USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1928 > Part 7
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No. of Deposits
Amount
Thorndike Street
7,311
$1,544.94
Park Street
11,586
2,823.79
Three Rivers
4,312
1,333.52
Wenimisset
2,792
796.47
Thorndike
3,072
1,085.26
Bondsville
4,230
1,043.81
Quabaug
3,233
1,036.36
Forest Lake
382
90.04
Palmer Center
300
50.73
37,218
$9,804.92
PROMOTIONS
The promotion statistics for the last school year, compared with those of the previous year, are here given :
177
Comparison
Promoted
No. of Pupils
Uncondi- tionally
Promoted Condi- tionally
Not Promoted
1927 1928
1927
1928 1927 1928 1927 1928
Grade 9
101
107
100
105
1
2
0
0
8
131
119
101
97
26
20
4
2
7
172
191
116
135
41
43
15
13
6
218
187
171
140
40
39
7
8
5
180
170
142
134
33
28
5
8
4
205
220
147
161
37
40
21
19
3
238
233
191
198
20
17
27
18
2
268
250
224
206
17
20
27
24
1
271
270
227
227
6
10
38
33:
'Total
1,784 1,747 1,419 1,403
221
219
144
125
The percentage of pupils not promoted for 1927-1928 is nearly one per cent .- actually, .91%-lower than for 1926-1927. The percentage of failures of promotion is gradually getting smaller and smaller each year.
EXAMINATIONS
The results obtained in the mid-year and final tests since the time of their inception is here given in tabulated form:
No. Taking Tests
M-Y 1922
984
361
36.69
623
63.31
200
20.32
188
19.11
r 235
23.88
F 1922
961
521
54.21
440
45.79
172
17.90
111
11.55
157
16.34
M-Y 1923
877
558
63.63
319
36.37
174
19.84
82
9.35
63
7.18
F 1923
790
649
82.15
141
17.85
80
10.13
36
4.56
25
3.16
M-Y 1924
893
722
80.85
171
19.15
103
11.54
50
5.60
18
2.01
F
1924
846
754
89.11
92
10.89
59
6.99
21
2.48
12
1.42
M-Y 1.925
1000
901
90.10
99
9.90
66
6.60
25
2.50
00
00
F
1925
982
915
93.18
67
6.82
39
3.98
16
1.62
12
1.22
M-Y 1926
1045
959
91.77
86
8.23
57
5.45
22
2.11
7
67
T
1926
1008
952
94.44
56
5.55
35
3.47
19
1.88
2
19
M-Y 1927
1076
1017
94.52
59
5.48
38
3.53
15
1.39
9
.56
T
1927
1008
970
96.23
38
3.77
23
2.28
5
.496
10
.99
M-Y 1928
1028
989
96.21
39
3.79
25
2.43
10
.973
4
.38
F
1928
994
951
95.68
43
4.32
27
2.71
00
.81
00
81
Total
13,492
11,219
83.15
2,273
16.85
1,098
8.14
608
4.50
567
4.20
178
A
Be-
Percent.
tween 50% & 60% No. Averaging
Percent.
No. Averaging Less
Than 50%
Percent.
No. Averaging Better Than 70%
Percent.
No. Averaging Less
Than 70 %
Percent.
Be-
tween 60% & 70% No. Averaging
..
1
179
During the second year, from September, 1926, to July, 1927, eight hundred (800) certificates were issued. Out of an enrollment of nine hundred ninety-eight (998) in Grades 4 to 9, both inclusive, eight hundred (800) pupils received certificates, one hundred ninety-eight (198) pupils only failing to secure them. In other words, eighty and sixteen hundredths per cent. (80.16%) of the pupils eilgible received certificates.
The work done in the third year, the school year of 1927-1928, is set forth in this tabulation:
Certificates
School
Enrollment
Issued
Per Cent.
Thorndike Street
233
223
95.70
Park Street
130
130
100.
Three Rivers
71
64
90.13
Wenimisset
90
90
100.
Thorndike
155
162
104.51
Bondsville
236
215
91.10
Quabaug
92
92
100.
1,007
976
96.92
This has been stated, by those in Boston in charge of this work, to be the best record in the entire state.
During the current school year, equally good, if not better, results are being secured.
