USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1930-1931 > Part 32
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The boiler repair bill this year is considerably larger than in previous years due to the fact that many defects and imperfections, over which we have no control, have shown up in the various systems.
There is still much to be done to improve our play- ground facilities, but we feel this can be accomplished later when economic conditions are somewhat improved.
WORK OF THE BUILDING SUPERVISOR
There are four phases of work assigned to the build- ing supervisor.
(1) The building supervisor's duty is to keep con- stant watch upon all fire hazards. The town has about a million dollars invested in school buildings, upon which there is no insurance. No oily rags or waste paper are allowed to collect. Both the state and local authorities have commended the school department upon the elimi- nation of fire risks.
(2) The building supervisor has charge of the jani- tors to see that they keep the buildings in excellent sani- tation and use coal economically. He has reduced the costs of heating the schools.
(3) The building supervisor directs the work in all large painting and reconstruction contracts.
(4) The building supervisor makes all types of re- pairs, such as windows, their sash chains and curtains, plumbing connected with faucets, drinking fountains, toilets, radiators, doors and their locks, bells and clocks, chairs and seats, fences, door steps, bulkheads, and odd jobs painting. He also makes pieces of furniture for classroom use as occasion requires.
Once a month he runs the portable moving picture ma- chine to show the health pictures in the elementary and junior high schools.
He is at immediate service when any emergency arises, such as a building too cold in the early morning or a broken section in a boiler.
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The committee believes that his services are very val- uable in keeping the buildings in excellent shape, safe, sanitary and free from fire risks.
STEPS IN BUILDING PROGRAM
1. Fall, 1927-Survey of educational needs by Prof. Jesse B. Davis with recommendations for Junior High School and Senior High School.
2. March, 1928-School Committee recommended ad- dition to Junior High School to accommodate grades seven, eight and nine, as planned by the Frank Irving Cooper Corporation and approved by Prof. Davis.
3. March, 1929-School Committee recommended extension of above building to provide for the senior high school as well, using in common a gymnasium, an assem- bly hall and special rooms. This did away with objections raised to the first plan. It also provided a new senior high school at minimum cost. Town voted to appoint a special committee to study the situation.
4. March, 1930-Special committee recommended a new junior high school on the Holmes Field and the turn- ing of the present Junior High School into a senior high school building, duplicating the gymnasium, assembly hall and special rooms. The School Committee advised against it on the grounds that the combined school building was more economical in original cost and in maintenance. Both committees agreed on the educational needs.
5. March, 1931-After much discussion with the Fi- nance Committee, we decided to compromise and ask the town to erect a section of our proposed new High School building. It was that part which would house the present freshman class and eliminate the afternoon and short time sessions, but would not meet all the needs of a modern educational system. We presented this plan to the voters at the annual town meeting with the Finance Committee reporting in favor of our project 14 to 1. There was no voiced opposition on the floor of the meet- ing but we failed to poll the necessary two-thirds vote by a small margin.
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6. December, 1931-The School Committee accepted the offer of the Frank Irving Cooper Corporation to sub- mit without cost final plans and specifications and secure bids so that there would be no question in regard to the actual cost of the building. These plans and costs will be available at the March town meeting.
CHANGES IN PERSONNEL
During the past year the committee lost the services of two very valuable, hard-working, conscientious members. Mr. Frederick D. Bartlett, Chairman of the School Com- mittee for the past eight years, and A. Perry Richards, Esq., who gave six years of his time and energy along with the advantages of his legal knowledge and experi- ence. These members did not seek re-election.
The two new members are Mr. Edward W. Bradford, who had formerly served eleven years on the committee, five years being as chairman, and Mr. Edward A. Butt- ner, a prominent merchant.
At the close of the calendar year the committee was very sorry to receive the resignation of Miss Katharine A. O'Brien, Principal of the Junior High School since its organization in 1917, and a teacher in the public schools of Plymouth for forty-six years. Although Miss O'Brien's retirement would have been inevitable a few years hence, her loss will be keenly felt by pupils, parents, teachers, executives, and the School Committee. The good influence of her sterling character, outstanding leadership, and wise counsel is fully appreciated by the committee.
E. HAROLD DONOVAN, Chairman, FANNIE T. ROWELL, EDWARD W. BRADFORD, ALBERT L. MELLOR, HARRY W. BURNS, EDWARD A. BUTTNER,
School Committee.
