USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1930 > Part 7
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A comparison of high school enrollments from 1910 to 1931 is here given in order that you may see the previ- ous rates of growth in enrollment.
Year
Enrollment
Increase
1910-1911
132
1911-1912
152
30
1912-1913
157
3
1913-1914
168
11
1914-1915
175
7
1915-1916
180
5
1916-1917
174
6
1917-1918
191
17
1918-1919
188
-3
1919-1920
212
24
1920-1921
225
12
1921-1922
250
25
1922-1923
281
31
1923-1924
286
6
1924-1925
286
0
1925-1926
308
22
1926-1927
305
-3
1927-1928
305
0
1928-1929
320
15
1929-1930
353
33
1930-1931
439*
86
* First month only.
20
It will be noticed that, in the past year or two, our enrollments have been increasing rather rapidly. The reasons for the rapid recent increases may be sum- marized as follows :- (1) Increase of compulsory age to sixteen (16) years of age, unless certificated by school department between the ages of fourteen (14) and six- teen (16) for work or home permit; (2) business condi- tions-pupils between the ages of fourteen (14) and six- teen (16), almost without exception, are unable to secure employment and must, therefore, continue in school; (3) ability of average parent to better finance a high school education; (4) desire of parent to give child at least a. high school education; (5) realization of child that, with present competition, at least a high school education is necessary for probable success.
It is interesting to note the percentage of the total school enrollment that is now enrolled in the high school. It has risen rapidly within the past few years. In 1917, eight per cent. (8%) of the total school enrollment was in the high school; in 1927, thirteen per cent. (13%); in 1930, twenty per cent. (20%).
A study has been made of the possible enrollment in the high school next September. This study seems to in- dicate that five hundred (500), or more, pupils will be enrolled. This prognostication is based upon the follow- ing facts :- Present enrollment is four hundred and thirty-five (435). Allowing for the loss of seventy-two (72) seniors and twenty-eight (28) possible "drop-outs", . the net enrollment of present members of the high school will be three hundred and thirty-five (335) next fall .. There are one hundred fifty-two (152) possible "incom- ers" in the public schools and forty-nine (49) in the paro- chial school, totalling two hundred and one (201). These, added to three hundred and thirty-five (335), make a. total of five hundred and thirty-six (536). Allowing a possible shrinkage of thirty-six (36), next year's enroll- ment will be five hundred (500) or more.
21
With the present enrollment in the high school, an overcrowded condition exists. In the fall, some relief must be provided. A possible solution will be the use of the two rooms in the old high school, each of which will accommodate forty-five (45) pupils, a total of ninety (90) pupils. In order to provide these two rooms, the two sixth grades in the old high school building will have to be transferred, one to the Park Street School, where there is an unoccupied room, and the other to the Qua- baug School, where there is an unused assembly hall. If this plan is put in operation, a dividing line will have to be established, making it mandatory that certain pu- pils attend the Park Street School and certain pupils the Quabaug School. The establishment of such a line of division will not set well with many parents. A solution, nevertheless, must be provided and this is the best, un- less an addition is built upon the high school. The School Committee cannot be held responsible if they have to establish such a line. Those who can remember back some ten years will recall the fact that the School Com- mittee recommended a larger high school than the pres- ent one, one which would have taken care of the needs of Palmer for a great many years.
In suggesting the possible use of the Thorndike Street School for a high school over-flow, these reasons are given-First, that it would obviate the necessity of building an addition to the high school, at an approximate cost of $35,000 to $40,000, at the present time. Second, it would give the School Committee an opportunity to see whether or not next year's enrollment, and the enroll- ment following within a year or two, will not prove the peak enrollment, unless Palmer grows in population. Un- less Palmer does grow, it may not be necessary to build an addition to the high school.
22
AMERICANIZATION
The largest registration in the Americanization work for the past year was one hundred and twenty-four (124), distributed as follows :
Polish
111
Italian
3
Armenian
2
Ukrainian
2
Swedish
2
American
1
Austrian
1
Portuguese
1
Russian
1
124
At the close of the Americanization year, there were one hundred and three (103) certificates issued. The dis- tribution was as follows:
Interme- Begin-
Advanced*
diatet
ners§
Totals
Bondsville
3
9
5
17
Palmer
14
0
11
25
Thorndike
3
6
9
18
Three Rivers
11
16
16
43
31
31
41
103
* Received gold seal certificates
¿ Received red seal certificates
§ Received blue seal certificates
23
Work in Americanization was instituted in Palmer in 1915. At that time, it was not so thoroughly and wide- ly done throughout the State as it is today. The World War added great impetus to it as a state-wide and na- tion-wide movement because of the discovery of so many conscripted men who were illiterate in the English lan- guage. Efforts were doubled, tripled, and quadrupled everywhere.
