USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1938 > Part 13
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including salaries, supplies and maintenance is borne by the state and federal governments. Surrounding towns have a similar problem, and would help support by tuition a vocational school established in Plymouth. Withdrawal from the lcoal high schools of those who would be bene- fited would tend to reduce the cost of the present system.
The heaviest cost is that of establishing such a school. However, with the exception of the automobile mechanics which should be in a fireproof building, the old high school building would be available and still leave the pres- ent town departments an opportunity to function as they now do. Approximatey $50,000 would be needed to equip the school, erect a small fireproof building and revise the heating system.
When all factors are considered, state-aid, tuition and reduction of local costs, the net cost of maintaining a vo- cational school should not be great. Its benefits would be far-reaching to the youth and to society.
Wider opportunity to those who are not book-minded but whose talent lies in coordination of hand and brain is essential to the orderly development of a nation.
School Costs in Plymouth
A. School Costs
For the past several years Plymouth schools have been operating at a decidedly lower cost per pupil than the state average. For the year ending June 30, 1938, it was $3.87 per pupil less.
Included in the above costs is the cost of transporta- tion. As Plymouth is the largest town territorially in the state and has many widely isolated homes, the transpor- tation problem is one of the most costly in the state. If this per pupil cost be eliminated, Plymouth schools oper- ated during the above year at $6.99 less than the state average.
Even with the slightly increased budget recommended
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for 1939 the local average cost would still be below the state average.
B. New Revenues
1. Early last spring the Plympton School Committee wished to enroll 19 pupils. After careful consideration it was decided to admit them at the following tuition rates : $100 for the Junior High School and $115 for the Senior High School. This number involved no real addi- tional expense and meant an annual income of about $2000. For the fall term only it amounted to $859.36.
2. The household arts work in the Junior and Senior High Schools was revised to meet the requirements of the Smith-Hughes Act. By doing this $487.48 for the year ending August 1937 was received from the state this year. For the year ending August 1938, $979.58 is due from the state.
3. Late in the fall, the Carver School Committee wished to consider sending about sixty Carver pupils beginning in September 1939. At the present time no final decision has been reached by either committee. If these should be admitted, another substantial financial return would be made, although it would probably be necessary to add to the teaching force. The income from this source would be about $7000.
The above sources of revenue may amount to $10,000, which would be a factor in determining the tax rate, as the actual net cost of the schools to the town would be reduced.
C. Result of Reductions and New Revenue
When all factors are considered, the net cost of the schools will be less than any year between the years 1926 and 1932.
D. Comparative Per Pupil Costs
From the annual state report is secured the following data :
1. Of the 355 towns and cities, 235 or two thirds of
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these spend more per thousand dollars of valuation than does Plymouth.
2. Of the 355 towns and cities, 195 or 55 per cent pay more per pupil than does Plymouth.
3. Of 83 towns with a population of 5,000 or more, 80 per cent pay more from local taxation per $1,000 valu- ation than does Plymouth.
From these statements it should be clearly evident that the schools in Plymouth are being maintained at very reasonable costs. Better than average results are being secured at less than average cost.
Factors in a School Budget
The factors entering a school budget may be listed under the following heads: (1) General expense of ad- ministration. (2) Salaries of teachers. (3) Americaniza- tion. (4) Supplies and miscellaneous. (5) Janitor Service. (6) Fuel and light. (7) Maintenance. (8) Health. (9) Tuition.
Salaries
The major item in any school budget is that of salaries. In this respect the cost on a per-pupil basis is less than the state average. For the year ending June 30, 1931, the local cost per pupil for the teachers' salaries was $3.12 less than the state average and in 1938 was $5.68. During the intervening years the differences were even higher.
The general salary schedule provides for automatic increases up to the maximum for each group. About two- thirds of the teaching force is at the maximum and one- third still receive automatic increases, which increases the salary costs unless sufficient resignations permit re- placements at lower salaries. During the past several years the number of changes has been very few. The facts that the achievement tests show a distinct gain and that the general high school standards are much better than average, are undoubtedly due to a teaching force,
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better trained than formerly, more mature, and with more experience in local schools. Frequent changes in personnel, especially in key positions, is a serious handi- cap to efficient work. The town has been especially for- tunate in keeping its teaching force nearly intact for several years. This permanence is a valuable asset in securing educational results.