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RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY MEMBERS OF PLYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEES, APRIL, 1931
WHEREAS, Mr. Frederick D. Bartlett has served the Town of Plymouth during the past thirty years in the various capacities of Representative in the State Legis- lature, Chairman of the Board of Health, the Board of Selectmen, the Town Finance Committee and the School Committee ; and
WHEREAS, for the past eight years he has served as Chairman of the Plymouth School Committee, during which time we, the undersigned members of the School Committees, have known him intimately,
BE IT RESOLVED, that we express to him our sincere appreciation of his splendid record as a public servant, his unselfish devotion of his time and thought to the many intricate problems of the various departments, his faith- ful discharge of all his duties, his unbiased and unswerv- ing support of all activities benefiting the town, his sterling character, his sympathetic attitude, his high idealism and especially of his untiring efforts to give every Plymouth boy and girl that educational training which would best fit each one for his life work;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that we extend to Mr. Bartlett the wish that his remaining years may be filled with the satisfaction that comes from the consciousness of having faithfully and efficiently discharged the many trusts placed upon him by his fellow citizens.
E. HAROLD DONOVAN FANNIE T. ROWELL
H. W. BURNS
E. W. BREWSTER
ALBERT L. MELLOR
HELEN F. PIERCE
EDWARD R. BELCHER
A. PERRY RICHARDS EDWARD W. BRADFORD EDWARD A. BUTTNER
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REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee:
I herewith submit my sixth annual report as Su- perintendent of the Plymouth Schools. To it is added extracts from reports of all the departments.
CHILDREN FIRST
Education is "the eternal debt of maturity to childhood and youth." In these times of severe depression it is very natural to consider every means of reducing the costs in all departments of the town. On the other hand these are the years for the children to receive preparation for their adult life which is so soon to come. The schools should be the last to receive any radical re- ductions which will affect their efficiency and which will make the children help pay for present conditions by lost educational advantages.
Mr. J. E. Morgan, Editor of the Journal of the Na- tional Education Association states :
"The depression has reached the final psychological stage. Recovery is a matter of faith. We can hoard our money, starve our fellows, reduce salaries, lower standards of living, and paralyze those vital marginal industries that depend on generous buying power, or we can recognize frankly that our real treasure is hu- man life and set about to conserve and strengthen the vital values. We can put children first and keep them first, knowing that it is they who must carry the torch tomorrow if civilization is to march forward. Of course, this will mean sacrifice, but sacrifice in order that children may have educational opportunity is no new thing in America.
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Most of the men and women who today are the backbone of our republic hold their present places be- cause farsighted parents knew that children came first, and had the grace and the courage to do without that sons and daughters might have a better life than theirs had been. That is the real American Spirit. In that spirt let us keep the schools at their best. Our great national treasure is the children. Let's keep the children first."
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We must economize but we must go on with increased efficiency, is the slogan adopted by the school department. To determine just where to economize without decreas- ing efficiency requires careful thought and study of the present budget. On the opposite page is given the school costs for the period of ten years from 1921 to 1931.
COMPARISON OF INCREASE WITH STATE INCREASE
School costs in Plymouth have increased less rapidly than in the State. From a study of the figures given on page 18 it is apparent at once that the school budget has increased $42,328.62 from 1921 to 1931. This is an increase of 20 per cent and looks large. The number of pupils in December 1931 was 2578, and in 1931 was 2569, so that the enrollment was practically the same. During these ten years the average state cost per pupil increased from $76.99 to $100.77, an increase of 31%. Plymouth's increase, therefore, has been only two-thirds that of the state.
Since 1926 the local budget has increased $12,455.53, or 4.9%. During this five year period the average cost per pupil in the state has increased from $88.91 to $100.77 an increase of 13.3 per cent. That is, on a per pupil basis the cost in Plymouth has increased about only two fifths as much as in the state. This small increase has been made in spite of an increase of over $2,000 in transporta- tion costs, due to the two sessions at the high school. There has been an increase of over 200 pupils in the high school, offset by a decrease of a corresponding number in the grades. The cost per pupil at the high school is neces- sarily higher than for an elementary pupil so that this change meant an additional cost.
