USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Reading > Town of Reading Massachusetts annual report 1946 > Part 12
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150
as detrimental to those annual tax levies as it would this year.
A Special Site Committee appointed by the Town Meeting will report at the annual meeting in 1947. This Committee has worked very diligently since its organization, and although it has been furnished material resulting from previous investigations by the School Com- mittee, it has in no way been influenced by the School Committee. This Committee has not as yet announced its findings nor are its find- ings now known to the School Committee, but for the safety and welfare of the people of the town and their children, the findings of the Special Committee should be followed.
The need for additional educational facilities in the present system is immediate and imperative. The facilities of the Junior High School to the extent of its Home Economics Department, its Shop Department, and Physical Education, including gymnasium and outside area, are at the moment doing double duty in that they are being used by the Junior and Senior High Schools to the detriment of the children of both schools.
Your School Committee has granted temporary increases to school employees and has included that amount in its budget. These increases, as you have been informed by the local press and otherwise, are un- satisfactory to a great many teachers in that they are inadequate. You have also undoubtedly been advised by others that the increases are excessive. Your committee feels that the increases granted are not inadequate, having in mind the ability of the Town to pay, and that they are not excessive considering the calibre of our teaching personnel and the cost of living today. It may well be that at some future time, should State Aid for Education be materially increased, that further consid- eration may be given to greater salary increases.
At the time of the writing of this report, the School Committee had not met with the full Finance Committee but has met with the Sub- committee on Schools for that Committee, and except in a very few in- stances, the thinking of both committees is in substantial accord.
The teachers in the Elementary Schools have, at the request of your Committee, worked in committees themselves preparing and submitting curricula studies for grades one through six to the end that subject- matter outcomes will be uniform at the end of each grade throughout the entire town. The purpose of organizing this material becomes ap- parent when the elementary children meet for the first time in the first year of Junior High School. In a great many other states there is a course-of-study prepared by the state. Unfortunately, in our Common- wealth this is not so and any uniformity that is established must be established by the individual committees. The School Committee is very appreciative of the efforts of the Elementary teachers in preparing these outlines of subject-matter outside of school hours. It also ap- preciates the suggestions and advice offered by the various parents through the Parent-Teachers Associations.
151
The terms of J. Warren Killam, Jr., and Gould B. Ruggles expire this year.
Respectfully submitted,
J. WARREN KILLAM, Jr., Chairman MARY E. EARLEY
GLADYS F. MILTON
ALEXANDER P. GLOVER
GOULD B. RUGGLES MERLE W. WESCOTT
SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET - 1946 Appropriations, Transfers and Refunds 1946
Expended 1946
$253,015.61
Supt. and Teachers
$246,206.35
2,000.00
Substitutes
1,575.00
26,300.00
Janitors
25,715.25
500.00
Compulsory Attendance
500.00
3,600.00
Nurse and Clerk
3,010.50
1,100.00
Medical Inspection
1,100.00
$286,515.61
Total Salaries
$278,107.10
MAINTENANCE:
General Control:
$
500.00
Supt's Office Supplies
