USA > Vermont > Rutland County > Rutland > Annual report, City of Rutland, Vermont, 1917 > Part 8
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supplies on hand aggregated $5,043.50, while the indebtedness which included $2,394.96 due for coal aggregated $2,559.76, giving an excess in assets over liabilities of $2,483.74. A similar statement of the assets and liabilities on December 31st, 1916, placed the excess of assets over liabilities at $208.59. This favorable financial showing was made possible only by the ex- ercise of the strictest economy in all departments, by restricting the use of school supplies, by limiting repairs to the absolutely essential, and by a slight increase in the school tax rate.
55c TAX RATE NEEDED.
Prior to last year the public schools in this city had been maintained on a tax of 50c on the dollar of the Grand List. For
137
CITY OF RUTLAND
several years the cost of conducting schools, not only in Vermont and in New England, but throughout our Country, has steadily increased. The same influences which have affected the cost of running state and national governments, large business enter- prises such as railroads, manufacturing plants, etc., have also affected the cost of conducting the schools. Labor is asking larger returns, the state and the public in general are becoming more and more exacting in their demands. To meet these con- ditions and the high cost of living larger salaries must be paid in the schools as has been done in other lines of business.
Last year the city school tax was raised 5c on the dollar, which enabled the School Board to meet all bills for that year and reduce the indebtedness of the previous year between two and three thousand dollars. The School Board is again com- pelled to ask for this slight increase in the tax rate to meet the need of the schools for the present year. The following are some of the reasons why this increase is still necessary :- namely, the increased consumption of coal due to the enlargement and im- provement of the heating plants and the advance in the price of fuel, which will probably result in an increased expenditure of $2000 over that of 1915; the advance in the price of papers, pencils, pens, inks and brushes, which will without doubt cost the schools this year $500 more than in 1916, and similar ad- vances in the prices of supplies in the Manual Training, House- hold Economics and Science Departments. The demand for labor, skilled or unskilled, occasioned by the present economic and critical condition of our country has exhausted the surplus . supply of teachers and a serious problem now confronts us in holding our present teaching force and in filling vacancies. Compared with the wages paid skilled labor in other lines of work the salaries paid our teachers are low. When a vacancy occurs, other than in the grades, it is almost impossible to fill the position satisfactorily at the salary previously paid and a higher salary paid a new teacher tends to create unrest and criticism from those employed at lower salaries. This condition of affairs is not peculiar to Rutland and is receiving serious attention in nearly every important town and city in the United
138
ANNUAL REPORT
States; the general tendency is to increase teachers' salaries to meet the present crisis. When such increases are granted by other towns and cities, without similar action being taken here, it makes the situation in Rutland in retaining the services of our best teachers more acute. It would seem, therefore, that the only proper solution is to increase the salaries of our teachers and this cannot be done unless the city provides the funds. In case the tax rate is raised 5c on the dollar, I see no reason why such additional appropriation could not be apportioned by the School Board somewhat as follows: one-third to meet increased cost of fuel and supplies, one-third to meet indebtedness of former years and one-third to increase salaries.
TEACHING FORCE AND PENSIONS.
The teaching force has met with many changes during the present school year. Ten vacancies have occurred in the High School faculty besides two prolonged leaves of absence. These positions were filled as satisfactorily as was possible under the circumstances. There have been five vacancies in the grades; one was filled permanently, two temporarily and two, by con- solidation of schools, were left unfilled for the present.
The changes in the High School faculty were occasioned almost wholly by low salaries and by the war. I have already referred to the need of increasing salaries. The influence of the war upon the entire teaching force has been felt seriously and will doubtless increase as the war progresses. One teacher is now serving in the army and two have married army offi- cers. Five teachers now employed in the High School are with- in the draft age and may be called into the service. Several teachers are fitting themselves for government and business positions which offer great monetary attractions. It is, there- fore, probable that our present teaching force will meet with further changes during the year, when the difficulty in filling the vacancies will have become more perplexing, since conditions that confront us are universal.
The sentiment among teachers in favor of a state system of pensions is very pronounced, but the present conditions seem
139
CITY OF RUTLAND
unfavorable for any new venture involving the expenditure of money. It is, therefore, probable that during the period of the war it will be very difficult to secure new and effective legisla- tion on this subject. As soon as conditions become normal, the Educational department of the state will doubtless urge the enactment of additional pension laws, which will bring Vermont more in line with the other thirty or more states which have already taken favorable action in this matter. It is believed that such pension measures will receive the hearty support of the teachers and citizens of Rutland and that an effective pen- sion system for the state will prove one of the most potent factors in insuring permanency and contentment in our teach- ing force.
