The Portland daily press., 1873-02-19
The Public Schools.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT JOHNSON.

REPORT OF SUPERlNTENDENT JOHNSON.
The Report of Superintendent johnson
tains many matters of interest and importance.
though the size of the volume will discourage
many from its perusal.
The whole number of scholars in the State
between the ages Of four and twenty-one in 1872
was 226, ISL; in 1871 the number was 225, sos.
The number registered in summer schools in
1872 was 1892; in 1871, the whole number
was 1888 average attendance in 1872, 90. $50;
in 1871, $3.50. The number registered in win
schools in 1872 was 1851; in 1871, 126, 147;
average attendance in1872, 2,443; in 1871,
to the whole number was, in 1872, 40; in 1871,
80; to scholars registered, in 1872, 80; in 1871
49, The probable number of truants or absen-
tees was, in 1872, II, 4S7; in 1871. 1899 These
figures show an increase of the number of schol-
ars in the State, and a small gain in atten-
dance. s -r-4
The average length of schools for the year
was, in 1872, 10 weeks 2 deys; in 1871, 10 weeks
days; loss of one day in 1872 There was
an increase in graded schools the last year, the
number in 1872 being 1852, and in 1871, 420., Last
year 121 new schoolhouses were built, against
119 the previous year. The value of school
property was, in 1872, So, GA 264; in 1871, 81
1882 The normal schools furnished 270
tCdCliClo ittot year, duu lUt Ult year U6lOlt.
average wages of male teachers were per month,
excluding board, in 1872, $33.17; in 1871, 32. A
of female teachers, per week. excluding board,
in 1872, $3.50; in 1871, $3.43. Amount of school
money raised in 1872, $717,719; in 1871 $719,-
6O2; amount raised per scholar in 1872 was S2S7;
in 1871, $307: amount paid for tuition in pri-
vate schools, academies or colleges in the State
in 1872 was $50, 425; in 1871, $48, IA; amount
paid for school supervision in 1872, 4,139; in
1871, $23,623; amount of school fund in 1872,
o. in 10 nf
gate schoolexpenditures tovaluation the last year
was five and fourth-fifth mills. The total sum
expended in 1872 for educational purposes in
and out of the State was 81 1907 ,592; in 1871 the
sum expended was 1856, 298. a-
1t is estimated by the Superintendent that the
annual tuition of the pupil at the public school
amounts to $12. He calls attention to the fact
that it would cost no more to educate all the
children in the State than it does to educate
those who attend the schools, emitting the tru-
ants and others who fail to attend.
There are now six sources of school revenue
in the State: Interest on Permanent School
Fund; Savings Bank Tax; School Mill-tax;
Proceeds from Local Funds; Voluntary Town
or School District Tax. The permanent school
fund amounts to $317 ,902-NO addition of any
amount can be hoped for to this fund from the
resources of the State, but it is anticipated that
some addition may be made by the general gov
eminent. The interest of the present fund
amounts to $18,77S, or .0S3 per census scholar.
y,
by the State Treasurer, and is payable to any
town whenever the State and county taxes are
paid by the said town. The savings bank tax
is a sem-annual tax of ne-quarter of one per
cent, on the total amount of deposits in all the
savings banks of the State according to returns
made to the State Treasurer in May and No
vember of each year. The amount from this
source as returned last May was $57, 334 So
The school mill-tax is tax of one mill per dol
lar upon all the property in the State, accord
ing to valuation, for the support of common
schools.
On the present valuation this yields an an
nual revenue for the schools of $224 $50 The
sums to be disbursed fromthe State Treasury
will be nearly as follows for the year 1878: In
terest on permanent school fund, 1000; Saw
ings bank fund $3.50 600; school mill fund $224,-
$50; making a total of 1858, $50; or about ST. 60
per census scholar. The amount payable from
the State Treasury in 1871 was $15, al; in 1872
it was $300,643. A table accompanying the
report shows the sum apportioned toeyery town
in the State.
A few pages of the report are taken up with
the discussion of the mill tax question, showing
that it is not new or uncommon measure and
not unconstitutional The superintendent calls
attention to the manner in which the school
fund is apportioned for distribution, suggesting
that instead of being apportioned as now &C
cording to the whole number of scholars in
towns, between the ages of four and twenty-one,
it be based upon the whole number enrolled
as attending the schools. He recommends no
increase of the mill tax at present. and no
change in the per capita tax, which is now
eighty cents for each inhabitvnt. There are
other small sources of revenue, coming under
the head of local funds and voluntary taxation
by towns, which are noticed in the report, also
appropriations which are made yearly for Nor
NAL Schools, Teachers Institutes, and various
other educational helps.