substantial losses sus- tained by the school system by the termination of the active service of a number of efficient and faithful teachers, many of whom have given the best years of their lives devotedly to the children of our community.


Perhaps there is consolation this year in the fact that only sixteen of the instructional force have left the ranks. Of this number eight left to be married, one died, one resigned to stay at home, and six retired, two voluntarily (one of whom died shortly after) and four forced to retire by the provisions of the Teachers' Retirement Act.


Notable for length of loyal, faithful, and devoted service were the terms of Edith L. Hunnewell and Harriet F. Ward, 44 years; Martha M. Power, 381/2 years; Grace T. Merritt, 38 years; Agnes C. Rice, 371/2 years; Emma G. Blanchard, 36 years ; and Rena S. Hezelton, 28 years and 4 months. The in- fluence of all of these persons upon the lives of the citizens of our community will live for many years to come.


Eight persons were chosen to fill the vacancies caused by the loss of the above-mentioned sixteen teachers, and all were well qualified by educational training and experience in ac- cordance with the eligibility rules of the School Committee.


Pursuant to a belief in the minds of some members of the School Committee for a number of years that married women, living with husbands who are physically able to support them, should be prohibited from further employment in public service, it was proposed, early in the year, to amend the Rules and Regulations of the School Committee to conform with such belief. After careful study and deliberation upon the subject, the rule, which already prohibits the selection of married women for teaching positions, and which causes those women


163


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


teachers who do marry to sever their connections with the service, was amended by the addition of the following pro- vision :


No married woman now in the service shall here- after be employed as a permanent teacher in the School Department of the City of Somerville, except one who proves to the satisfaction of the School Com- mittee that she is living apart from her husband and receiving no support from him, or that her husband is physically or mentally disabled so that he is un- able to provide for her support.


Shortly after the adoption of the amendment a proposal was made to dismiss those married women teachers not exempted by the provisions of the rule. Adhering strictly to the provi- sions of Section 42 of Chapter 71 of the Statutes of the Com- monwealth and acts and amendments thereof and supplemen- tary thereto, which specify the procedure to be followed in dis- missing a teacher, on September 30, 1938 the School Commit- tee dismissed eight teachers. On October 14, 1938 another, who had been ill during the previous proceedings, was dismissed.


The dismissed teachers have appealed to the courts for re- instatement in accordance with their statutory rights, but as vet no decisions have been rendered by the Supreme Court, before which the cases will be tried.


SALARIES


Much has been said and written over the period of the past few years with relation to salaries and salary schedules, not only concerning those in Somerville but in practically every city and town in the country. Prior to the depression it was recognized that the salary schedule for Somerville school teachers was fair, reasonable, and equitable, and in keeping with the financial ability of the community.


During the depression every community was forced to survey carefully its financial situation and find ways and means, without materially increasing the tax burden, to obtain sufficient sums of money to care for the rapidly rising welfare and relief costs. Various methods were thought to be best in the different communities. In Somerville, it was deemed wise and advisable to accept voluntary contributions from the salaries of the employees of the city to assist in defraying the


164


ANNUAL REPORTS


expenses of relief. Employees voluntarily contributed from their salaries, ten per cent, then fifteen per cent. In the school system this contribution amounted to approximately $180,000 per year.


The School Committee directed other curtailments in an effort to effect economies without decreasing the educational offerings to the children. The automatic increases or step- raises of the teachers were suspended, and those earned but not awarded professional improvement increments were sus- pended, as were the rules pertaining to the sick leave of teach- ers, and the salary schedule for high school teachers, which is not automatic but in which teachers for faithful and efficient service are promoted from class to class in the schedule, by act of the School Committee was made inoperative.


It can readily be seen that while those in the higher salary brackets were the heaviest contributors to relief in actual money, those in the lower brackets or the group receiving the smallest salaries were most severely handicapped from the viewpoint of percentage. Through these curtailments some teachers were failing to receive as high as twenty-eight per cent of the amounts they should have had.


As conditions improved slowly, the voluntary contribu- tions were reduced to five per cent and then wholly with- drawn, the automatic increases and the professional improve- ment increments were again made operative and the sick leave allowances were restored.


