USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1913 > Part 5
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pelled to hire inefficient help. Many concerns have failed because many of its agents have secured their places through influence. Many schools have been, and are, failures for the same reason. The public can not always see or appreciate this; nevertheless, it is true, and the cause of such failure is unpardonable and one that someone must answer for some day. Precious souls are at stake. What is denied them in their youth can never be made up. It is their right to have the best, and no one should deny them this. The rights of forty children are insistent; the providing of a position for one person can not counter-balance them.
(3). SUPERINTENDENT. The superintendent is the agent of the school com- mittee ; he should carry out their demands; he should be their executive; he should likewise be their educational adviser. His is a business as technical and scientific as any business. His knowledge is the result of experience and training. He must be skillful in his business. These being facts, his opinions should be sought; his advice heeded; and his decisions given respectful regard. The sooner such treatment is accorded superintendents the quicker will good results be secured. The public are gradually awakening to this fact and, as a consequent, fewer superintendents are being discharged for doing their duty. In fact, such an awakening is occurring that soon, I believe, superintendents will hold office during good behavior, this being made so by State legislation. Until this is so, a superintendent, being a human being, obliged to work to live, and knowing that every year he must stand for re-election, can not be a free agent, unless Nature has indued him with an abundance of moral courage. It is a fine thing to be a martyr, and the world honors one-long after he is dead. But, in order to be a martyr, one must die, and most of them prefer to live.
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A superintendent must be untrammeled in his selec- tion of teachers. He fulfills no more important function than that of selecting teachers. He should be free to exercise his own discretion. If a board has not con- fidence enough in its superintendent to allow him to do this, they should discharge him and hire one in whom they can have such confidence; and when this has been done, they should grant him such power. The schools are the last public departments that should be con- sidered grounds for spoilation; in fact, they should never be so regarded, and should ever be kept aloof from politics and political plundering. A superintendent ought never to be obliged to fear decapitation for the fulfillment of duty.
TRINITY. A public, with high ideals, insistent de- mands, and generous support; a school committee, with sound business judgment, with breadth of mind, and proper appreciation of a superintendent's functions; a superintendent, free, unshackled, and skill- ful :- these are the essentials of a successful school organization. With these three co-operating as outlined above, each discharging its functions and leaving the other free to discharge its, success can not but be the ultimate outcome. Some day these conditions will exist everywhere, for the public conscience will become aroused to the point of demanding it; because, once realizing that the schools are the prey of politics and that the birthright of their children is being trifled with, they will rise up in righteous indignation and put a stop to this for ever and amen.
I am frank to say that, as far as the citizens and the School Committee are concerned locally, such condi- tions of co-operation do exist. The public are generous in supplying money; the Committee allow the Superin- tendent much latitude, particularly in the selection of teachers. The Superintendent is endeavoring, to the best of his ability, to measure up to the responsibilities thus
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placed upon him, in order that a complete trinity of en- deavor to do one's duty may be established in the management of the schools of Palmer. No present or past occurrence demands what has been said above. I have written this, not in fear of such a happening, but rather as a means of enlightenment to the future citi- zens of Palmer, our boys and girls, many of whom shall read this report.
SCHOOL REPORT.
It has been decided this year that the pupils in all the English classes in the High School and the pupils in Grades VIII and IX of the elementary schools shall read this annual report of the schools. This step has been taken in order that these pupils-citizens in the embryonic stage-shall become acquainted with the needs, the aims, the duties, and the functions of the pub- lic schools of this town, so that they may be intelligent voters when they reach the required age of citizenship. The schools need intelligent, sympathetic, and generous supporters-financially and morally-and there is no bet- ter way to secure support of this nature than to sys- tematically inform and enthuse your coming men and women. Nearly every other organization in existence is endeavoring to disseminate knowledge through the medium of the schools, because they recognize the value of starting and shaping ideas during this period of the plasticity of the youthful mind. If these agencies de- sire to use, and do use, the public schools for the dif- fusion of their propaganda, why should not the schools themselves utilize the same medium of distribution ? No one can possibly pre-estimate the future good that may come to the schools through such a procedure. The reading of this report is not required upon the claim of its being a masterpice in English; it is required because of its informative nature and its possible educative value along strictly school lines.