$ 643.71
50.00
Research and Professional Study
46.80
200.00
Printing
170.50
400.00
Travel Expenses
543.34
500.00
.Other Expenses
418.94
450.00
Grouard House - Operation
565.79
225.00
Grouard House - Maintenance
108.82
50.00
Grouard House - Capital Outlay
335.05
$ 2,375.00
Total General Control
$. 2,832.95
Instruction:
$
500.00
Supervision
$ 435.63
440.00
Prin. Off. Expense
443.45
2,250.00
Textbooks
1,580.10
8,000.00
Supplies
8,408.23
600.00
Library
406.58
900.00
Supplementary Books
1,057.67
350.00
Commencement
246.51
1,100.00
Other Expenses
1,056.41
$ 14,140.00
Total Instruction
$ 13,634.58
152
SALARIES:
Operation of Plant:
$ 2,700.00
Janitors' Supplies
$ 2,966.64
10,000.00
Fuel 6,982.29
1,075.00
Water and Sewer 1,141.84
2,950.00
Electricity 3,356.28
70.00
Gas
5.62
750.00
Other Expenses
827.58
790.00
Telephone
721.50
$ 18,335.00
Total Operation
$ 16,001.75
Maintenance of Plant:
$ 2,781.00
Grounds
$ 2,419.25
2,745.00
Buildings 3,203.23
1,619.00
Service Systems 2,515.80
841.00
Plumbing 655.34
1,006.00
Instructional Apparatus
2,153.36
831.50
Furniture
105.25
113.00
Other Expenses
482.24
$ 9,936.50
Total Maintenance
$ 11,534.47
Capital Outlay:
$ 1,102.00
Alterations and Additions $ 1,466.34
320.40
Furniture
50.42
1,708.10
Instructional Apparatus
$ 2,321.63
$ 3,130.50
Total Capital Outlay
$ 3,838.39
Auxiliary Agencies:
$ 104.00
Tuition
$ 176.00
Coordinate Account:
$ 225.00
Compulsory Attendance
$ 200.00
35.00
Medical Service
30.04
500.00
Nurse Service
512.23
$ 760.00
Total Coordinate Account $ 742.27
$ 48,781.00
Total General Maintenance $ 48,760.41
$335,296.61
Grand Total $326,867.51
$ 11,200.00
Transportation $ 10,605.77
$ 2,000.00
Industrial Tuition $ 1,554.21
$ 700.00
Retirement for Teacher in Service $ 700.00
$ 32,000.00
School Lunches $ 28,588.62
$ 4,598.41
W.F.A. Reimbursement for Lunches $ 4,162.12
$ 4,000.00
New Cafeteria Construction
$ 3,997.96
153
SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET - 1947 Receipts Not from Tax Levy - Showing Net Cost to Town Fifth Draft - January 21, 1947
Estimate 1947 $399,496.72
General Account:
Total Expenditure (Less Transportation) Receipts :
$326,867.51
State Reimbursement on Teachers
$ 18,977.80
Tuition
12,560.49
Sundry
246.33
31,784.62
$365,796.72
NET COST TO TOWN School Lunches:
$295,082.89
$ 45,000.00
Appropriation
$ 32,000.00
$ 50,000.00
5,000.00
Add W.F.A. Reimbursement
4,598.41
$ 36,598.41
Inventory
$ 781.81
Receipts :
Cash for Lunches
$ 23,308.03
50,000.00
5,000.00
W.F.A. Reimbursement
4,598.41
28,688.25
Total Cost of Operation
$ 32,750.74
50,000.00
BALANCE TO 1947
$ 436.29
BALANCE TO TOWN
$ 3,411.38
Industrial Tuition:
$ 2,000.00
Total Expenditure
$ 1,554.21
Receipts :
600.00
State Reimbursement
654.78
$ 1,400.00
NET COST TO TOWN
$ 899.43
33,700.00
$ 18,500.00 15,000.00 200.00
1946
45,000.00
CHANGE IN PERSONNEL - 1946
Left :
Isabel L. Carley
Lowell Street School-Grade 3 April
Maud E. Adlington
Pearl Street School-Principal June
Charlotte M. Burnham
Prospect Street School-Grade 1 June Junior High School-Dom. Science June High School-Dir., Phys. Education June
Stafford J. Connor
Marion B. Cushman
Pearl Street School-Grade 4
June June
Gladys H. Cutcliffe
Junior High School-English
Marion E. Drew
Junior High School-Social Studies
June
Jean M. Hertel
Prospect Street School-Grade 2 June June
Elizabeth M. Jackson
High School-English
Inez M. Lewis
Junior High School-Mathematics June
Virginia M. Linden
Highland School-Grade 4 June
Clifford R. Nelson
Junior High School-Science June
Jean M. (Butters) Rector
Highland School-Grade 5 June
Clinton H. Stevens, Jr.
Junior High School-Shop June
Lois Taylor
Pearl Street School-Grade 3 June
Inez K. Woodbury
Senior High School-Sup. of Art
June
Albert W. Kent
Senior High School-Math., Coach June
Stanley M. Smithers
Junior High School-Sup. of Music Aug
Margaret J. De Witt
Senior High School-Matron Sept.