There is still one step more to take before the policies of the salary schedule will be fully restored, and that step is the one which will make the promotional feature of the high school schedule, inoperative since 1928, again operative. It is the con- tention of the Superintendent that this should be done at once for its lack of operation is still being felt most severely by the group of high school teachers receiving the lowest salaries. A recommendation to this effect will be made before the close of this fiscal year and, if favorably acted upon, at least a par- tial adjustment can be provided for in the budget for 1939. Then at some time in the future steps can be taken to revise the whole schedule.


RECOMMENDATIONS


While reporting upon the ambitions and accomplishments of the schools for the period of the year just closing, it is


165


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


natural that recommendations for future needs should result from the activities of the year. Some follow directly as a part of the program already in operation while others involve activ- ities needed to keep abreast of the times and in a sense addi- tional to the present program.


In this report, the Superintendent has recommended that:


(1) The plan which has been developed for furthering our possibilities for research and guidance be im- mediately put into operation, of course starting with a skeleton organization which will be ex- panded as the units are arranged and become ef- fective in operation, and


(2) Immediate consideration be given to the restora- tion of the promotional feature of the salary schedule for high school teachers.


It is quite pertinent and necessary that attention be called again to recommendations made in previous years, but without result. It will be noted that these recommendations, in order to be fulfilled, involve other departments of the City and are in no way under the jurisdiction of the School Committee.


(1) Due to the overcrowding of the High School, in- creasing each successive year, the rooms now used by the School Committee should be made available for use of the High School by the erection of an administrative building for the use of the School Committee.


(2) For obvious reasons, previously discussed, a bill should be prepared and passage assured which would change the City Charter so that the control and maintenance of the school buildings and grounds will be placed under the jurisdiction of the School Committee, as is the practice in most other cities and towns in Massachusetts.


(3) It is increasingly important now that a survey be made of elementary school buildings so that a wise building program may be evolved and carried into effect, especially since it is necessary to give serious financial attention to additions to the


166


ANNUAL REPORTS


Northeastern Junior High building, the replace- ment of the Prescott building, and the replace- ment of the now unused Lincoln building.


CONCLUSION


In concluding this, the eleventh annual report of the present Superintendent of Schools, it is very gratifying to be able to report further progress in educational accomplishment, and to express appreciation for the earnest, cooperative efforts of the School Committee members, and for the devotion to their duties and responsibilities of all of the instructional and supervisory force.


167


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


Number of Pupils by Subjects December 1938


English


3469


Oral English


1633


Physical Education


2415


U. S. History


982


English History


96


Modern European History


564


Early European History


386


Ancient History


276


Econ. & Civic Problems


229


Elementary Economics


35


Latin


575


Greek


13


French


950


German


61


Spanish


256


Italian


215


Chemistry


618


Physics


184


Biology


792


Physiology


336


Astronomy and Geology


22


Trigonometry


66


Geometry


737


Algebra


806


Stenography


435


Typewriting


1526


Transcription


41


Bookkeeping


493


Office Machines


56


Clerical Practice


1014


Secretarial Training


38


Business Organization


363


Arithmetic


214


Salesmanship


174


Commercial Law


682


Commerce and Industry


849


Household Arts


397


Manual Training


124


Mechanical Drawing


340


Freehand Drawing


319


Arts and Crafts


111


Business Science


142


Musical Theory


208


Music Appreciation


415


Choral Practice


736


Student Activities


December, 1938


Orchestra (2)


65


Band


75


Girls' Bugle and Drum Corps


70


Girls' Glee Clubs (2)


164


168


ANNUAL REPORTS


Boys' Glee Club (1)


44


Student Council


34


School Paper 52


National Honor Society


19


Traffic Squad


80


Webster Debating Society


50


Portia Debating Society


50


Writers' Club


15


Players' Club


70


Stamp Club


12


Photographic Society


33


Chess Club


18


International Friendship Club


25


Boys' Athletics


493


Girls' Athletics


400


169


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


SOMERVILLE TEACHERS' CLUB


Officers, 1938 - 1939


President, MARY A. HICKEY


Vice-Presidents SMURIEL P. KING AGNES F. VIANO Recording Secretary, ESTHER M. DOOLIN Corresponding Secretary, MARY A. ROONEY


Treasurer, ELEANOR D. CAMPBELL Auditor, JULIA CONNOR


OBJECT


The object shall be to secure a close union among the women teachers in Somerville; to promote the spirit of mutual helpfulness; to advance professional interests; to create a deeper sense of the dignity of the profession; to unite the in- terest of the home and school.