We came to an early realization of the need of this work because of the fact that Palmer, in percentage of foreign-born and foreign-born unable to speak and read English, ranked among the very highest in the State. We decided, consequently, that we had a duty to per- form; in fact, a double duty-one to the town and state and nation, and one to those who were illiterate. We be- gan this work in an honest manner, with the highest pur- pose, with the greatest sympathy, appreciation, under- standing, and spirit of helpfulness possible.
Our efforts along these lines have been fruitful. We have made it possible for many of these people to be able to become citizens, to have at least some knowledge of spoken and written English, and to have some concept of the basic ideas and ideals upon which this country of ours was founded.
During this period of work, Palmer has spent some $20,000.00.
The purposes may be thus briefly stated: (1) Make English a common medium of speech; (2) establish bet- ter relations between all Americans; (3) preserve the best contributions of the Old World and unite them with the best ideals of the New; (4) prepare aliens for citizen- ship; (5) make a united people, loyal to America.
Palmer will be recompensed entirely for her expendi- ture of time, effort, and money if those who become citi- zens through this means become citizens in spirit as well
24
as in form-citizens spiritually as well as physically. The very nature of our form of government-"of the people, by the people, for the people"-requires the highest type of citizenship, which is citizenship exemplified by living for one's country.
Good citizens must possess several characteristics :- Fairness, honesty, loyalty, respect for rights of others, in- telligence, good judgment, and independence. All voters are not good citizens. The real citizen is he-and he only-who waives every other consideration aside and acts only upon one principle at all times-what is best for his town, his state, and his country.
COST
Every year cost is discussed in this report. Facts and figures based on a state-wide basis have been repeat- edly given. These have shown that, comparatively speak- ing, our costs have been consistently, year by year, low. The question sometimes arises as to the wisdom and use of further treating upon this subject.
The facts and figures cannot be gainsaid. They are authenticated by the State; they are not of our making. Some say that "figures do not lie, but liars figure". We do not do the figuring and, consequently, cannot do the lying, if such is done. Of course, no lying is done.
The comparisons made are taken from the annual report of the State Board of Education. The State has realized for years that this was a purely scientific, busi- ness-like method of cost analysis and comparison. Every businessman recognizes that this is true.
The following table is submitted.
State Comparison. This is a state-wide comparison.
The figures are taken from re- ports of the State Department of Education, entitled "Statistics of the Public Schools". One report-1921-is
25
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 Maintaining High Schols (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.
TOTAL COST PER PUPIL
Group I
Group II
Group III
Group IV $51.40
State Palmer
1917
$47.68
$43.55
$46.20
$46.82
$30.44
1918
52.25
46.59
50.21
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
1928
101.24
89.61
94.60
100.53
98.15
83.28
1929
103.61
91.91
97.40
102.13
100.50
85.84
Ave'ge $81.42
$73.61
$78.28
$84.01
$82.12
$65.36
*
34.35
* Missing in State Report
26
Compare Palmer's average-$65.36-of the average costs for the twelve years with that of each group and of the State. You will find it $16.06 less than that of Group I; $8.25 less than that of Group II; $12.92 less than that of Group III; $18.65 less than that of Group IV; $16.76 less than that of the State.
From another angle, take Palmer's rank each year for fifteen (15) years as ranked by the State. This is figured on the basis of three hundred fifty-five (355) towns and cities.
STATE RANK
Year
Rank
1913
334
1915
335
1917
342
1918
339
1919
342
1920
346
1921
347
1922
230
1923
216
-
1924
229
1925
258
1926
293
1927
259
1928
261
1929
253
Average Rank-15 years
292
Palmer ranks sixty-seventh (67th) in population in the State. An average rank of two hundred ninety-two (292) for fifteen years-which means that only sixty- three (63) out of a possible three hundred fifty-five (355) ranked lower-is exceptional. Were the State Reports for 1912, 1914, and 1916 at hand for determining rank,
27
our average for the eighteen (18) years-most of the writer's incumbency as superintendent-would be better than three hundred (300).
The marked drop in 1922 and 1923 was due largely to the new high school and the drop in enrollment caused by the opening of the Polish Parochial School.