Dorothy A. Allard
Pearl Street School-Supervis'g Prin. Oct.
Matilda J. Gamble
Highland School-Grade 5 Oct.
Beatrice M. Coleman
Senior High School-Social Studies Nov.
Appointed and Returned :
*Walter E. Hawkes *Philip W. Althoff
Junior High School-Phys. Ed., Hyg. Jan. Senior High School-Dir. Phys. Ed. Sept.
James T. Amsler
Junior High School-Shop Sept.
Henry J. Barone
Highland School-Grade 6 Sept
Junior High School-Mathematics Sept.
Phyllis G. Boles John R. Copithorne
Junior High School-Home Eco. Sept.
Joseph A. Crowley
Glenna Dow (L.A.)
Pearl Street School-Grade 2 Sept.
Kathleen Fesler
Pearl Street School-Grade 4 Sept.
Priscilla A. Hingston
Junior High School-English Sept.
155
Doris V. Williams
Pearl Street School-Grade 4 June
Lloyd G. Blanchard
Junior High School-Gen. Science Sept. Senior High School-History, Coach Sept.
Lois E. Collemer
Change in Personnel - 1946
Olive L. Joney Esther Kempton
Highland School-Grade 4
Sept.
Pearl Street School-Grade 4
Sept.
*L. Reginald A. Kibbe
Senior High School-Sup. of Art Sept. Junior High School-English Sept.
Loraine C. Merrill
Highland School-Grades 3 and 4 Sept.
Eunice O'Donnell
Pearl Street School-Grade 2
Sept.
Glenis M. Ridley
Prospect Street School-Grade 1 Sept.
Marion R. Weagle
Lowell Street School-Grade 1 Sept.
*Returned from the Armed Forces
TOTAL NUMBER OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE EMPLOYEES
Class of Service
Men Women Total
Total number of School Committee employees ...
40.0
86.0
126.0
A. Administration
Total
2.7
2.1
4.8
Superintendent
1.0
1.0
Attendance
1.0
1.0
Visiting Teacher
1.0
1.0
Directors and Supervisors
.7
1.1
1.8
B. Supervising Principals
Total
2.0
2.0
4.0
High School
1.0
1.0
Junior High School
1.0
1.0
Elementary Schools
2.0
2.0
C. Teachers
Total
23.3
63.9
87.2
1. Regular
Total
16.5
55.5
72.0
High School (Grades 10-12)
8.5
9.5
18.0
Junior High School (Grades 7-9)
7.0
9.0
16.0
Elementary Schools (Grades 1-6)
1.0
37.0
38.0
Chestnut Hill School
2.0
2.0
Highland School
1.0
11.0
12.0
Lowell Street School
4.0
4.0
Pearl Street School
14.0
14.0
Prospect Street School
6.0
6.0
156
Helen R. Knight
2. Special
Total
6.8
8.4
15.2
Administrative, Supervisory and Guidance Art
.5
.5
1.0
.5
1.0
1.5
Industrial Arts
3.0
3.0
Home Economics
2.0
2.0
Librarian
1.0
1.0
Music
.9
.4
1.3
Physical Education
1.9
1.5
3.4
Special Classes
2.0
2.0
Sum of A, B, and C
28.0
68.0
96.0
. D. Secretaries and Clerks
Total
8.0
8.0
Superintendent's Office
Total
2.5
2.5
Cafeteria
.5
.5
High School
2.0
2.0
Junior High School
1.0
1.0
Highland School
1.0
1.0
Pearl Street School
1.0
1.0
E. Health Department
Total
1.0
1.0
2.0
Physician
1.0
1.0
Supervisor
1.0
1.0
F. Janitors and Matrons
Total
11.0
3.0
14.0
High School
2.0
1.0
3.0
Junior High School
3.0
1.0
4.0
Chestnut Hill School
.5
.5
Highland School and Grouard House
2.0
1.0
3.0
Lowell Street School
1.0
1.0
Pearl Street School
2.0
2.0
Prospect Street School
.5
.5
G. Cafeteria Service
Total
6.0
6.0
High School
3.0
3.0
Junior High School
3.0
3.0
157
AGE-GRADE TABLE-October 1, 1946
Age
5
6 7 8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 and over
Totals
Grade 1
97 116
13
1
227
"
2
77 106
30
3
216
3
77 114
26
3
220
"
4
1 56
90
18
4
2
1
172
5
50 86
24
8
1
169
"
6
49
31
6
2
165
"
7
50
69
26
11
6
1
163
"
8
1
37
96
23
6
163
9
54
95
17
8
. 1
175
"
10
54
113
32
5 2
2
208
"
11
44
84
28
6
4
166
"
12
17
63
39
17
7
3
4
150
" PG
1 3 1
2
7
Opp.
