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68
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
AMPTON V
M:
WEST
ASS
INCORPO
STET
9,1778
'EP
Town of Westhampton
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31, 1944
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
Town of Westhampton
FOR THE
Year Ending December 31, 1944
Printed by W. E. LONDERGAN Northampton, Mass.
REPORT OF THE Town Clerk
BIRTHS 1944
March 18
April 16
June 29
Nov. 16
Nov. 28
Dec. 19
Fisher, Jane Carol Delisle, Margaret ElizabethV Drew, Sandra Maryellen Searle, Robert Stephen » Bushey, Claire Marie Payson, Charlotte Ruth » 1943
Burt, Martha Dickinson
DEATHS
1944
Yrs. Mos. Days
Feb. 19
Lewis P. Blakesley Coronory thrombosis
88
6 20
March 18 George Witherell Cerebral hemorrhage
79
00
21
Aug. 24
John W. Norris Carcinoma of left ear
81
11
29 .11
Sept. 16
Lafayette C. Reynolds Coronory thrombosis
61
1
27
Oct. 26
Edward J. Landry
50
5
14
Carcinoma of left lung
Nov. 12
Elmer Bishop
29
3
25
Compound fracture of left side of skull
Nov. 12
Leland I. Bushey Fractured skull
18
19
Dec. 17 Arthur J. Lambert
81
1 16
Coronory thrombosis
Sept. 27
4
MARRIAGES 1944
Jan. 13
Raymond A. Ferron
Susan Ella La Valley
Jan. 15 Alfred Joseph Messier Ruth L. Cooley
April 12 Philip J. Norris Jean H. Warner
Westhampton Westhampton Williamsburg
June 28 Thomas Edward Hennessey Somersworth,N. H. Helen Frances Crowley
Westhampton Westhampton
July 29 Francis Edward Bridgman Barbara Anne Harvey
Northampton
Westhampton
Sept. 4 Alfred Oliver La Valley Geraldine Goldie LaFlamme
Easthampton
Sept. 12 Joseph R. Sarafin Millicent Mae Phillips
Westhampton
South Hadley
DOG ACCOUNT
Dr. to June 1, 1944
25 male dogs
@ $2.00
$50.00
1 female dog
@
5.00
5.00
8 spayed females
@ 2.00
16.00
Cr.
To Town Treasurer
$64.20
To Town Clerk
6.80
$71.00
Dr. to Dec. 1, 1944
21 male dogs
@ $2.00
$42.00
5 female dogs
@ 5.00
25.00
7 spayed females
@ 2.00
14.00
$81.00
Cr.
To Town Treasurer To Town Clerk
$74.40
6.60
$81.00
Williamsburg Westhampton Springfield
$71.00
5
FISH AND GAME LICENSES
20 Resident citizens Fishing @ $2.00
$ 40.00
40 Resident citizens Hunting
@ 2.00
80.00
19 Resident citizens Sporting
@ 3.25
61.75
10 Resident citizens Women's and Minors' Fishing @ 1.25 12.50
1 Resident Minor Trapping
2.25
2 Resident citizens' Trapping
10.50
1 Resident Citizens' Sporting and Trapping
Free
1 Non-resident Citizens' Fishing 5.25
2 Resident Military or Navay Service Sporting Free
1 Resident Citizen Old Age Assistance Fishing Free
$212.25
To Town Clerk fees
23.25
To Division of Fisheries and Game
$189.00
CHARLES M. NORRIS,
Town Clerk.
Westhampton, Mass., December 31, 1944
I have examined the accounts of the Town Clerk and find them correct.
MARION S. MARCOUX, Auditor.
REPORT OF THE Town Treasurer
December 31, 1944.
RECEIPTS
Balance on Hand January 1, 1944 $19,976.15
Taxes
1944 Real Estate
$7,592.39
Personal Property
3,670.75
Polls
178.00
Excises
543.51
1943 Real Estate
1,157.38
Personal Property
374.95
Excises
26.72
1942 Real Estate
173.06
Interest on Taxes
1944
5.38
1943
44.82
1942
11.69
Demands
5.25
Warrants
2.50
Massachusetts Highway Commission
Chapter 569 Acts of 1943
2,659.69
Chapter 81
5,795.37
Chapter 90
1,000.00
Hampshire County
Chapter 90
1,000.00
Dog Refund
101.13
District Court Fines
25.00
Massachusetts School Fund
Part II, Chapter 70 2.514.56
High School Tuition (1942-1943)
1,782.92
High School Tuition (1943-1944)
1,957.97
7
High School Transportation 1,645.66
Vocational School Tuition (1942-43)
523.89
Vocational School Transporta- tion (1942-43)
677.20
Superintendents in Small Towns
124.41
Old Age Assistance
U. S. Grant
2,305.05
U. S. Grant, Administration
76.81
State
1,761.32
Meal Tax, for O.A.A.
