South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-07-25
Supt. Montgomery Points Out
Definite Financial Gain for
Extra Session.
SCHOOL COSTS SIS
PER PUPIL PER YEAR
As 1047 Youngsters Got Credit
for Half Years Work School
Officials Feel They Have
Saved Taxpayers Money.

The first summer session OF the
South Bend schools closed Friday.
Two-thirds OF those who entered AZ
the beginning OF the term eight
weeks ago stayed until the close.
The total enrolment al the beginning
was 2246. ON Friday 1871 pupils
took their last lessons until next fan.
OF this number 915 in grade classes
have received credit for one Sc
mester's work as a result OF their
summer studies.
In the school 130 credits have been
gained. Six seniors who failed 10
graduate this spring because OF con
ditions, made up work and received
diplomas.
The financial gain 10 the school city
arising from the summer school is
estimated at s5.S2274 In addition
To the financial advantage 10 the city
and the credit gain 10 the pupils,
there is an Improvement i'm the quail
ity Of work which can not be esti-
mated until the fan session starts,
according 10 the school officials.
The figures were compiled by Supt.
Montgomery from reports returned hv
principals Of the schools where the
summer sessions were held.
Was Fina7cial Benefit.
1T was one OF the arguments I
advanced in favor OF the establish
ment OF summer school that the ses-
sion would prove a financial benefit
20 the school city. feel that the
flies that statement. said Mont
gomery.
The cost of maintaining a pupil i'm
the South Bend schools for one year
has been found 20 be S25. Since there
there were t047 who received credit
for one-half years work. l30 or
these in the high school. the financial
gain. obtained from these figures is
S11.5SS50 There are IS teachers In
the grade classes with total salary of
S6,374.51. The high school salaries
amounted TO s1.O61.25. There was no
additional expense for operating the
schools during the summer outside
Of the teachers salaries. as there was
no fuel TO be furnished and the jani
tors receive their pay boy the year.
With the subtraction Of the expense
the net gain in money was found 10
be S5.S22.74
Although the financial side was
emphasized at the close Of the first
summer session in order 10 justify
the experiment in scholastic work ac-
cOmplished BY a canvas on June
il was ascertained that l.217 pupils
were doing review work and $50 ad
pointed out were not working f0r
credits. but merely taking the course
with a view 10 the general benefit
to he obtained. This viii be apparent
when they resume regular work in
the fail. the school authorities be-
Ieve.
Work Wen Done.
The quality OF the work done %
the summer session was generally
d OH Il q
session. que in part 10 the employ
ment OF only the more experienced
teachers. = and & class: and 10 the
smaller classes as well as 20 the fact
that only the more ambitious pupils
enrolled for the summer course
Reports from the principals sub
mitted at the request OF the super
intendent were unanimous in praise
of the results OF the summer school
work Fatigue and extreme heat
were not noticeable 20 any degree in
preventing good work. according %
the reports
Several OF the principals. however.
pointed out that n many Instance
the pupils most in need of the work
did not attend and as remedy sus-
gcsted the extension OF the regular
term 20 10 months. when attendance
OF the lazy ones could De compelled.
Principal John A. Byers of the
eighth grade pointed out that the
work II the teacher was more ar
duous during the summer because ~
stimulating waning interest. also
pointing ont that there We're many
in his grade too lazy 20 attend.
Although the parents see the need
OF their child many Of them lack the
persuasive power 90 compel him u
attend. This condition might be
remcdled by the 10 months terms
when the truancy law could be en-
forced against them" writes Mr..
Byers
Mr. Byers IN his report suggested.
as did several other OF the principals.
that he did not think Ia good policy
10 give a semester creoit for the sum-
mer school work except in cases
where the pupils had made up fail
Ires or removed conditions in the
work covered Unless the pupil is
exceptionally brilliant. II he does
semester work ia two months il viii
necessarily be surface WORK II he has
not been over the ground before. they
pointed out