USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Plainville > Plainville, Massachusetts annual reports 1951-1959 > Part 17
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There is no slaughtering house in town at the present time.
Respectfully submitted.
EARL B. THOMPSON,
Inspector of Slaughtering
47
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE COLLECTOR OF TAXES
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen,
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit to you my report as Collector of Taxes for the year ending December 31,1953.
Uncollected Jan. 1, 1953 Collected Abated
Tax Title
Un-
Overpaid
collected Treasurer
1948 Account
Real Estate
3.80
$3.80
1949 Account
Personal
37.17
37.17
Real Estate
4.30
4.30
1950 Account
Personal
123.20
123.20
Real Estate
57.20
88.00
4.40
8.80
44.00
1951 Account
Personal
839.42
634.02
122.20
83.20
Real Estate
1178.59 1023.75
26.40
41.60
86.84
Excise
60.61
60.61
1952 Account
Poll
8.00
2.00
6.00
Personal
2191.74 1348.10
62.67
780.97
Real Estate
8864.23 5800.87
112.13
46.00 2905.23
Excise
3632.35
Jan. Warr.
1580.09
5212.44 4666.32
538.88
7.24
48
ANNUAL REPORT
1953 Account
Overpaid
Warrant
Collected
Abated Tax Title Uncollected Treasurer
Poll
1,122.00
1,102.00
16.00
6.00
2.00
Personal
18,240.12
16,022.61
61.02
2,156.49
Real
Estate 101,836.98
Jan. Warr.
40.50
101,877.48
89,384.07
2,646.00
59.40
9,788.01
Excise
23,486.23
17,627.37
1,678.73
4,180.35
.22
1953
1952
1951
1950
Interest Paid Treasurer
$ 4.92 $171.49 $105.66 $8.80 $4.40
Charges Paid Treasurer
44.10
64.05
8.05
.70
.35
Collector's Expense Account
Appropriation Expended
$400.00
396.42
Balance
3.58
Respectfully submitted,
T. A. WICKMAN,
Collector of Taxes
REPORT OF SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1953
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
I herewith submit to you my report as Sealer of Weights and Measures for the year ending December 31, 1953.
49
ANNUAL REPORT
Sealing
Scales
Adjusted Sealed
Total
Scales over 1000 lbs.
1
Fee $5.00
$5.00
Scales 100-5000 1bs.
3
8
1.00
8.00
Scales under 100 1bs.
4
17
.50
8.50
Weights
Avoirdupois
6
41
.10
4.10
Capacity Measures
Liquid under 1 Gal.
3
.10
.30
Automatic Measuring Devices
Meters under 1 inch outlet
17
1.00
17.00
Meters over 1 inch outlet
6
3.00
18.00
Grease Measuring Pumps
8
.25
2.00
13 101
$62.90
Re-weighing of commodities put up for sale:
Bread 20, Cake 6, Lard 9, Butter 10, Potatoes 8, Grain 5,
Flour 5.
Cash paid to Town Treasurer
$62.90
Appropriation
$75.00
Salary
$50.00
Transportation and Supplies
25.00
$75.00
Respectfully submitted,
ADRIEN G. WHEELER,
Sealer of Weights and Measures
4
50
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF WATER COMMISSIONERS
To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:
Gentlemen:
During the year 1953 twenty-five (25) new services were installed, and one (1) old service renewed.
The broken hydrant at the corner of Walnut and West Bacon streets was repaired and cement posts installed around it to try to eliminate the constant breakage. It is the opinion of this department, however, that the hydrant should be relo- cated from its present position at an early date.
The Sidney, Moran and Cooney Avenues extension was completed with 1216 feet of six (6) inch Transite pipe in- stalled. Two (2) hydrants were installed and ten (10) serv- ices connected. It was also necessary to meter each service because this system is not connected to our own water mains but directly to the North Attleboro system.
Appropriation balance
$1,695.75
Warren Pipe and Foundry
$52.94
Louis Morrell
1,109.05
Hersey Mfg. Co.
327.60
H. R. Prescott & Son
195.60
Expended
1,685.19
Balance
$10.56
Warren Street extension completed with a total of six hundred (600) feet of six (6) inch Transite pipe and one hydrant, installed.
Appropriation
$1,317.00
Balance on hand
2.04
$1,319.04
51
ANNUAL REPORT
H. R. Prescott & Son
$30.85
Warren Pipe and Foundry
1.96
Rensselaer Valve Co.