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
In order that a fairly accurate idea may be gained of the things actually done during the incumbency of the present Superintendent, a brief enumeration is given :
(1). Changes in the teaching force have been many. Since July, 1911, our system has lost 34 teachers by resignation and one by death, making 35 vacancies. The present executive has made 35 appointments and 10 transfers. The teaching force now numbers 48. Of the present corps, only 18 teachers are now occupying the positions held by them in July, 1911. The following statistics indicate the schools and the number of teachers who have remained unchanged in them during the past two and one-half years :- High School, 4; Palmer Gram- mar, 2; Thorndike Grammar, 3; Three Rivers Grammar, 4; Bondsville Grammar, 2; Palmer Center, 1; Shorley, 1; Supervisors, 1. In view of the many changes, it might seem to reflect upon the present director of school affairs if it were not herein stated that none of these resigna- tions were called for by him; also that the transfers were made because of fitness, and not unfitness. By reason of appointment and transfer, these 45 new instructors are, or were, employed as follows :- High School, 7; Palmer 15; Thorndike, 4; Three Rivers, 6; Bondsville, 8; Districts, 5. With so many and frequent changes, it seems next to impossible to secure much uniformity of work. Mention of this will be made later.
(2). Many changes in the business end of the office have been effected :
(a). Carefully prepared estimates of the expense to be involved each year are furnished the Committee of Fifteen for their consideration in recommending ap- propriations for school purposes to citizens at the annual appropriation meeting.
(b). A card system of bookkeeping has been in- stalled. The exact standing of the finances of the school department can be ascertained within a very short time whenever desired.
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(c.). The cost of every school in town is kept separately so that definite information can be obtained easily as to the exact expense of operation of each school in every particular.
(d). Monthly statements are isssued after each pay- roll is gotten out for the information of the School Com- mittee as to condition of each account.
(e). Nothing of importance that can be reduced to writing and figures is presented to the School Committee unless drawn up and typewritten in such form as to readily inform the members exactly what is involved.
(f). A duly and deliberately prepared typewritten statement upon the condition of the schools is rendered to the Committee in May of each year.
(g). Labor certificates have been issued to six hundred minors between the ages of 14 and 21 years since last April. Duplicates of these, together with the evidence required for their issuance, are filed in the office. This alone involves much clerical work.
(h). The method of insuring the school property has been completely changed. Previous to March of last year, the amount of insurance carried on school property was $109,450. Of this amount, $59,500. was insured at 11/2% for 5 years; $49,950. at 3%. The total premium would amount to $2,382.50 at those rates. In order to fulfill the terms of the contract-that is, insure our build- ings at 80% of their value and their contents at 90%-the amount carried should have been $148,000. Of this amount at the previous rates, $62,500 would have been written at 11/2% and $85,500 at 3%, making a total prem- ium of $3,502.50 every five years, or $748.50 yearly. After much discussion, the insurance companies made a flat rate of 11/2% on all school property, the same to be car- ried under a blanket form of insurance. Our total prem- ium for five years is now $2,340, which means a yearly cost of $468. This means a yearly saving of $280.50
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and for every five years a saving of $1,402.50. In addi- tion to this, as the schools are now insured in accordance with the requirements of the policies, there is no chance of a loss in case of partial destruction by fire. You are co-insurers to the extent of 20% and 10% on your build- ings and their contents respectively; under the old method as carried out, you were co-insurers to the ex- tent of 30 to 40%, in case of partial loss. The insurance has been placed upon a firm basis; in the opinion of the writer, it would be to the advantage of the town if all the town property, including the school, were insured under one blanket form. It would mean a better rate and a sizeable reduction in cost. This is merely a sug- gestion.
(i). All statistical information and correspondence are kept on file for future reference. The amount of such is very large, and requires much time and attention.
(j). A capable clerk has been employed, making nearly all of the above-mentioned changes possible. This was done as a matter of economy, inasmuch as it seemed poor economy for a superintendent to spend his time and energy in performing the duties of a clerk. This policy has proven its wisdom in manifold ways in the addition- al time given the Superintendent, for his time that may be devoted to the schools has been increased 100%. In addition to this, there has been a big saving financially, because many matters are handled more carefully and more business-like as a consequence of a sufficiency of office help. The insurance saving alone pays more than half of a clerk's salary.
