USA > Massachusetts > Bristol County > Attleboro > Reports of town officers of the town of Attleborough 1913 > Part 7
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Our present course of study assumes that the needs of all pupils are satisfied if they are all given work the
156
ANNUAL REPORT
same kind, and the same quantity at the same time. We have assumed that the needs of all pupils are the same and that the same kind of instruction will satisfy these needs. This is far from the truth, as we are beginning to learn. The fact that so many pupils leave school at the end of the sixth grade, when they are about fourteen years of age, because the school has nothing of interest for them, although their parents desire them to remain in school, shows that something is lacking in our present school curriculum. There is now a general tendency through- out the country to try to reach this mass of boys and girls who leave school early, through industrial courses, pre-vocational schools, half-time courses, etc., and to have them continue their education till they are at least sixteen. Our present law requires minors to attend school till they are sixteen unless they work at least six hours per day, or are engaged in some profitable employ- ment at home. The time in not far distant when the compulsory school age limits will be raised from fourteen years to sixteen years. Meanwhile, it seems to me we should do what we can to make the work of the schools more attractive and better suited to the needs of the in- dividual pupils.
This can be done, for the eighth grade. by differen- tiating the work somewhat along these lines. For those who desire to take the academic subjects in the high school, the grammar school work would remain much the same as it is now. For those desiring to take the commercial course or the work in manual training or domestic science, less time could be given to some of the present subjects and more to the special subjects desired.
Each course would still have as its basis work in the fundamentals as at present, differentiated somewhat to meet the needs of the pupils. Wherever such work has been tried the results have been very satisfactory, and I believe some such plan should be given a trial here. Any changes involved would necessarily be made slowly, and
157
ANNUAL REPORT
only after the whole matter had received careful con- sideration. I have no doubt that many pupils in our seventh and eighth grades would benefit greatly by such a plan.
IV-SCHOOL BUILDINGS
Number of school buildings January 1, 1914. 19 Number of school rooms (High School 10, grades 67) 77
Number of school rooms in use. 74
V-TEACHERS
Total number of teachers and supervisors at present employed 85
Number of teachers in High School. II
Number of teachers in grades I-VIII. 65
Number of teachers in kindergarten. 2
Number of teachers for individual instruction 3
Number of special teachers and supervisors 4
VI-Cost of Tuition
Valuation of Town of Attleborough, May I, 1913. $20,316,193.00
Total raised by taxation 381,677.10
Total raised by taxation for support of all schools 87,550.00
Total net expenditures for support of all schools, excluding vacation and even- ing schools 87,822.85
Average membership of schools from September 1912 to June 1913. 2,407
Total amount expended per pupil, based on average membership 36.49
Cost of books and supplies per pupil based on average membership 1.66
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ANNUAL REPORT
High School
Total amount expended for High School,
including High School share of gen- eral expenses 14,839.91
Average membership of High School for year 1912-1913 276
Total average cost per pupil, based on average membership 53.77
Cost of books and supplies per pupil. 5.15
Elementary Schools
Average membership of elementary schools
for the year 1912-1913 .. 2131
Total average cost per pupil, based on average membership 34.25
Average cost of books and supplies per pupil 1.21
The total net expenditure for the support of all schools, excluding vacation and evening schools, as noted above was $87,822.85. Of this amount $83,453.89 was covered by the seven following items :
Teachers' salaries $56,147.09
Janitors' salaries 8,065.32
Fuel 5,724.90
Text-books and supplies 4,000.94
Repairs and furniture. 3,706.93
Transportation of pupils. 2,891.99
Superintendent and Attendance Officer 2,916.72
Total . $83,453.89
The following table is an attempt to show by schools approximately how much it is costing this year per pupil for the principal items mentioned above. The figures are based on the average membership of the schools for
159
ANNUAL REPORT
the month of December 1913, the salaries of teachers and janitors according to the salary list, December 31, 1913, and the amount of fuel provided for the present school year. The table shows what it is costing approximately today per pupil for the items indicated.