EXTENSION WORK
A brief summarization of the Amer- Americanization icanization work for the past school year, showing the number of certi- ficates granted, the name of the certificate, and the re- quirements for such certificates, is here given:
180
Grade Beginners
"Blue Seal"
Certificate Certificates Given 17
Requirements for Certificates
60 hours. (40-11/2 hour periods) Special emphasis is placed upon speaking English, learning habits and principles of good American citizenship.
Grade
Certificate Certificates Given
Intermediates
"Red Seal" 13
Requirements for Certificates
60 hours. (40-11/2 hour periods) Special emphasis is placed upon speaking and reading understandingly about a wider range of subjects than in Grade I, writ- ing from dictation, and writing short, original letters. Habits and principles of good American citizenship are emphasized.
Grade
Certificate Certificates Given
Advanced
"Gold Seal" 27
Requirements for Certificates
60 hours. (40-11/2 hour periods) Special emphasis is placed upon getting the thought from the printed page lessons in history and government, writing ori- ginal letters and short themes, spelling and diction- ary work. Good American habits and principles are emphasized.
State Certificates 57
Grade Certificate
Certificates Given
Special "Notes" 10
These notes of commmendation were not official like the Blue, Red, and Gold Seal State Certificates. They
181
were given to indicate our interest in effort made and to encourage further effort. Those who received the notes attended about half the sessions held. They were prevented from attending the other sessions by a variety of circumstances:
1). Late entrance into a class.
2). Irregular hours of employment
3). Loss or change of employment.
4). Sickness
Number of Pupils in Evening Classes Recognized for Work Done in 1927-1928
Total 67
The attendance this year is good, there being one hundred (100) pupils enrolled. Mrs. Slaney, the Director, has done some very extensive, constructive work. She has made a survey, with the help of high school pupils, of those needing this work. Then through the pastors of the various churches and several representative leaders as Messrs. Wadas, Kolbusz, and Marhelewicz, she has urged people to come. The response has been encourag- ing.
Briefly, the work done in these pro-
Boys' and Girls' jects in conjunction with the Hampden
Club Work. County Improvement League may be thus summarized :
Total Enrollment - 173.
Communities Reached-Palmer, Three Rivers, Bondsville, and Thorndike.
Local Leaders-John Casbarro, Mrs. Herbert John- son, A. P. Knowlton, Mrs. Einar Lank, Miss Anne Mans- field, Miss Edith Norcross, Mrs. George Reynolds, Miss Agnes Sullivan, and Mrs. M. J. Sullivan.
Outstanding Events-The estimated net profits from the 4-H boys' and girls' activities were better than $1,500. The jars of canned products had a gross value of $2,150
182
and the gardens a little more than that figure. The Clothing, Poultry, and Food Clubs did not show such large profits but they were equally as valuable from an educational standpoint.
Three local exihibits were held :- one at Palmer, one at Three Rivers, and one at Bondsville. All were arranged attractively, and they meant a great deal to the club members especially. 1
Three girls entered the Ball Jar Contest at the East- ern States Exposition.
Statistics
Enrollments
Completions
Canning
82
69
Clothing
9
7
Food
9
6
Fruit
4
4
Garden
62
56
Poultry
7
7
173
147
In co-operation with the Hampden Home Bureau County Improvement League, several adult projects are carried on. The re- cord this year is unusually fine.
After a lapse of seven (7) years, work was resumed in Three Rivers and Thorndike. The attendance in Bonds- ville and Palmer was larger than usual; also, a larger number of the women attending completed their work.
183
Brief Statistical Report
Number of women enrolled in Projects :
Group Members
Leaders
Palmer
167
18
Three Rivers
32
5
Thorndike
38
8
Bondsville
66
7
Total
303
38
Grand Total - - - 341
Total meetings for entire town :
Number 120
Attendance 2534
Different projects conducted :
PALMER
Guide Pattern
Advanced Clothing
Home Furnishing
Children's Clothing
Canning Food Selection
Garment Finishes
Chair Seating
BONDSVILLE
Advanced Nutrition
Home Furnishing
Children's Clothing
THORNDIKE
Garment Finishes Chair Seating
184
THREE RIVERS
Food Selection Children's Clothing In addition, these special meetings were held:
Place
No. Meetings
Attendance
Palmer
11
1,164
Bondsville
2
92
Three Rivers
1
19
14
1,275
The School Department furnishes for these adult classes space, light, and heat. All instruction is free. It is furnished by local women, trained by the leaders of the Hampden County Improvement League. These women make many weekly trips to the League Building on the Exposition Grounds in West Springfield, all at their own expense.