(k). The tuition charge in the High School and in the grades has been increased; the former from $35 to $50, and the latter from $15 to $25. This was done so that the town would get the actual cost per pupil, which it now does for out-of-town grade pupils. The tuition charge in our High School is still too low, as it costs us about $75 per year for the education of everyone of
.
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these pupils. There is no reason, in so far as I can see, why the Town of Palmer should educate the pupils of other towns at an actual loss of $25 per pupil.
(3). Many educational changes have been effected :
(a). Sixteen outlines, well organized, neatly type- written and covered, have been sent out from the office to the grade teachers. In all, these outlines represent 10,711 type-written pages. Taking one subject at a time, the work in the various studies has been largely made over. In nearly all the subjects, the work from Grades 1-9 has been carefully and systematically planned. This has meant an enormous amount of work. The out- lines and suggestions made out thuis far are as follows :
Grade
No. of No. of Total No. Copies Pages of Pages
Suggestions for Primary Reading,
1-3
30
8 240
Suggestions for Arithmetic,
7-9
16
10
160
Suggestions for Arithmetic,
3-6
20
18
360
Course of Study-Arithmetic,
1-9
44
33
1,452
Suggestions for Schoolroom Work,
1-9
50
9
450
Stories for Reproduction,
1-4
24
6
144
Suggestions for Spelling,
1-9
40
2
80
Graded List of Poems,
1-9
40
23
920
Time Schedule,
1-9
40
2
80
Phonetic List,
1-4
30
12
360
Home Reading for High School,
100
9
900
Course of Study-History,
1-9
40
29
1,160
Rules-Medical Inspection,
1-9
45
5
225
Course of Study-Reading,
1-9
44
31
1364
Course of Study-Physiology and Hygiene,
1-9
44
10
440
Course of Study-Language and Grammar,
1-9
44
54 2,376
651
10,711
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(b). A new scheme of Penny Savings has been in- augurated, the first of its kind in the State and one largely patterned after throughout the State. This sys- tem was started November 20, 1911, and upon December 26, 1913, $6,071.21 had been deposited, a remarkably large deposit for a period of two years.
(c). Library books have been placed in three of our village schools. Pupils in Grades 4-9 have access to these books, which are obtained from the Young Men's Library. These books were placed in these schools last spring and showed a circulation of 1,401 in a few months.
(d). The Commercial Department of the High School has been placed upon a firm footing. The teach- ing corps here has been increased and strengthened. New quarters, good equipment, and other essentials have been supplied. The quality of graduates turned out has been good. The Department has two instructors, two rooms, special desks, bank, filing cabinets, 22 new type- writers, telephone, and other necessary equipment. Nearly every graduate has been placed in a position by the school.
(e). The English work in the High School has been greatly broadened. Regular work is given in Rhetoricals and Public Speaking. Debates, prize speaking contests, presentations of plays, and assemblies have been held. A paper is published four times a year.
(f). The discipline, the spirit of work, and the school spirit in general have improved in the High School. Good work in the Departments of Mathematics, Languages, Science, and History is being done. Very favorable comment is made by all visiting schoolmen. Prof. Long of the Modern Language Department, Wor- cester Polytechnic Institute, in looking over our school previous to re-granting us the Certificate Privilege for the next three years, expressed surprise at the good quality of work being done. He thought the work a
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credit to any high school, but more especially so to a small one.
(g). New ideas in the teaching of Arithmetic, Language and Grammar, Reading, History, and Spelling have been introduced. These subjects will be taken up more specifically later.
(h). The discipline, attendance, and spirit of in- dustry in all the schools have improved.
