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The report of a year ago began with questions which were pressing upon us as to what the brave new world following the coming of peace promised. To these questions we have not yet the answers. The first year of peace has been one of continued problems dealing mainly with shortages, first in the area of inanimate objects, such as building supplies, food, etc., and the more animate problem of personnel. While the administrative and academic departments have had their troubles, the heaviest burdens fell upon the business department. Cooks were no easier to secure, and the materials to cook were harder to obtain, but four hundred persons had to be fed daily -- and they were, thanks to the cooperation and understanding of pupils and staff. Our buildings were not only kept in repair, but refurbished so that we could be proud of them when the American Association of Instructors of the Blind held their convention at Perkins in June.

THE BURSAR REPORTS

"Financially," the Bursar states in his report, "we have not done very well. We overspent our Watertown budget to the extent of $10,484.64 but it could have been a lot worse. A budget of $319,740.00 for the school was approved by the Trustees, but it did not remain at that level for long. Due to the cancellation of the Little Steel Formula, the success of many strikes and raises in wages throughout the country, the general rise in prices made it necessary to bring the salaries of Perkins employees more into line with competitive levels and the cost of living. On January 1, therefore, our Cost of Living Adjustment was thawed from the fifteen per cent level at which it had remained since 1942. At the same time, all other staff members except cottage personnel were promised a bonus in July which would equal one and one quarter month's pay for those who had been employed more than three years, and five eighths of a month's pay for those whose total service had been for a shorter period. This welcome action was expected to add $18,355.00 to our cost of operation for the year, so a revised budget of $338,095.00 was approved by the Executive Committee in January. The deficit which resulted in spite of this increase was caused by the fact that prices continued to rise and the Cost of Living Adjustment had risen to 28 per cent by August."

Tribute must be paid at this time to the teachers of Perkins who carried on through the war years without complaint, at practically the same compensation as they have received for several years. Opportunities have been available to make increases in some cases, but the general salary level of Perkins teachers had not been substantially raised for some time. At the end of this year the Trustees voted to give a bonus in July as reported by the Bursar in the paragraph above. For two years prior, smaller bonuses had been paid in July. In a small way this compensated for increased prices. Practically all of the teachers live in the school where board and room are provided, but they do have to live on their own during the vacations, and are, of course, subject to the increased cost of clothing and other living expenses.

Perkins appreciates, however, that teachers generally are not paid in proportion to their services or their value to any school. During the spring consideration was given to a better recognition of our obligations to our teachers and other professional staff. In preparing the budget for next year, the Trustees at their June meeting made provision for them to be paid for twelve months rather than for ten months, as has been the practice in the past. This in itself represents approximately a twenty per cent increase, and in as many cases as possible, advances in the base pay were made. While there can be no argument but that our teachers as well as all other teachers deserve higher pay, we are glad to be able to take this step toward more adequate compensation.

THE PRINCIPAL REPORTS

Academically, the Principal states in his report, "It is difficult to say in a general sweeping statement, 'It has been a good year.' In many ways the year has been a difficult one, hard because of external pressures on staff and students alike, complicated internally because of the difficulties of maintaining a good staff, as economic opportunities elsewhere made teacher and other staff procurement difficult. However, in some areas additions to the staff, made possible by the ending of the war, added depth and strength to the teaching force. Adequate staffing of the houses has been most difficult, and this has materially affected the smooth operation of the houses. Whatever has been written on the positive side of our balance sheet can be attributed to the willingness of the majority of the staff members to do a little more than was required or asked for. That we finished the year successfully, and in some ways outstandingly, is fortunate."

An interesting offering in the Upper School this year was a course in salesmanship for the boys. This was taught by Mr. William McGreal, who for some years was in charge of the sales department in Europe of an outstanding American firm. While in this service Mr. McGreal lost his sight, and becoming interested in Perkins, he asked to come here for a year to study Braille, and in other ways to equip himself for a life without sight. In return, we asked Mr. McGreal to give this course, which he did to the great benefit of the boys, who not only profited by his experience, but benefited by his great personal charm and character . As Mr. McGreal was to be at Perkins only a year, the course was offered to all four high school classes. Each boy in the high school was able, therefore, to participate in a most worthwhile experience with a man whose fine background and training excellently fitted him for teaching this subject. As part of this program, a salesmanship club was formed, which met regularly each week. Once each month the club had leading businessmen as guests who spoke from firsthand experience about the various aspects of buying and selling. These men represented widely diversified activities, and the students were able to gain a broad concept of the art of salesmanship. Although not directly a part of the salesmanship class, the boys operated a small store, and a few of them did practice in ordering supplies, keeping records, and selling goods.