215.36
Aid to Dependent Children
U. S. Grant
195.00
U. S. Grant, Administration State
4.56
120.50
Massachusetts Income Tax
1,917.00
Corporation Tax B
771.61
Income Tax Withheld from Wages
520.79
Town Highway Dept. Road Machinery Acct.
994.10
Town Clerk, Dog Licenses
135.60
Interest from Trust Funds
Cemetery
69.11
Whiting Street
27.74
Thayer
20.10
Wright
20.10
Revolver
3.00
Telephone Tolls (1943)
6.50
Telephone Tolls (1944)
9.81
Used Car Dealer's Licenses
10.00
Victualer's License
1.00
Milk Peddler's License
.50
Discount taken
.17
Refund on Window Sash
2.07
$42,782.00
$62,758.15
. ..
8
EXPENDITURES
Paid Selectmen's Orders
$22,173.45
Paid School Committee Orders 13,056.93
Balance on Hand January 1, 1945 27,527.77
$62,758.15
OUTSTANDING TAXES
1944 Real Estate
$ 1,340.73
Personal Property
195.08
Excise
19.95
Poll
2.00
$ 1,557.76
ROAD MACHINERY ACCOUNT
Balance January 1, 1944
$ 1,615.86
Income
994.10
2,609.96
Expense
582.71
Balance January 1, 1945
$ 2,027.25
FUNDS HELD IN TRUST BY THE TOWN
Interest Drawn in 1944 Cemetery
$2,000.00 Lucy Langdon Totman
$ 45.00
500.00 O. C. Bridgman 10.05
100.00 Myra G. Strong
2.01
100.00 George Burt
2.01
100.00 Sarah Cook 2.01
100.00 Samuel Edwards 2.01
100.00 A. L. Searle
2.01
9
100.00 Emma G. Damon
2.01
50.00 D. L. Brown
1.00
50.00
Susan A. Loud
1.00
$ 69.11
Worthy Poor
$1,380.85
Whiting Street
$ 27.74
1,000.00
Wright
20.10
1,000.00
Thayer, 1/2 to Town and
1/2 to Parish
20.10
$ 67.94
$ 137.05
RALPH S. BRIDGMAN,
Treasurer.
Westhampton, Mass., December 31, 1944.
I have examined the accounts of the Treasurer and find them correct, showing disbursements to the amount of thirty-five thousand two hundred thirty dollars and thirty-eight cents ($35,230.38), for which vouchers are on file, and a balance on hand of twenty-seven thousand five hundred twenty-seven dollars and seventy-seven cents ($27,527.77). Due from Ralph S. Bridgman, tax collector, 1944 real estate tax, one thousand three hun- dred forty dollars and seventy-three cents ($1,340.73), personal property tax, one hundred ninety-five dollars and eight cents ($195.08), excise, nineteen dollars and ninety-five cents ($19.95, and polls two dollars ($2.00).
MARION S. MARCOUX,
Auditor.
REPORT OF THE Board of Selectmen
TOWN OFFICERS
Association of Mass. Assessors
State and County Dues
$
6.00
C. M. Norris, Town Clerk 100.00
Western Mass. Public Welfare Association Dues 2.00
Gertrude E. Flint, Election Officer, Registrar, Typing 26.00
Silas Snow, Selectman's Dues 12.00
Hannah Crowley, Election Teller 8.45
Marion Mascho, Election Teller 5.20
Malcolm Harlow, Auditor 10.00
Edith Blakesley, Copying Town Orders
10.00
R. H. Tracy, Assessor
60.55
F. Webster Judd, Sealer of Weights and Measures 10.00
Ralph S. Bridgman, Town Treasurer and Collector 300.00
Walter Witherell, Dog Officer
10.00
C. R. Burt, Moderator
5.00
C. R. Burt, Assessor
35.00
C. R. Burt, Selectman
69.70
E. A. Montague, School Committee
30.00
Evelyn Tracy, School Committee
50.00
Howard Loud, School Committee
30.00
J. C. Hathaway, Assessor
60.89
W. M. Clapp, Meat Inspector
58.50
W. M. Fiske, Selectman
75.00
F. W. Blakesley, Selectman
70.50
F. W. Blakesley, Registrar
15.00
O.A.A. and A.D.C. Administration Gertrude E. Flint 100.00
- $ 1,159.79
11
ROAD MACHINERY
F. N. Graves & Son
97.52
A. W. Stuart
5.25
Cernak Motor Sales
4.15
John Cernak
11.70
Socony Vacuum Oil Co.