The salary cost also depends upon the number of teachers. Reductions in the number have been made in the elementary grades as the enrollment decreased. In- creases were made in the Junior and Senior High Schools as the number increased or new courses were required. Thirty-five more seniors in September required an addi- tional teacher.
The state legislature passed a law requiring a town to teach Italian if twenty-five or more requested it. Al- though only twenty-two requested this language, a class was organized in the Senior High School. Increased numbers in instrumental and vocal music in the Junior and Senior High Schools, required more services of the teachers in these leisure-time activities.
Thus the salary costs are dependent upon a fair salary schedule including its automatic increments, experience, permanence and training of the force, and the needs of the students.
Transportation Costs
In June the three-year contracts for the major school bus lines expired. For sometime it had been apparent to all who were acquainted with the conditions that the new three-year contracts would be higher. When the sealed bids were opened it was found that the costs would be considerably higher, due to two factors: first, new buses or new chasses for the bus bodies were necessary for some outlying districts ; second, the increased cost of bus maintenance. A new school bus accommodating 35 to 45 pupils costs the transportation company approxi- mately $2,800.
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Mr. C. C. Churchill was awarded the contracts for transporting the Cedarville, Ellisville and Manomet chil- dren to the elementary grades and high schools at a cost of $24 per school day. These routes cover about 120 miles per day.
The Plymouth Taxi Company was awarded the con- tracts for transporting the elementary and high school pupils from Chiltonville, Russell Mills, Long Pond and South Pond at $28 per school day. These latter routes cover about 120 miles per day, but require two buses.
The Plymouth and Brockton Street Railway Company was awarded the contract for high school pupils on Beaver Dam Road and Shore Road for $10.50 per school day.
Last March a survey was made in 34 towns of trans- portation costs of school buses on a mileage basis. The average cost of all towns per mile was 37.5 cents. Plym- outh was third lowest with a cost of 16.3 cents. Twenty- seven towns had a cost of over 20 cents and twenty-five over 25 cents a mile. With the new contracts as a basis, Plymouth's rate will be about 21 cents a mile for school buses, which still places Plymouth's rate low. The total increase in the school budget for transportation will be approximately $2,500.00
Other costs of transportation from distant points in- clude the following :
(1) Pupils from Gurnet Light to Duxbury.
(2) Pupils from Darby to Plymouth.
(3) Pupils from Billington Sea.
(4) Pupils from White Island Pond to Bourne.
(5) Pupils from White Island Pond to meet Long Pond bus.
The cost per pupil for transportation in the state as a whole was $2.73 for the year ending June 30, 1938. The local cost for the same year was $5.85, and for the year 1939 will be higher. This increase in cost is unavoidable. Plymouth is the largest town in the state territorially and its population is widely scattered.
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Text Books and Supplies
For the past several years the per pupil cost for sup- plies has been less than the state average. This economy has prevented the purchase of desirable new text books. Some texts have been ten years or more in service, and should be replaced by more modern ones.
Maintenance
Previous to the depression, the buildings were kept well painted, both inside and out, and improvements made in playground surfaces. With greatly reduced bud- gets the painting has been neglected. Several school buildings are now in need of paint. Many ceilings should be kalsomined. These conditions will grow worse unless taken care of at once.
Operation
This item includes heat, light and janitor service. Rad- ical reductions have been made in coal costs as explained elsewhere. The salaries of the janitors are only average. The cost per pupil is much less than that of the state.
Health
The cost of the health work on a per pupil basis is higher than that of the state average. This is due to two factors. The general health program has been recognized for its outstanding excellence by the state on several occasions. The salary of the teacher of oral hygiene is paid by the School Department, whereas, in other towns she is paid by the Health Department.
