$2,151,833 and have equipments and investments worth $415,089 The State contributed $105,336.29 to their support, and from counties and other sources, including $163,196.66 for sale of real estate, they received $440,011.97 more. Their total expenditures, including investments and purchase of real estate, were $542,108.34. The total number of pupils was 376, of whom 10 were over 21 years of age. Respectfully submitted, WM. H. GRATWICK, AUGUSTUS FLOYD, Committee on the Blind. Albany, N. Y., December 31, 1909. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE DEAF. To the State Board of Charities: Your Committee on the Deaf has given careful attention to the operation of the law of 1907, which has now had ample opportunity to be tested. This legislation made a school year, for State pupils, forty weeks and regulated payments so that the several schools were reimbursed in four periods of ten weeks each. This differed from the former schedule of payment, in quarterly calendar months, including the vacation period, which is still the basis upon which the county pupils are paid for. The new State plan is found to operate to the disadvantage of the schools. The financial condition of the several schools has not improved under this law. The managers of all the schools are in agreement on the difficulties experienced with the new law and the confusion which results in the scheme of separate pay for children under twelve years of age and those over that age. The students of the several schools for the deaf have always been divided into two groups, i. e., State pupils, being graduates from the lower classes over twelve years of age who continue their school course on a certificate of appointment from the State Education Department, or any educable deaf or mute persons over the age of twelve who for special reasons are approved by the State Department; and county pupils being all children under twelve years of age by the present laws nominated as pupils by the local authorities, the payment for maintenance being borne by the county in which the pupil had a resilence. In the case of indigent State pupils a charge of $30 each per annum is allowed against the proper counties for clothing. We believe that the best interests of the deaf children as well as of the school organization would be served if the laws now governing were amended to place entire jurisdiction of the matter |