COMPARISON OF COSTS BY ITEMS
In all except two items Plymouth is below the state cost per pupil. The following table shows this. The
Plymouth Twenty
COMPARISON OF SCHOOL DEPARTMENT EXPENSES 1921-1931
1921
General Expenses $2,373.98
Teachers' Salaries $138,709.01 138,524.30
Supplies $9,676.13
Transp $8,816.90 9,260.86
Janitors' Services $10,973.32
Fuel $17,273.55 11,392.25
Maint. $10,727.44 12,011.73 9,609.48
Equip $2,834.53 1,140.40
5,424.33
2,252.72
206,000.69 214,093.53
1924
7,938.45
140,626.07
11,041.83
12,904.23
11,054.49
10,730.02
1,690.01
6,016.98
3,557.59
225,622.60
1925
7,073.77
147,263.80
9,870.37
13,353.30
10,923.87
9,869.84
20,063.52 17,193.57
2,759.03
6,128.80
4,008.31
228,444.66
1926
7,067.16
151,040.81
11,971.33
14,755.20
11,630.76
10,918.71
17,865.74
3,029.16
8,256.30
4,506.41
241,041.58 248,910.85
1927
8,781.47
153,941.44
13,390.57
15,590.47
11,525.35
10,367.14
21,629.32
4,428.32
7,571.18
1,285.60
247,429.71
1929
8,467.26
163,606.35
11,980.96
18,044.11
12,674.23
9,260.36
12,923.97
1,293.41
7,361.13
1,106.39
246,718.17
1930
8,577.52
165,147.67
14,497.54
18,080.00
12,263.76
9,820.45
11,148.15
1,378.47
7,550.97
1,342.08
249,806.62
1931
8,406.95
170,516.01
11,974.18
16,971.02
12,554.75
9,283.90
13,746.70
1,191.31
7,162.38
1,689.91
253,497.11
1923
6,296.94
139,787.88
9,004.16
11,954.63
11,356.21
14,180.71
2,176.93
5,846.17
3,880.42
Totals $211,168.49
1922
6,468.32
7,992.96
13,165.83
16,897.78
12,494.50
11,368.02
16,568.24
3,730.26
7,300.61
1,279.76
1928
7,958.67
156,666.04
Note-The classification of "General Expenses" by the Town Clerk and by the School Department were different for at least 1921-1923. For the past four years the classification of bills by the two departments has been more uniform. On the same items as now listed under general expense, the expense according to the Town Clerk was $9,241.58 in 1921, $7,917.36 in 1922, and $7,396.43 in 1923.
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Text Books &
Medical Dept. $4,983.43
Misc. & Tuition
$4,346.20
11,532.21
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state figures are for the year ending June 30, 1931. The Plymouth figures are based on the expenditures for the year ending December 31, 1931.
EXPENSE PER PUPIL
General Expense
State $3.84
Plymouth
$3.36
$.48
less
Teachers' Salaries
69.92
67.03
2.89
less
Text Books, Supplies, etc.
5.68
5.07
.61
less
Operation of Plant
10.85
9.49
1.36
less
Repairs and Maintenance
5.08
4.78
.30
less
Health
1.64
2.80
1.16 more
Tuition
1.03
.67
.36
less
Total Cost tion
without Transporta-
$98.04
$93.20
$4.84
less
Transportation
2.72
6.73
4.01
over
Total Cost with Transportation
$100.76
$99.93
$.83
less
The higher cost of the health department has placed Plymouth in the front ranks. The results of the health program fully justify this cost. In the recent state clinic which tested children for tuberculosis, Plymouth had a very high per cent of pupils tested and the results showed a very low number of suspects. A second result is im- proved school attendance.
Plymouth is the largest town in area in the state and naturally its transportation cost is very heavy .
In items other than transportation it is $4.84 per pupil under the state cost. Were the above items except trans- portation at state average cost it would mean an addi- tion of $12,000 in the budget. Plymouth is well below the state cost in all items except transportation and health.
CAUSES OF INCREASE
1. Increase in salaries of teachers.
The largest increase has been in the salaries of teach- ers, amouting to about $35,000 in this ten year period, and has been due to three factors: increase in the num- ber of teachers, increase in the maximum salary, and in- crease in the experience and training of the teachers.
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(a) Increase in the Number of Teachers.
Between 1921 and 1925 there were five additional teachers, due chiefly to the development of physical edu- cation, and to the use of permanent substitute teachers. These substitute teachers have now been replaced by cadet teachers, local inexperienced normal school grad- uates with a high rank, thus permitting them to get fur- ther experience before being assigned to the full respon- sibility of a regular grade. To a very large extent these cadet teachers take the places of regular teachers who are ill, and thus save the cost of hiring substitutes. Their time is also used to help the slow pupils, which greatly reduces the number of pupils who would repeat the grades.