COST OF THE SCHOOLS
Av. Member- 1. Teachers ship
Salaries Dec. 1913 Jan. 1, 1914
Cost per Pupil
2 T.B.&S. Cost per Pupil
3. Janitor Service
Cost per Pupil
Fuel
Cost per Pupil
Water
Cost per Pupil
A veragel Cost per Pupil for Instruction Books and Supplies, Janitor Services, Fuel, Water
High
. . 314 $11,050.00
$35.16
$5.15
$850.00
$2.70
$508.20
$1.62
$ 98.30
$ .31
$44.94
Bradford St.
314
8,775.00
19.24
1.66
1,175.00
2.57
910.45
2.00
137.19
.30
25.77
Richardson
429
7,725.00
18.00
1.66
1,000.00
2.33
673.72
1.57
129.37
.30
23.86
Bliss
346
7,050.00
20.40
1.66
950.00
2.74
517.01
1.46
49.80
.14
26.40
Tiffany
200
2,900.00
14.50
1.66
575.00
2.88
358.57
1.79
23.48
.12
20.95
Farmers
109
1,900.00
17.43
1.66
360.00
3.30
176.47
1.62
26.86
.25
24.26
Capron
57
1,275.00
22.37
1.66
264.00
4.63
174.57
3.06
14.67
.26
31.98
Carpenter St.
75
1,300.00
17.33
1.66
264.00
3.52
214.34
2.86
13.06
.17
25.54
Pleasant St.
76
1,050.00
13.81
1.66
264.00
3.47
172.34
2.26
21.11
.28
21.46
Briggs Corner
84
1,725.00
20.53
1.66
360.00
4.28
251.38
2.99
24.10
.29
29.75
Dodgeville
71
1,850.00
26.00
1.66
468.00
6.60
229.41
3.23
22.26
31
37.80
Hebronville
123
3,500.00
28.45
1.66
468.00
3.81
380.77
3.09
39.92
.32
37.33
So. Attleboro
106
2,350.00
22.17
1.66
468.00
4.41
374.33
3.53
22.91
.21
31.98
Washington
143
2,475.00
17.30
1.66
480.00
3.35
310.06
2.16
41.06
.29
24.76
Plat
24
500.00
20.83
1.66
144.00
6.00
105.60
4.40
10.30
.43
33.32
1. Salaries of supervisors and special teachers, $3,575.00, are schools, except for high school.
2. The account for text-books and supplies is not kept by not included.
3. South Main St. omitted.
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ANNUAL REPORT
Arranged according to the cost per pupil the order of the schools is as follows :
SCHOOL
Cost per Pupil for items given
All Schools
$28.14
Grades below High School 25.92
High
44.94
Dodgeville
37.80
Hebronville
37.33
Plat
33.32
Capron
31.98
South Attleboro
31.98
Briggs Corner
29.75
Bliss
26.40
Sanford St ..
25.77
Carpenter St
25.54
Washington
24.76
Farmers
24.26
Richardson
23.86
Pleasant St.
21.46
Tiffany 20.95
It will be seen from this table that the schools that cost most per pupil are not the large schools in the cen- ter of the town but rather the outlying schools where the number of pupils is smaller but the expense of main- taining the schools in practically the same as for the schools where the rooms are full. This is a condition that cannot be avoided but explains to some extent the per capita cost of the schools.
Teachers' Salaries
In May, 1912 at the annual election of teachers, it was voted to fix the maximum salaries of teachers as follows :
Regular assistants in High School. $850.00 Teachers in Grades VII and VIII $700.00 Teachers in Grades I to VI. $650.00
1
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ANNUAL REPORT
This was an increase in maximum salary of $50 a year for teachers in the High School, $100 for teachers of seventh and eighth grades, and $50 for teachers of grades below the seventh. These increases were not all granted in one year, a part being given in 1912, and the remainder in 1913. A teacher who is hired at a salary below the maximum may expect an increase in salary each year up to the maximum, so long as her work is satisfactory. Thus it happens at the present time that out of a corps of sixty teachers in grade positions only eighteen are now receiving the maximum salary, and the remaining forty-two, if reelected, should receive an in- crease in salary in September. Of course, if teachers re- ceiving the maximum salary resign, teachers may be hired at a lower salary to take their places, but it is very difficult to tell in January just how many resignations will be received in June. Consequently the appropria- tion for teachers' salaries must be based on the salary schedule for January, plus such amounts as may be es- timated for increases in salaries and for additional teachers.