Average Membership For Twenty Years
Year
High
Palmer
Grammar
Three
Rivers
Grammar
Thorndike
Grammar
Bondsville
Grammar
A11
Schools
1893-94
74
230.3
166
194,1
157.1
919.7
1894-95
73.2
229.7
163.6
216.1
168.1
967.5
1895-96
72.36
219.98
208.86
224.99
185.26
981.8
1896-97
75.43
220.67
202.97
226.30
178.58
953.83
1897-98
77.7
225.64
180.08
217.88
176.15
1023.2
1398-99
82.58
249.34
191.81
211.53
198.99
1050.51
1899-1900
76.5
262.30
193.41
235.69
193.55
1075.85
1900-01
74
263.74
217.85
227.93
185.63
1051.9
1901-02
63.68
278.33
200.43
224.01
188.37
955.62
1902-03
86.53
284.27
151.51
155.79
198.17
978.82
1903-04
97.97
298.98
160.68
138.94
193.41
1031.64
1904-05
108.24
31.8.85
169.67
144.4
202.97
1107.91
1905-06
105.27
346.82
182.35
164.02
213.68
1084.67
1906-07
111.22
357.43
177.97
177.4
204.64
1039.24
1907-08
116.2
330.5
178.87
173.29
201.82
1151.19
1908-09
104.8
378.5
215.71
184.65
209.94
1193.56
1909-10
113.27
384.22
260.72
189.54
203.74
1243.56
1910-11
121.13
371.21
288.35
197.68
222.35
1298.9
1911-12
136.86
431.53
294.32
209.11'
235.64
1411.33
1912-13
143.78
437.57
312.80
215.14
239.09
1433.71
ยท
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SCHOOL CAPACITY.
A careful study of the average membership statistics for the past twenty years shows a remarkably large in- crease in the number of pupils who attend our schools to-day as compared with the number who attended back in 1893. Nothing will give you a better idea of the growth of our town within this period of time than will a thoughtful perusal of these figures. In 1893-94, our total average membership was 919.7; in 1912-13, it was 1433.71, an increase of 514.01 or 56%. This would av- erage a yearly percent. of increase of about 2.8%. In 1903-04, the average membership was 1031.64; in 1912- 13, 1433.71, an increase of 402.07 in ten years or 39%. This averages about 3.9% increase per year. In 1908-09, the average membership was 1193.56; in 1912-13, 1433.71, an increase of 240.15 in five years or 20%, averaging about 4% per year. Based upon a period of twenty years, our yearly rate of increase has been 2.8% ; upon ten years, 3.9% ; upon five years, 4%. It seems safe to assume, then, that our rate of increase will average about 4% per year. This means that five years hence our average membership will be about 1720; ten years hence about 2,000; twenty years hence about 2,400. Such increases, as can be readily seen, will mean more school buildings.
In order to give some basis upon which you can work with as much certainty as you can secure from any other means, I will present here a statement relative to the present capacity and the apparently to-be-needed capacity some years hence.
HIGH SCHOOL. Twenty years ago the average mem- bership was 74; last year, 143.78, an increase of 69.78 or 93%, averaging a yearly percent. of 4.7%. Ten years ago, it was 97.97; last year, 143.78, an increase of 45.81, or 47%, averaging yearly 4.7%. Five years ago, it was 104.80; last year, 143.78, an in- crease of 37%, averaging yearly 7.4%.
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The housing capacity of our High School is about 250 pupils,-that is, we can take care of that number with some crowding. Using the rate of increase for the last ten years, 47%, the present building will take care of our enrollment for ten years. If the rate of the last five years is maintained, our school will be well filled in about five or six years.
PALMER GRAMMAR. This building is already over- crowded and we are compelled to house one room in the High School. An addition or the erection of a new building is already imperative here. The question is not, then, whether or not we shall build, but rather how and where we shall build.
Twenty years ago, the average membership in this school was 230.30; last year it was 437.57, an increase of 207.27, or 90% for twenty years, averaging 4.5% per year. Ten years ago, it was 298.98; last year, 437.57, an increase of 138.59, or 46%, averaging a yearly rate of 4.6%. Five years ago, it was 378.5; last year, 437.57, an increase of 16%, averaging a yearly rate of 3.1%.
In case of an addition or new building being erected, the question that will arise will be how large shall it be-a four or eight room building. Using the rate of increase for the last ten or twenty years, a four room addition will take care of the school enrollment here for about seven years; an eight room addition, for about fifteen years.
