USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Norwood > Norwood annual report 1927-1929 > Part 14
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The third reason for the increase is due to the expense caused from using small buildings. During the five years there was no increase for instruction in the large Balch School and the building was maintained and operated at a very low per pupil cost. On the other hand the per pupil cost for operation for the East and West Schools was more than twice as high as for the Balch and main- tenance costs were even more out of proportion. It should be noted that the chief difference between 1923 and 1924 in operating costs was due to the very high cost of fuel in 1923.
Granted that the tax rate is higher than for some other towns, granted that the bonded indebtedness with the required additional large payments for principal and interest have increased more than for the other suburban cities listed; granted that the per pupil cost for instruction has increased during the past year, are the tax- payers of Norwood carrying a heavier burden than is just and reasonable ?
Table V is an attempt to answer this question. An analysis of the assessed valuation of property in Norwood shows that nearly 70% of the tax burden is carried by residence and other land properties. That means that the home owners are vitally inter- ested in town and school expense. How much school tax does each pay ?
242
TABLE V Assessed Valuation of Residences (House and Land) from the 1925 Abstract of Valuations
Value in Thousands
Per cent of Total
Under
$1500
1.6 per cent
$1000
$ 1500 to
2499
6.6
$2000
2500 to
3499
15.1
"
$3000
3500 to
4499
22.0
$4000
4500 to
5499
21.0
"
$5000
5500 to
6499
12.0
$6000
6500 to
7499
9.0
$7000
7500 to
8499
3.6
"
$8000
8500 to
9499
3.6
$9000
9500 to
10,499
1.6
$10,000
10,500 to 11,499
1.1
$11,000
11,500 to 12,499
1.0
$12,000
12,500 to 13,499
.6
"
$13,000
13,500 to 14,499
.2
$14,000
Over 14,500
.4
$15,000
Few of the homes are assessed for large amounts, half of them being under $5,000, so that the total school tax paid is less than $75 each for more than half of the homes in Norwood. It is hard to believe that any considerable number of these home owners would object to an even larger school expense if they fully understood how small a sum they are actually paying for the large value they are receiving.
243
Recommendations
1. A continuation of the "pay as you go policy." For a growing community, the policy of issuing bonds to pay for elementary schools is as improvident as for a young married couple to attempt to spread over a term of years the payment for the first baby. For high school buildings, where several years will intervene before another building is needed, it may be advisable to spread the pay- ments over a period no longer than until another high school building will be needed.
2. An increase in the standard enrollment per teacher in ele- mentary junior and senior high schools alike.
3. An analysis of the per pupil per hour costs of instruction in the senior high school with a view to reducing the total high school cost. While there is no general agreement regarding the relative value to the pupil of the different subjects taught, there has been general agreement throughout the country that instruc- tion in Greek, for example, was not ten times as valuable as instruction in English, and Greek has disappeared from most high school curriculums. Other subjects might also disappear if the tax-paying public once realized their excessive costs due to the small demand for instruction in these subjects.
244
A PROPOSED SCHEDULE FOR A FUTURE
SCHOOL BUILDING PROGRAM
As a result of the foregoing studies of the conditions found to exist in the schools, their evident future needs, and of the finances of the Town of Norwood, a schedule for the erection of school buildings has been prepared to extend through a period of from fifteen to twenty years.
The aim has been to meet the urgent demands of the present and at the same time to plan with a view to the future. When com- pleted this schedule will provide the Town of Norwod with com- plete and modern school buildings for all of the children. See Map, page 230. The order in which these buildings are listed has been determined by the apparent needs and possibilities for adjust- ment while the building program is in process.
It is also aimed to spread the financial burden as evenly as possible through the years with an average of not to exceed $100,000 per year. The heavier load comes in the earlier years to meet the immediate needs, but is evened up during the following years. The schedule follows:
SUMMARY OF PROPOSED BUILDING SCHEDULE
Order
Building
Present Needs
Future Capacity
Year
Estimated Cost
Notes
1
Senior High
Plan not completed
1200
1928
$350,000
Relieve Jr. High
2
Junior High
Needed Addition
1000
1930
200,000
Complete plant
3
Fisher Lot
New Elementary
440
1932
150,000
Relieve all elementary schools
4
2d. Junior High
New Building
500
1934
300,000
Relieve Jr. High
.