254.38
J. Russell & Co., Inc.
18.79
Howard Blakesley
3.00
F. W. Blakesley
9.02
Fritz Backer
2.10
Hector A. Arel Co.
80.32
Manchester Co.
1.20
Walsh-Holyoke Steam Boiler Works
20.00
W. A. Riddell Corp.
8.02
Consolidated Steel Syndicated
42.27
Foster-Farrar Co.
12.49
Richard C. Warren
7.00
Charles R. Burt
2.00
Clark Motor Co.
3.50
TOWN HALL
Western Mass. Electric Co.
16.48
W. M. Fiske
10.50
Charles Brambrilla
10.00
R. H. Tracy
23.00
PRINTING & SUPPLIES
George R. Barnstead & Son
1.00
Hobbs & Warren
25.04
W. E. Londergan
87.50
Commissioner of Public Safety
.60
Robinson Seal Co., Inc.
12.84
Mark Supple, Postmaster
16.38
582.71
59.98
12
Ralph S. Bridgman
16.00
F. W. Blakesley
3.50
C. M. Norris
1.75
164.61
MEMORIAL DAY
Laura Witherell 38.19
38.19
INTEREST, INSURANCE & BONDS
E. Ray Ashley
24.64
George A. Pease
152.95
Sanders Insurance Agency
33.00
E. E. Stanton
5.00
Roscoe K. Noble
6.53
222.12
GYPSY MOTH
Walter Witherell
96.25
Ernest Witherell
69.75
Howard Blakesley
9.00
175.00
BRIDGES AND RAILINGS
Albert Delisle, Jr.
75.10
F. W. Blakesley
13.50
John Tylczak
10.10
Allan Strong
10.10
108.80
SNOW REMOVAL, SANDING & ROAD WORK
F. W. Blakesley
231.20
George Payson
30.38
Allan Strong
103.49
Murray Clapp
5.63
Henry Parsons
12.25
13
C. R. Burt
36.00
Richard Warren
518.70
W. N. Potter Grain Stores
40.00
Howard Blakesley
9.00
Fred Challet
34.69
Walter Witherell
2.25
Merrill Witherell
2.25
Walter Witherell, Jr.
2.25
James Hickey, Jr.
5.00
A. E. Witherell
195.20
Ernest Witherell
4.10
George H. Burt
159.00
Harland Lemery
3.38
W. M. Fiske
2.00
John Tylczak
4.50
J. C. Hathaway
37.50
Frank Hathaway
37.00
C. M. Norris
24.00
1,499.77
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE
F. W. Blakesley
109.50
Howard Blakesley
62.50
Allan Strong
19.69
John Tylczak
77.07
Philip Pinard, Jr.
47.81
Murray Clapp
9.00
C. M. Norris
19.13
A. E. Witherell
161.50
Henry Snyder
184.50
Road Machinery Fund
119.60
Byron Brown
16.88
James Sleeper
6.75
Wallace Kaleta
18.56
Town of Southampton
20.25
Henry Parsons
188.31
14
George Payson
42.19
Mahlon Parsons
12.38
Fred Challet
14.00
1,129.62
CHAPTER 90 MAINTENANCE MATERIAL
American Tar Co., 14,242 gal. tar
1,830.00
F. W. Blakesley, 407 yds. sand 40.70
1,870.80
CHAPTER 81
C. R. Burt
10.25
Road Machinery
829.50
George Payson
286.31
John Tylczak
468.57
Philip Pinard, Jr.
