USA > Massachusetts > Hampden County > Palmer > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Palmer, Massachusetts 1948 > Part 6
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The amount of such grant for each town "shall be de- termined annually by the commissioner (of education) from returns required by this chapter and by chapter seventy-two for the preceding school year, and shall be fifty percent of the amount by which the foundation pro- gram, as defined in section four, exceeds the product of each one thousand dollars of the equalized valuation of such town multiplied by six".
"The foundation program shall be an amount of one hundred and thirty dollars for each person between the ages of seven and sixteen in the several towns as deter- mined in the registration of minors required by section two of chapter seventy-two, which amount shall be in- creased or decreased by one dollar for each hundred mil- lion dollars, or major fraction thereof, of increase or de- crease respectively in the total equalized valuation of the commonwealth, after the effective date of this chapter."
"The equalized valuation of a town for the purposes of this chapter shall be the valuation established by the general court for the purpose of this chapter, or if no such valuation is made, the last preceding valuation made for the purpose of apportioning the state tax."
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A town, to be eligible to receive said school aid, "must have expended for school support, exclusive of cost of transportation and of noon lunches and cafeterias, during the preceding school year not less than one hun- dred and ten dollars per pupil in net average membership in the public day schools."
The superintendent "shall file annually with the commissioner (of education), not later than July thirty- first, a sworn statement, upon blanks prepared by said commissioner, containing the data necessary to determine the amounts payable under this chapter. The commission- er (of education) shall cause such statements to be ex- amined and shall, not later than November first, certify to the comptroller the amount due each town for payment by the state treasurer in accordance with section three."
"School committees shall annually, in submitting es- timates of the amounts of money necessary for the prop- er maintenance of the schools, include their estimate of the amount of school aid the town will receive under this chapter, and of other reimbursements to be received from the commonwealth on account of support of schools. In making recommendations for appropriations for the support of schools, the finance committee of towns and similar committees in cities shall specify the estimated amount to be received as such school aid or reimburse- ments from the commonwealth and the amount to be raised by local taxation."
The act became effective January first, nineteen hundred and forty-nine.
There has been considerable controversy as to wheth- er or not the act gives schools a "red cent".
157
Whether it does or not, what has preceded this shows that $15,000,000 is returned to towns and cities on an al- location plan based in detail upon a school basis.
$10,000,000 of the $15,000,000 comes from a part of the income tax proceeds that formerly were parceled out on a valuation basis. Some towns and cities (the wealth- ier) lose on this changed method of allocation. Palmer gains materially. It is an equalization measure to help poor towns and cities meet school costs. Education is a state-in fact, a national-obligation, rather than a town or city one.
The amount of money coming to Palmer on this new basis of allocation as outlined above is $48,577. The amount is calculated as follows: 1,183 pupils (age 7-16) x $130 $153,790
-$6 per $1,000 on $9,439,266 (equalized val.) 56,636
50% of $97,154-$48,577 (State Aid) $ 97,154
The educational need or load of a town is partly measured by the number of pupils of compulsory school age. The ability of a town to meet that need or carry that load is measured by the equalized valuation of the town. Palmer's load is 1,183 pupils. Her equalized val- uation is $9,439,266, which represents her ability to finance the education of those pupils. Hence the formula, which is based on need and fiscal ability of respective towns and cities, is derived.
If a town has a tax of $6 per $1,000, that represents a certain amount of fiscal effort on the part of the tax- payers. It represents an approximately equal effort in those towns, if all have a $6 per $1,000 tax. The formula,
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therefore, provides that, after all cities and towns have made the equal effort of raising $6 per $1,000, they will each have at least $130 per pupil in compulsory group age for the support of their schools.
These tables, although somewhat lengthy, will show how the new basis of distribution affects Palmer. A little study will make them understandable.
DISTRIBUTION OF INCOME TAX PROCEEDS
(January 11, 1949)
Explanation :
1948
Distribution on old basis :
State
Item Palmer
On school basis
$ 5,000,000
A
$10,203
Transportation
1,000,000
B 7,095
On valuation basis
21,000,000
(x $1.36 per $1,000)
C 28,560
Total distributed
$27,000,000
D
$45,858
1949
(If income tax proceeds distributed are same as in 1948.)
State
Item Palmer
On school basis
$15,000,000
E
$48,577
Transportation
1,000,000
B 7,095
On valuation basis
11,000,000
(x $1.36 per $1,000) G 14,960
$27,000,000
$70,632
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Comparisons
Table I
Item Palmer (Table II)
E $48,577 A -10,203
Item Palmer H $70,632 D -45,858
I $38,374
J $24,774
Increase in School Aid
Increase to town treasury
(Table III)
Item Palmer C $28,560
(Table IV)
Item Palmer I $38,374
G -14,960
K -13,600
K $13,600
Decrease in aid on valuation basis.