5
South East School
440
1936
150,000
Relieve Balch
6
Winslow and
10 Room Addition
650
1938
100,000
Sell Beacon, West, and Guild
7
Shattuck
10 Room Addition
650
1940
100,000
8
2d. Junior High
Completed
500
1942
200,000
Average Cost=$100,000 per year. 15 years $1,550,000. Note: Future development may show that No. 5 and No. 3 might best be exchanged to relieve the Balch School.
245
Capacity reached
246
1. Completion of the Senior High School, 1928. The Senior High School has little opportunity for adjustments to serve immediate relief. It must have an auditorium, a music department and as much additional classroom space as can be secured at this time. This should not be less than twelve rooms. It is estimated that this would cost about $350,000.
If it should be decided to co-operate with the Peabody Voca- tional School for Girls and erect a building to house the project, it would be a logical scheme to place this structure at the east of the Senior High School and to connect it by a corridor as a counter- part of the present gymnasium wing. The cost of this building cannot be estimated until the activities to be carried on are deter- mined and tentative plans drawn.
Administrative Adjustments: While the addition to the High School is being built the Junior High School will have to make larger use of the Civic Association buildings and to plan a more efficient organization of the teaching program in order to care for the expected increase of pupils.
When the addition to the Senior High School is completed a portion of the ninth grade can be assigned here during the erection of the addition to the Junior High School.
Also, in the elementary schools the pupils can be cared for by assigning forty pupils to a room instead of thirty-five and by some shifting of the districts to adjust the distribution among the schools.
It may be necessary to use the Everett building until the Junior High School is permanently relieved. Then this building should be abandoned.
2. Addition to the Junior High School, 1930: The needs of the Junior High School are an auditorium, a gymnasium, a library and an adjustment of the space for practical arts work. The total number of pupils to be accommodated should not exceed 1,000 pupils. It is estimated that this project will cost in the neighbor- hood of $200,000.
3. Elementary School on the Fisher Lot, 1932: This building should be a twelve-room school so planned that it can readily be increased to eighteen rooms when the population demands. This will cost about $150,000.
The completion of this building will relieve the Guild School of several hundred pupils. The East School can then be abandoned.
At this time the Guild School will be able to relieve the con- gestion in all of the remaining elementary schools.
247
4. The Second Junior High School Begun, 1934: During this period of adjustment the Junior High School will suffer the great- est inconvenience of all the schools. The complete relief will not be felt until a second Junior High School is at least partially built to meet the demand. It is estimated that a section of this building will have to be built at this time costing about $300,000. The land for this site should be secured at once.
5. The South East Elementary School, 1936: Similar to the building planned for the Fisher lot should be another structure on the East side to relieve the Balch and Guild Schools. This building should be a twelve-room structure planned so that it may be increased to eighteen rooms when necessary. An estimate of $150,000 is suggested for this building.
6. Addition to the Winslow School, 1938: The Winslow School is now crowded, but the shifting of pupils and the building of the schools on the East side will give the temporary relief. This building should be made an eighteen-room building. The sale of the West School and the Beacon building should reduce the cost of this addition to about $100,000.
7. Addition to the Shattuck School, 1940: This building should be made to house 650 pupils or the equivalent of an eighteen-room building. With the sale of the Guild property this addition should be secured for about $100,000.
8. Completion of the Second Junior High School, 1942: By this date it undoubtedly will be necessary to complete the second Junior High School. The building should then accommodate 1,000 pupils. The cost for this addition should not exceed $200,000.
9. Possible Future Building Needs: So far as can be estimated the future growth of the town may develop a need for relief in three localities-the Balch School district, West of the Winslow School, and possibly midway between the Winslow and the Shat- tuck. These schools should be started as primary schools for the first three grades only. It will be from fifteen to twenty years before this need will be felt. However, now is the time to secure the sites for these schools.
In this connection the problem of sites for all new buildings proposed in this schedule should be found and purchased as soon as possible.
Respectfully submitted, JESSE B. DAVIS.