97.88
F. W. Blakesley
1,012.50
Henry Payson
234.25
Allan Strong
542.26
Howard Blakesley
448.31
Myron Hathaway
12.25
Ernest Witherell
4.50
Wallace Kaleta
35.07
Town of Southampton
38.25
Philip Norris
9.56
Fred Billieux
4.50
E. A. Montague
73.00
John C. Hathaway
6.00
Murray Clapp
5.06
Arthur E. Witherell
281.20
Charles M. Norris
24.75
Byron Brown
2.81
Harland Lemery
30.00
Henry Snyder
349.00
4,805.78
15
CHAPTER 81 MATERIAL
American Tar Co.
1,435.85
F. W. Blakesley
42.80
Ernest Witherell
1.00
Federal Land Bank
101.40
1,581.05
O. A. A.
Case No. 16
398.40
Case No. 27
113.00
Case No. 33
30.00
Case No. 30
432.00
Case No. 32
480.00
Case No. 14
542.36
Case No. 28
523.20
Case No. 24
398.40
Case No. 25
420.00
Case No. 21
360.00
Case No. 23
480.00
Case No. 18
487.20
Case No. 4
65.60
City of North Adams
125.33
4.855.49
A. D. C.
Case No. 1
360.00
Case No. 2
105.00
465.00
PUBLIC WELFARE
City of Northampton
234.28
City of Holyoke
35.88
270.00
CIVILIAN DEFENSE
New England Tel. & Tel. Co.
107.16
Barbara Judd
115.00
222.16
16
LIBRARY
H. R. Huntting Co.
75.22
Edith E. Grant
34.25
Henry M. Parsons
22.50
Marion C. Mascho
81.66
George H. Knight
25.00
WELL CHILD CLINIC
Dr. Claire C. Manwell
37.00
Jeanette P. Gregory
12.50
DIPHTHERIA CLINIC
Jeanette P. Gregory
25.00
Dr. Claire C. Manwell
25.00
CONTINGENT
Raymond A. Warner
13.60
Boston Council of Social Agencies
3.00
Todd Sales Co.
12.75
C. R. Burt
1.50
Harlows
1.35
Westhampton Water Co.
5.00
William Howard
10.00
TAXES
Treasurer of the Commonwealth
State Tax
726.00
State parks and reservations
15.46
Audit of municipal accounts
22.92
Treasurer of Hampshire County
1,059.29
238.63
49.50
50.00
47.20
1,823.67
17
DOG LICENSES
Treasurer of Hampshire County 135.60
135.60
TRUST FUNDS
Thayer Fund for 1940
Parish
10.08
Collector
10.08
Thayer Fund for 1944
Parish
10.05
Collector
10.05
Frances P. Loud
Wright Fund
20.10
Whiting Street
27.74
88.10
WITHHOLDING TAX
Collector of Internal Revenue
529.72
529.72
JURYMEN WHO SERVED IN 1944
A. Lyman Snow, Jr.
Traverse Juror
John Ledoux Grand Juror
Donald B. Lyman
Traverse Juror
Richard C. Warren
Traverse Juror
NAMES ADDED TO JUROR BOX JANUARY 1945
Myron M. Clapp
Farmer
Gilbert I. Flint
Mechanic
RECAPITULATION
Town Officers and Gertrude E. Flint O.A.A. and A.D.C. Adm. $ 1,159.79
Road Machinery 582.71
Town Hall 59.98
Printing and Supplies
164.61
18
Memorial Day
38.19
Interest, Insurance and Bonds
222.12
Gypsy Moth
175.00
Bridges and Railings
108.80
Snow removal, Sanding and Road Work
1,499.77
Chapter 90 Maint.
