New Britain herald., 1923-04-03


 1t is plainly evident that school au-
 thorities cannot be held accountable
 for the greatly increased enrolment
 in tho schools and more particularly
 In the upper grammar grades and
 high schools. To meet this increased
 enrollment. large increases In school
 costs have been incurred. Tn New
 Britain for example. the total number
 of pupils belonging in grammar and high school grades increased from
 l7ti in i9i3-iei4 10 33l1 in 192i-
 1922. an increase of more than g. per
 cent.
 "If we reckon tho increased cost
 which this increase in numbers alone would cause and base 1t upon the per capita cost of 1s13-14, we can easily account for an increase of s6i.- 900 In the maintenance of the Cram mar and High school grades between 19i3-1914 and 192i-1922. or an in- crease from S75.767 Tn 1913-1914 to $137.1ss in lo21-1922.
 But second cause for increased school expenditures has been opera tive at the same time. 1. e.. the re- duced purchasing power of the dollar from 100 cents to 62 cents. If we take this into account at the same time, we must look for further increase. Taking the above amount, $137,13S for grammar and high school costs as based upon a 100 cent dollar, and reducing it to the basis of 62 cent dollar, we secure total of -$221,190 to expect for grammar and high school costs.
 "As matter of fact, however. the Grammar and High schools actually cost $316.169 in 1921-1922, thus leav- ing $94,979 still to be accounted for. Of this, $74.256 may be accounted for, in the increases in the salaries of teachers over and above the difference in the purchasing power of the dol lar. nor is it at all difficult to account for the remaining $20.723 ia addi- tions to and extensions of the work of the High and Grammar sch ools. such a physical training. prevocation- al shop work. trade training. etc.
 During the same period of time the total cost for elementary schools increased from $143,052 in 1913-1914 to $3S9,642 in 1921-1922. During this the total registration is ele- mentary schools increased 21 per cent. This increase in registration would warrant corresponding increase in expense from $143.o52 to $173.092. If we reduce this amount to the basis | of 62 cent dollar we get $279,1S2. But this still leaves a difference be- tween $279,1S2 and $389,642 of $110.- 460 to be accounted for. Between l913-1914 and 1921-1922 the average salary of the elementary school teach- ers increased Ill per cent. The differ ,nce between the average salary of l913-1914 and the average salary ,f 1921-1922 after deducting the al- owance for the lower purchasing power of the dollar Is still $476 per ,eacher. It we multiply this by 231, he number of elementary school eachers in 1s21-1922 we find that 1t mounts to total of $1o9950 which accounts for practically all of the lbove difference of $110,460.
 "Is not this, then, fair conclusion with reference to the whole matter of school expenses? That the 'nly way to bring it about to such a :, egree aswould materially reduce the { otal school budget would be by means of general and considerable ut in school salaries. so that the { verage salary would be reduced $500 r $40o. An average cut of $400 per eacher would reduce the total school udget by approximately $150.000.
 "Of course, do not wish to be un- erstood as recommending any cut in , eachers' salaries. On the contrary, m of the opinion that such a purse would be disastrous to the chools, as we'll as unjust and unwar- anted. This is simply a discussion of 1e facts as they are. and of possible avs and means for effecting any onsiderable reduction in school ex- enses.
 Summary of Points
 Let us summarize the points made nus far:
 "1. School costs have increased tre- lendously in the last decade.
 "2. This increase is general and not eculiar to New Britain only.
 B. The chief causes are: