Cost of Instruction, Green School 1871-1926

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The costs for instruction (teacher's salaries), fuel and care of the Green School are listed below. The figures for 1895 and subsequent years are for instruction only. Figures were not published following 1926.

1871-72 $241.45
1872-73 $269.25
1873-74 $250.20
1874-75 $286.71
1875-76 $284.75
1876-77 $301.87
1877 $304.50
1878 $263.62
1879 $261.00
1880 $307.88
1881 $302.68
1882 $284.12
1883 $293.69
1884 $314.99
1885 $229.50
1886 $318.95
1887 $306.22
1888 $314.00
1889 $319.60
1890 $320.30
1891 $318.20
1892 $363.70
1893 $371.30
1894 $343.80
1895 $330.50
1896 $304.08
1897 $312.20
1898 $312.00
1899 $296.00
1900 $356.70
1901 $378.80
1902 $334.00
1903 $334.00
1904 $379.60
1905 $379.60
1906 $380.00
1907 $380.00
1908 $380.00
1909 $380.00
1910 $406.00
1911 $448.00
1912 $486.00
1913 $494.00
1914 $494.00
1915 $570.00
1916 $585.00
1917 $620.00
1918 $650.00
1919 $670.00
1920 not listed
1921 $1,200
1922 $1,200
1923 $1,200
1924 $1,200
1925 not listed
1926 $1,200

During the early years of the Green School’s operation, Middleborough stood very low on the list of Massachusetts towns relative to the amount of money appropriated for each pupil. In 1875, Middleborough, in fact, was 305th on the list, with smaller surrounding communities including Lakeville, Halifax, Carver, Rochester and Plympton spending greater amounts. “There is no excuse for these facts. Our town cannot plead poverty, nor excessive taxation”. Largely, the circumstance was attributable to teacher salaries which in Middleborough were “considerably less” than the state average.

The dramatic increase in the cost of instruction following 1909 was due to concerted efforts at raising local teacher salaries to meet the state average in order to retain and attract qualified candidates.