1,129.62
Chapter 90 Maint. Material
1,870.80
Chapter 81
4,805.78
Chapter 81 Material
1,581.05
O. A. A.
4,855.49
A. D. C.
465.00
Public Welfare
270.16
Civilian Defense
222.16
Library
238.63
Well Child Clinic
49.50
Diphtheria Clinic
50.00
Contingent
47.20
Taxes
1,823.67
Dog Licenses
135.60
Trust Funds
88.10
Withholding Tax
529.72
$22,173.45
BUDGET RECOMMENDED FOR 1945
Schools
$14,280.00
Highways Chapter 81
690.00
Highways Chapter 90
1,000.00
Bridges and Railings
1,000.00
Town Officers
1,500.00
Old Age Assistance
2,500.00
Board of Health
50.00
Board of Health, pre-school clinic
60.00
Interest, Insurance and Bonds
500.00
Town Hall
100.00
Gypsy Moth
175.00
19
Printing and Supplies
200.00
Library and Dog Fund
115.00
Memorial Day
40.00
Contingent Fund
100.00
Reserve Fund
600.00
Snow removal, sanding and road work
3,000.00
Soldiers' Relief
200.00
Rabies Vaccine
50.00
Diphtheria Clinic
50.00
Aid to Dependent Children
500.00
Public Welfare
500.00
Fire Patrol
100.00
Cemetery
200.00
Road Machinery
WILLIAM M. FISKE
FRANK W. BLAKESLEY CHARLES R. BURT
Selectmen
Town of Westhampton.
Westhampton, Mass., December 31, 1944
I have examined the Accounts of the Selectmen and find them correct, orders having been drawn to the amount of twenty-two thousand, one hundred seventy- three dollars and forty five cents ($22,173.45) for which proper vouchers are on file.
MARION S. MARCOUX, Auditor.
REPORT OF THE
Board of Assessors
Schools
Raise and Appropriate $ 4,750.00 690.00
Highways Chapter 81
Highways Chapter 90 Maintenance
1,000.00
Bridges and Railings
2,500.00
Town Officer
1,250.00
Old Age Assistance
3,200.00
Board of Health
50.00
Board of Health, pre-school clinic
60.00
Interest, Insurance and Bonds
500.00
Town Hall
100.00
Gypsy Moth
175.00
Printing and Supplies
200.00
Library and Dog Fund
115.00
Memorial Day
30.00
Contingent Fund
100.00
Snow removal, sanding and road work
1,400.00
Soldiers' Relief
200.00
Rabies Vaccine
50.00
Diphtheria Clinic
50.00
Civilian Defense
200.00
Aid to Dependent Children
250.00
Public Welfare
500.00
Fire Patrol
100.00
Cemetery
200.00
From Balance in Treasury
Schools
9,000.00
Reserve Fund
600.00
Road Machinery Account
1,615.86
$28,885.86
21
State Tax 726.00
State Parks and Reservations
15.46
State Audit of Municipal Accounts
22.92
County Tax
1,059.29
Underestimates 1943 County Tax
67.99
Overlay
354.49
$ 2,246.15
$31,132.01
Estiamtes receipts and available
funds
$18,144.46
Net amout raised on Polls and Property
12,987.55
$31,132.01
Personal Valuation
$138,065.00
Real Estate Valuation
317,490.00
$455,555.00
Tax on Personal Property
$ 3,865.82
Tax on Real Estate
8,889.72
Tax on Polls
232.00
Gained on account of Fractions
.01
$12,987.55
Tax Rate
$ 28.00
December omitted assessment on Real Estate
117.60
Motor Vehicle Tax
563.46
Exemptions on Real Estate
74.20
Exemptions on Poll Tax
24.00
Abatements on Poll Tax
30.00
Abatement on Real Estate
14.95
Motor Vehicle Excise Abatements
13.75
22
FROM THE TABLE OF AGGREGATES
Horses
Cows
Sheep
Neat Cattle
Swine
Fowls
Dwell- ings
1942
55
255
18
167
18
6097
178
1943
53
265
20
156
26
7550
187
1944
53
305
6
173
39
7994
183
CHARLES R. BURT JOHN C. HATHAWAY
Assessors of Westhampton.
REPORT OF THE
School Committee
Appropriated at town meeting Expended in 1944
$13,750.00
13,056.93
$ 693.07
EXPENSES
Teachers :
Money Retirement
Received
Fund
Total
Mr. James Miller
$1,463.00
$77.00
$1,540.00
Miss Madalyn Wolfson
684.00
36.00
720.00
Miss Rachel Bridgman
1,221.00
59.00
1,280.00
Mrs. Eleanor Putnam
387.41
20.91
418.32
Miss Adah Judd, substitute
110.00
Mrs. Marion Mascho, substitute
13.00
Mr. Arey Dulfer, music
140.00
W. L. Rinehart, penmanship
60.00
Mass. Audubon Society, nature
50.00
$ 4,331.32
Administration :
Supt. Charles A. Mitchell, salary and expenses $ 317,89
Mrs. Evelyn Tracy, school census
10.00
Printing and postage
16.73
$ 344.62
Local Transportation :
Walter Witherell
$ 853.75
Charles Blakesley
730.00
Richard Warren
610.50
Chesterfield, transportation for Mary Dodge 68.25
-
- $ 2,262.50
24
Books
$ 171.40
Supplies
118.77
Janitors' Salaries
274.60
Operating expenses
126.11
Repairs and replacements
100.03
Miscellaneous
21.66
$ 812.57
Health :
Claire C. Manwell, M.D.