SPECIAL SCHOOLS.
Continuation schools were in session for four weeks during the summer vacation open to High School as well as grade pupils. Without doubt by such means nearly a score of pupils in the High School, and double that number in the grades were kept from repeating the work of a full year. This saved the city nearly four times the expense involved. Such schools are fast winning general favor and are finding a permanent place in the Educational systems of many towns and cities, and this is the case in Rutland.
The School Board last winter conducted a Public Evening School during the winter term, the Educational Committee of the Rutland Woman's Club supplying the funds for paying the instructors. The same Committee guaranteed the funds for pay- ing the instruction in a similar school this present season. The Board, while appreciating the generous offer of that Committee, deemed it unwise to attempt an Evening School this winter on account of the shortage of fuel, the postponement of all schools, and the large number of prospective scholars affected by the draft law. Personally, I am greatly in sympathy with this movement and believe that under normal conditions Public Evening Schools should be maintained in this city.
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ANNUAL REPORT
I have frequently expressed my approval of well-conducted Kindergarten Schools. In my opinion such schools should be open to pupils between five and six years of age and partake largely of the character of first grade schools, so that exceptional- ly bright and healthy children might pass from them directly in- to the second grade and enable other children not so favored to more easily and fully complete in two years the work of the first grade. Under our present system many more failures to make grade occur during the first year of the child's attendance than during any other single year; state and federal reports show that the failures during the first year of children entering at five years of age, are not more numerous than of those entering at six years. Should our Teacher Training Class be of consid- erable size next year it would seem possible to open two or more such schools and place them under that Department with little additional cost to the city.
In my report of last year I discussed at some length the aims and advantages of the Junior High School. Twenty-five such schools are now in operation in Vermont, many of them have passed the experimental stage and have demonstrated their right to exist. The most serious objections to starting at once a Junior High School in Rutland, are the disturbed conditions of the Country, the forced readjustment of grades in the several school buildings and the lack of funds to provide suitable ac- commodations and equipment. When conditions become normal, it is probable all these objections may easily be overcome and such a school established on a permanent basis.
HIGH SCHOOL.
The High School has had a successful year. Co-operation and harmony have prevailed in all departments and in all school enterprises. More serious application to study has been notice- able, and the standard of scholarship has been appreciably raised. Notwithstanding the fact that the High Schools every- where have suffered much more than the grades by the disturbed conditions of the country, the attendance has been very satis- factory, and the tuition from non-resident pupils was the larg-
141
CITY OF RUTLAND
est ever collected in one year. The school is doing an important work in training the youth of this community and is worthy of the confidence and support which it receives. It gives me pleas- ure to endorse the report of its Principal and to incorporate into this report some of his data and important suggestions, as follows :-
"Elimination .- Last year we had a very high percentage of students who left school or did not return. Most of these were students who had failed in some of the work of the preced- ing year, either through lack of study or lack of capacity. A rather careful analysis of last year's losses from school seems to show that attention enough has not been paid to the Fresh- man classes. Where failures take place in the first year, there is quite likely to be a corresponding loss from school in the later years of the course. Last year we lost from school 128 students, about 100 of whom left because of failure. The elimination this year has been materially less. So far, we have lost 54 stu- dents. Of these, 11 left because of illness; and 19 withdrew because of failure or lack of interest. Constant attention to the two lower classes will still further reduce this elimination.
"Summer School .- During the month of July we ran a summer school at an expense of $160. As a result of this, four- teen students who had failed in essential subjects were saved a year, while several others were able to make up some work. The small size of the classes in summer school made it possible to teach some of these student how to study, and their work in school this year has shown a very decided improvement. If conditions warrant, the school should be maintained next sum- mer, and if possible, should be made a permanent feature of our school system. It costs about $50 per year for each student. Saving a year for fourteen students, means freeing about $700 worth of instruction that can be given to other students. This saving also means to the community that the students who save a year begin earning one year earlier. This, perhaps, means a saving of at least $300 a year for each student.
