Town of Westhampton annual report 1944, Part 1

Author: Westhampton (Mass.)
Publication date: 1944
Publisher: Westhampton (Mass.)
Number of Pages: 54


USA > Massachusetts > Hampshire County > Westhampton > Town of Westhampton annual report 1944 > Part 1


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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


-28


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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