$ 100.00
Mrs. Jeanette Gregory
90.00
Dental certificate and supplies
6.60
$ 196.60
Total cost of elementary schools
$7,947.61
High School and Smith School Transportation
$2,232.00
Tuition :
Northampton High School
$2,323.28
Easthampton High School
44.00
Smith's Vocational School
465.04
Chesterfield
45.00
$ 2,877.32
Total expense for schools
$13,056.93
Reimbursements :
Mass. School Fund Part 2
$2,514.56
Supt. in small towns
124.41
High School Tuition
1,957.97
High School Transportation
1,645.66
Vocational Tuition
523.89
Vocational Transportation
677.20
$ 7,443.69
Total cost to Westhampton $ 5,613.24
HOWARD F. LOUD EDWARD A. MONTAGUE EVELYN B. TRACY School Committee.
REPORT OF THE Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee:
FINANCES
We spent $13,056.93 for the financial year 1944 to educate 77 pupils in our town for the school year end- ing June, 1944. Fifty-eight pupils had been enrolled in our elementary schools, five at Smith's School and four- teen at Northampton High School. The town has re- ceived reimbursements from the Commonwealth of Mas- sachusetts amounting to $7,443.69 which leaves a net cost to our taxpayers of $5,613.24.
According to the tabulation of school returns for the school year ending June 30, 1944, our town had a valuation of $449,067 which gives us a value per capita of $1,114, which compares with the state median of $1,186. The following expenditures are indicated by percentages and other comparisons.
Expenditures :
Westhampton 3.8%
*State Median 5.5%
General Control
Salaries
56.7
58.0
Textbooks
1.9
1.6
Janitors
3.7
7.3
Fuel
.1
4.3
Health
2.7
2.2
* State Median for Towns of less than 5,000 and not maintaining high schools.
Average cost per pupil in High School $300.86 $191.36
Average cost per pupil in Elem. School 120.86 114.77
26
Value per pupil in net average mem- bership
6,236.00 7,717.00
Tax for schools for $1000 valuation
10.92
10.20
Per cent school tax of total tax
39.0%
35.4%
Teacher load in Elementary Schools
19.
21.8
Per cent teachers of Elem. School with degree
66.7%
40%
From these figures you observe that we pay less for general control than other towns of our group. We pay approximately the same in salaries as other such towns. We pay about the same for textbooks but much less for janitors and fuel, and only a little more for health. Be- cause of our high cost of transportation our average cost per pupil for those in high school is over $100 above that of the median town. Since we have so few pupils in a three-teacher building, our cost for elementary educa- tion is somewhat higher than that of the median town. Our value per pupil is less than the average and our tax for schools for each $1000 valuation is slightly higher than the median town. Our teachers were better edu- cated than those in the median group, since we had at that time 66.7% with bachelor's degrees and the median town had only 40%.
For the coming year we will need an increase in our appropriation since teachers' salaries have been raised and the cost of tuition for those attending schools outside of our town will be more. Transportation in the elementary school will be somewhat higher. The follow- ing table indicates our expenditures in 1943, our expendi- tures in 1944, and our proposed budget for 1945. We are asking for an appropriation of $14,280.
27
I 1943
II 1944
III 1945
Expenditures Expenditures
Budget
Administration
$ 307.68 $
344.62 $
315.00
Instruction :
Teachers' Salaries
3,660.00
4,331.32
4,800.00
Books
117,19
171.40
100.00
Supplies
91.84
118.77
100.00
Maintenance:
Janitors' Salaries
208.58
274.60
300.00
Fuel
101.48
300.00
Operating Expenses
98.76
126.11
125.00
Repairs & Replacements
651.31
100.03
100.00
General:
Health
250.00
196.60
250.00
Trans: High & Voc.