203.60
Louis Morrell
400.00
Johns-Manville
678.98
Evening Chronicle
3.00
Expended
1,318.09
Balance
$0.65
The School Street project was completed with 900 feet of six (6) inch cast iron pipe, two (2) hydrants, and two (2) serv- ices installed.
Appropriation
$2,552.00
H. R. Prescott & Son
$68.20
Warren Pipe and Foundry
1,486.96
Rensselaer Valve Co.
441.30
J. A. Munroe & Son
536.00
Norfolk Asphalt Co.
16.50
Expended
2,548.96
Balance
$3.04
The Fletcher Street project was completed with 500 feet of six (6) inch Cast Iron pipe, one (1) hydrant and one (1) service installed.
Appropriation
$1,530.00
Rensselaer Valve Co.
$255.15
Warren Pipe and Foundry
826.96
H. R. Prescott & Son
40.85
J. A. Munroe & Son
371.50
Norfolk Asphalt Co.
21.45
Evening Chronicle
1.50
Expended
1,517.41
Balance
$12.59
East Bacon Street extension was started with 1620 feet of six (6) inch Cast Iron pipe and three (3) hydrants installed.
52
ANNUAL REPORT
Ledge was struck at the top of Rt. 106 which prevented us from completing the entire project.
Appropriation
$2,552.00
Balance on hand
838.10
$3,390.10
Warren Pipe and Foundry
$1,501.80
Louis Morrell
1,086.25
H. R. Prescott & Son
131.30
Rensselaer Valve Co.
594.90
E. Skinner
11.20
Expended
3,325.45
Balance
$64.65
The Water Tank has been cleaned, painted and repaired by The Kessler Co. of Freement, Ohio. However, in as much as the work is unsatisfactory, in the opinion of the Commis- sioners, no payment has been made. The contract price is $3,494.00.
Appropriation
$3,500.00
Evening Chronicle
$3.75
Expended
3.75
Balance
$3,496.25
General Account Expenditures
Appropriation
$7,050.00
Town of North Attleboro:
Pumping
$6,052.29
Evening Chronicle, bills
73.48
Carnegie Co., office supplies
3.85
Abbott Office Equipment, office supplies
54.50
Louis Morrell, services
481.30
Rensselaer Valve Co., hydrant parts
85.90
F. King, labor 32.50
A. Sharron, labor 8.00
Reardon & Lynch, tubing
131.46
53
ANNUAL REPORT
H. R. Prescott & Son, fittings Freight
120.00
6.72
Expended
7,050.00
Balance
$00.00
Salary Account
Appropriation
$250.00
Harry B. Thompson
$25.00
Gordon S. Proal
175.00
Alton E. French
25.00
David B. Lomasney
25.00
Expended
250.00
Balance
$0.00
During the year the town purchased from the North Attleboro Water Department 61,552,000 gallons of water at a total cost of $4,923.36.
Payments made-
March 28, 1953
$1,781.01
July 7, 1953
2,295.30
December 31, 1953
1,963.66
12.32
$6,052.29
which leaves a balance of $652.41 to be paid in 1954.
It is the opinion of the Water Commissioners that if the Water Department is to be put on a sound financial basis something will have to be done to make the water rates more equitable.
By examining the records we find that if the Town pur- chases water at eight (8) cents per thousand gallons and in turn sells it for twenty-five (25) cents per thousand, as we do now, there should be a net profit to the town of seven- teen (17) cents per thousand. This, however, is not true. In the past year the town purchased water in the amount of $4,923.36 but only billed our customers for $5,421.41. This is the correct amount to be billed under our present flat
54
ANNUAL REPORT
rate system. Under this same system we show a loss of $9,965.79 in only one year.
We, therefore, propose to meter the town over a four year period. To do this we are asking for the sum of $2,000.00 this year and intend to ask for a like amount for the next three years.
It is our intention that the program will work as follows: We will purchase new meters and repair old ones every year until the entire town is metered. We then propose to buy back all water meters that were purchased by customers who now own their own. In the final analysis the entire town will be metered and all of the meters will be the property of the town.