Tuition
The cost of tuition is determined by the number who attend the Bourne, Duxbury or vocational schools, and is therefore variable.
Budget As A Whole
The budget as a whole is based upon maintaining high standards of' achievement in an educational program adapted to the needs of the pupils of Plymouth.
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Reduction of Coal Costs
Radical reductions in coal costs have been made during the past five years. As stated in previous reports, the installation of vacu-drafts resulted in substantial sav- ings in coal costs by the substitution of soft coal for hard coal. The following figures are significant :
Tons of Coal Used 1930
1935
Hard
431
141 Decrease 290
Soft
453
748 Increase 295
Total
884
889
This change of 290 tons from hard coal to soft coal made a very substantial saving as the price per ton was reduced over five dollars.
With the greatly increased facilities in the Junior- Senior High School in comparison with the separate buildings, it would have been natural to expect a some- what higher coal consumption. It is, therefore, very gratifying to report that only 241 tons of nut and slack coal; was used in 1937 and 247 tons in 1938, as compared with 296 tons, some hard and some soft, the average of the previous seven years in the two buildings. Nut and slack coal costs less than soft coal. Here is another very substantial saving.
At the Cornish and Burton Schools a much needed new heating and ventilating system was installed in the summer of 1937. During the year 1938 the coal con- sumption was 101 tons of nut and slack coal as com- pared with 140 tons, some hard and some soft, the aver- age of previous years. Here is another substantial sav- ing, at the same time securing the adequate heat and ventilation so badly needed.
At the Hedge School in September 1937 were installed two Firemasters, a mechancial device which regulates the draft and combustion of the coal. The average con- sumption of 165 tons for the previous five years was re- duced to 128 tons, a saving of 37 tons per year. At the same time more even temperatures were secured.
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When all the above factors are combined the figures for coal consumption are as follows :
Tons and Kinds of Coal
1930
1938
Hard Coal
453
99
Soft Coal
431
287
Nut and Slack
0
348
Total
884
734
The above figures show a saving of 150 tons as used by all the schools. The figures, however, are more im- pressive when the costs are considered. This data figured at present costs are as follows :
Cost of Coal
1930
Hard Coal-453 tons at $13.75
$6,228.75
Soft coal-431 tons at 8.25
3,555.75
$9,784.50
1938
Hard Coal- 99 tons at $13.75
$1,361.25
Soft coal-287 tons at 8.25
2,387.75
Nut and Slack-348 tons at 7.25
2,516.00
$6,265.00
The actual yearly net saving in coal costs since 1930 is $3,519.50.
Changes in Teachers
During the past year only three new teachers were employed. Miss Annie S. Burgess, who taught Grade III at the Knapp School, retired after completing thirty-six years of service. Her faithful conscientious work, her quiet dignity and her splendid Christian character have left upon the lives of hundreds of boys and girls an im- print which will last for years to come. Miss Burgess was succeeded by Miss Mary A. Ryan, a graduate of the four-year course at Bridgewater State Teachers College, who had served efficiently as a cadet teacher for three
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years. Miss Shirley M. Dutton, whose record at Bridge- water placed her in the upper ten per cent of her class, was assigned Miss Ryan's work as a cadet teacher.
The music department was reorganized with Miss Beatrice A. Hunt as Supervisor of Music, succeeding Dr. Howard C. Davis, who had held this position for three years. Miss Hunt also assumed the work in the elementary grades taught by Miss Eileen C. Dennehy for the past three and one-half years. This left the in- strumental music and classes in English formerly taught by Miss Hunt at the Junior High School for a new teach- er. Miss Hunt's training in glee club work at Bridge- water State Teachers' College and her experience locally well fitted her for the Junior and Senior High School work. Her five summers of study at the American In- stitute of Normal Methods gave her an excellent back- ground for the elementary grades.
Mr. Austin Cramer, who graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts, was secured for the instrumental work and Eng- lish. He majored in the trumpet and minored in the vio- lin and voice. Mr. Cramer has also studied music at Col- umbia University. He has had four years of excellent experience in teaching English and in conducting bands. orchestras and glee clubs in Pierce, Nebraska.