2,220.00
2,232.00
2,200.00
Elementary
1,904.13
2,262.50
2,375.00
Tuition : High
2,306.03
2,367.28
2,490.00
Elementary
45.00
45.00
45.00
Vocational
801.24
465.04
720.00
Miscellaneous
10.00
21.66
10.00
Outlay
39.50
50.00
$12,812.74 $13,056.93 $14,280.00
STATISTICS
The attendance figures for the school year ending in June, 1944, are as follows :
Whole No. Enrolled
Average Membership
Average Attendance
James Miller, 6, 7, 8
25
25.71
23.64
Madalyn Wolfson, 3, 4, 5
13
11.50
10.37
Rachel Bridgman, 1, 2
20
19.40
17.20
58
56.61
51.21
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STAFF
Miss Wolfson resigned her position in the summer to accept employment in her home city, Chicopee. Mrs. Judd, a former teacher from the Springfield public school system, was kind enough to take Miss Wolfson's class- room for the opening weeks of school, but we could not persuade her to remain for the year. We should thank her for her excellent service and cooperation for that period. We were fortunate in securing Mrs. Eleanor Put- nam, who graduated from North Adams Normal School in 1928, and who had taught in West Chesterfield and in Easthampton for five years, to teach Grades 3, 4 and 5.
Early in the financial year of 1944 Mrs. Bridgman resigned as school nurse, and the committee was fortun- ate in securing the services of Mrs. Jeannette Gregory who began her work with us in late February. Her report is attached.
Beginning in the autumn we arranged for super- vision in penmanship in our elementary school, introduc- ing the Rinehart Functional Writing System. We also accepted the offer of the Audubon Society of Massachu- setts to provide for supervision and teaching of nature study to all pupils in the middle grades. The remainder of our staff continues the same as last year.
BOOKS
We have purchased a number of new textbooks dur- . ing the past year, particularly for grades 3, 4 and 5, as well as a number of single books for all grades to be used in the classroom libraries. For the coming year additional books should be purchased for these room libraries since a modern educational program requires more material for each student than is included in the regular textbooks.
29
PRINCIPLES IN ELEMENTARY EDUCATION
About three years ago 166 school superintendents of Massachusetts indicated a need for a course of study for the elementary schools in this state. Accordingly committees were appointed to study the situation and to recommend a course to meet this need. The first step undertaken by the committees was to agree on certain educational principles which would serve as a basis in planning the program for our elementary schools. They reported :
"The major purpose of elementary education is to insure opportunities for all children to develop those fundamental understandings, skills, habits, attitudes, ideals, and appreciations necessary for living in a demo- cratic society.
"The curriculum, which is the sum of all the school- directed experience of children, must be so interpreted as to foster maximum child growth.
"We believe that an educated person is quite dif- ferent from a person who has nothing but narrow acad- emic knowledge and training; that the school has an increasing responsibility for providing the broadcast kind of experience; that a successful democracy depends upon the preservation of self-realization and civic re- sponsibility; that every minute in a schoolroom, every lesson in arithmetic and science and language, properly conceived and properly taught, can help to shape ideas and ideals around and beyond the subject matter itself.
"We believe that all subject matter, all theories of organization, and all methods and procedures, should alike pass the tests of usefulness in child development. Nothing should be retained merely because it is tradi- tional. On the other hand, nothing should be adopted or discarded merely because the fashion of the hour favors such a course of action. The children in our care
30
should be led to be and to become persons educated to live the richest possible lives and to contribute the ut- most to their communities. .
"In accordance with this purpose, the elementary school must apply the following guiding principles in its curriculum and in its organization :
"1) It must provide conditions that will foster growth in democratic living.
"2) It must realize that the child is a 'total person', and must recognize the value and need of integrating experience in the school.
"3) It must recognize and provide for individ- ual differences.
"Since children differ, the amount and rate of de- velopment will vary. Consequently, each child's present state of development must be recognized, regardless of the grade in which he is placed. The standard set for the growth of each child should be the highest level that he individually is capable of reaching.
"Activities and procedures must be selected and adapted on the basis of individual and group needs. The following provisions for continuous growth are recom- mended:
"a. Diagnosis of individuals needs through stand- ard and informal tests.
b. Establishment of flexible study groups within the class to meet the varying ability levels.
c. Opportunities for the child to work with classes other than his own.
d. A program of enrichment and self-direction rather than one of acceleration for the gifted child.
e. Provision for increased time and guidance for the slow-learning child.
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