Between 1928 and 1931 six more teachers were added to the force, due to the increased enrollment of over 200 pupils at the Senior High School.
The addition of these eleven teachers has meant an in- crease of about $15,000.
(b) Increase in Maximum Salary.
In 1925 the maximum salary at the Senior High School was increased in general from $1,600 to $1,800, although a very few teachers received even $2,000 or $2,200 at that time. At the same time the teachers at the Junior High School received an increase from $1,600 to $1,700. In 1926 the elementary teachers received an increase from $1,400 to $1,500. These increases simply made the salaries in Plymouth the average salary of the state.
These changes in maximum meant an added increase of $6,000 to $8,000 to the budget during a period of three to four years.
(c) Increase in Training and Experience.
From data that is available the following table has been prepared :
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(1) Comparison of Salaries 1921 with 1931
1921
1931
Average Salary of Principles .. $2,014 $2,471
Maximum in Elementary Grades No. Grade Teachers at Maximum Maximum in Junior High School No. Junior High Teachers at Maximum
1,400 1,500 or 1,550
12 34
1,600 1,700 or 1,750
8 12
Maximum in Senior High School
1,600* 1,800*
No. High School Teachers at Maximum
10 13
*Men Teachers and Heads of Department not included.
(2) Training and Experience 1925 and1931
No. Teachers
4 yrs. college 2 or 3 yrs.
No. Teachers No. Teachers with 1 year or less
or normal normal
1925
30
45
21
1931
34
61
7
1925-Per cent trained teachers 78. 66
1931-"
93.
The 7% untrained have 10 years or more local ex- perience.
(3) Number Teachers, Supervisors & Principals at Maximum
In 1927-43
In 1931-68
The increase in cost due to increased training and ex- perience may be estimated at $10,000.
This increased training and experience of the teaching force is an exceedingly valuable asset to the town. It has been brought about by fewer changes in teachers and by higher standards of entrance into the profession. Never has the town had so highly a trained or more experienced force. Any decrease in either of these means a decrease in efficiency.
2. Increase in Cost of Transportation.
Between the years 1921 and 1926 the cost of trans- portation had increased $6,000, due in part to the increase
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in the cost of the pupils' trolley tickets from two and one- half cents to five cents. Since 1926 the increase has been due to the following factors :
1. The closing of the Chiltonville and Russell Mills Schools and the transfer of the pupils into the center schools, saving two teachers and maintenance costs in the form of janitors and fuel, at a cost of about $9.50 a day.
2. The double session at the Senior High School has necessitated extra trips from Manomet, Long Pond, Darby and Russell Mills, at a cost of $10 to $12 a day.
3. Pupils at the Gurnet Light meant added transpor- tation at a cost of $2 a day.
4. Transporting children from Raymond's Corner and Beaver Dam Road at Manomet increased costs at about $1.50 a day.
These total $4,000 to $4,500 a year.
REDUCTION IN COSTS
1. Reduction of the number of teachers.
The number of teachers may be reduced without real loss of efficiency.
The following figures show the cost per pupil for 1931 at the several schools. Maintenance is not included as this is very variable, depending upon the extent of repairs any given year.
COST PER PUPIL 1931
No. Pupils per Teacher
Cost per Pupil 71.49
Hedge School
31.3
Cornish-Burton
33.6
70.71
Mt. Pleasant
35.3
71.12
Knapp School
33.5
81.01
Average
33.1
72.87
Oak Street
3.4
62.03
Cold Spring
20
102.10
Lincoln Street
27
92.00
Alden Street
24
88.45
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Wellingsley
28
77.48
Cliff Street
20
105.71
Manomet
22
99.61
Cedarville
26
128.28
Note-Cost of supervision not included in small schools. If this were to be pro-rated, the cost would be a little higher.
The continuance of the Cold Spring, Lincoln and Cliff Street Schools cannot be justified. A reorganization of the districts would save at least three teachers and other expenses of operation.
Alden Street may well be used for 30 pupils in the first three grades, similar to the arrangement at the Wellings- ley School. Some pupils in grade one, two or three in the Alden and Cold Spring districts may well go to the Cornish or Knapp Schools. This arrangement would save two teachers, heating and janitor service.
Lincoln Street School had only five pupils to enter the first grade this year. Unless more enter another year it will not be wise to continue this room.
