The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-10
Drop Puzzling As
 City's Population
 Increased Greatly
No Material Increase Noted in Number of Students, Notwithstanding Hundreds of Newcomers to Water
 bury; Tardiness Increased Due to Conditions

this time," the superintendent states in the report, which covers the school year from fall, 1942 to June, 1943.
 Pointing to the decrease in high school enrolment during the past few years, Dr. Condon predicts sec- ondary school enrolment will con- tinue to decline annually for some years because of the smaller groups coming tip through the grades.
 Elementary school registration during the year totaled 9.338, a drop of I'll from the year before, accord ing to the statistics contained in the report. In 1931-32, 12 years ago, the total was 13,990, or 4,652 more. The decrease is referred to as "an unhealthy sign"
 The total high school registra- ton was 4,101, or 378 less than for the previous year, while the all- time high enrolment is reported to have been 5,059 in 1939-40. Last years figure is 958 less than the record total.
 Average daily attendance figures shrow a drop of 362 in the elemen- tary enrolment totals and 499 in high schools. The greater decline in the high school total is attribut- ed to increased cases of tardiness, due to present day conditions.
 Accompanying the changes in registration were changes in per- sonnel, the heport reveals. The sup erintendent states, however, that for the first time during the II years of. his service in that post the school department retained an undimin- ished number of grade school teach CTS.
 One position was eliminated when the Lincoln school was closed and another thorough promotions and transfers subsequent to the resig- nation of supervisor of kindergar- tens and primary grades. Ten other existing grade places became vacant during the year, but no elim- ination was necessary and all of the openings either were or will be filled by appointments, it was re- ported.
 In addition, two new grade posi- tions were opened, thus off-Setting the loss of the two closing and al- lowing the department to keep in- tact the number of grade shcool teachers, the superintendent states
 One kindergarten position, how ever, has been closed and two others are unsettled, according to the re- port. All three were affected by resignations. The comparison of kim dergarten figures of April, 1883 and April, 1943 shows a drop ot 215 pupils. it is pointed out. The superintendent states that although some teacher adjustment has al- ready been accomplished in the kin dergarten branch the need for fur ther adjustment is very apparent.
 Since August. 1942, nine secondary school places fell vacant and of these five were closed and three were filled, with one, that of physi- cal education instructor, remaining open temporarily because no quali- fled candidate could be found at once.
 
 The creation of the position of dean at Wilby high school was filled by a teacher transfer, thus creat- ing a sixth teacher closing, but one other high school petition was found necessary so that the net reduction of secondary teachers is five.
 An increase by one of the secre- tarial staff of the schools caused by assignment of two Wilby seniors on the part-time plan to position for merly filled by full-time substitute secretary. During the year there were 12 Wilby seniors assigned to part-time secretaryships, and two unemployed substitute teachers in full time secretaryships, the report revals.