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ANNUAL REPORT
"Failures .- Last year at the end of the first semester, the failures were 19.8% ; that is, out of every one hundred hours of work taken by students, there was a failure of 19.8 hours. This percentage is unreasonably high. This year our percentage has been reduced to 10.7%. The bulk of failures has been caused by lack of interest on the part of either students or parents, or both. Some students have so many social activities and are up so late nights, that their energies are exhausted and they find it neces- sary to take their rest in school, in order to be ready for their more important activities of the evening. Of course the respons- ibility for the failure of these students rests squarely on the parents. Where parents have not the will power and back-bone to insist on the completion of school work, they have only them- selves to blame if their children fail. There are also a few parents who wish their children to do a day's work at home in addition to their school work. Of course this is impossible and results in failure. On the whole, however, parents have shown a remarkable degree of co-operation, and a great part of the reduction in failures this year is due to the efforts of parents who have taken hold of the matter earnestly as soon as their attention was called to the cause of failure.
"A Summary of the Year's Progress :-
1. The failures have been reduced from 19.8% to 10.7%.
2. A definite course of study in English has been put into successful operation.
3. The work has been largely expanded in Domestic Science, Mechanical Drawing and Manual Training.
4. We have arranged for credit for work in Music done under the direction of competent and approved Music teachers, thereby allowing students to continue their work in Music and receive enough credit so that the rest of their school work can be materially lightened.
143
CITY OF RUTLAND
5. We have completed the organization of the school on a departmental basis, with uniform work, examinations and rating of papers in each subject.
6. By increasing the work in the special subjects, we have been able to keep the average size of classes at about twenty-two, and give each teacher one free period for indi- vidual assistance and correction of papers.
7. Our problems of discipline have not been serious this year, and the general spirit of the school has been largely improved.
8. We have made plans to increase our library facili- ties, and hope before the end of the year to have our library on a working basis.
9. Our greatest emphasis this year has been placed on increasing the efficiency of work in the English, Penman- ship and Mathematics and our efforts are beginning to bear fruit.
10. Our students have engaged largely in war work activities, and have made a creditable showing in several branches.
"Recommendations .- I recommend that a definite salary schedule be introduced, whereby a teacher will receive, and know that she is going to receive, a definite increase of salary each year up to whatever maximum is fixed by the School Board. If a teacher is worth retaining at all, her services con- stantly increase in value for at least four or five years. By that time, she may have reached the maximum of efficiency and should be receiving the maximum salary, and that salary should be sufficient for the teacher to pay her expenses at least and devote a part of the vacation to professional advancement.
"I recommend that careful investigation be made to see if a co-operative course for mechanics can be profitably installed. Springfield has a course in which boys spend half their time in school and half in the shops and at the end of the four years
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ANNUAL REPORT
receive their high school diplomas and have also served their apprenticeship in a machine shop. This gives the town each year a few new mechanics who have general education enough to become extremely valuable men to the industries. The com- ing generation is to be one in which the trained manual worker will fill a more important and dignified place than ever before. The success of a particular industrial community will depend largely upon the number of superior men it can prepare thor- oughly for this work. It is my judgment that the growth of Rutland will depend largely upon the quality of its skilled labor. The schools should begin at once to interest boys of mechanical tendencies in the higher quality of skilled Work- manship as a desirable, dignified and well-paid life work.
"The institution of a junior high school should also be carefully considered. It is my opinion that with proper depart- mental teaching in the upper grades, much work now done in the high school could be done to better advantage in the gram- mar school, and much work now largely done in the grammar schools could be better put off until the children are more ma- ture. Incidentally, the entire school course could then be changed to twelve years instead of thirteen as at present. This has proved to have a pronounced effect in keeping more boys in school until they are better fitted to become valuable men in the community."
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES.
The School Board, teachers and pupils have each taken a lively interest in all special activities connected with the war. Whatever projects received the endorsement of the School Board have met with hearty co-operation by teachers and scholars and have been carried through to a successful issue. This has been the case in School and Community Gardens; in the purchase of a Liberty Bond; in contributing to the War Recreation Fund; in assisting in the drives of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, Knights of Columbus and the Salvation Army ; in contrib- uting time and money to the Red Cross, both Senior and Junior ; in purchasing War and Thrift Saving Stamps, and in assisting
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CITY OF RUTLAND
in the city's public charities carried on by the Parent-Teacher Associations of the city. The spirit manifested by each and all has been to do his or her part in winning the war.
CONCLUSION.
In closing this report I again make hearty acknowledgment of the unfailing courtesy, good will and assistance so generally extended to me during the past year by all with whom I have been associated.
Respectfully submitted, DAVID B. LOCKE, Superintendent of Schools.
Rutland, Vermont, February 15, 1918.
APPENDIX
LIST OF TEACHERS IN THE EMPLOY OF THE CITY OF RUTLAND DURING THE FINANCIAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 1917.