1 2
5 6 4
9
5
32
Total
97 193 198 203 174 162 160 156 189
185 203 188
73
26
16
4
6
2233
77
MEMBERS OF READING SCHOOL FACULTIES
(Dates indicate year of appointment in Reading)
School Committee Offices
Elbridge C. Grover Superintendent of Schools
Harvard, B.S .; Teachers' College, Columbia University, M.A .; N. Y. Univ., Ph.D .; La Sorbonne, Paris (1939)
Thomas F. Halpin, M.D. School Physician
Boston College, B.A .; Tufts Medical School, M.D. (1943)
Margaret B. Clewley Supervisor of Health
Newton Hospital, R.N .; Simmons, Certificate of Public Health
Nursing; Boston University; Harvard (1939)
Bernice Burdick Supervisor of Music, Elementary
Boston University, Mus.B .; Columbia Teachers' College, M.A .; Boston Conservatory; Trinity (1945)
Warburton J. Murray Suffolk Law School (1943)
Attendance Officer
Jean F. Ramsay Visiting Teacher Smith College, B.A .; Columbia University, M.A .; Stockholm and Upsala (1941)
Senior High School
Rudolf Sussman Supervising Principal
Boston University, B.S.Ed .; Harvard (1917)
Luke Halpin Assistant Principal, Math.
Bowdoin, B.A .; Boston University, M.A .; Harvard (1922)
Royal S. Adams Science, Math.
Bates College, B.S .; Harvard, Boston University (1943)
Philip W. Althoff Director, Phys. Ed., and Athletics
Springfield College, B.P.E., M.Ed. (1927)
Clifford W. Baker Math.
Boston University, B.S .; M.A. (1944)
Com'1. Eng., Guidance Elizabeth A. Batchelder
Salem Normal; Boston University, B.S.Ed .; Harvard (1916) Elsie Bishop Librarian
Colby College, B.A .; Simmons, B.L.S .; Boston University (1943) Marion Brink French, English Radcliffe College, B.A .; M.A .; Cert. from Inst. of France (1943) Robert Bronner History
Boston University, B.S.Ed .; M.S.Ed. (1940)
Cathleen Burns English, Spanish, Dramatics Smith College, B.A .; Boston University, M.A. (1942)
Virginia Cox Latin, English
Radcliffe College, A.B .; A.M. (1945)
159
Joseph A. Crowley Math., Athletics
Dartmouth College, A.B .; Boston University (1946)
Alberta F. Drury Bookkeeping, Bus. Law, Arithmetic Posse Normal, Salem Normal, B.U. (1917)
Joseph F. Fitzgerald Math. Boston College, B.A .; M.A .; Boston University (1929)
William E. Hanlon Social Studies, German Dartmouth College, A.B .; Boston University, Ed.M. (1945)
L. Reginald A. Kibbe Supervisor and Teacher of Art Mass. School of Art, B.S.Ed .; Boston University, M.S.Ed. (1936)
Svea Kling Shorthand, Type., Bus. Eng. Burdett College; Boston University, B.B.A .; Harvard, M.Ed. (1940)
Florence G. Nichols Phys. Ed., Supervisor and Teacher
Sargent School; Boston University, B.S.Ed .; M.I.T. (1929)
Frederick J. Pope Chemistry, Physics
Colby College, B.S .; Harvard, M.Ed. (1922)
Mary E. Shay English
Regis College, B.A .; Harvard (1943)
Arthur L. Spencer German and Latin
Amherst College, A.B .; Brown University Graduate School, (1938)
Helen B. Stanwood Shorthand, Typewriting Salem Teachers', B.S.Ed .; Boston University, M.C.S .; Harvard (1937)
Cyrus D. Thompson Director and Teacher of Music N. E. Conservatory of Music; Penn. State College, B.S .; East- man School of Music, M.M .; New York University (1945)
Helen R. Zimmerman Chemistry, Gen. Science, Biology
Wellesley College, B.A .; Purdue, M.S .; Ph.D. (1937)
Junior High School
Robert F. Perry Supervising Principal
U. S. Naval Academy, B.S .; N. H. University ; Columbia U. (1935)
William A. Rich Asst. Prin., Math.