L $24,774 Amount School Budget can be in- creased without increasing local tax rate.
(Note: Double check: Item J should equal Item L.)
1949
(If income proceeds are $4,000,000 more than in 1948. See note at bottom)
On school basis
State $15,000,000
Item Palmer E $48,577
Transportation 1,000,000
B 7,095
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On valuation basis 15,000,000 (x $1.36 per $1,000) 0 20,400
$31,000,000
(Table V)
Item Palmer
(Table VI)
$76,072 Item Palmer P $76,072
E $48,577
A -10,203
D
-45,858
Q $38,374
R $30,214
Increase in school aid.
Increase to town treasury.
(Table VII)
Item Palmer
(Table VIII)
Item Palmer Q $38,374
C $28,560
0 -20,400
S
-8,160
S $ 8,160
T $30,214
Decrease in aid on valuation basis.
Amount School Budget can be in- creased without increasing local tax rate.
(Note: Double check: Item R should equal Item T.)
(If income proceeds are $8,000,000 more than in 1948. See note at bottom.) State
On school basis $15,000,000
Item Palmer E $48,577
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Transportation On valuation basis
1,000,000 19,000,000
B
7,095
(x $1.36 per $1,000) 01 25,840
$35,000,000
P1 $81,512
(Table IX)
Item Palmer
(Table X)
Item Palmer
E $48,577
P1 $81,512
A -10,203
D
-45,858
Q $38,374
R1 $35,654
Increase in school aid. (Table XI)
Item Palmer
(Table XII)
Item Palmer Q $38,374
C
$28,560
01 -25,840
S1 - 2,720
S1 $ 2,720
T1 $35,654
Decrease in aid on valuation basis.
Amount School Budget can be in- creased without increasing local tax rate. (Note: Double check: Item R1 should equal Item T1.)
(If income proceeds are $10,000,000 more than in 1948. See note at bottom) State $15,000,000
On school basis
Item Palmer E $48,577
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Increase to town treasury.
Transportation On valuation basis
1,000,000 21,000,000
B
7,095
(x $1.36 per $1,000) 011 28,560
$37,000,000
P11 $84,232
(Table XIV)
Item Palmer
P11 $84,232
A -10,203
D -45,858
Q $38,374
R11 $38,374 Decrease to town treasury.
Increase in school aid.
(Table XV)
Item Palmer
(Table XVI)
Item Palmer Q $38,374
C $28,560
011 -28,560
S11 -00,000
S11 00,000
Decrease in aid on valuation basis.
T11 $38,374 Amount School Budget can be in- creased without increasing local tax rate.
(Note : Double check : Item R11 should equal Item T11.)
Item U:
For every $1,000,000 increase in total income tax proceeds to State, Palmer would receive an increase of $1,360 in Item G (0, 01, 011). One competent source has estimated that the total increase in income tax pro- ceeds in 1949 over 1948 will be "perhaps $8,000,000 or less".
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(Table XIII)
Item Palmer E $48,577
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I particularly want to call your attention to these facts :- (1) If the tax proceeds are the same this year as last-$27,000,000-the School Budget can be increased $24,774 without increasing the local tax rate; (2) If $4,000,000 more-$31,000,000-it can be increased $30,214; (3) If $8,000,000 more-$35,000,000- (some predict, ap- proximately $8,000,000) it can be increased $35,654; (4) If $10,000,000 more-$37,000,000-it can be increased $38,374.
The increase in 1949 over 1948 is $48,577, less $10,203, or $38,374, which represents a $5.05 reduction on tax rate.
Actually, the net gain is $24,774-equivalent to $3.26 reduction on tax rate.
Towns receive subsidies on Aid to Dependent Chil- dren, Old Age Assistance, and Roads (Chapter 90, Main- tenance and Chapter 90, Joint Construction) all of which lessen impact on tax rate. Why not schools ?
Real estate cannot bear a heavier load; new sources of taxation must be found. A tax dollar in 1949, compared to same dollar in 1940, does not buy the same amount of goods-services or materials. Roughly, it takes $1.60 to buy what $1 bought in 1940. The tax dollar cannot per- form miracles. It is deflated like every other dollar.
Federal help is near. Federal money without federal dictation is very desirable. After all, whose primary in- terest is education ? Who most needs an educated elector- ate?
One can argue ad infinitum. "Like it, or lump it" state and federal aid for education are forthcoming.
.
