The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-11-25
ECONOMY IN The
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Cost Of Furnishing Books Re-
duced During Last Year.
COMMITTEES LAST MEETING
Cost Of Supplies USED In Schools Of Prov.
tence Has Been Reduced 10 $1,095
for Each Scholar.
COMMITTEES LAST MEETING

About the chief matter OF interest at
the meeting OF the school committee last
evening in the closing session of the year
l9O4-5 was the presentation OF a short re-
port by Superintendent Small conveying
the information that the school depart
ments had been practicing such rigid
economy that the expenses per year for
each pupil had been reduced. The re-
port showed that where It had been 1851
for the year previous, for the past year
Il was s1.C95 per pupil, while the average
| cost per pupil for the seven years pre-
yious had been 1851.
The most interesting fact brought for
ward by the report was that despite the
reduction OF the cost per pupil there had
been still an abundant supply OF ma
terials and books, only the l~uxuries hav-
ing been eliminated. The cost for books
and supplies last year was S27,065.6O, while
for the same materials the year before
the cost was almost $4,000.
/ mere hdS al ian hAANlAAhAA'f - -
members OF the committee at the session
last evening. when President Rueckert
called the meeting to order at $50. Sec
rotary Rose proceeded with the pre-
urinary duties OF the session, after which
the reports Of various departments were
presented,
Mr. Small offered his monthly report
upon the enrolment. showing that the
total number is 26,SS6 pupils or an III
crease OF 800 over last year. Ihere ate
al present 2O29 in the high schools si'S
tn he grammar schools. 14.42l in the pri-
mary schools. PAS in the special and ll5
i'm the kindergarten schools.
Sunerintendent Small then recon-
mended for appointment in the uay
scbools Miss Ada Little, Miss Ellen X.
NcCalion and Miss Jessie G. Perkins. Inc
committee approved the nomlnatohs'
For the committee on accounts, neorse
= Reane reported that ~ pliis, 10
tho amount OF $5553.3l, had oeeh u'i'o"
and they were ordered PAID.
NJ Reane tx wise reported that the
.r,au,t ~ available funds, for the sup
nort of the schools for the hscaI year ue-
9,a,tna the hills audited this MONTH was
ts2o COS 20. and that estimated ~
oharges against this sum amounted 10
s5s7. 7e5. thus leaving a balance Vi S"'
ooo 90 The report was received.
'Vyo- Gaorgo q Wilson, for the com
r,i,,oo on high schools. presented an
annordment to the rules provldlng loI ar
incraase of the number of hrst assis'"n'9
from four TO ten. prof VIII
The amendment was passed t'ol. II
aon then offered a resolution luS
that appointment as a hrst assl9lan. -
- datarmined solely upon superior en-
- ,nppiptmont 10 RIt1tE CIV
49, 80 orst assistant TO be determined
go Tho length of service ana othef
nroner qualifications, This resoiu'ioh "i''
was passed. ors soI
arios President Rueckert reporteu uhl'
the had considered an appIS"
ton of the assistant music ana uraWl's
,aaoha,s FOR an increase OF salary. Inc
ronort was accepted and the
was then discharged.
John +. Masterson presented Il peth'oh
asking for the setting apart OF one roohl'
| either I'm the Veazie street or the Greeley
street schools. for the establishment OF a
kindergarten.
question Of hnding q place for the KIN
dergarten work should be investigated
fully and the committee on school houses
was so instructed.
superintendent Small then presented
the following report:
To the Executive Committee:
Some two years ago, against my wish
the supervision OF the stock room was
added TO my duties. I tax pleasure In
making the following brief report Tor the
fiscal year Just closed:
The cost OF books issued 10 the schools
was II ,Ol1.9 "a: the cost or supplies S2.-
| O23. 66; total s21,O65.6O.
The total cost for last year was s39,-
721.S2.
The average cost per pupil this year
was sioo5. last year Sl.61i.
The average cost per pupil for the sew
on years previous to this has been 1881.
The cost this year was nearly 20 cents
less than this average.
The average total cost for this seven
years was 49,, S9517.
This years total Is SSS29. 81 less than that
average.
The schools nave been supplied literally
with the necessary books and materials.
Injuries have been denied.
The schools cannot be maintained year
after wear az this low rate, but they can
he effectively maintained at a much low
or rate thar the average of past years
without denying the things which SHOULD
he furnished under the free text book law
and without In any way affecting the ef-
nciency OF the schools.
Respectfully submitted.
(Signed) w II. SMALL.
superintendent.
After the report had been read and re-
ceivcd. the committee. at . o'clock. adj
iourned. Tho new committee will meet
for organization Tuesday. Dec 5, at s