Salem Normal; Boston University, B.S.Ed .; M.A. (1928) Amsler, James T. Shop
Fitchburg State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1946)
Harriet S. Beattie Art
Mass. School of Art, B.S.Ed. (1936)
Blanchard, Lloyd G. Math.
Dartmouth College, A.B. (1946) Phyllis G. Boles Home Economics
Masachusetts State College, B.S. (1946)
John R. Copithorne General Science
Simpson College, B.A .; (1946)
160
Ethelyn M. Cowperthwaite
English Framingham Teachers' College; Harvard Summer School; Bos- ton University (1945)
Marian D. Day Science Bates College; M.I.T .; Harvard (1925)
Grace M. Harriman Social Studies Radcliffe College, B.A .; Harvard, M.Ed .; Stanford U .; College of the Pacific (1928)
Walter E. Hawkes Phys. Ed., and Hygiene
Springfield College, B.S. (1933)
Priscilla A. Hingston English
Salem State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1946)
Genevieve P. Hook
Latin, English, French
U. of Vermont, A.B .; Radcliffe College, A.M. (1931)
Louice B. Jenkins Social Studies Bridgewater Normal; Boston University, B.S.Ed; Harvard (1920) Helen R. Knight English
Lowell State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1946)
Roderick E. Macdonald Shop
Fitchburg State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1937)
John B. Pacino Commercial
Tufts College, B.S. (1944)
Anna M. Reck Math.
Radcliffe College, B.A .; Boston University (1928)
Neil C. Robinson Social Studies Mass. State College, B.S .; Harvard; Boston Univ., M.Ed. (1939)
Edna L. Rohwedder English Lowell State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed .; B.U .; Harvard; Tufts, Ed.M. (1936)
Arthur D. Simonds, Jr. Social Studies
Boston University, B.R.E .; M.A. (1944)
Margaret Tyacke Physical Ed., Hygiene Harvard Summer School; Boston University (1926)
Frederick Wales Shop
Fitchburg State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1942)
Helen A. Walker Home Economics, Jr. and Sr. High Framingham Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1941)
Albert H. Woodward Math., Social Studies Amherst College, B.A .; Boston University, M.Ed. (1941)
Highland School
Elizabeth Graham Supervising Principal Framingham Normal; Boston Univ., B.S.Ed .; M.Ed. Harvard (1941)
161
Doris Bailey Grade 5 Salem Teachers' College, B.S.Ed; Univ. of Mich., Col. Univ. (1945)
Henry J. Barone Grade 6
State Teachers' College of N.J., B.S .; B. U., Ed.M. (1946)
Dorothy L. Burgess Grade 3
Leslie Normal; Boston University (1926)
Dorothy L. Cronin Grade 2
Lowell Teachers' College, B.S.Ed .; B. U., M.Ed. (1933) Eileen Cummings Grade 1
Wheelock, B.S.Ed. (1945)
R. Hilda Gaffney Grade 6
Boston University, B.S.Ed. (1941)
Olive L. Joney Grade 4 Worcester State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed .; B.U., M.Ed. (1946) Edith M. McQuaide Grade 6 Lowell Teachers' College, B.S.Ed .; Tufts, M.A. (1940)
Loraine C. Merrill Grades 3 and 4 Gorham Normal School; B. U., B.S. (1946)
Florence A. Potter Grade 5
Plymouth Normal; Boston Univ. (1926)
Florence V. Thackleberry Grade 6
Plymouth Normal; Boston Univ. (1931)
Pearl Street School
Dorothy A. Allard Supervising Principal
Salem Normal; Boston University, B.S.Ed. (1927)
Ruth Carey Grade 1
Boston University, B.S.Ed. (1943)
Velma E. Curtin Grade 2
Perry Kindergarten School; B. U., Tufts (1927)
Hazel S. Davis Grade 6
Gorham Normal School (1945)
Glenna A. Dow Grade 2