165
This year, a new legislative proposal-Senate 130- will be introduced and, if enacted, will give an additional $25,000,000, making the total amount of school aid to be contributed by the State $40,000,000 beginning in 1950. State school aid would then be about 38% of the cost of school support. In 1948, it was 7% ; in 1949, will be 17% ; in 1950, will be 38%-we hope. In 1949, about 39 states will spend more than 17%; 8 states less. Massachusetts will rank about 40th among the 48 states. The median percentage for the 48 states will be about 42%.
The proposed increase of $25,000,000 in school aid will be distributed to the cities and towns in accordance with this formula :- the amount by which $1,600 multi- plied by the number of teachers (supervisors, principals, teachers, directors, school librarians and nurses) exceeds each $1,000 of the equalized valuation multiplied by two.
The number of teachers multiplied by $1,600 repre- sents the relative educational load of the town. Each $1,000 of equalized valuation of the town multiplied by two represents the relative ability of the town to finance schools by local taxation. The extent to which the educa- tional load exceeds the ability of the town to support schools is the measure of the amount of school aid the town needs to receive from the State.
The purpose is, as in Chapter 643, passed in 1948, to equalize educational opportunity and the burden of the cost of supporting schools in the respective cities and towns in the state. The money would be labeled "school aid".
The 1948 state-aid-to-schools legislation (the $15,000,000) was based upon an equalized formula-the number of children of compulsory school age in each town in relation to the valuation of the town; the 1949 pro-
166
posed legislation likewise is based upon a seemingly com- plementary equalized formula-the number of teachers in each town in relation to the valuation. What can be a fairer method of state school aid-the number of school- age children and the number of teachers employed in each town in relation to its wealth?
The two formulae as applied to Palmer would result as follows :
Enacted-1948 School Aid-Pupils
1,183 (Pupils 14-15 yrs.) x $130 $153,790 Less $9,439,266 (equalized valuation) x $6- 56,636
50% of $ 97,154 $48,577
Proposed-1949 School Aid-Teachers
55 (Teachers) x $1,600- $ 88,000
Less $9,439,266 (equalized valuation) x $2- $ 18,879 $69,121
Combined (Pupils and Teachers) Formula'- $117,698
This would be a "tidy" sum! (Much of the above is taken from information furnished by Mr. Nixon, execu- tive secretary, and Mr. Pitkin, research director, of the Massachusetts Teachers Federation.)
The position taken by the Palmer School Committee in the quest for State Aid is best exemplified by this com- munication sent in March, 1947, to individual members of the Committee on Education and Municipal Finance Committee :
167
"Dear Sir:
"The Palmer School Committee has given careful consideration to the need of additional State Aid for the financing of education.
"The Committee definitely feels that these general conclusions are sound and irrefutable :
"1. The burden of taxation falling upon real estate is too heavy.
"2. The present system of financing education (real estate, largely) is archaic, antiquated, and out- moded.
"3. Education is, largely, a state function.
"4. The State should aid education much more sub- stantially.
"5. The State has, within its powers, a much broad- er base of taxation than towns and cities.
"6. The State should tap other sources of income to aid education.
"7. Other states are using these resources much more than Massachusetts.
"8. Massachusetts (ranking sixth among the for- ty-eight states in wealth per child, forty-second in per- cent of income spent for schools, and forty-fourth in State aid for Schools) can well afford to take her proper place along side of the other states in direct aid to edu- cation.
"9. The distribution of State aid should be on a more equalized plan.
168
"10. The State aid should be earmarked for educa- tion, as are old age assistance and highway State aid.
"In view of these conclusions, the Palmer School Committee has passed the following vote :- Voted, that the Palmer School Committee (1) ask the Massachu- setts Legislature for increased State aid; (2) that the Legislature earmark such State aid for education; (3) that the Legislature grant such State aid without any impairment of School Committee's powers; and (4) that the Legislature delete that part of House Bill #1393, or any other bill carrying a similar proposal, that would change the powers of School Committees.
"(Signed) CLIFTON H. HOBSON "Secretary, Palmer School Committee."
Single Salary Schedule
The Palmer School Committee adopted on Decem- ber 27, 1948, to become effective January 1, 1949, the fol- lowing Single Salary Schedule :
PALMER SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Adopted, December 27, 1948 Effective, January 1, 1949
Service-Years
Preparation
Bachelor's
Degree or
Master's
No Degree
Equivalent
Degree
First
$2,000
$2,200
$2,400
Second
2,100
2,300
2,500
Third
2,200
2,400
2,600
Fourth
2,300
2,500
2,700
Fifth
2,400
2,600
2,800
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Sixth
2,500
2,700
2,900
Seventh
2,600
2,800
3,000
Eighth
2,700
2,900
3,100
Ninth
2,800
3,000
3,200
Tenth
2,900
3,100
3,300
Eleventh
3,000
3,200
3,400
Note : Twenty years of service will be considered equi- valent to a Bachelor's Degree.