This work should be placed under the direction of the School Department and an appropriation made to cover it. It is done elsewhere. It is a purely educational proposition. I believe a large group of widely repre- sentative women are ready to make this request.
CONTINUATION SCHOOL
For two consecutive years, the number of employed minors between the ages of fourteen (14) and sixteen (16) years fell below the necessary two hundred (200) to require operation of this school. Consequently, after a request to the State Department of Education for ex- emption from the provision of Chapter 71, Section 21, in accordance with law, was made and granted, Palmer was permitted to discontinue this school until such time when two hundred (200) or more minors are employed herein.
185
The school was discontinued at the close of the school year July 1, 1928. This meant the school was operated six (6) months during the last fiscal year and four months during the preceding fiscal year. The school had to be financed during these periods. In 1929, there will be no financing and Palmer will be spared this ex- pense-an expense that directly did not mount into such figures as one would think unless he carefully peruse the statement of expenditures and receipts here given:
The total expenditures for the year were $5,794.06, divided as follows :- MAINTENANCE-Administration, $230.25; Instruction, $3,805.90; Auxiliary Agencies, $479.33; Operation of Plant, $1,210.00; Repairs and Re- placements, $58.18; Total, $5,783.66. ESTABLISHMENT AND EXTENSION OF PLANT-Construction, $10.40; Total, $10.40; Grand Total, $5,794.06.
The receipts were as follows :- Tuition, $111.60; Cash Received from Work and Products, $12.40; Total, $124.00.
The State re-imbursed the Town fifty per cent. (50%) upon $5,659.66, the re-imbursement netting Pal- mer $2,829.83. The difference between the total cost of operation, $5,794.06, and the amount upon which re-im- bursement was made, $5,659.66, is found by deducting from the former $10.40, expenditure for establishment and extension of plant-a non-reimburseable expenditure by the State, yet a necessary expenditure-plus the $124.00 received from tuition and cash from work and products (revenue received and turned directly into the Town Treasury). The difference is $134.40.
The direct cost to Palmer was $2,964.23. From this must be deducted $732.50-an amount charged for cleri- cal, janitorial, and operation expenses which was not an
186
additional expenditure caused by the Continuation School -to get the actual cost to Palmer. This makes the actual cost $2,231.73.
Study of High School Graduates in Higher Institutions.
Recently, a careful study was made of Palmer High School Graduates who are now enrolled in colleges, universities, normal schools, or other professional
schools. This study was made by Mrs. Slaney. It brought out several interesting facts, as :- 1). The num- ber is much larger than one would hazard as a guess. 2). The number is especially large when it is remembered that Palmer is a town of no great wealth and, therefore, the financing of higher education is an acute problem in most cases. 3.) In view of Fact No. 2, such numbers speak volumes for the ambition of local graduates and for the willingness of parents to make sacrifices. 4). Such conditions as mentioned under Fact No. 3 do not exist where inspiration from excellent source-our high school, for example-is not forthcoming. 5). If Fact No. 4 is true, the Palmer High School, from the standpoint of fitting for higher institutions, is doing a commendable job. 6). Fact No. 5 is still further emphasized when attention is given to the large number who are now in attendance at their particular higher institution for the second, third, or fourth year. (The greatest mortality takes place during the first year. If a pupil lasts through this year of trial and stress, it means that his preparation in secondary school has been good).
These are only a few of the deductions that can be made. Kindly study this presentation of figures and see what further deductions you can make.
Distribution of Palmer High School graduates now studying in colleges or universities, normal or other pro- fessional schools:
187
Schools
Boys
Girls
Business-1
2
2
College
21
16
Hospital
11
Kindergarten
1
Nautical
1
Normal
2
15
Physical Education-2
1
Practical Electrical-3
1
Technical
5
Practical Arts-5
3
Total
35
46
1-Bay Path; Bentley.
2-Sargent.
3-General Electric.
4-Bliss Electrical; M. I. T .; W. P. I. 5-Pratt Institute.
40 of the 81 now away at school are in the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year of their courses.