Hyannis Normal School; Emerson; Columbia (1919) Kathleen Fesler Grade 4 Oneonta State Teachers' College (N.Y.) B.Ed. (1946) Carolyn C. Grace Grade 5 North Adams Normal; B. U .; Hyannis Summer School (1919)
A. Josephine Guild Grade 1 Hyannis Normal; N. E. Conservatory; Perry Normal; B. U., B.S.Ed. (1944)
Frances Haskins Grade 3 Aroostook State Normal (1943)
Esther Kempton Grade 4
Farmington Normal School (1946)
162
Beth G. MacGregor Grade 1
Salem Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1943)
Mary W. Moore
Grade 5
Provincial, N. S., Normal School; Boston Univ., B.S.Ed. (1941) Eunice O'Donnell Grade 2
Lowell State Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1946) Elizabeth Robinson Grade 3
Wheelock School; Hyannis Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1945)
Helen D. Stockwell Special Class
Salem Normal School; Boston University (1930)
Margaret Traquair Special Class
Salem Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1945)
Myrla Wilbur Grade 6
Lowell Teachers' College, B.S.Ed .; Hyannis, Ed.M. (1945)
Lowell Street School
Nellie P. Beaton Principal, Grade 4
Hyannis Teachers' College; Boston University (1920)
Helen F. Frederic Grade 3
Farmington Normal School (1945)
Jessie L. Goddard Grade 2
Bridgewater Normal School; B. U. (1937)
Marion R. Weagle Grade 1
Lowell Teachers' College, B.S.Ed. (1946)
Prospect Street School
Eleanor M. Skahill
Principal, Grade 4 Bridgewater Teachers' College, B.S.Ed., Boston University (1943)
Catherine M. Chipman Grade 3
Lowell State Teachers' College (1944)
Grace L. Gifford
Grades 1 and 2
Wheelock School (1943)
Helena A. Markham Grade 3
Framingham State Teachers' College (1934)
Alberta R. Mathieson Grade 2
Salem Normal School (1924)
Glenis M. Ridley Grade 1
Farmington Normal School (1946)
Chestnut Hill School
Irene Royea Principal, Grades 1 and 2 Arostook State Normal School; B. U. (1928)
Clara A. Anderson Grades 3 and 4 Gorham Normal School (1944)
163
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, 1946
To the School Committee
Reading, Massachusetts
Mrs. Earley, Mrs. Milton, and Gentlemen :
Herewith please find my eighth annual report as Superintendent of Schools, which is the fifty-fourth of a series of annual reports describing the work of the Reading Public Schools.
The present year has been full of many problems brought about by the changed economic situation following the end of the Second World War. These changes called for additional tax money to meet salary adjustments for teachers, and the need for building repairs, maintenance and capital outlay due to the restrictions of critical material in the war- time period.
In the present report, I shall outline briefly the problems with which we have been faced during the year. They fall into three general classi- fications-administrative problems, instructional improvement, and spe- cial activities.
Administrative Problems
Equal Pay Law
At the Town Election, March 4, 1946, the citizens of Reading voted the Equal Pay Law. This law provided for the payment of the same salaries to women as to men, if they were "employed in the same grades and doing the same type of work, with the same preparation and train- ing". On March 25th, the citizens of Reading, at a Special Town Meeting, voted money to pay teachers as provided by the Equal Pay Law. It also approved an additional payment of 7/10 of 5% temporary cost-of-living adjustment serving the period from April 1st to Decem- ber 31, 1946.