With this program in effect we expect to accomplish three things:
1. Gallons of water purchased will be reduced.
2. Everyone will pay their share of the cost of water consumed.
3. The Water Department will show a net profit at the end of each year.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Cash Collected and Paid Treasurer for 1953
Rates
$5,818.35
Supplies
317.67
Paid Treasurer
$6,136.02
Water rates due
$1,098.42
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR 1954
Water Pumping
$5,900.00
Salaries
300.00
Maintenance
1,500.00
Purchase of New Meters
2,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
GORDON S. PROAL ALTON E. FRENCH
DAVID B. LOMASNEY
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
of
PLAINVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS
PLAINVILLE
MASS
COLONY
16
28
NMOL
WREN.
THAM
.. MASS.
...
1673.
-1905
..
PLAIN
VILLE
INCORP
19
05.
15
19
RATED
APRIL
For Year Ending December 31, 1953
56
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL OFFICIALS
CLINTON E. BARTON, Chairman Term Expires 1955 Telephone North Attleboro 8-0214-W
MRS. HELEN A. SMITH, Secretary Term Expires 1954 Telephone North Attleboro 8-0653
EDWARD H. HEMMINGSEN Term Expires 1955 Telephone North Attleboro 8-1391-R
CHARLES O. PEASLEY Term Expires 1956 Telephone North Attleboro 8-1811-M
ROBERT W. ROOT Term Expires 1956 Telephone North Attleboro 8-1826-W3
Meeting of the School Committee is held in the Library of the Plainville Elementary School on the third Tuesday of each month.
Union Superintendent of Schools, Norton and Plainville
LAURENCE G. NOURSE Residence Telephone, Norton 5-7952 School Telephone, North Attleboro 8-1166
Superintendent may be reached at the office in the Plainville Elementary School every Tuesday, and other days by appointment.
AUTHORIZED TO ISSUE WORK CERTIFICATES
KENNETH L. SHARP, Principal Telephone, North Attleboro 8-0146 or 8-1166
School Physician DR. JOHN T. COTTER Telephone, North Attleboro 8-0204
School Nurse MRS. JANET CLAUDY Telephone, North Attleboro 8-678-M.
Attendance Officer
ELMER PEASE
57
ANNUAL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR-1953-1954
Elementary and High Schools:
First term opens September 10, 1953 First term closes December 23,1953 Second term opens January 4, 1954 Second term closes February 19, 1954 Third term opens March 1, 1954 Third term closes April 23, 1954 Fourth term opens May 3, 1954 Fourth term closes:
Elementary School June 18, 1954 High School June 25, 1954
Holidays for all schools:
October 12, Columbus Day
October 30, County Convention
November 11, Armistice Day November 25, 1/2 day Elem November 26-27, Thanksgiving
December 23, 1/2 day Elem.
April 16, 1954, Good Friday
School Sessions:
High School: Regular session 8:30 to 2:30 Elementary School: 8:45 to 2:45
7:30 A.M .- Three double blasts on fire alarm system signifies no school for all pupils for the day.
7:45 A.M .- Same signal signifies no school for Ele- mentary pupils.
11:30 A.M .- Same signal signfies no school in the afternoon and Elementary pupils will stay in school until 1 P.M.
Plainville NO SCHOOL signals are broadcast over station WARA 7:00 A.M., 7:30 A.M., 8:00 A.M. and 8:30 A.M.
58
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Plainville:
We have just completed our first year operating as a five member school committee and we feel that this enlarged committee has worked together successfully for the best inter- est of the Plainville Schools.
Our enrollment at the end of the year was over four hundred pupils in grades one through twelve. This enrollment is distributed among eleven elementary school teachers and five high school teachers, supervised by one principal, Mr. Kenneth L. Sharp, and Superintendent Laurence G. Nourse.
Every classroom in our new elementary school is now being used. In September 1954 it will be necessary to use the Library for a classroom to meet the ever increasing enroll- ment. We wish to again bring to the attention of the towns- people, most emphatically, the necessity of again enlarging our schools, both High School and Elementary School.
The committee feels that next year extensive repairs to the roof, gutters and clock tower of the High School building will have to be made. The heating system in this building is also becoming inadequate and very costly to maintain.
One additional teacher was elected, Mr. Joseph Glennon, to teach Grade 6. We are fortunate that most of our teachers remained in the Plainville Schools. Miss Sylvia Blanchard was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Miss Mary T. Donovan, and Mrs. Catherine Reardon, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Chester Pawlowski. Mr. Arthur Murdock replaced Mr. David Parfitt and Mr. Ray- mond Valaitis replaced Mr. Thomas Murphy in the High School.