248
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of Norwood:
Every prosperous town is faced with very definite problems pre- sented by Education. It may be assumed that these problems will increase commensurately with the growth of the town and its achievements, based on prosperity. The greatest factor which has added to so-called school burdens for the towns has been the awakened realization over the past ten years, or let us say the post-war period, of the importance of taking advantage of free education in the public schools. Norwood is an outstanding example in this respect. Since 1912 the town has increased in population about 50%. The enrollment in the elementary schools-grades one through six-where the attendance is compulsory has kept fair pace with the increase in population, the enrollment showing about 50% of growth. In grades seven through nine, where prior to 1912 we had the commonest "leaving school" period, we find a 219% increase in enrollment. Going to the top of the school system, taking grades ten through twelve, which comprise the Senior High School, we find an enrollment increase of 375% since 1912. An outstanding example of the manner in which the boys and girls of Norwood are continuing their education is shown in the enrollment of the tenth grade for the present school year. In this grade 208 selected studies as ninth grade pupils to take as High School pupils. During the opening week of High School 202 registered, showing a withdrawal of only six.
This is the most significant single fact which may be cited in relation to the desire of all Norwood people to have their children complete the twelve years of educational advantages offered by the Town.
Financial statistics concerning school budget and school expendi- tures are fully treated under other headings of the School Report.
The following table shows the way in which the school dollar is divided in expenditure:
249
cents
-
5
-
10
-
15
-
20
-
25
-
30
$
.693
$ $ 688
35
Teacher's Salaries
40
- 45 - 50
55
GO
65
70
.115
.118
80
Miscellaneous
.042
.034
85
Repairs & Replacements
.039
.04
90
Administration
.034
.031
Instruction Supplies
.032
.032
-
95
Text Books
. 023
.024
Health
. 016
. 018
100
Outlay
.006
.015
THE SCHOOL DOLLAR
1926
1927
75
Operation
250
English Program for Grades One to Six
During the school year 1926-27, a beginning was made on the organization of the English Program for Grades 1-6. Organiza- tion for this work was completed with the start of the present school year and committees have been formed for every grade to carry on this work to completion. The guidance of the work is in the hands of a Steering Committee composed of Elementary School Principals, Miss Katherine L. Carbee acting as Chairman. Meetings have been held weekly and general objectives, also objectives by grades, have been carefully prepared. Following this work comes the general outlines, with progression until final recommendations are made for adoption of textbooks and materials to meet the needs of the courses which are adopted.
In connection with this work the School Committee has engaged Miss Florence Piper Tuttle as expert advisor to review the work of the Committees and make recommendations for changes and additions which may seem necessary. Miss Tuttle will meet seven times with all elementary teachers and not only pass upon the English Program but give special instruction in silent and oral reading-a field in which she has won much distinction.
Health Program
Under the direction of Miss Vera H. Brooks, a comprehensive health program for the entire system is being arranged. The teaching staff was organized for this work in October and it is believed that the entire course will be completed and ready for publication this year. It is the present purpose of the School Com- mittee to publish this report in pamphlet form so that it may be placed in the hands of the parents and other townspeople who may be interested.
Norwood, in doing this work, is co-operating with the State Department of Education officials in a drive which is under way for a revision of curricula in Health and Physical Education programs throughout the State, in order that greater uniformity may be obtained and definite objectives sought in every community.
Norwood has also entered into activities recommended by the State Department of Education for the observance of May Day. A health program and health drive will be conducted prior to May Day with the elementary schools in competition for awards which are to be in the form of banners or some suitable recognition. The chief points upon which competition will be waged will be:
(1) Posture.
I keep my Head erect
Chin in
251
Chest Out Abdomen in
I walk, sit and stand straight.
(2) Weight.
Within the range of 10% below average and 20% above average of each individual.
(3) Teeth.
I have
Clean teeth
Healthy gums
Received dental certificate from my dentist. (This means that all necessary dental work has been completed at the present time.)
When a pupil has qualified under each of the main headings, he will be given a certificate. The awards to schools will be based upon the number of certificates obtained by pupils in respective schools, prorated as to percent of enrollment and possible perfect scores.