STATE READING PLAN
This plan calls for the reading of five (5) books, from a widely selected list, carefully graded in respect to reader's age. It is sponsored by the State Library Commission, a division of the State Department of Edu- cation.
This scheme has been in operation in our schools now for four (4) years. Fairly good results were se- cured the first year, three thousand two hundred thirteen (3,213) books being read and two hundred twenty-four (224) certificates issued.
.
Colleges or universities in which graduates of Palmer High School are now studying. Figures indicate the number of boys or girls in each :
College or University
Location
Boys
Girls
Amherst College
Amherst, Mass.
1
Antioch College
Yellow Springs, Ohio 1
Beaver College
Jenkintown, Penn.
1
Boston University
Boston, Mass.
1
1
Brown University
Providence, R. I.
2
1
188
Connecticut College
New London, Conn.
2
Dartmouth College
Hanover, N. H.
1
Fordham
New York City
1
Georgetown University
Washington, D. C.
1
Holy Cross College
Worcester, Mass.
2
Hunter College
New York City
1
Mass. Agriculture College
Amherst, Mass.
2
3
Mass. Inst. Tech.
Boston, Mass.
1
Mt. Holyoke College College of New Rochelle New York University Northeastern University College of Our Lady of the Elms R. I. State College St. Anselm's College :
South Hadley, Mass.
1
New Rochelle, N. Y. New York City 4
1
Boston, Mass. 1
Chicopee, Mass.
2
Kingston, R. I. 1
Manchester, N. H.
1
Weston, Mass.
1
189
St. Regis College Simmons College Springfield College
Boston, Mass.
1
Springfield, Mass. 1
Ann Arbor, Mich.
1
Wellesley College
Wellesley, Mass.
1
Worcester Poly. Inst.
Worcester, Mass.
3
Total
25
16
University of Michigan
Normal and other schools in which graduates of Palmer High School are now studying. Figures indicate the number of boys and girls in each.
School
Location
Boys
Girls
Bay Path Institute
Springfield, Mass. 2
1
Bentley School
Boston, Mass. 1
Bliss Electrical
Washington, D. C.
1
General Electric
West Lynn, Mass. 1
Hospitals
Boston, Holyoke, Springfield Worcester 11
190
Normal Schools :
Bridgewater
Bridgewater, Mass.
3
Fitchburg
Fitchburg, Mass.
2
2
Westfield
Westfield, Mass.
3
Worcester
Worcester, Mass.
7
Mass. Nautical
Boston, Mass. 1
Miss Twitchell's
Springfield, Mass.
1
Pratt Institute
Brooklyn, N. Y. 3
Sargent
Cambridge, Mass.
1
Total
11
29
191
COST
The cost of school operation has been dealt with in practically every school report that has been submitted by the present superintendent during the past eighteen years. All sorts and kinds of comparisons have been made, each and every one of which have shown that Palmer's cost is, and has been, low as compared to that of other towns and cities in Massachusetts. It seems like idle reiteration to write about it year after year. It would be, were it not for the fact that such statements are either not believed or not understood by some. We have been honest and fair in our statements. We have made our comparisons with others engaged in the same en- deavor and have given the figures as reported by the State Board of Education. How else, and in what fairer way, can this be done?
The following table is submitted.
State Comparison This is a state-wide comparison. The figures are taken from reports of the State Department of Education, entitled "Statistics of the Public Schools". One report-1921-is missing. In these reports, statistics are given for every one of the three hundred fifty-five (355) towns and cities in the State, which are divided into four (4) Groups :- Group I, Cities (There are 39.) ; Group II, Towns of 5,000 Population or Over-Palmer is a member of this group (There are 79.) ; Group III, Towns of Less than 5,000 Population and Main- taining High Schools (There are 113.) ; Group IV, Towns of Less than 5,000 Population and Not Maintaining High Schools. (There are 124).
The average Cost Per Pupil Based On Net Average Membership for each Group and the State-figured by the State Department-is given. Along side of these, is given Palmer's, as figured by the State Department.