There are several possibilities for taking care of the due increase in this village. There are three possibilities of adding on the present building. Any such addition will call for the purchase of more land. Yet, whether the building is enlarged or not, the Town ought, out of fairness to the boys and girls, to purchase more land here for playground purposes. No one can deny that the yard room at this building is altogether too small for 450 children to play on. It is absolutely necessary
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to keep the pupils out of the streets, as this building is on the main thoroughfare for automobiles between New York and Boston. Thus far, through good luck, no child has been injured. How long we shall be thus favored no one can tell. Therefore, in view of this fact and also the advantage of having such a school centrally located and concentrated, it seems wisest to plan to add to the present building. As far as cost of construction is concerned, it is proportionately cheaper to build an eight than a four room addition. This would further seem the more advisable in view of the fact that a four room addition would take care of the in- crease for a short period of time only. The larger addi- tion will care for this for several years and, for the next seven or eight years, afford a large assembly hall that will seat some 800 people. If the Town, and particular- ly the schools, need anything badly, they need an as- sembly hall.
THREE RIVERS GRAMMAR. This building is the most crowded one in town. We are housing in it now some 350 to 360 children. There are eight rooms in the building with the following enrollments :- 28, 44, 49, 47, 45, 44, 43, and 49. The enrollment varies from month to month. This is the smallest at any time this year. Yet this means an average enrollment per room of 44. When you con- sider that four of these rooms contain two grades in each and that about 55% of these pupils are children of one foreign race-many of whom can not speak a word of English when they enter school-you will speedily un- derstand that such numbers are entirely too large. If a school is expected to meet others in fair competition, it must be allowed to work under fair conditions. These conditions certainly are not fair to either pupils or teachers. If an increase of twenty pupils should occur next year, the present building can not possibly take care of them.
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Twenty years ago, Three Rivers had an average membership of 166; last year, 312.80, an increase of 146.8 or 88%, averaging a yearly rate of 4.4%. Ten years ago, it had 160.68; last year, 312.8, an increase of 152.12 or 95%, averaging yearly 9.5%. Five years ago, it had 215.71; last year, 312.8, an increase of 97.09 or 45%, or yearly 9%. It would seem that a yearly rate of 9% ought to be taken in estimating future enroll- ments. If so, a four room addition here will take care of the increase for about six or seven years; an eight room addition, about twelve years.
THORNDIKE GRAMMAR.
Thorndike has shown a smaller increase than any of the foregoing schools. In twenty years, she gained 11% or about 1/2% per year. During the last ten years, she has gained 55% ; and during the last five years, she has gained 16%. These increases average 51/2 and 31-5% respectively. There are still two unused rooms in this building and with the rate of increase of the last five or ten years, this school is ample in size for the next ten years.
BONDSVILLE GRAMMAR. An addition was made to this building this past year. The rate of increase here has been 2.6%, 1.8%, and 2.8% for twenty, ten, and five years respectively. At this rate of increase this building will care for this village for fifteen or twenty years.
These figures are simply estimates; they may and they may not become actualities; no one can truly and accurately foretell what the future holds in store. Never- theless, they will furnish much food for thought. Addi- tions are necessary and, unless foreseen and wisely taken care of, the Town will be called upon suddenly to make extensive outlays of money within a very few years. I would suggest that the Town appoint a special committee to carefully investigate the needs of the schools in re-
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gard to additions and to make a special report to the citizens assembled at Town Meeting in 1915, the same to present the needs and offer suggestions for the meeting of such needs.
CHANGE IN TEACHERS.
The present Superintendent has been in office two and one-half years. During that time there have been thirty-five vacancies, thirty-four by resignation and one by death; ten transfers; thirty-five appointments. There are only eighteen teachers now occupying the same positions that they did in June, 1911. With such frequent and constant changes, it is suprising that anything like uniformity exists in our schools. We are constantly "breaking in" new teachers. Such a teacher needs at least one year to find herself and know her work. Every time we take a teacher without experience, no matter what her native ability may be, we must expert to suffer for one year. This is what we have been doing. The second and each successive year we profit largely. If we can keep such teachers at least three or four years, we have no reason to complain. . The trouble is, nevertheless, we can not keep them. We are simply a training station or a recruiting ground. We train them and "break them in", and then we lose them. It is hard, under such circumstances, to keep the work in your schools on a par with that of other places which are not thus handicapped. The public do not always bear this in mind in criticizing.
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