The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-01

Increase in 9th grade since
 1924 ...... Zo9
 A similar increase shows in grades and while grade 5 re- mains about what it was.
 Two things then are manifest.
 l. This year the whole number of pupils in kindergartens, grades and high schools is ...... 17,640 In 1924, 1t was .......... 16,7O5 A gain of 935
 do not attempt to explain all traitor. Our high school registra- tion has increased 33 per cent since 1928. But the registration in our grades has decreased 1,144 since 1924. Of course, since 1924, there have been two new parochial schools established, St Francis Xavier's and St Peter & Paurs. These two schools have the fol- lowing registration this year:
 St Francis ............... 465 St Peter & Paups ......... 44O
 Total 9O5
 Counting all the grades in the city then, the net loss since 1924 is 239. But 1t should not be forgot ten that the loss in our own grades is more than one thousand in seven years.
 Another table of figures may be interesting. In 1924 there were in our public high schools-and there were only two very small non-pub- lie high schools-only 1884 pupils. This year the total high school reg istration of the city, exclusive of St Margaret's, is as follows:
 Public high schools ....... 3,963 Waterbury Catholic high
 school 539 Sacred Heart High school. 13S
 Total 4,64O
 Enumeration (which is taken for the state and includes pupils between four and sixteen years of age) has remained at a standstill in Waterbury for six years. High school population has increased 150 per cent.
 Our own grades are being fast depleted; our high schools-all high schools-have grown out of all proportion to the grades as measured by recent history; while the number of pupils between four and sixteen years of age in Waterbury has not increased in six years.
 Keep in mind six things in read ing this nasty summary.
 l. The new immigration law keeps out all but a very few of the families of prolific races; and
 2. This is the worst economic year in recent history.
 8. Economic problems have more than taxed the capacity of most American high schools.
 4. We are fortunate to have had Croft to convert into high school, thus eliminating double sessions in high schools.
 5. The scientific and equitable mapping of grammar school dis tricts Is a far more difficult prob city in New England, not even ex- cepting North Adams. There are political factors in it over which the superintendent of schools has absolutely no control; and the very terrain with its precipitous hills and valleys makes the drawing Of satisfactory district lines almost impossible.
 6. Also, be it remembered, high school education Is the most costly of all kinds of public school edu- cation. We have had streak Of luck in this matter Seven years ago, the number of high school pupils per teacher was only sixteen. By filling up Wilby and by nov ing Leavenworth, We have been enabled to increase the number to twenty-five pupils per teacher. Even with the mandatory increases in salaries, we have reduced the per capita cost of high school edu- cation 25 per cent. But owing to the fact that we have had an in- crease of nearly 1000 pupils in the high schools the total cost for the financing of high schools this year has considerably increased.
 If 1t be asked, with a decrease ot 1,144 pupils in kindergartens and grades since 1924, why Is 1t that the number of grade teachers has not been more materially de- creased, there are several parts to the answer.
 A.-In the first place, decreas- ing the number of teachers is one of the most difficult things super intendent has to face. There is very long waiting list, and he finds himself laced with more kinds of opposition than those which ap- pear on the surface. When & man finds himself the chief manager of public school system, and 1t Is necessary to swim against the tide. 1t takes something like heroic courage to do so.
 B.-In the second place, there are schools--there are neighbor- hoods,-that consider the status quo of their educational institu- tons sacred, holy and inviolate. The schools have catered to per- sons-in some cases--to ike groups for three or four genera tons; and 1t is like starting q rev- olution to change lines and thus reduce costs. The superintendent of schools even with the backing of the board, has only limited powers.
 C.-Then, again. when the lines arc changed--such case hap. pened recentiy--thoso interested And certain persons in power who adVinO them tO stick, No man