Geography Program
It is hoped that attempt may be made during this school year to make adjustments in the geography and social science studies programs in grades 3 to 6. However, this major project may have to go over until next school year as most teachers are already giving as much time outside of classroom work as should be re- quested or required.
While expenses have increased in printing of study courses and arrangements for conducting subject material, the returns more than justify this item of cost. Parents who are interested in inquiring as to what is taught and what program is followed find a very definite answer in such printed material. Teachers through- out the school system are working on a basis of uniformity and procedure which is not otherwise obtained. Another benefit accrues from a uniformly prepared course of study, the fact that a pupil transferring from one school to another is not placed at a dis- advantage by finding himself engaged in the study of subject matter which he has already had or which is far in advance of the ground he has covered.
In grades one to eight, there is still much to be done in Norwood in proper organization of courses and study material. In grades 9 to 12 a large percentage of the work and courses of study, there-
252
fore, are prescribed by college entrance and normal school require- ments. In the vocational departments of these grades, the courses of study are in good form, particularly in the commercial branches. An outstanding and valuable asset in this curriculum has been the establishment of a fully equipped business practice course for 11th and 12th grade girls. In this department all of the commonest office equipment has been purchased and girls are given actual experience in operating office machinery such as they are to find in the offices of the local industries where most of them enter employment.
Thrift
That the schools have continued the good record started by the establishment of the modern plan of school savings is shown by the following figures displaying the amounts saved:
Shattuck School
Beacon School
$1,046.57 802.14
Guild School
1,247.33
Winslow School
1,815.62
Balch School
3,939.56
Junior High School
337.17
Total
$9,188.39
Through this plan of saving it is certain that many boys and girls desirous of continuing their education will, after having saved through a period of twelve years, have sufficient money to take them through at least one year of advanced education.
Teaching Force
A total of 130 teachers are now employed in the Norwood school system. During the school year ending June, 1927, twenty teachers left the service. This is a large number, in fact, three and one-half times more than left the service during the preceding school year. The reasons in no case were due to dissatisfaction with Norwood either as to the salary schedule or any lack of confidence in the School Committee or officials. Norwood teachers recognize that they are working in a town which is highly in sympathy with progressive school policies and a town which is interested in proper recognition of its teachers. Reasons for teachers having left the system are as follows:
Eleanor McTaggart, Senior High, to accept another position.
Helen J. Estes, Senior High, to teach elsewhere.
Lucile H. Foster, Senior High, to study.
Elizabeth Shirley, Senior High, to teach elsewhere.
Carl E. Smith, Senior High, to teach elsewhere.
253
Eleanor J. Stockwell, Senior High, to study.
Elizabeth Upton, Senior High, to be married.
Helen C. Wilson, Senior High, to study.
Nellie L. Twiss, Junior High, to teach elsewhere.
Alice V. O'Connor, Junior High, to enter convent.
Ethel G. Sterling, Junior High, to teach elsewhere.
Sara L. Hall, Household Arts, Junior High, to teach elsewhere.
Ellen L. Lytle, Household Arts, Junior High, poor health.
Philip W. Natale, Practical Arts, Junior High, to teach elsewhere. Helen B. Follett, Physical Education, Junior High, to teach else- where.
John H. R. Ward, Physical Education, Junior High, to teach else- where.
Katherine T. Gregory, Principal, Guild School, to teach elsewhere. Irene Hall, Winslow School, to be married.
*Florence A. Baker, Winslow School, deceased. Helen Holloway, Balch School, to be married.
New Teachers:
Herbert H. Archibald, Principal, Senior High.
Laura Gilmore, English, Senior High.
Orrelle J. Gray, English, Senior High. Ruth Johngren, Modern Languages, Senior High.
Eleanor McTaggart, English, Senior High.
Lucy T. Nordon, History, Senior High. Dorothy Norris, Latin Senior High.
Dorothy Pollard, English, Senior High.
Wallace W. Sawyer, Science, Senior High.
Rose C. Smith, Commercial, Senior High.
George D. Yantis, English, Senior High. Esther A. Griffin, Junior High.
Elizabeth C. Chase, Household Arts, Elementary. Ruth C. Morland, Household Arts, Junior High. Francis McAuliffe, Practical Arts, Junior High. William J. Wynaught, Practical Arts, Elementary. Hope Jewett, Physical Education, Junior High. Clair H. Lewis, Physical Education, Junior High. Mary A. Toomey, Grade 3, Guild School.
Olive G. Moulton, Grades 2 and 3, Beacon School. Edith M. Gardner, Grade 6, Shattuck School. Alice F. Russell, Grades 5 and 6, Shattuck School. Elizabeth C. Tolman, Grades 3 and 4, Winslow School.
* It occasioned deep sorrow among the co-workers and pupils of Miss Baker when they learned of her fatal illness and death early in the school year. Miss Baker had served the Town of Norwood faithfully and well as a teacher for six years.
254
Ruth C. Lennon, Grade 2, Winslow School. Estelle Child, Grade 5, Balch School.
Harriet Burton, unassigned, Balch School. Mary A. Canning, Nurse.
Temporary Teachers:
Martha R. French, Everett School.
Leave of Absence:
Marguerite I. Elliott, History, Senior High.
Transfers:
Julia I. Drummy, from Grade 3 to Principal, Guild and Beacon Schools.
Catherine J. Cooney, from Guild School to Junior High School.
Jessie D. Cushman, from Beacon School to Grade 4, Guild School.
Marjorie E. Pennington, from Balch School to Grade 5, Guild School.
It will be noted that in the changes listed the High School was most affected. For four years previous to this teacher changes in the High School have been few. In several of the changes which were made, teachers took other positions as a means of financial or professional betterment. It is not expected that Norwood will pay the highest salaries, and where a teacher qualifies for advance- ment, and successfully candidates for a position elsewhere, the usual policy has been to advise that teacher to accept such an appointment. Two of the teachers who left could have been retained providing a year's leave of absence was granted. However, a year's leave of absence had already been granted to one teacher and it did not seem advisable to have more than one regular teacher on leave for any one year.
Professional Advancement
That Norwood teachers are manifesting a great interest in up- to-date methods in education is shown by the number who yearly take advantage of the opportunities offered by Boston institutions for professional study and advancement. Many grade and Junior High teachers are working for degrees, while several High School teachers are working to qualify for the degrees of Master of Arts or Master of Education. The total number of teachers taking courses during the present school year is forty-six and a number have signified their intention of taking courses during the second semester in various institutions. During the fiscal year January 1, 1927, to December 31, 1927, eighty-six courses were taken by Norwood teachers.
255
Vacation School
The enrollment for the vacation school conducted at the Guild School was 147. Thirty-four of this number gained a year's promo- tion by attending summer school. The remainder received review work and preparation for their ensuing school year's work which decidedly strengthened them as pupils. The total expense of main- taining vacation school was $489.37, an average of $3.33 per pupil. The cost per pupil in the elementary grades of Norwood for the school year 1926-1927 was $83.98, at which rate it would have cost the Town $2,855.32 for a year's instruction of the thirty-four pupils who gained a year's promotion through summer school attendance.
High School Buildings and Grounds
The new Norwood High School has been a source of investigation for educators from other towns and cities all through the year. Many delegations consisting of school committee members, select- men, mayors, etc., have been entertained and shown the magnificent layout which the citizens of Norwood have so generously provided for their high school pupils. The comment from these visitors has been in terms of highest praise, both for the vision of those who were responsible for the establishment of the school in its present location and for the work of the Building Committee in carrying out the splendid projects which the school includes.
The athletic field with a few minor exceptions has been com- pleted and properly fenced in. Six tennis courts have been pro- vided; three single courts and three double courts, and it will be recommended that a program may be arranged so that these facilities may be open to the public under proper direction during the summer months. With the completion of the five-lap track, track sports will be adopted during the ensuing spring, a field which will make it possible for another large stride toward 100% general participation in some form of athletic endeavor. While a beginning was made in track sports two years ago, interest has not been great, owing to the large number of boys and girls who were re- quired to make use of the Civic field and the impossibility to make clear use of the Civic track. It is Mr. Murray's present purpose to initiate the track program with a spring meet which will include Needham, Dedham and Walpole and other neighboring towns.
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