The following list shows the salary schedule in effect January, 1914.
SCHEDULE OF TEACHERS' SALARIES
Position
Present Salary
Total
High School-
Principal
$2,300.000
$2,300.00
Sub-master
1,300.00
1,300.00
Commercial Dept.
1,050.00
1,050.00
Regular assistants:
Number receiving
850.00
4
3,400.00
Number receiving
800.00
1
800.00
Number receiving
750.00
2
1,500.00
Number receiving
700.00
1 700.00
$11,050.00
Grammar Principals-
Number receiving
$1,400.00
1 $1,400.00
Number receiving
1,300.00
1
1,300.00
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ANNUAL REPORT
Number receiving
1,000.00
1 1,000.00
Number receiving
800.00
2
1,600.00
Number receiving
750.00
1
750.00
Number receiving
725.00
1
725.00
Number receiving
700.00
3
2,100.00
$8,875.00
Grade Teachers-
Number receiving
$700.00
2
$1,400.00
Number receiving
675.00
3
2,025.00
Number receiving
650.00
15
9,750.00
Number receiving
625.00
7
4,375.00
Number receiving
600.00
9 5,400.00
Number receiving
575.00
2
1,150.00
Number receiving
550.00
10
5,500.00
Number receiving
525.00
2
1,050.00
Number receiving
500.00
9
4,500.00
Kindergarten assistant.
350.00
1
350.00
$35,500.00
Supervisors and Special Teachers-
Music (three days a week) $1,000.00
Drawing
900.00
Sewing
675.00
Manual Training (three
days a week)
1,000.00
$3,575.00
It will be seen from this list that for eighty-five teachers our present salaries total $59,000. From this may be deducted an allowance of $725, which may be expected from the Trustees of the Richardson School Fund toward the salaries of the teachers of sewing and manual training, making the net salary list $58,275. To this should be added the following items in esti- mating teachers' salaries for 1914:
Increases in salaries for forty-eight teachers for four months $900.00
Estimated expense of six additional teachers for four months-
1 High School
4 Old High School
1 Tiffany School
$1,560.00
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ANNUAL REPORT
Expense of manual training teacher for two additional days
160.00
Total increase for four months $2,620.00
Present salary list $58,275.00
Estimated total salary list for 1914. $60,895.00
165
ANNUAL REPORT
MANUAL TRAINING
The Trustees of the Richardson School Fund have bought an equipment of seventeen manual training benches for the new high school building so that in the future the high school boys taking manual training will not be obliged to leave the building, thus making a large saving of time for the pupils.
For two years the boys in the freshman class have been offered manual training as an elective subject, the boys having previously had one year of bench work in the eighth grade. Each year about thirty boys, half the boys in the class, have elected this subject. I doubt if any part of the work of the schools is more interesting to the pupils or more profitable for them. A visit to the school certainly gives one this impression.
The results have been so good that I believe the time has come to extend this work still further, and to offer manual training as an elective to the boys of the sopho- more class. This can be done at a comparatively small expense, and will be but another step toward a complete four years' course. The work of the second year would consist of wood turning, pattern making, and considera- ble metal work, together with mechanical drawing as at present. This can eventually be followed by work in wood carving, modelling, designing, and the elements of the jewelry industry, the complete course correlating with the industry of the town.