Name of School and Teacher
Grade
Where Educated
Salary
Service Began
David B. Locke
Superintendent
Dartmouth College
$2,400 00
1906
High School
*Edward S. Abbott
Principal
University of Vermont
2,000 00
1916
Eleanor J. Meldon
Assistant
Rutland High School
800 00
1908
Ruth W. Temple
Assistant
Mt. Holyoke College
800 00
1908
Marie W. Johnson
Assistant
Rutland High School
700 00
1907
Frances S. White
Assistant
Syracuse University
750 00
1916
Marion M. Ballou
Assistant
Mt. Holyoke College
750 00
1916
Harold I. O'Brien
Assistant
Holy Cross College
1,200 00
1916
Nellie H. Newton .
Assistant
Emerson School of Oratory
600 00
1907
Fannie W. Barton
Prin. Teacher Training Course Syracuse University
1,200 00
1915
Anna E. Baker
Assistant in Typewriting
Futland High School .
312 00
1915
Frank E. Mitchell
Asst. Principal
Cannon's Commercial School ..
1,500 00
1917
Lacey W. Bump .
Assistant
Middlebury College
1,200 00
1917
Helen Harlow .
Assistant
Smith College
700 00
1917
Ginevra P. Harlow
Assistant
Middlebury College
700 00
1917
Harriet B. Blakeman
Assistant
Middlebury College ·
700 00
1917
Helen B. Collins
Assistant
Columbia University .
600 00
1917
Edward J. Lockwood .
Assistant
University of Vermont
571 43
1917
·
..
.
.
.
Boston University Law School
.
.
Dana School
M. Kittie Crowley . .
Ninth
Oswego Normal
725 00
1892
Mabelle A. Howley
Eighth
Rutland High School
525 00
1905
Agnes H. Rule .
Seventh ·
Rutland High School
525 00
1902
Mary E. Corcoran
Sixth ·
Rutland Teacher Training Class
450 00
1916
Anna E. Collins .
Fifth
Castleton Normal .
450 00 1916
Nora B. Anthony .
Fourth
Rutland High School
575 00
1897
Aida P. Skeeles
Model Teacher 1st, 2nd and 3d Grades
Burlington High School
675 00
1894
Gilrain Avenue
First-Sixth
Castleton Normal
425 00
1917
*Bessie M. Otis
Seventh
Rutland High School
650 00
1895
Helen G. Corcoran
Fifth-Sixth
St. Joseph's Academy .
500 00
1903
Elizabeth N. Locke
(Substitute) Third-Fourth
Rutland Teacher Training Class
425 00
1917
Anna F. Toohey
First-Second
Rutland High School .
575 00
1896
Longfellow School
*Rhoda W. Southard
Seventh
Rutland High School
750
00
1885
Anna E. McCavet .
Ninth
St. Joseph's Academy . . .
650
00
1900
Louise A. Branchaud
Eighth
Rutland High School
600
00
1896
Adelaide B. Schryver
Sixth
Rutland High School
575 00
1895
Irene E. Moroney
Fifth
St. Joseph's Academy .
500
00
1968
Mary V. McCavet
Third-Fourth
St. Joseph's Academy
500
00
1905
Mabel H. Gleason Kingsley School
First-Second
Rutland High School .
575 00
1896
*Louese R. MacFarlane ·
Fourth-Fifth
Rutland High School
625 00
1894
Mary E. Hickey
Third
Rutland High School
525 00
1899
Lena C. Ross
Second
Dana Institute
575 00
1894
Katherine M. Walsh
First
St. Joseph's Academy .
.
500 00
1903
1
* Principal.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Gertrude R. Cline Madison School
LIST OF TEACHERS-Continued
Name of School and Teacher
Grade
Where Educated
Salary
Service Began
School Street
*Ellen Z. Mylott
Sixth-Seventh
Castleton Normal
625 00
1893
Margaret S. Hulihan Lincoln School
Fourth-Fifth
St. Joseph's Academy ..
500 00
1903
*Etta Franklin
Ninth
Rutland High School
737 50
1893
May E. McCormack
Eighth
Castleton Normal
550 00
1912
Etta S. Adams
(Substitute) Seventh
Wells River High School
425 00
1917
Geraldine M. Lyston
Sixth
Rutland Teacher Training Class
500 00
1914
M. Catherine Purcell
Fifth
St. Joseph's Academy
500 00
1903
Abbie E. Greaves
Fourth
Rutland High School
500 00
1908
Frances M. McCormack
Third
Castleton Normal
500 00
1910
Ellen E. Dunn
Second
St. Joseph's Academy
500 00
1910
C. Marion Anderson .
First
Rutland High School .