The cost per pupil in average
Local Comparison. membership for the fiscal year of 1929 in towns and cities within an approximate radius of twenty-five (25) miles was as fol- lows :- Agawam, $87.64; Amherst, $101.17 ; Barre, $77.68; Belchertown, $95.12; Brimfield, $179.71; Brookfield, $93.14 ; Chicopee, $82.29; Dana, $188.21; East Brookfield, $79.61; Easthampton, $86.61; East Longmeadow, $94.40; Enfield, $174.48; Greenwich, $244.03; Hardwick, $125.32; Hampden, $155.62; Holland, $262.28; Holyoke, $110.45; Longmeadow, $120.05; Ludlow, $88.71; Monson, $91.66; Montague, $92.11; North Brookfield, $102.24; Palmer, $85.84; Spencer, $85.81; Springfield, $127.46 ; Sturbridge, $94.91; Wales, $148.44; Ware, $87.15; Warren, $90.23; West Brookfield, $108.37; Westfield, $76.43; West Spring- field, $96.61; Wilbraham, $105.44.
A study of these costs shows that, with four excep- tions, out of thirty-three communities, Palmer has the lowest cost. These towns and cities are not hand-picked; they were selected because of their contiguity.
It has always been a fact that, irrespective of the chosen basis of comparison, Palmer's cost has always been low.
The fact that Palmer is com-
Geographical Effect. posed of four villages, with sev- eral miles intervening, is not duly considered by the average person in his opinion upon local cost of operation. Because of this nature of layout, transportation-this fiscal year just closed, $12,845.00, or
28
about 7% of the entire buget-is a large item. This is not, nevertheless, the whole story, as many believe. There are other items which increase our cost.
Were we, and had we always been, as is Ware, for example, one settlement, instead of four, we could save, roughly, these amounts without lessening efficiency :- Teachers, $7,000.00; Janitors, $2,500.00; Fuel, Light, and Power, $2,500.00; Transportation, $7,500.00; Total, $19,- 500.00.
How could this be done ? We would have fewer school buildings, conveniently located. Pupils could be evenly distributed by moving imaginary district lines. There would be no rooms with small enrollments ; none, with too large enrollments. The distribution would be an average of thirty-six (36) to forty (40) pupils per teacher. At least six (6) teachers less could be hired. By extending enrollments, eight (8) teachers could be dispensed with.
Fewer buildings would mean fewer janitors. Each janitor would care for more rooms. The salary per jani- tor would be more; the total expenditure, less. Three janitors less would be required.
The heating and lighting of fewer larger buildings would require less coal, light, and power.
Transportation would be vastly reduced. There would be practically no high school transportation; con- siderably less grade transportation. Easily, $7,500.00 could be saved.
A saving of $19,500.00 would be a sizeable one-ap- proximately eleven per cent. (11%).
Several studies have been
Total Tax and School Tax. made relative to relation existing over a period of several years between the total tax assessed and the school tax. These studies included the United States as
29
a whole, fifty Massachusetts cities, and Boston. There is very little variation in percentage. The same is true in Palmer. Studied for a period of eleven years,-1917- 1928-the variation is, as a rule, slight. The average rate is practically the same as the 1928 rate. This simply shows, from still another angle, that the total appropria- tion of the Town, which is made up of the requests of all town departments, increases at the same rate as the school appropriation. In brief, the schools, year in and year out, get practically the same fractional part of the total town appropriation.
Only a few of many possibilities have
Conclusion. been dealt with. Only a small cross- section is presented. Any information not given, if desired, will be gladly supplied.
Appreciation is extended to the School Committee for its kindly, sympathetic, helpful support; to the teachers for their loyalty and co-operation; to the public for its moral and financial support. All three are needed at all times.
The schools are engaged in work with human souls. Theirs is a sacred trust. They must go on! They must not be held back!
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFTON H. HOBSON, Superintendent of Schools.
Palmer, Mass., January 21, 1931.
30
COST LESS REIMBURSEMENTS AND REVENUES RECEIVED AND RECEIVABLE 1930
¿General School Fund
$18,450.00
¡Americanization
735.43
¡Vocational School
298.38
Tuition
State Wards
1,680.45
Towns
4,805.07
Rentals
552.65
Telephones
14.24
Sale of Merchandise
50.29
$26,586.51
Expenditures
$176,040.86
Reimbursements and Receipts
26,586.51
Net Direct Cost
$149,454.35
Average Membership 2,072.08
Cost Per Pupil Based on Average Membership $72.12*
¿ From State of Massachusetts
* This, in reality, is the cost per pupil based on money raised by taxation. The appropriation was $176,295.00. A balance of $254.14 was unexpended, mak- ing the total expenditure $176,040.86. Our reimburse- ments and received and receivable revenues were $26,586.51. The amount spent, therefore, from money raised by taxation was $149,454.35.