PROGRAM


October 20-Dinner. Speaker: James Power, Boston Globe. "Europe Today."


December 1-Dinner Dance. Copley-Plaza Hotel.


December 20-Play. "The Gift of the Magi." Ivard Strauss and cast.


January 10-Speakers on Credit Unions, Insurance, American Feder- ation of Teachers. Entertainment-Musical Merry Makers. February 16-Fashion Show and Musicale.


March 14-Lecture and Pictures on Ireland. Short Play.


April 11-Presidents' Day. Readings and Tea.


April 17-Second Annual Dinner of the Associated Teachers' Clubs.


May 11-Pop Concert, Symphony Hall. Cambridge and Somerville Teachers' Clubs.


May-Annual Meeting. Election of Officers. Reports of Committees.


170


ANNUAL REPORTS


SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL


Students entering Higher Institutions in September


State Teachers Colleges


9


Framingham


1


Lowell


1


Massachusetts School of Art


1


Salem


6


Colleges


69


Boston College


11


Boston University


8


College of Business Administration


3


College of Liberal Arts


3


College of Practical Arts and Letters


2


Bowdoin


1


Brown


1


Emmanuel


5


Harvard


7


Jackson College


2


University of Maine


2


Massachusetts College of Pharmacy


2


Massachusetts State College


3


Middlebury


1


University of New Hampshire


1


Northeastern University


16


Evening School of Business


1


Lincoln Technical Institute


1


North Park College, Chicago


1


Radcliffe


1


Regis College


1


Rhode Island State


1


Tufts College


5


Other Institutions


49


Bentley School of Accounting (Evening)


4


Burdett College


17


Cambridge School of Liberal Arts


1


The Chandler School


2


Fisher Secretarial School


17


Forsyth Dental School


1


Katherine Gibbs


1


Lesley School


2


Mass. Nautical School


2


Perry Kindergarten


2


Summary


State Teachers Colleges


9


Colleges and Universities


69


Other Institutions


49


127


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


171


SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMMITTEE


Report of the Treasurer, January 1, 1938 to January 1, 1939


Receipts


Balance in treasury January 1, 1938


$500.83


Basketball games


963.54


Baseball games


569.85


Football games


9,068.67


Minor sports


41.21


Exhibition basketball game


84.15


Miscellaneous


20.50


$11,248.75


Expenditures


Athletic supplies


$3,677.41


Medical supplies


215.51


Paid visiting teams


2,153.38


Officials


475.00


Policing


1,081.00


Assistance at games


439.50


Postage


6.25


Printing


174.23


Telephone


13.95


Transportation


445.39


Entry fees


16.25


Coaching


160.00


Physician's Salary


200.00


Floodlights


600.00


Orchestra basketball games


91.00


Miscellaneous


320.48


$10,069.35


Balance in treasury January 1, 1939


$1,179.40


172


ANNUAL REPORTS


In Memoriam


RENA S. HEZELTON High School Died February 17, 1938


AGNES C. RICE Morse School Died July 16, 1938


IRENE C. KIERAN Knapp School Died November 27, 1938


173


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


CONTENTS OF APPENDIX


SUMMARY OF STATISTICS


Population and school census. School buildings. Teachers.


Attendance for year.


Cost of school maintenance.


Teachers' salaries.


MISCELLANEOUS TABLES


CONCERNING FINANCE


No of Table


1. Schedule of school property.


2. Cost of maintaining schools, school year 1937-1938.


3. Cost per capita of maintaining schools, school year 1937-1938.


4. Cost of maintaining schools for a series of years.


5. Cost per capita for maintaining schools for a series of years.


6. Amount spent annually for new school buildings and for re- pairs for a series of years.


CONCERNING PUPILS


7. Population and school registration.


8. Attendance, etc., of the schools for school year 1937-1938.


9. Statistics of the high school for school year 1937-1938.


10. Pupils by grade, June, 1938.


11. Separate statistics for high, junior high, elementary and voca- tional schools, for school year 1937-1938.


12.


Admission to first grade in September, 1938.