192
TOTAL COST PER PUPIL
Group I
Group
Group Group
State Palmer
II
III
IV
1917
$47.68
$43.35
$46.20
$51.40
$46.82
$30.44
1918
52.25
46.59
50.21
*
*
34.35
1919
58.07
53.96
58.44
56.66
57.20
38.58
1920
73.65
67.78
71.64
69.19
72.12
44.99
1922
81.38
76.02
80.87
83.58
80.35
73.59
1923
85.13
78.40
82.79
86.58
83.65
77.55
1924
88.43
80.19
85.39
89.03
86.54
79.07
1925
90.09
82.72
88.78
92.88
88.52
78.87
1926
95.32
85.13
90.74
95.00
92.77
76.09
1927
100.19
87.53
92.34
97.24
96.72
81.77
$70.17
$74.74 $80.17
$78.30
$61.53
Ave'ge $77.22 * Missing in State Report.
Compare Palmer's average-$61.53-of the average costs for the ten years with that of each group and of the State. You will find it $15.69 less than that of Group I; $8.64 less than that of Group II; $13.21 less than that of Group III; $18.64 less than that of Group IV; $16.77 less than that of the State.
Increase in cost of education is not Study by State Department. local; it is not state-wide; it is not nation-wide. It is world-wide. A State study issued by the Department of Ed- ucation is indicative of this as far as the State is con- cerned; it surely shows that it is not a local condition only. Some extracts are well worth quoting; they are very illuminating.
193
"Increased Costs of Public Schools
"There has been a steady increase in the cost of oper- ating the public schools during the past forty years. This increased cost has been marked since 1912. The de- creased purchasing power of the dollar and the increase in enrolment have been the chief causes. There are eight major items in the budget covering the operating costs of schools. It is interesting to note that the increased costs have affected all items in approximately the same ratio. Salaries have increased materially but so have the costs of fuel, supplies, transportation, and material and labor for repairs. The following chart illustrates this point.
Chart I. The School Budget in Massachusetts
Major Items
Per Cent.
1897
1927
Teachers' salaries
71.4
69.
Operation of plant
9.3
11.
Repairs
5.6
5.7
Textbooks and supplies
6.1
4.9
General control
3.4
3.6
Transportation
1.1
2.5
Miscellaneous
3.1
1.8
Health
1.5
"The increase in enrolment has had a marked effect on the total cost of education. This is particularly true in the high schools. There are now more pupils in the high schools of Boston alone than there were fifty years ago in all the high schools of the State. The increase in the enrolment in Massachusetts public schools is now at the rate of 8,000 pupils per year.
"The increased enrolment is shown in the chart which follows :
Chart II. Increase in School Enrolment.
1875 to 1927
Year 1875
Elementary 289,950
High 15,826
Total 305,776
194
1900
434,299
40,592
474,891
1925
586,779
127,147
713,926
1927
595,645
133,884
729,529
Per cent increase 1875 to 1927: Total, 138; Elemen- tary, 105; High, 746.
"The expansion of the curriculum is shown graphi- cally in the chart below. In 1775 but four subjects were required by law to be taught in the elementary schools. During the period ending in 1925, the number had in- creased to eighteen.
1.
195
Chart III. Expansion of Elementary School Curriculum 1775 to 1925
1775
Spelling
Reading
Writing
1900
1925
1850
Manual Training
Manual Training
Grammar
Sewing
Physical Education
Geography
Physiology and
Homemaking
Spelling
Hygiene
Physiology & Hygiene
Reading
Drawing
Art and Handwork
Writing
English, Grammar
English, Grammar
Arithmetic
and Language
and Language
Good Behavior Geography
Geography
Spelling
Spelling
1875
Reading
Reading
Physiology
Writing
Writing
and Hygiene
Good Behavior
Good Behavior
Grammar
Music
Music
Geography
History of the
History and Constitution
Spelling
United States
of the United States
Reading
Elements of
Nature Study
Writing
Science
Literature
Arithmetic Agriculture
Civics
Good Behavior
Music
History Agriculture
"In the high schools the expansion has been still more striking as presented in Chart IV. The curricula of 1850 and 1875, as printed, are typical of their time as given in early reports of the Department. The curri- culum of 1925 is that of a high school in one of our cities of 100,000 population. The increased enrolment of 746 per cent from 1875 to 1925 would not have taken place if the expanding curriculum had not met the needs of this cosmopolitan group of young people.
