Norwich bulletin., 1913-10-15
PLAN OF TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
investigated and Reported Before Town Meeting By Ce- mitsee-Eeuipment Expense Estimated At About $3o- ,0o0- Committee Indicates Scope of School

work BeveE4y has population s& abeut 1e,egg, aaa the number at the seheel last year Was 5a.
 New Lenden's Successful School.
 The Manual Traanlng and Industrial seheel of New 1aaden Is certainly success.
 Of the s2ee eoo given by one ef that city s philanhtFeE4Sts te establish the school, the sum of about Ss5 coo was spent for building and equipmenb and the remainder yields an income appH- 9SSele te eurrent expenses of ss,ooe. The city supplements this with about slo ,0o0, and the tGtaI of st5.o00 pro- vides for the annual cost of the school, there being this year 3so schol afs In attendance, boys and girls be- ing about equal tn number. The to the children of New f.ondon a pupil from outside that city must pay $20 a year. The course is four years and while the attendance has increased steadily the schools development has not interfered materially with the at tendance at either the girls or the boys regular high school.
 In the first year. 1906. there were 54 scholars; in 1907. II; in 1908. 11S; in 1909, 121; in 1910. 156; In 1911 211; in 1912, PIT; at present at stated there are 330 scholars.
 These figures are quoted to indicate the growing popularity of a school which is able to furnish it's graduates with the practical means of earning a living by skilled labor and at the same time to bring to their minds that knowledge and culture which may make them conscious of talent that otherwise might remain undiscovered. School ITrained Boy Has Advantage.
 It is needless to open or pursue discussion about the relative abilities and prospects of the shop trained boy and the boy trained in proper school for the same trade or calling. Statis- tics have been carefully compiled in Massachusetts in regard to this, and comparisons have been made, and un- dOubtediy the rule would be the same in Connecticut, showing the advan- tage, almost beyond belief. which the boy with the training of the school has over his less favored competitors.
 Might Be 100 Boys Here.
 It would be difficult to say how many boys and girls might attend trade school in this town, but inquiries amongst the school men and others who have given thought to the sub ject lead othe belief that there would be at least 100 boys. As there would probably be at least 40 or 50 girls also, we can see that the matter deserves most careful consideration-certa enough to warrant the experiment in the expense of which the state may join, to demonstrate the success of the undertaking.
 Estimates of Expenses.
 One estimate furnished in regard to cost of equipment contained the fol- lowing items;
 A machine shop fer 100 or 150 boys occupied eight or nine hours a day can be equipped with machinery and tools fer about $1090Q
 A carpenter shop will cost probably from $2,oo0 to s30O0.
 print shop for go boys can be equipped fer s15,000, including a hand press.
 The outfit for a girls department of dressmaking and millinery would cost from $200 to $500. The equipment for teaching domestic science. would prob ably not be materially greater.
 Another estimate represents the cost of equipping a trade education shop al from $7,000 to $10.000
 Not an Excessive Burden.
 With these figures in mind. and re- membering that the annual cost of running the school at New London is about S15.000, where there are over 300 scholars with four year course, much of which is academic, it can be seen that to establish a school here. hiring quarters for a time and taking up but
 
 probably not can excessive burden, with the state helping to bear it. The project is to be commended and the work should be undertaken when the financial conditions in this town may seem to warrant it.
 Recommendation
 A more particular estimate of the expense was not obtained, for in the course of your committees investiga- tion the law was passed making the establishment of a trade school if considered desirable, a work for the town school committee to carry for ward after careful investigation and more detailed estimate of cost which it would have to make for your con- sideration before you could reasonably appropriate money for this purpose
 It is recommended, therefore that the matter of establishing and main taining schools or courses. of instruc- tiOn in distinct trades. useful occupa- tions or vacations in this town, be re- ferred 10 the town school committee which shall duly report to a town meeting and make such recemnenda- tionS in relation to the matter as to that e1rn00j ttee may seem pT60eF