The Equal Pay law gave considerable increase to women teachers who had the same preparation and training as men teachers. Teachers without the 4-year training leading to a degree did not receive the same amount of increase as those with degrees.
The Salary Schedule which went into effect September 1, 1945, placed the maximum salaries for women teachers as follows: Teachers with two-year training, $1900; those with three years' training, $2100; those holding a Bachelor's Degree, $2300; Master's Degree, $2500; and Doctor's Degree, $2700. Men were paid a differential of $500. The Equal Pay Law brought the women teachers' salaries up to those of the men.
The School Committee adopted, on April 10, 1946, a single salary schedule including equal pay for men and women with the same train- ing and preparation. This Schedule is given below:
164
1946 Salary Schedule Schedule Classifications
Annual
2-Year
3-Year
Increment
Normal
Normal Diploma
Bachelor's Degree
Master's Degree
Steps
Diploma
E
D
C $1400
$1500
$1600
2
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700
3
1400
1500
1600
1700
1800
4
1500
1600
1700
1800
1900
5
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
6
1700
1800
1900
2000
2100
7
1800
1900
2000
2100
2200
8
1900
2000
2100
2200
2300
9
2000
2100
2200
2300
2400
10
2100
2200
2300
2400
2500
11
2200
2300
2400
2500
2600
12
2400
2500
2600
2700
13
2600
2700
2800
14
2700
2800
2900
15
2800
2900
3000
16
3000
3100
17
3200
1
$1200
$1300
B
Doctor's Degree A
This Salary Schedule became effective September 1, 1946. However, as we face the economic problems of the immediate future, it is doubtful whether we can hold our own in competition with similar school systems, even though our Salary Schedule, at the time, seemed an excellent one. Reading will find it more and more difficult to hire and retain good men teachers. It is reported that only 260 students now in their last year in the teachers' colleges and university schools of education throughout the six New England States will be available for teaching positions next fall. Some of these have already been placed.
It is important that teaching should attract able young men and women who have scholarship, ability, and personality, since in the final analysis, these are the people who will mould the attitudes, understand- ing, skill, and knowledge of the boys and girls who must be the leaders in the coming generation.
The State of Massachusetts will undoubtedly be forced to revise its educational program and to provide adequate state aid if it is going to continue these professional services on a high plane, and to protect
165
its enviable reputation as a leader in Education. During the year, one bill has been introduced in the Legislature which, if passed, would ultimately allocate to Reading $180,000 annually in State Aid. This help would make it possible to develop a local salary schedule which would attract some of the best teachers in New England. State Aid, of course, may be looked upon as a hidden tax, but on the other hand, it would help to relieve local property tax burden.
Percentage of Tax Dollar Spent
According to the latest School Returns, the Reading School Com- mittee spent 42.8% of the local tax dollar. This percentage is com- parable to the 42.0% spent in 1934, but considerably less than the 47.3% spent in 1931*
The School Returns sent in to the State for the school year 1945-46 show that schools systems in Massachusetts spent from 29.1% to 70.4% of the local tax dollar. They also showed that Lexington and Wakefield spent 41.5%; Stoneham, 37.9%; Winthrop, 43%; Belmont, 43.4%; North Attleboro, 50.3%; Marblehead, 41%; and Weymouth, 42.6%. The
median was 42.4%. Reading, therefore, is placed near the average with respect to the percentage of the local tax dollar spent for schools. These figures, however, should be taken with considerable caution, since the percentage of tax dollar spent for education can vary considerably ac- cording to the amount of money spent for other departments. Reading's experience in the last few years shows that the percentage spent for education increases when welfare and charity expenses decrease. The reverse of this tendency is also true.
*Annual Report of the Statistics of Municipal Finances, Public Document No. 79.
Increased Maintenance Cost
During the war, critical materials were high, and almost impossible to obtain. Labor costs were high and workers were not available. Repairs and maintenance work had to suffer. At the beginning of this year the Committee requested a substantial increase in the Repairs and Maintenance Budget in order to take care of the work which had been accumulating but had been neglected in the preceding war years. The amount requested was reduced by $9732, under stress of estimated economy. Consequently, we are faced with a much greater need for repairs and maintenance during the coming year.
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