Objectives
1. To attract competent teachers to serve in the Pal- mer Schools.
2. To retain competent teachers in the Palmer Schools.
3. To promote continued professional growth of teach- ers in the Palmer Schools.
4. To enable teachers in the Palmer Schools to main- tain adequate living and cultural standards, and to accumulate reasonable savings.
Principles
1. The basic salary classification of teachers is deter- mined by professional and academic qualifications, irrespective of grade level of pupils taught-single salary schedule.
2. Teachers of equivalent preparation, experience, and teaching load receive equal pay irrespective of sex -equal pay schedule.
3. The formulation of teachers' salary schedules and salary policies is the function of the school com- mittee which is always receptive to suggestions,
170
advice, and requests by school administrators and teachers.
4. The relationship of professional and academic qual- ifications to the location of teachers on the salary schedule is clearly stated in the rules and regula- tions governing the operation of this schdeule.
Rules and Regulations
1. This salary schedule shall become effective January 1, 1949.
2. No teacher serving in the Palmer Schools at the time that this salary schedule becomes operative shall receive a reduction in salary to fit the new salary schedule.
3. Step-rate increases shall become effective January first of each year.
4. Annual step-rate increases are not automatic unless continued service is satisfactory. Teachers are ex- pected to maintain an average of 2.0, or better, on the scale :- (1) excellent; (2) good; (3) fair; (4) unsatisfactory, in ratings by superintendent and principals, using the following 10 points:
1. Personality (making for good classroom spirit).
2. Pupil control and classroom management.
3. Satisfactory results with teaching.
4. Teaching techniques.
5. Preparation of lessons and plan books.
6. Proper care of classroom and equipment.
7. Punctuality.
8. £
Professional improvement.
171
£
9. Accuracy and promptness in completing re- reports.
10. Co-operation with principal, parents, and pupils.
5. No teacher shall receive more than five annual in- crements in salary unless he presents evidence of completion of professional study equal to six college credits during each five-year period, all courses being approved in advance by the superintendent.
6. New teachers shall have a Bachelor's Degree and shall have substantial preparation in the field in which they are to teach and in the professional study of education.
7. Experienced teachers entering the Palmer School system will be allowed full credit for previous teaching experience up to five years. Beyond that point, for the following ten years, one year's credit will be allowed or every two years taught, thus allowing an aggregate of ten years' credit before a teacher of fifteen, or more, years of teaching ex- perience begins service in the Palmer Schools.
8. Teachers in service when this salary schedule be- comes operative shall advance at the rate of $100 per year from their present salary to the new maximums in their individual cases.
9. Every teacher is expected to do a reasonable amount of extra-curricular work and to perform other duties which call for time outside of school hours, without extra compensation. Certain duties involving much more than extra time expected of all teachers will be paid additional compensation as determined by the school committee.
172
10. Each teacher is entitled to ten days of sick leave each school year with full pay. Unused sick leave is cumulative to a total of thirty days with full pay. When this schedule becomes operative, each teacher on tenure will be credited with ten days of accumu- lative unused sick leave. A doctor's certificate is required for all absences covering a period of more than three days. Three days absence, to be charged against sick leave, for illness or death of grand- parents, parents, husband, wife, child, brother, sis- ter, or "in-laws" shall be allowed with full pay.
11. The salaries of principals, supervisors, and special teachers shall be determined by the school com- mittee.
12. Subject to all provisions of the law, this salary schedule may be repealed or may be amended by vote of the school committee, provided that notice of any proposed repeal or amendment has been given in writing thirty days prior to the vote of each mem- ber of the committee.
The Committee made a very careful survey of salary schedules throughout the State, with a very "fine-tooth" study of schedules in towns and cities in the immediate environ. The findings were that Palmer was in the rear- guard and not the vanguard. The schedule adopted is about average when compared with environing towns and cities.
Questionnaires sent out early in December revealed these schedules, many of which were in a fluid state be- cause, in several towns and cities, teachers were seeking more money :
Comparison of Minima and Maxima Salaries in Nearby Towns
East
West Warren Longmeadow Agawam Springfield Easthampton Northampton
No Degree, Min.
1800
1800
2000
1900
1800
2000
"
, Max. ,
2000
2600
2600
2900
2821
3100
Bachelor
, Min.