By another year plans should be made to offer the girls an opportunity to take some course in domestic science. I have already stated that the girls of the eighth grade can easily be given instruction in this subject when they are all together in the old high school building. The extension of the work to the high school classes would naturally follow. The largest item of expense would be for the salary of a teacher, the cost of supplies being a comparatively small item. I believe there is a need for
166
ANNUAL REPORT
such instruction, that a class in cooking would be as pop- ular with the girls as manual training now is with the boys, and that the parents would heartily endorse the in- troduction of this subject.
167
ANNUAL REPORT
Transportation Pupils Receiving Transportation January 1, 1914 Electric Cars
Interstate Farmers
N. & T.
T. & P.
Total
County St.
Dodgeville and Hebronville
Sanford St.
8
6
. .
24
. .
38
Farmers
. .
3
. .
. .
. .
3
Richardson
. .
. .
IO
2
I
I3
Bliss
. .
. .
. .
14
30
44
Pleasant St.
. .
. .
. .
16
. .
I6
Briggs Corner
. .
. .
. .
. !
22
22
So. Attleboro
14
. .
. .
. .
. .
14
Dodegville
. .
. .
5
. .
. .
5
Total
22
9
15
56
53
155
Jan. 1, 1913
IO
I4
14
48
59
145
Increase
12
-5
I
8
-6
IO
Barges.
Lindsey Street
Bishop Street
Wilmarth Strect
Read Street
Total
Sanford St.
2
. .
. .
. .
2
Pleasant St.
6
. .
. .
. .
6
Briggs Corner
. .
. .
25
. .
25
So. Attleboro
. .
. .
. .
20
20
Bliss
II
I7
. .
. .
-
-
-
-
Total
19
17
25
20
81
Jan. 1, 1913
I3
17
24
21
75
-
-
-
-
Increase
6
· ·
I
- I
6
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
.
28
168
ANNUAL REPORT
January 1913
January 1914
Total carried by cars
145
155
Total carried by barges
75
81
Total
220
236
Total net increase this year in pupils being transported 16
The net expenditure for transportation for the year 1913 amounted to $2,891.99. For 1914 the expense is estimated at $3.100, an increase of $208. Of this in- crease, $156, is due to the fact that for two of the barges for which the price has been $9. per week, we are now paying $11. per week, an increase of $4. per week for thirty-nine weeks. The rest of the increase is due to larger number of pupils carried on electric cars.
Evening Schools
Last year the session of the evening schools was lengthened from twelve to sixteen weeks. The schools were in session ten weeks before Christmas, October 8. mas, December 12, 1912. and six weeks after Christ- mas, December 30. 1912 to February 6, 1913. There was the usual and natural falling off in attendance during the second term, but on the whole the attendance was very satisfactory. To conform to the statistics for the day schools, the following figures show the attendance for the whole period of sixteen weeks from October 8, 1912 to February 6, 1913.
Bank St.
Dodge- Hebron-
Total
ville
ville
Enrollment, Males ... 215
55
40
310
Enrollment, Females .
58
24
15
97
Total
273
79
55
407
Average Attendance . .
95
36
32
163
Per cent. of Atten-
dance to Enrollment
35
45.6
58
40
169
ANNUAL REPORT
Number of Male Illi-
terates
83
15
16
II4
Number of Female Illi-
terates
I7
I2
2
31
Total
100
27
18
145
Number of Male Illi-
terate Minors
49
II
I2
72
Number of Female Illi-
terate Minors
IO
12
2
24
-
Total
59
23
14
96
This year the attendance at the evening schools from October 7. 1913 to December 18, 1913, shows a gain of 57 over the same period for last year. At the Bank Street School, an extra room was opened but even then the classes were much too large for efficient work. It is impossible to do satisfactory work with evening school pupils if the number of pupils in a class much exceeds fif- teen, and yet in four of our classes the average atten- dance has ranged from twenty to thirty. All of the rooms available in the building were in use, however, and it was not felt advisable to organize another evening school in another section of the town, especially as no provision had been made for such a school in estimating the school expenditures for the year. If the evening school is held in the new high school building next year, we shall have ample provision for all the classes we shall need. The statistics for the term from October 7, 1913 to December 18, 1913 are as follows :
Bank St.