The fall term showed a marked increase in enthusiasm for glee club and instrumental work. Under the direc- tion of Miss Hunt, and assisted by Mr. Cramer, a very high quality of music in the schools is assured.
Miss Bernice M. Landry resigned her position in the Junior High School to accept a similar position at Bel- mont. She was succeeded by Miss Ruth L. Hanna, a graduate of Simmons College. She specialized in House- hold Arts and was qualified to carry on the vocational aspects as required by the state. Her practice teaching was in Newton.
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Extracts from Other Reports
Elementary Schools
The Hedge School kindergarten has proved of real val- ue. When these children enter the first grade they have received an orientation to the building, developed a greater skill in the use of the tools of the classroom, are able to follow directions, and have a greater adaptabil- ity to social and physical demands required of them in the regular routine of a more formal situation.
"The final test of health education is not what the pupil knows but what he does."
Through a more modern procedure of teaching health factors in relation to actual experiences, interests and life situations rather than a list of isolated facts taught in and of themselves, we hope that the results will have a greater effect upon every day living. Through health teaching in our schools, we attempt to develope in chil- dren :
1. A wholesome desire for good health.
2. An intelligent understanding of health problems.
3. That certain routine habits are the foundation upon which we build healthy bodies.
Parents are urged to attend the annual physical ex- amination by the school physician and keep school au- thorities informed of the physical, mental and emotional disturbances of children throughout the year. Confer- ences regarding the child's health often bring about bet- ter understanding and improvement in school progress.
Unfortunately, not all children are ready to learn to read when they enter school. A child with a mental age of six years and six months is intellectually ready to read. However, physical defects, speech impediments. malnutrition, or a foreign language spoken at home may retard reading. The experiences of the children built up through activities in the first grade tend to widen the child's interests and thus build up a larger vocabulary. Because of the varied ability of the children many do not
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make the normal progress desired. Instead of accepting as inevitable a number of reading failures, we plan re- medial work for these children so they may continue with their studies with less hardship.
Individual School
The program of the Individual School during the past year has been built around six points :
(1) An endeavor to develop self-confidence and self- reliance. These characteristics are being inculcated through manual arts and athletic games showing the child that he can attain success and do things for him- self (2) The development of health habits has been promoted. Correct health habits and hygiene have been shown through definite and persuant supervision. (3) An endeavor to develop self-controlled, self-supporting citizens. Special emphasis has been placed on these ob- jectives with the older pupils. During the past year five boys have been placed in regular employment and at the present time four boys have part-time jobs. It is the hope of the school to place more of our pupils in part- time jobs under proper supervision. (4) The develop- ment of right habits has been constantly promoted. The school is definitely endeavoring to teach such qualities as industry, orderliness, self-respect, dependability and politeness through the various phases of the daily work. (5) The development of thrift has been and will con- tinue to be a very positive aim of the school by definitely placing future permanent good before present enjoy- ment. (6) An endeavor to show how to use leisure time wisely. Potential tendencies toward crime and delin- quency may be eradicated through the wise use of time. A taste for good music and fine arts is being fos- tered and interest in hobbies and handicraft is being cultivated.
Pottery Vocational School
The Pottery Vocational School is operating for its fourth year. The Guild-an off shoot of the school-has
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gained one new member which was an elective honor given for merit. The work of The Guild has been dis- played at Jordan Marsh's in Boston, at the Eastern States Fair, at the Congregational Church in Randolph, at the Plymouth Garden Club Fair and later shown at the Beal Meeting House in Kingston, at the Y. W. C. A. in New Bedford, Federation of Women's Clubs in Hyannis and at the Providence Handicraft Club. Large orders have been received from Washington and New York. It is antici- pated that some of our wares will be featured in a New England Craft display at the World's Fair in New York. It is earnestly hoped that some of the young graduates of our High School art department will avail themselves of this pleasurable work.
Summer School
The summer school gave instruction to 103 pupils who were deficient in arithmetic, language, reading and spell- ing in grades four to eight inclusive.