·
31
Appendix
FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR YEAR-1930
Commercial
Appropriation $8,490.00 8,750.00
Expended $8,726.81 8,711.00
Balance $-236.81
Fuel and Light
39.00
Furniture and Furnishings
500.00
609.31
-109.31
General Expenses
8,070.00
8,011.62
58.38
Janitors' Services
11,275.00
11,218.58
56.42
Maintenance of
Buildings and
Grounds
2,900.00
3,320.56
-420.56
Music, Manual
Training and Drawing
3,940.00
3,748.92
191.08
Other Expenses
6,850.00
6,191.32
658.68
Repairs
2,100.00
2,213.58
-113.58
Teachers' Salaries
101,348.26
101,275.66
72.60
Textbooks & Supplies 6,900.00
6,931.79
- 31.79
Transportation
12,821.74
12,845.00
- 23.26
Americanization
1,500.00
1,637.71
-137.71
$175,445.00
$175,441.86
$ 3.14
Special Repairs
Thorndike
500.00
365.00
135.00
Park Street
250.00
234.00
16.00
Palmer High School 100.00
100.00
$176,295.00
$176,040.86
$ 254.14
1921
General Expense,
Teachers' Salaries,
$ 7,223.33 72,072.06
$
1922 8,670.89 77,859.29
$
1923 9,152.81 79,233.46
$
1924 9,022.67 89,001.04
Textbooks and Supplies,
5,889.20
5,951.94
7,014.25
7,006.93
Transportation
5,708.00
5,997.30
6,862.85
8,204.52
Janitors' Services
5,566.86
5,618.82
6,667.32
7,843.57
Fuel and Light,
9,516.71
7,579.23
13,347.73
14,597.24
Maintenance of Bldgs. and Grounds,
2,475.11
2,340.37
2,253.79
9,007.41
Repairs,
2,582.29
2,174.94
2,823.70
3,784.35
Music, Manual
Training, Drawing,
3,564.13
3,838.61
3,885.22
4,013.83
Other Expenses,
3,612.41
4,637.93
11,340.92
7,891.72
Furniture and
Furnishings,
1,374.97
1,970.72
2,365.85
1,065.69
Rent,
245.00
Commercial,
7,271.74
9,062.99
9,098.95
9,659.97
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
Park Street School,
Thorndike Grammar School,
Improvement of Wenimisset Grounds,
20.00
Special Repairs,
Special Wenimisset
Repairs,
Total,
$132,709.52
$140,464.68
$159,598.37
$171,098.74
Americanization,
$ 3,329.33
$ 658.05
$ 1,511.19
$ 1,870.44
Vacation School
Playgrounds,
3,501.88
2,368.26
Continuation School,
2,359.27
6,612.68
6,119.92
*6,668.57
Total,
$141,900.00
$147,735.41
$167,229.48
$182,006.01
Average Membership,
2,169.90
1,984.11
1,945.65
1,959.17
Average Attendance,
2,104.23
1,899.62
1,867.78
1,885.78
Cost per Pupil Based on Average
Membership,
$61.16
$70.79
$82.03
$87.33
Cost per Pupil Based
on Average
Attendance,
$63.07
$73.94
$85.45
$90.73
* This includes Smith-Hughes Fund, $292.74
TABLE OF COSTS-TEN YEARS COMPARED
$
1925 8,398.63
$
1926 8,673.77 97,089.99
$
1927 8,189.26 100,095.28
$
1928 7,991.49 99,914.39
$
1929 7,952.91 99,605.42
$
1930 8,011.62 101,275.66
8,147.72
8,077.92
6,466.58
6,368.70
6,967.22
6,931.79
9,951.60
10,009.35
9,479.25
8,950.73
10,572.00
12,845.00
8,474.66
8,580.15
9,781.43
10,261.99
11,003.21
11,218.58
15,796.46
10,699.10
10,297.76
7,374.56
8,659.83
8,711.00
3,180.27
2,158.45
2,944.34
2,946.92
3,179.60
3,320.56
3,848.53
1,747.62
1,972.05
1,915.51
1,864.16
2,213.58
4,513.74
4,121.54
3,823.31
3,672.85
3,632.95
3,748.92
6,809.33
7,304.06
8,462.17
11,113.52
7,836.43
6,191.32
1,527.59
1,306.07
557.26
713.43
589.83
609.31
7,410.50
1,305.70
7,102.10
7,825.49
7,551.09