Dodge- ville
Hebron- ville
Total
Enrollment, Males ... 253
41
88
382
Enrollment, Females . 66
24
35 125
-
-
-
Total
319
65
123
507
170
ANNUAL REPORT
Average Attendance .. 153
38
43
234
Per Cent. of Attendance
to Enrollment
48
58
35
46
Number of Male Illi-
terates
119
14
65
198
Number of Female Illi-
terates
29
I2
25
66
Totals
148
26
90
264
Number of Male Illi-
terate Minors
63
I2
24
99
Number of Female Illi-
terate Minors
I7
IO
IO
37
Total
80
22
34
136
-
-
-
-
-
-
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
In January, 1913, nineteen cities and towns in the State were maintaining twenty-three approved State- aided vocational schools. These schools "are designed to fit persons above fourteen years of age for work in the shop, in the home or on the farm, but not for service in business or the professions. They are supported jointly by the communities in which they are located and by the State, the former building, equipping and operating the plant, and the State reimbursing one-half the cost of maintenance." Under the provisions of the law such schools may give full-time, part-time or evening work. An evening vocational school gives supplementary trade in- struction, household arts or practical arts courses limited to persons over seventeen years of age who are employed during the day.
I have felt for some time that some instruction of this nature should be given as a part of our evening school work. There ought to be a large number of young peo- ple working at the various trades of the jewelry industry
171
ANNUAL REPORT
who would be glad to take advantage of such an oppor- tunity to add to their knowledge of the trade they are learning and thus improve their situation. There might be some difficulty in determining just what trades should be taught to benefit the largest number of people, but a beginning could be made with classes in engraving and chasing, and other trades added as the needs may de- mand. .
The management of this school would naturally be in the hands of the school committee, but the law requires that they shall, under a scheme to be approved by the state board of education, appoint an advisory committee composed of members representing local trades, indus- tries and occupations, to counsel with and advise them re- garding the management of the school.
For establishing a State-aided vocational school a vote of the town would be necessary, as well as a special appropriation. An article covering this matter should be placed in the warrant for the annual town meeting in March.
VACATION SCHOOLS
The eighth year of the vacation schools proved as successful as the previous sessions have been. The schools were held as usual at Dodgeville and Hebron- ville, from July 14 to August 22, 1913. The exhibition of the work at the close of the term brought forth many fav- orable comments.
Statistics
Dodge- ville
Hebron- ville
Total
Enrollment, boys
72
51
123
Enrollment, girls
76
50
126
Total
148
IOI 249
172
ANNUAL REPORT
Average Attendance
98
75
173
Cost
Teachers' Salaries
$156.00
$144.00
$300.
Supplies
68.72
54.28
123.
Total
$224.72
$198.28
$423.
Cost per pupil based on
average attendance . .
$2.29
$2.64
$2.44
Gifts
In addition to the equipment of seventeen benches for woodwork purchased for the new High School Building by the Trustees of the Richardson School Fund, there have been presented to the schools during the year 1913. 2,500 small maple trees for distribution among the pupils to be set out at home, by the San Souci Depart- ment Store Company : three steel engravings by Mrs. A. B. Carpenter, and an organ by Mrs. Sarah Chipman. all of which have been placed in the Tiffany School, and four flags for the Tiffany School by the Women's Relief Corps. These gifts are inspired by interest in the wel- fare of the schools, and are sincerely appreciated by teachers and pupils.
School Savings Bank Dr
Balance on deposit January
I, 1913, including int. ($86.97) .. $1,807.18 Deposited from January 1. 1913 to January 1, 1914 4.406.50 Interest from November, 1912 to May. I913 25.97
Interest from May, 1913 to November 1913 23.57
Total
$6.263.22
173
ANNUAL REPORT
Cr.
Transferred to pupils' individual ac-
counts, January 1, 1913 to January
1, 1914 3,868.00
Withdrawn, 1913 115.08
Withdrawn for expense of printing ..
