The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-24
TEACHERS SALARIES

A'9-Ao poOhS I ldSU y6dI
unpaid bills) 7419
S42, 449
1t will be perceived that of the total
amount spent upon schools almost exact
~ two-thirds goes Cor salaries and one
third Tor the maintenance OF buildings,
heating, text books and other incidentals.
OF this $42, 449. the greater part is ex-
pended under the direction of the city
government. The school committee draw
upon this fund only for the purchase of
text books and petty school supplies like
pens, pencils and paper.
The average number of pupils belong
ing to the schools was as follows:
High school, 535
Grammar schools, 1850
Primary schools, 1903
kindergartens rs
Total, 1876
The average cost per pupil for teachers
salaries belonging was as follows:
High school, $26. 55
Grammar schools, 1872
Primary schools. 1857
Kindergartens, 21.79
In the year 1876 there was spent for
school salaries $61, S6625 for inoidentals,
repairs, etc.. $40. 272.27, with an average
NUMBER OF PUPILS
helongin in all grades of 457s. This
comparison shows that while salaries in
the aggregate have increased about 81 per
cent the cost of maintenance, repairs and
janitor service and inoidentals has more
than doubled. 1t must not be inferred
that the teachers salaries have been
raised in the same proportion for their
number has increased from III to 149,
and it is unfortunately true that they
do not receive the share of the larger ap-
preparations which their services general
ly deserve. 1t should be said that some
of the increase from $50, 272,27 for the
year 1876 to SAP, 449, is accounted for by
the fact that the burden of supplying
text books falls upon the city. The sum
spent in that way $7419, covers bills for
books required the previous year and not
appropriated for, amounting to $2558.
Seven years have now passed since the
enactment of the compulsory text book
law and sufficient opportunity has been
given to observe it's workings. The
annual average cost for school books has
been about five Thousand dollars. The
most that can be said in its favor Is that
the books in the age regate have probably
cost somewhat less than if bought by the
pupils and that since the law was passed
there has been Ell increased attendance
in the high school which may be result
of the law, the books in that school being
more expensive than in the lower grades.
1t is, however, not the fact that the at
tendance in the grammar and primary
schools has increased because the city
provides the books and all the reasons
urged against the new system are be-
lieved to have been proved valid by
actual experience. The common use of
books does tend to spread contagious
diseases and many of the books have been
burned the past year in those schools
where cases of diphtheria existed. The
sense of proprierorship in books is lost
and the child does no possess what he
afterwards would highly prize, the books
he studied at school. In many homes the
little libraries these would have formed
are now wholly wanting.
The evening schools, manual training
and the kindergartens account for part of
the increase.
No one can doubt the great value of
THE EVENING SCHOOLS
struction to all those who are disposed to
avail themselves of the privilege of learn
ing the common branches. Many pc rsons
of foreign birth in this way make up for
Deficiencies forced upon a youth spent in
less favored surroundings, are helped
over the difficulties of our language and
made more useful citizens. No matter
whether their needs result from waste or
lack of opportunities it is the duty of the
public to provide for all such as have the
ambition and inclination to learn read
ing, writing and arithmetic. The school
is good for those That give and those that
receive, for teaching becomes a pleasure
instead of drudgery when scholars are
keen and eager for knowledge.
THE MANUAL TRAINING SCHOOLS
under the direction of Mr.. Babb and Mr..
Dean have given to the boys of the first
second and third grades of the grammar
schools an opportunity to learn something
of the use of tools. In drafting and
making plans they doubtless get clearer
notions of arithmetical processes and
have useful lessons in geometry. They