Drawing
Arithmetic
Arithmetic
Arithmetic
Duties of Citizenship
196
Chart IV. Expansion in Secondary School Curriculum - 1850 to 19
1925
English
Biology Physiology
Plane Geometry
Solid Geometry
Trigonometry
Natural Philosophy
Typewriting
Civil Polity Botany
Penmanship
Chemistry
Astronomy and Geology German French
History of U. S. Bookkeeping Geometry Algebra
French
German
History, U. S., and Civic
Bookkeeping
Bookkeeping
Latin
Latin
Latin
General History
General History
History, European
Physiology and Hygiene Surveying
Surveying
History, English
Greek
History, Commercial
Greek Rhetoric Logic
Logic
Spanish
Mechanical Drawing
Mechanical Drawing
Geology
Problems in Citizenship Physics
Business Arithmetic
Cha
Commercial Law
Commerce and Industry Household Arts
Arts and Crafts
Drawing, Freehand
Manual Training Music
"There has been a decided increase in teachers' salaries during t past fifteen years as the following chart shows. The purchasing power the dollar of 1911, however, was nearly double that of the dollar of 199 Su The per cent of increase when the dollar of 1911 is used as the basis not nearly as great as one would suppose when it is noted that t Per
rerag 11
Cha
leme In Pe
ligh
In Pe
lala leac mal
per enr rela
Political Economy
Moral Science
Agriculture
Salesmanship
(
S
To Pe Su Pe ya
1875
Stenography
Chemistry
1850
Astronomy
Geometry
Algebra
Rhetoric
History, Ancient
197
lerage salary of elementary school teachers has increased from $669 in 11 to $1,562 in 1926.
Chart V. Average Salaries of Principals and Full-Time Teachers in Massachusetts by Five-Year Periods-1911 to 1926
School Year
$ 669
$ 760
$1,390
$1,562
ementary
760
900
669
692
In terms of 1911 dollar
114
135
100
103
Percentage (1911 as base)
gh
1,034
1,157
In terms of 1911 dollar
1,125
1,060
gy
ic
(Using Jan., 1911, as base)
"The teacher of to-day is in most cases a trained teacher. As laries have increased higher qualifications have been demanded of the acher. In 1927 approximately nine out of every ten teachers were nor- al or college graduates. In 1875 but one out of every five was so trained.
"The cost for support of public schools since 1912 has increased 244 er cent. Nearly 100 per cent of this cost has been caused by increased nrolment. The cost per pupil has increased 147 per cent, but if the elative value of the dollar is considered the increase is only 54 per cent. 'hart VI illustrates this fact.
Chart VI. Massachusetts Expenditures for Public School Support by Five-Year Periods-1912-1927
1921-1922 $48,624,119
1926-1927 $64,616,658
School Year
1911-1912
$18,769,205
1916-1917 $24,550,416 131% $45.10
259%
344%
Percentage
$78.13
$94.15
Support per pupil
$38.12
118%
205%
247%
tPercentage
$1.00
$0.843
$0.64
$0.624
Value of dollar
er
g Support per pupil in terms
38.01
$50.00
$58.75
of 1912 dollar
$38.12
is
Percentage (1911-12 as base) 100%
99.7%
131%
154%
92
103
100
94
Percentage (1911 as base)
$0.547
$0.576
$1.00
$0.91
Value of Dollar
$1,125
$1,165
$1,890
$2,008
1911
1916
1921
1926
p
Total for support
100%
100%
198
The average cost per child in the public schools of Massachusetts for 1928 was $96.81; in Palmer, $80.56. Note how this amount per pupil compares with that for the State when subdivided into main items that enter into this amount.
Cost Per Pupil in State and Palmer for School Year 1927 -- 1928
Item
State
Palmer
Teaching
$67.53
$54.11
Supervision
3.62
3.88
Operation of Buildings
10.47
9.89
Textbooks and Supplies
4.61
3.86
Health
1.36
1.52
Libraries
.09
.09
Transportation
2.48
4.54
Tuition
.86
.00
Repairs and Replacements
5.01
.77
Miscellaneous
.79
1.90
Total
$96.81
$80.56
CONCLUSION
This report is informational, rather than recommend- atory, in character. It is a cross-section of some of the activities in progress in your schools, activities that are social as well as educational.
Many factors enter into successful school operation -public, school committee, teachers, and pupils. Any weakness in any one of these instrumentalities weakens the whole. The public must be sympathetic and generous morally and financially in its support; the committee must be "big", broad-minded, unselfish, and loyal; the
199
teachers must be able, broad, faithful, and intent upon doing all that the job demands; the pupils must be am- bitious, obedient, conscientious and constant in attend- ance.