13. Number of junior high school graduates, 1938.


14. Truant statistics for a series of years.


15. Evening school statistics, 1937-1938.


16. Elementary school promotees for a series of years.


17.


Attendance statistics of all schools for a series of years.


18. Statistics of the high school for a series of years.


19. Promotions, junior high schools, 1938.


19a. Promotions, elementary schools, 1938.


CONCERNING TEACHERS


20 Resignations of teachers, 1938.


21. Teachers elected in 1938.


22. Leave of absence of teachers.


23. Transfers of teachers.


24. Number of teachers employed for a series of years.


174


ANNUAL REPORTS


STATISTICAL AND GENERAL TABLES


25. Changes in text books, 1938.


26. High and Junior High School graduation exercises, 1938.


26a. Evening High School graduation exercises, 1938.


27. Vocational School graduation exercises, 1938.


28. Organization of school board for 1939.


29. Teachers in service, December, 1938.


30. Officers in service, December, 1938.


31. School custodians.


SUMMARY OF STATISTICS


1-POPULATION AND SCHOOL CENSUS


Population, State census, 1895


52,200


Population, United States census, 1900


61,643


Population, State census, 1905


69,272


Population, United States census, 1910


77,236


Population, State census, 1915


86,854


Population, United States census, 1920


93,033


Population, State census, 1925


99,032


Population, United States census, 1930


103,604


Population, State census, 1935


100,773


Children between five and fifteen years of age inclusive,


October, 1938 by school census


18,333


2- SCHOOL BUILDINGS


Number of school buildings in June


31


Number of classrooms in use in June


527


Valuation of school property


$4,869,800


3 - TEACHERS


*1937


*1938


Change


In high school


126


133


+7


In junior high schools


167


178


+11


In elementary schools


241


239


-2


In kindergartens


30


30


0


Total, elementary and kindergarten


271


269


-2


Vocational School for Boys


13


19


+6


Independent Household Arts


1


1


0


Atypical classes


8


8


0


Sight saving


1


1


0


Cadet teachers


22


10


-12


Special


24


20


-4


Continuation


3


3


0


Americanization


1


1


0


Total


637


643


+6


4 - ATTENDANCE FOR YEAR


*1937


*1938


Change


Entire enrollment for the year


17,871


17,762


-109


Average number belonging


16,626


16,623


-3


Average number attending


15,564


15,551


-13


Per cent. of daily attendance


93.6


93.6


0


High school graduates


871


919


+48


Junior High School graduates


1,302


1,254


-48


STATEMENT OF WORK OF SCHOOL NURSES For School Year Ending June 30, .1938


PUPILS ESCORTED TO CLINICS


Oper-


ations


Conta- gion found in


* Home Visits


Hy- giene Talks


Pedic- ulosis


Un- clean


Eye


Ear


Nose and Throat


*Med- ical


Sur- gical


Skin


Dental


Corrected Vision


Corrected Hearing


Tonsils


Adenoids


School


Home


New


Old


School


Home


Beptember ..


79


6472


193


367


10


202


885


...


60


86


1


9


4


19


..


...


17


17


7


3


929


....


October


170


14437


1915


836


17


164


2061


19


204


3


29


17


1


111


76


2


52


36


1


1


2


16


16


26


61


8


2440


$29


November ..


139


9944


3812


581


14


101


1253


83


488


28


6


1


63


6


3


7


1


4


4


26


16


26


8


441


4


December ..


148


8880


2475


669


8


103


897


31


91


416


6


7


1


1


8


6


1


3


4


4


30


3


17


12


372


3


January .....


107


6473


1326


390


9


100


108


291


53


635


2


42


1


...


78


973


16


96


2


9


2


12


18


1


31


3


6


6


21


2


23


6


934


7


February ...


141


8961


1720


585


30


136


78


1405


128


21


676


2


72


6


7


17


173


202


9


5


6


30


1


18


7


401


3


March


119


8624


2610


654


18


86


27


115


674


15


13


654


92


10


1


10


26


3


22


25


5


0


9


48


1


23


12


256


April


167


11555


4056


756


8702


665


28


106


717


299


11


728


1


103


5


1


20


2


2


1


4


1


1


41


2


25


14


574


4


May


June.


122


6908


1767


689


14


185


1002


21


245


1


53


3


1


14


6


17


1


1


1


1| 1


28


12


8


93


......