10.50
Balance on deposit January 1, 1914,
including interest ($126.01) 2,269.64
Total $6,263.22
Total amount deposited since Octo-
ber, 1908 $23,499.98
Number of individual accounts
opened at the bank from October, 1908 to January, 1913 1,000
January 1913 to January, 1914 17I
Total number of individual accounts
to January 1, 1914 1,17I
Number of pupils depositing in the
school bank January 1, 1914 1,528
Educational Certificates
Important changes in the law regarding the employ- ment and school attendance of minors took effect Sept. 1, 1913. By this law all of the age and schooling certifi- cates previously issued were declared void and every minor between the ages of 14 and 21 who desired to work was required to secure a new certificate. Every minor, in order to obtain a certificate, was obliged to present some proof of his age, either a birth certificate, or bap- tismal record, or other satisfactory evidence. Minors unable to read, write and spell sufficiently well to enable them to complete the fourth grade of the public schools, if under 16, must attend day school, if over 16, must at- tend evening school. All certificates must be issued in duplicate, the copy being ekpt on file in the office of the
174
ANNUAL REPORT
superintendent of schools. All proofs of age presented by minors under 16 must also be kept on file. Employers must send to the office the certificates of all minors who leave their employ within two days after such employ- ment has ceased. These certificates returned must be fil- ed with the duplicate already on file. Every time a minor changes his position, he must secure a new certificate. Minors under 16 must also be examined each time by the school physician.
Since September 23, when the first new certificate was given out, certificates have been issued as follows : Educational certificates for literate minors 1,240
Educational certificates for illiterate minors 139
Employment certificates for minors under 16
287
Total certificates issued 1,666
The above figures include all certificates issued, some minors having received as many as six certificates in this time.
The operation of this new law has added greatly to the work in the superintendent's office and the ser- vices of an additional clerk have been required. For this position, Miss Myrtle Goodwin, a graduate of the Attle- borough High School has been secured. Considering the fact that a minor would need a new certificate every time he secured a new position, and that consequently there would be many more applications for certificates than formerly ; and in view also of the fact that hereafter all certificates must be issued from the superintendent's of- fice where all the records are kept, in order to accommo- date people as much as possible, it has been arranged to keep the office open daily until 12.30 at noon, and Sat- urday morning from 9 to 12. This arrangement, with the usual Monday evening hour from 7 to 8 should make it practically unnecessary for any minor to lose any time from his work in order to secure a certificate.
175
ANNUAL REPORT
Teachers' Retirement System
The Legislature last year passed a law providing a retirement system for teachers. This law takes effect July 1, 1914. All new teachers entering service after that date must become members of the teachers' retirement association. Teachers now in service may become mem- bers of the association by applying in writing between July I and September 30, 1914. By the provision of this act teachers who have reached the age of sixty years and have taught fifteen years in Massachusetts, five of which must immediately precede retirement, may retire and be granted a retiring allowance. This allowance consists of (a) an annuity provided for by the teachers' contribu- tions, the amount of which is dependent upon the amount of the teachers' contributions; and (b) a pension given by the Commonwealth as large as the annuity; and (c) an additional contribution by the Commonwealth, if needed, to bring the allowance up to $300.
The amount to be contributed by the teacher may be from three to seven per cent of her salary. This year the rate of assessment is fixed at five per cent, al- though no teacher may contribute more than $100. nor less than $35. Thus a teacher receiving a salary of $500. would be obliged to contribute $35., although five per cent of his salary is only $25. This money is deducted warded each month to the retirement board.
If a teacher dies before retiring the amount of his assessments is paid to his legal representative with three per cent compound interest. If a teachers leaves the schools of Massachusetts before reaching the age of sixty his assessments are refunded with three per cent com- pound interest. Thus a teacher has absolutely nothing to lose, but by contributing to the retirement fund re- ceives as much or more from the State as he contributes himself towards his own retiring allowance.
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