The schools are run for the children-no one else. Opportunity for the best possible education is "the eternal debt of maturity to childhood". He indeed is "courageous" who will deprive youth of its inherent right! May all do their utmost in one of the greatest causes the world has ever seen!
Gratitude is expressed to all who have, in even the least measure, aided education in Palmer.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFTON H. HOBSON, Superintendent of Schools.
Palmer, Mass., January 16, 1929.
TABLE OF COSTS-EIGHT YEARS COMPARED
1921
$
7,223.33
$
1922 8,670.89 77,859.29
$
1923 9,152.81
$
9,022.67
$
1925 8,398.63 94,315.32
$ 8,673.77 97,089.99
$
1927 8,189.26 100,095.28
$ 7,991.49
Teachers' Salaries,
72,072.06
Textbooks and Supplies,
5,889.20
5,951.94
7,014.25
7,006.93
8,147.72
8,077.92
6,466.58
6,368.70
Transportation
5,708.00
5,997.30
6,862.85
8,204.52
9,951.60
10,009.35
9,479.25
8,950.73
Janitors' Services
5,566.86
5,618.82
6,667.32
7,843.57
8,474.66
8,580.15
9,781.43
10,261.99
Fuel and Light,
9,516.71
7,579.23
13,347.73
14,597.24
15,796.46
10,699.10
10,297.76
7,374.56
Maintenance of Bldgs. & Grounds,
2,475.11
2,340.37
2,253.79
9,007.41
3,180.27
2,158.45
2,944.34
2,946.92
Repairs,
2,582.29
2,174.94
2,823.70
3,784.35
3,848.53
1,747.62
1,972.05
1,915.51
Music, Manual Traini'g, Drawing, Other Expenses,
3,564.13
3,838.61
3,885.22
4,013.83
4,513.74
4,121.54
3,823.31
3,672.85
3,612.41
4,637.93
11,340.92
7,891.72
6,809.33
7,304.06
8,462.17
11,113.52
Furniture and Furnishings,
1,374.97
1,970.72
2,365.85
1,065.69
1,527.59
1,306.07
557.26
713.43
Rent,
245.00
Commercial,
7,271.74
9,062.99
9,098.95
9,659.97
7,410.50
1,305.70
7,102.10
7,825.49
Special Heating,
2,100.77
5,551.52
Bills Payable,
3,506.94
2,846.65
Special Alterations at Palmer
Grammar School,
1,895.00
Improvement of Wenimisset Grounds,
20.00
Special Repairs,
Special Wenimisset Repairs,
4,120.49 4,590.60
Total,
$132,709.52 $140,464.68 $159,598.37
$171,098.74 $181,085.44 $167,073.72 $169,170.79 $169,049.58
1924
1926
1928
General Expense,
99,914.39
79,233.46
89,001.04
Americanization, Vacation School, Playgrounds, Continuation School,
$ 3,329.33 $ 658.05 $ 1,511.19
$ 1,870.44
$ 2,085.70 $ 1,684.25
$ 1,547.08
$ 1,376.35
3,501.88
2,368.26
2,359.27
6,612.68
6,119,92
*6,668.57
6,951.96
7,526.18
6,608.75
3,289.37
$141,900.00
$147,735.41
$167,229.48
$182,006.01
$181,763.10
$176,284.15
$177,326.62
$173,715.30
Average Membership,
2,169.90
1,984.11
1,945.65
1,959.17
2,106.25
2,210.11
2,206.73
2,105.59
Average Attendance,
2,104.23
1,899.62
1,867.78
1,885.78
2,028.19
2,127.80
2,151.09
2,046.77
Cost per Pupil Based on
Average Membership,
$61.16
$70.79
$82.03
$87.33
$85.98
$75.60
$76.66
$82.03
Cost per Pupil Based on .
