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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