2000
2200
2000
2100
2150
2200
"
, Max.
2900
3000
3000
3300
2850
3400
Master
, Min.
2200
2400
2200
2300
2350
2500
"
, Max.
3100
3200
3200
3600
3050
3700
Holyoke
Ware
Monson
Webster
Ludlow Westfield
Turners Falls
No Degree, Min. " "
2000
1700
2000
, Max. ,
2800
3000
2200
2756
2400
3000
2900
Bachelor
, Min.
2100
2600
2100
2000
2400
,
Max.
3025
3300
3300
3100
3000
3400
3100
Master
,
Min.
2300
2800
2200
2200
2600
,
Max.
3725
3500
3600
3300
3200
3600
3300
,
174
The new schedule is fair; is in line with similar schedules in State and neighboring communites. Its Ob- jectives are good; its Principles, fair ; its Rules and Re- gulations, specific, comprehensive, and progressive.
More money is paid; more and better preparation will be secured. In-service training is required if con- tinued climbing to maximums is uninterrupted-profes- sional improvement.
Tables were given the School Committee to show the accumulative financial impact over the years to come.
The additional money coming from State Aid will ease the burden.
On the basis of present cost of living-1940 com- pared with 1949-a salary of $1,600 is worth roughly, in purchasing power $1,000; a salary of $2,400; $1,500; a salary of $3,200, $2,000.
Conclusion
This report, over a period of years, has been rather brief. This year, it has advisedly been lengthened. Such matters as Major Repairs, State Aid, and Salary Sche- dule should be presented, as they are, somewhat in de- tail. Much thought, detailed study, and time have been given these. The public is entitled to know "the whats and the whys".
I wish to thank the School Committee for its inter- est, fairness, open-mindedness, and progressiveness. It has been a real pleasure to work with, and for them.
175
The attitude of Parent-Teacher Associations has been outstandingly co-operative and helpful. The teachers have been loyal ; parents, patient and appreciative ; pupils, as a whole, responsive; citizens, generally, generous.
We hope the schools are meeting their opportuni- ties; discharging their obligations; and making a real contribution.
Respectfully submitted,
CLIFTON H. HOBSON Superintendent of Schools.
Palmer, Massachusetts January 14, 1949.
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TOWN WARRANT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
County of Hampden,
Town of Palmer,
To either of the Constables of the Town of Palmer, in said County,
GREETING :
In the name of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby required to notify and warn all the inhabi- tants of the Town of Palmer, qualified to vote in elections of town officers, to meet at the several polling places in said Palmer, designated by the selectmen, to wit: In Pre- cinct A, in the High School Gymnasium on Converse Street in the Depot Village; in Precinct B, at the Thorn- dike Grammar School in Thorndike; in Precinct C at the Three Rivers Grammar School in Three Rivers, and in Precinct D, at the Bondsville Grammar School in Bonds- ville, on Monday, the seventh day of February, A. D. 1949, at ten o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to give in their votes on one ballot to the town, for the following officers, to wit: 3 Selectmen, 5 Constables, 3 License Commissioners, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, 3 Auditors, Tree Warden, all for the term of one year; 1 Member of the Board of Health, 1 Member of the Board of Public Welfare, 1 Assessor, 1 Cemetery Commissioner, 1 Member of the School Committee, all for the term of three years; and 2 Members of the Planning Board for the term of five years.
177
The polls will be open at ten o'clock in the forenoon and will be closed at eight o'clock in the evening.
And you are further hereby required to notify and warn the inhabitants of said Palmer, qualified to vote in town affairs, to meet at the Town House at Four Corners in said Palmer, on Monday, the fourteenth day of Febru- ary, A. D. 1949, at seven o'clock in the evening, then and there to act on the following articles, viz:
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside at said meeting.
Article 2. To choose all other usual town officers.
Article 3. To act on the reports of the town offi- cers.
Article 4. To see if the town will vote to authorize the town treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1949 and to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year, in accordance with Section 17 of Chapter 44 of the General Laws.
Article 5. To see if the town will vote to authorize the treasurer, with the approval of the selectmen, to bor- row money as permitted by law to meet any appropria- tions made or expenses incurred under any of the articles of this warrant.
Article 6. To raise money and make appropria- tions to defray the expenses of the town for the ensuing year.
178
Article 7. To see if the town will vote to fix the salary and compensation of all elective officers of the town as provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41, General Laws, as amended, viz: Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, Collector of Taxes, 3 Selectmen, 3 Assessors, 3 Members of the Board of Public Welfare, 3 Auditors, 3 Members of the Board of Health and Tree Warden and raise and ap- propriate a sum of money therefor.
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