500 00
1903
Watkins Avenue
*Kate E. Lamb
First-Second
St. Joseph's Academy
650
00
1893
Anna R. Maughan
Seventh-Eighth
Castleton Normal
575 00
1911
Lizzie I. Mclaughlin
Fifth-Sixth
St. Joseph's Academy .
500 00
1906
Catherine C. McKeogh Park Street
Third-Fourth
St. Joseph's Academy .
500 00
1904
*Mary E. Cannon .
Sixth-Eighth
St. Joseph's Academy .
575 00
1903
Mary J. Moher
l'ourth-Fifth
St. Joseph's Academy
500 00
1905
Eleanor T. Maughan
Second-Third
Castleton Normal
500 00
1914
Agnes B. Crowley .
First
Rutland High School .
500 00
1904
.
.
.
.
.
.
Supervisors
Charles V. H. Coan
Supervisor Music
St. John's Chapel, N. Y. City
800 00
1910
Henry O. Halvorsen ·
Supervisor Manual Training .. Supervisor Drawing .
New Hampshire College . .. Massachusetts Normal Art .
800 00
1911
Mabel H. Woods .
Simmons College
400 00
1917
Belle W. Hayward
Simmons College
500 00
1915
Helen W. Clark
Juice Clerk
| Rutland High School
351 00
1915
Teachers Resigned or On Leave
of Absence During the Year
Myra A. Bagley
Assistant High School .
Middlebury College
750 00
1916
Raymond C, Bridges
Assistant High School
Colby College .
1,200 00
1914
Earl N. Gerrish
Asst. Principal High School ..
University of Vermont
1,700 00
1913
Mary M. Lord
Assistant High School
Colby College
800 00
1914
Rowena E. Purdon
Assistant High School
Battle Creek College
750 00
1910
M. Gladys Fritz
Assistant High School .
Vassar College
800 00
1916
May P. Tyrrell
Supervisor Domestic Science ..
Skidmore School of Arts
500 00
1915
Mary E. Onion
Fourth-Fifth Grades, Park St.
Castleton Normal .
500 00
1914
Jennie E. Cline
Seventh, Dana School
West Rutland High School
550
00
1913
Mary A. Tully
First, Longfellow School .
St. Joseph's Academy
500
00
1905
Rose C. Carrigan
Rutland High School
775 00
1884
Maria E. Steward
Rutland Classical Inst.
500 00
1903
Helen H. Harman
.
Substitute High School
.
Boston University
507 00
1916
*Principal.
.
.
Prin. & Ninth, Dana School ... Third & Fourth, Madison
1,100 00
1915
Marion G. Lees
Supervisor Domestic Science .. Supervisor Domestic Science ..
JANITORS, MEDICAL INSPECTOR AND TRUANT OFFICER
Name
Building
Residence
Salary
Service Began
Henry J. Hostler
High School Building .
38 Forest Street
$1,200 00
1907
Fred LaParle
Dana School Building
46 East Center Street
600 00
1908
Mrs. Henry Elkey
Gilrain Avenue Building .
4 Stratton Road
75 00
1917
William D. Kelley
Madison School Building
26 Hopkins Street
420 00
1914
Thomas Borden
Longfellow School Building
18 Washington Street .
550 00
1910
Asa R. Mairs
Kingsley School Building
3 Nickwackett Street
420
1912
Henry J. Host'es
School Street Building ..
38 Forest Street
360 00
1916
Wm. H. Fillmore
Lincoln School Building
33 Crescent Street
600 00
1917
Harvey Thomas
Watkins Avenue Building
35 Evergreen Avenue
420 00
1915
Joseph A. McIntyre
Park Street Building
69 Plain Street .
480 00
1914
Charles B. Costello
Truant Officer
10 Mansfield Place
468 00
1915
Dr. Francis E. Quigley .
Medical Inspector
96 Park Avenue .
Per diem
1915
Janitors Resigned During the
Year
Patrick H. Hostler .
School Street Building .
38 Forest Street
360 00
1916
Walter A. Davenport
Lincoln School Building
261 No. Main Street .. ...
600 00
1914
.
.
·
00
1
·
·
Auditors' Report
To the Honorable City Council:
Your Auditors report that they have examined the ac- counts of the City Treasurer, City Clerk, Overseer of the Poor, Superintendent of Schools and Sinking Fund Commissioners and find that all moneys received by them have been duly ac- counted for and that they have proper vouchers for all moneys expended. The books of these officials have been kept in first- class manner.
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