The pupils at Cliff Street can probably be absorbed by the grades in town at a small additional cost of trans- portation. Instead of one bus to bring the Chiltonville and Russell Mills upper grade pupils into town, and an auto to bring the Russell Mills primary grades to the Cliff Street School, two busses could be used, one for Chiltonville and Cliff Street and one for Russell Mills. This would permit all pupils in this section of the town to have the advantages of the better graded schools at a reduced cost.
These consolidations should produce a saving of at least $5,000.
2. Reduction in Transportation.
All the transportation routes are open for competitive bids by reliable concerns or individuals. The terms se- cured are very reasonable. The only way to reduce these costs is to allow no Junior High School pupil transporta- tion unless he lives over two miles from the school, and
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deny the small pupils at Manomet bus transportation un- less over the two mile limit. The total saving would be. about $1,000. In these days of the automobile with its ac- companying danger, it is not wise to deny the small chil- dren this safety. As soon as all classes at the Senior High School have the same regular hours, a further re- duction should be made by saving duplication of routes.
3. Reduction in Cost of Maintenance.
Maintenance costs may be temporarily decreased. If this be done, it usually means a greater cost at a later time. It is poor economy to let buildings depreciate. 4. Reduction in Cost of Supplies.
Reductions have been made during the past year. The schools have spent only two and one-half cents per day per pupil for all types of supplies and text books. By rigid economy further small reductions may be possible. 5. Reduction in Teachers' Salaries.
Reduction in teachers' salaries at the present time is not wise.
The maximum salary in the elementary grades is $1,500, in the Junior High School $1,700, and in the Sen- ior High $1,800, with the exception of a few who have college preparatory work, who are paid a little more. The maximum in the elementary grades and in the Sen- ior High School is just average for the state, that of the Junior High School a little above. Reduction of these salaries ten per cent would place Plymouth's maximum salary in the lower ten per cent in the state.
For the year ending June 30, 1931, the actual average salary paid the elementary teachers in Plymouth was $1,462. To reduce this ten per cent would give the teach- er $1,316. The actual average salary in the Junior High School was $1,650, and in the Senior High School $1,676. Reducing these ten per cent makes them respectively $1,485 and $1,509.
Such a salary schedule would neither attract nor retain the best teachers.
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At the Senior High School an effort has been made to improve its efficiency. Several changes have been made, which have resulted in an improvement but which have meant somewhat higher salaries. In every case where greater training and finer experience have meant a high- er salary, the increase has been justified by increased efficiency. Yet today on the basis of average salary paid in the high school Plymouth ranks 43 in a group of 78 towns with a population of 5,000 or more. Reducing the average salary to $1,509 and that of the teachers with the responsibility for college preparation to $1,710 would create a grave situation. Nothing could be more detri- mental to the efficiency and morale not only of the high school but of all the schools than to decrease the salaries.
It is true that there are many inexperienced teachers seeking positions. Some are well prepared with fine qualifications, many are of a type not desired in any sys- tem where personality and character are considered an essential characteristic of a teacher, and some are col- lege graduates of excellent character but with no training for their profession. There is no abundance of well trained experienced teachers of character and personal- ity without an adequate high salary schedule to attract. A decrease in the salary maximum means less desirable types of teachers other than the inexperienced.
Little does the average citizen realize the cost of pro- fessional training for the teaching profession. It means not only giving at least three but usually four years of one's life, not only unproductive during these years, but at a cost from $3,000 to $5,000. During the past three years normal schools have required at least three years instead of two years of training. It is also required that the teacher take frequent professional courses to keep acquainted with the best methods of modern education. The demands of adult life are constantly changing. School prepares for life and must constantly change its courses of instruction and methods to meet these changes. No
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other class of laborer, except in a profession, has had to meet so many new demands upon his thought, his physi- cal strength and his financial resources as has the teach- er. The professional standards are higher than ever and should not be lowered.
To ask the teachers to take a reduction in salary of ten per cent seems an unfair distribution of costs. This means that the average teacher must contribute $140 to save the taxpayer less than $.70 a thousand. The teach- er's cost of living has not reduced materially, except in one item, clothing. Her rent, board, and laundry remain practically the same, the cost of professional training has increased. Moreover, many a teacher is supporting dependents to a greater extent than ever.
The teacher was one of the last to receive salary in- creases. In fact many teachers did not receive the final salary increase until 1926, while many other laborers had been enjoying salary increases for eight to ten years. In fact, for several years from 1916 to 1920, a boy drop- ped from high school could go out and earn a larger sal- ary than his teacher. The present salary schedule under present conditions gives the teacher only a fair return.
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