8,726.81
274.00
365.00
4,120.49
4,590.60
$181,085.44 $167,073.72
$169,170.79
$169,049.58
$ 2,085.70
$ 1,684.25
$ 1,547.08
$ 1,376.35
$169,414.65 $ 1,583.76
$174,443.15 $ 1,637.71
6,591.96
7,526.18
6,608.75
3,289.37
$189,763.10
$176,284.15
$177,326.62
$173,715.30
$170,998.41 2,066.05
$176,080.86
2,106.25
2,210.11
2,206.73
2,105.59
2,072.08
2,028.19
2,127.80
2,151.09
2,046.77
1,972.44
2,019.63
$85.98
$75.60
$76.66
$82.03
$82.76
$84.97
$89.30
$78.52
$78.64
$84.92
$86.69
87.18
94,315.32
COST PER SCHOOL
High
Thorndike Street
Park Street
Three Rivers
Commercial
$8,726.81
Fuel and Light
2,244.12
407.45
563.44
1,549.70
Furniture & Furnishings
559.56
48.00
General Expenses
146.65
77.99
66.98
57.32
Janitors' Services
3,272.74
1,200.10
1,200.10
772.86
Maintenance of Build-
dings & Grounds
755.05
307.33
405.92
205.05.
Music, Manual Train-
ing and Drawing
457.11
440.79
586.23
424.22
Other Expenses
2,174.45
853.36
542.96
483.23.
Repairs
350.23
310.04
392.66
2.40
Teachers' Salaries
24,200.48
11,343.63
13,492.49
9,499.73
Textbooks and Supplies 3,074.10
543.28
524.37
517.87
Transportation
4,975.70
2,463.00
1,918.20
266.50
Day Schools
50,937.00
17,946.97
19,741.35
13,778.88
Americanization
Special Repairs : Park Street School
234.00
Thorndike Grammar School
Total
$50,937.00
$17,946.97
$19,975.35
$13,778.88
Average Membership
353.33
251.51
344.37
204.64
Cost Per Pupil
Based on Aver-
age Membership
$144.15
$71.35
$58.00
$67.33
Wenimisset Thorndike
Bondsville
Quabaug
District
Office
Total
$8,726.81
830.02
1,450.74
971.14
562.10
132.29
609.31
1.75
8,011.62
98.67
78.54
76.62
64.03 1,100.00
100.00
772.68
1,100.00
348.24
431.94
358.24
419.36
89.43
3,320.56
287.26
446.28
609.88
374.73
122.42
3,748.92
387.01
650.67
613.72
343.24
142.68
6,191.32
428.44
92.04
176.19
461.39
.19
2,213.58
8,268.38
11,712.38
12,399.01
7,572.94
2,786.62
101,275.66
615.04
678.12
619.98
262.86
96.17
6.931.79
1,080.20
228.25
238.50
179.15
1,495.50
12,845.00
13,115.94
16,870.71
1,637.71
234.00
365.00
365.00
$7,323.45 $176,040.86
$13,115.94 129.58
$17,235.71
$17,763.38 $11,339.80
$4,986.67 53.07
2,072.08
2,072.08
254.88
303.58
177.12
$64.02
$93.95
$ 3.53
$84.95
$101.21
$67.62
$58.51
11,339.80
4,986.67
7,323.45
173,804.15
17,763.38
8,711.00
21.37
7,323.45
11.218.58
1,700.10
INDEX TO CONTENTS
Assessors' Report -
-
-
-
-
- 63
Auditor's Report
-
-
-
-
-
- 123
Board of Health
-
-
-
- 128
Board of Public Welfare - -
118
Cemetery Commissioners' Report
- 103
Chief of Police Report
- 115
Forest Fire Warden
-
-
-
- 114
Jury List - -
-
-
-
- 141
License Commissioners' Report -
- 136
School Committee -
-
-
-
- 155
Sealer of Weights & Measures Report Selectmen and Highway Report -
95
State Auditor's Report
-
-
-
19
Tax Collector's Report
134
Town Bookkeeper's Report -
66
Town Clerk's Report - -
-
-
- 5
Town Officers-Expiration Date
3
Town Warrant
144
Treasurer's Report -
-
-
-
-
-
62
Tree Warden's Report -
-
-
-
- 117
Trial Balance - -
- 94
Young Men's Library Association
-
-
- 137
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
112
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