Total ... 1343


91148


23576


5892


176


1298


9080


1456


575 5569


36


657


56


2


13


197


94


2


168


122


178 257


28


21


4 72


72


24


222


76


6962


50


ยท Treated by family physician or dentist.


New: Seen first time during school year. Old: Cases followed up


19,152 Children weighed and measured. 7,447 Physical Examinations made. 12 Class Talks In Hygiene given.


DATE


| School


seen


Notice sent to


Guardian


Teachers


Med. Inspector


New


Old


New


Old


New


Old


New


Old


New


Old


New


Old


New


Old


New


Old


New


Old


New


Old


Optician


Consultations with


Consultations with


Treatment in School


INSPECTIONS


Total No. of Pupils


...


...


1


9


6


24


2


522


...


10


9


9


..


673


758


...


6


161


11004


...


......


258


...


.....


Dental


175


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT


5 - COST OF SCHOOL MAINTENANCE


*1937


*1938


Change


Salaries of teachers


$1,259,827.78 $1,295,719.88 +$35,892.10


Salaries of officers


33,489.27


33,364.32


-124.95


Cost of books and supplies


45,373.25


53,473.20


+8,099.95


Cost of light and power


22,077.11


22,769.08


+691.97


Cost of janitors' services, etc.


112,884.63


110,719.09


-2,165.54


Cost of fuel and insurance


42,028.07


34,702.75


-7,325.32


Total cost of day and evening


schools


1,515,680.11 1,550,748.32


+35,068.21


Per capita cost


90.28


93.29


+3.01


Cost of high school instruction


284,682.94


302,665.40


+17,982.46


Per capita cost


87.22


90.37


+3.15


6 - MISCELLANEOUS


*1937


*1938


Change


Paid for new school build- ings


$152,587.22


$22,313.79


-$130,273.43


Repairs and permanent im- provements


52,847.00


48,936.43


-3,910.57


Total school expenditures ..


1,721,114.33


1,621,998.54


-99,115.79


Valuation of city


113,453,300.00


114,522,100.00


+1,068,800.00


Number of dollars spent to maintain schools out of


every $1,000 of valuation


13.36


13.54


+0.18


Number of dollars spent for


all school purposes out of


every $1,000 of valuation


15.17


14.16


-1.01


School year.


COST OF THE SCHOOLS


The total amount spent for the maintenance of the schools of Somerville for the school year ending June 30, 1938, is $1,550,748.32.


This includes the sums spent for care of school buildings, including janitors' services, fuel, light, and school telephones ; the amount paid for salaries of officers, and the amount spent for school supplies ; and the sum paid for salaries of teachers.


The expenditures for care for school buildings is wholly in charge of the City Government.


The amount paid for janitors is


$110,719.09


The cost of fuel is


34,702.75


The cost of light is


22,769.08


A total cost of


$168,190.92


A total cost per capita of


$10.12


Cost of repairs


$48,936.43


The third, and by far the largest, element of the cost of schools is the sum spent for the salaries of teachers. This expenditure is under the control of the School Committee.


The following statement shows the distribution of the sums paid for salaries :


-Day Schools-


Continuation School and


Expenditures


Total


High


Junior


Elementary


Vocational


High


Evening Schools Elementary


Vocational American-


ization Work


Supervisors


$27,101.66


$5,108.00


$5,125.00


$15,068.66


$1,800.00


Principals


53,050.98


5,000.00


11,375.00


30,224.98


$4,475.00


$590.00


$354.00


$132.00


900.00


Teachers


1,215,567.24


288,349.54


351,131.73


514,232.22


40,245.67


8,415.00


1,327.50


411.50


11,454.08


Total


$1,295,719.88


$298,457.54


$367,631.73


$559,525.86


$44,720.67


$9,005.00


$1,681.50


$543.50


$14,154.08


The second important expenditure is wholly under the control of the School Committee and is covered by what is known as the "School Contingent" appropriation. The following is the itemized account :


-Day Schools-


Expenditures


Total


High


Junior


Elementary


Vocational


High


-Evening Schools- Elementary


Vocational American- ization Work


Officers' Salaries ..


$34,047.40


Office Expenses


2,681.34


Text Books


20,476.89


$4,897.11


$6,276.53


$8,776.75




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