Music
Much emphasis is being placed this year in all grades upon the development of music reading ability which has been found to be very weak. Only when a child knows how to help himself read without depending upon the piano or some other person does he have any true musical independence. This independence, in turn, makes it pos- sible to do more advanced musical work that has in itself more of beauty and interest.
Extra-classroom groups (bands, orchestras, glee clubs, etc.) provide for the more musically-minded child, and whenever possible these groups perform to show the re- sults of their added attainment. The enrollments were as follows: Senior High School-band 24, orchestra 28, boys' glee club 30, girls' glee club 47; Junior High School -band 52, orchestra 45, drum majors 32, a cappella 38, ninth grade glee club 59, eighth grade glee club 36, seventh grade glee club 70; Hedge-Knapp orchestra 25, Cornish-Mt. Pleasant orchsetra 18, Cornish-Burton glee
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club 30, Hedge glee club 30, Knapp glee club 30. That the above organizations are contributing to the greater pleas- ure of the town and visiting groups is evidenced by the following activities in which they have participated dur- ing the first few months of the 1938-1939 school year: October 28, combined high school glee clubs furnished music for the annual meeting of the Plymouth County Teachers' Convention at Memorial Hall; November 24, these same groups participated in the townwide Thanks- giving broadcast sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce; December 20, the high school glee clubs pre- sented the premiere of a Christmas cantata, "Out of the East"; December 24, high school groups furnished carols for the Christmas pageant given in Town Square.
An American Folk Festival entitled, "A Panorama of American Music," is to be presented under the auspices of the New England Folk Festival Association at the waterfront area south of Plymouth Rock next June. The aim of all folk festival work is to foster a better under- standing among peoples of varying nationalities through a more complete understanding of their culture, their ways of living, their rich heritage. This festival is very appropriately based upon the development of American music and folk dances. All pupils in the public schools, from grade one through high school are invited to take part. Moreover, it is planned to give the affair a town- wide significance by having as many other interested in- dividuals and organizations take part as can do so.
Drawing
All seventh and eighth grade classes are divided ac- cording to the talent shown by the individual student. Problems for those in the advanced classes emphasize especially sketching from life and actual objects in pencil and water color. Drawing and Crafts in grade nine is elective. In these classes the work is individual, the pupil working along lines of greatest interest. In the Senior High School classes, aside from regulation work, much time has been spent this year on Stage Craft. With the
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help of the woodworking and science departments a miniature stage has been built. This is worked out in the same proportion as the school stage and has about the same lighting effects. Now, all stage sets may be planned in miniature and tried out under different col- ored lights and then enlarged if a finished set is desired. Interest in Craft classes continues to grow. All work is entirely individual thus allowing students to follow their own interests.
The art work of the elementary grades has seen good progress during the past year. The principles of design and perfecting of techniques have been stressed. The work in design has followed the outline suggested by the State Course of Study. Originality of expression has been urged giving opportunity for self-expression and free scope of the imagination. Posters were sent to the exhibit of the County Dental Conference. One of these had the honor of being sent to the state conference.
Physical Education
Each pupil is tested for arm strength, back and leg strength, and in lung capacity. His score is then com- pared with the normal score for his age, height and weight. It is a measure of his physical condition. The lower the score the greater the need for special exercise, diet, and advice by physicians and physical educators. Low scores are the results of physical defects, improper food or eating habits, improper exercises, emotional dis- turbances, or other physical or mental strains or drains or injuries. Individuals with scores below 85 to 90 ought to engage in supervised remedial activities or rest daily until their rating is above 100. Otherwise they are likely to decline steadily in physical fitness to even lower levels. Repeated tests enable us to determine whether or not a pupil is gaining in physical capacity and in this way we may determine the best type of program for the greatest need. Special classes are held for the pupils who fall below 85. There are also special periods devoted to the individual for corrective work. With the coming of the
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new athletic field on the Avery property we hope to be able to have regular track meets and also inter-class and intra-mural track meets.
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