Average Attendance,
$63.07
$73.94
$85.45
$90.73
$89.30
$78.52
$78.64
$84.92
-
*This includes Smith-Hughes Fund, $292.74
COST PER SCHOOL
High
Thorndike Street
Park Street
Three Rivers
Commercial
$ 7,825.49
Fuel & Light
2,082.22
437.46
673.80
694.41
Furniture & Furnishings
35.90
482.75
85.75
82.78
General Expenses
88.43
66.07
59.05
46.40
Janitors' Services
2,852.74
1,200.10
1,200.10
504.48
Maintenance of Buildings and Grounds
646.50
254.68
368.17
264.89
Music, Manual Training and Drawing
314.49
418.31
594.61
445.72
Other Expenses
3,882.15
1,237.38
1,098.67
924.53
Repairs
648.16
207.90
119.15
59.50
Teachers' Salaries
22,054.00
11,015.87
13,016.49
10,425.27
Textbooks & Supplies
2,385.05
580.76
401.44
578.48
Transportation
3,717.47
1,693.70
1,475.92
89.74
Day Schools
$46,532.60
$17,594.98
$19,093.15
$14,116.20
Americanization
Continuation
$46,532.60
17,594.98
19,093.15
14,116.20
Average Membership
286.35
247.81
348.11
227.31
Cost per Pupil based on
average membership
$162.50
$ 71.00
$ 54.84
$ 62.10
Whimisset
Thorndike Bondsville
Quabaug
Districts
Office
Total
26.64
1,343.02
977.54
533.72
105.75
$ 7,825.49 7,374.56 713.43
1.75
23.00
1.50
22.74
46.75
59.93
42.20
1.20
7,458.72
7,991.49
604.47
1,100.00
1,700.10
1,100.00
100.00
10,261.99
313.25
366.36
324.23
301.49
107.35
2,946.92
293.79
479.77
647.56
374.13
104.47
3,672.85
$13.28
968.83
1,135.55
874.06
179.07
11,113.52
98.34
504.72
58.89
117.40
1.45
1,915.51
:00.57
10,132.17
14,190.06
7,106.09
2,773.87
99,914.39
77.37
507.84
747.41
336.29
154.06
6,368.70
607.79
69.46
87.69
508.02
700.94
8,950.73
L 58.24
15,520.67
19,951.96
11,294.90
4,228.16
7,458.72
169,049.58
1,376.35
3,289.37
L 58.24
15,520.67
19,951.96
11,294.90
4,228.16
7,458.72
173,715.30
54.15
250.98
344.88
198.78
56.22
2,105.59
2,105.59
$86.00
$61.84
$57.85
$59.52
$75.20
$ 3.54
$82.03
Appendix
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR 1928
Appropriation
Expended 7,825.49
Balance
Commercial
$ 7,040.00
$
7,374.56
250.44
Furniture and
Furnishings
500.00
713.43
- 213.43
General Expenses
8,367.00
7,991.49
375.51
Janitors' Services
10,249.00
10,261.99
- 12.99
Maintenance of Build-
ings & Grounds 2,300.00
2,946.92
- 646.92
Music, Manual Train-
ing & Drawing
3,890.00
3,672.85
217.15
Other Expenses
11,338.89
11,113.52
225.37
Repairs
1,500.00
1,915.51
- 415.51
Teachers' Salaries
102,500.56
99,914.39
2,586.17
Textbooks & Sup-
plies
6,000.00
6,368.70
- 368.70
Transportation
9,583.58
8,950.73
632.85
Americanization
1,400.00
1,376.35
23.65
Continuation
3,890.00
3,289.37
600.63
$176,184.03
$173,715.30 $ 2,468.73
$ - 785.49
Fuel and Light
7,625.00
COST LESS REIMBURSEMENTS AND REVENUES RECEIVED AND RECEIVABLE 1928
*General School Fund
$19,322.25
*Continuation
2,829.83
*Americanization
524.31
*Vocational School
548.55
Tuition :
*Continuation
111.60
*State Wards
1,406.26
Towns
4,974.06
Rentals
638.50
Telephones
18.79
Sale of Merchandise
65.36
$30,439.51
*From State of Massachusetts.
Expenditures $173,715.30
Reimbursements and Receipts 30,439.51
Net Direct Cost
$143,275.79
Average Membership 2,105.59
Cost per Pupil Based on Average Membership, $68.05*
This, in reality, is the cost per pupil based on money raised by taxation. The appropriation was $176,184.03. A balance of $2,468.73 was unexpended, making the total expenditure $173,715.30. Our reimbursements and re- ceived and receivable revenues were $30,439.51. The amount spent, therefore, from money raised by taxation was $143,275.79.
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