Mr. Roland L. Wolcott resigned as Principal of the Plain- ville Schools to take a position as Principal of the Junior High School in Wilton, Connecticut. Mr. Kenneth L. Sharp, Prin- cipal of the High School, Mapleton, Maine, was elected to serve as Principal of the Plainville Elementary and Plainville High Schools.
During the summer vacation we erected a chain link fence along a portion of our north boundary. This makes for
59
ANNUAL REPORT
better supervision on the playground. Another part of our playground was graded and oiled, under the able supervision of Mr. Everett Skinner. We wish to thank him for his fine cooperation.
We also want to take this opportunity to thank the Plain- ville Police Department for their fine work in directing traffic for our school children to and from school.
It is the desire of the School Committee that work can be started on grading the area in front of the Elementary School Building, and we urge the townspeople to consider our article in the warrant for this project.
We wish to thank Superintendent Laurence G. Nourse, Principal Kenneth L. Sharp and the entire faculty for their cooperation during the past year.
We urge you to give careful study and consideration to our financial statement and reports by the Superintendent and Principal.
Respectfully submitted,
CLINTON E. BARTON, Chairman HELEN A. SMITH, Secretary EDWARD H. HEMMINGSEN CHARLES O. PEASLEY ROBERT W. ROOT
60
ANNUAL REPORT
MONEY AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS IN 1953
Appropriation
$76,643.00
Interest on Town School Fund
8.18
$76,651.18
Expenses
General Expenses
School Committee
$ 195.00
Superintendent's Salary
2,560.00
School Union Travel
240.00
Clerk's Salary
497.19
Miscellaneous Expenses
342.79
Expenses of Instruction
Salaries
49,971.93
Books and Supplies
4,052.65
Operation of School Plant
Janitors
5,315.00
Fuel
3,368.63
Miscellaneous
2,930.67
Maintenance
437.13
Health
983.20
Transportation
4,552.19
New Equipment
1,094.97
Driver Education
109.17
Total
$76,650.52
Balance
$ .66
61
ANNUAL REPORT
THE TOWN RECEIVED FROM THE STATE ON ACCOUNT OF SCHOOLS
1950
1951
1952
1953
Chapter 643
State Aid
$13,546.49
$14,001.49
$14,811.80
$17,686.81
For Superintendent 1,417.84
1,458.60
1,493.33
1,477.46
For School Bus
Transportation
1,462.36
2,305.86
2,136.89
2,170.00
For Tuition
Youth Service
Board
574.03
787.36
362.09
State
225.00
184.14
17.10
Private
100.00
75.00
100.00
50.00
$17,325.72
$18,025.09
$19,346.48
$21,746.36
Total
Expenditures
$53,959.55
$62,769.06
$68,710.22
$76,650.52
Receipts from
outside sources $17,325.72
$18,025.09
$19,346.48
$21,746.36
Expenditure by
the Town of
Plainville
$36,633.83
$44,743.97
$49,363.74 $54,904.16
1954 ESTIMATES IN ACCORDANCE WITH CHAPTER 643, 1948
Chapter 643 State Aid
$19,214.30
For Superintendent
1,477.46
For Transportation
2,806.00
For Youth Service Board
321.90
$23,729.66
1. Rental
$200.00
2. Cash for damages
1.00
3. Sale of Old Equipment
3.68
$204.68
PLAINVILLE SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUDGET 1954
Budget 1954
Expended 1953
Expended 1952
Expended 1951
School Committee
$200.00
$195.00
$120.00
$120.00
Superintendent
Salary
2,660.00
2,560.00
2,460.00
2,360.00
School Union
240.00
240.00
240.00
240.00
Clerk
600.00
497.19
562.25
447.86
Miscellaneous
275.00
342.79
205.48
233.81
Teachers' Salaries
55,800.00
49,971.63
43,847.48
39,218.94
Books and Supplies
4,050.00
4,052.65
3,278.94
3,216.23
Operation of School Plant
Janitors
5,778.00
5,315.00
5,300.00
3.699.97
Fuel
3,377.00
3,368.63
3,611.02
4,149.29
Miscellaneous
2,578.00
2,930.67
2,509.21
1,477.60
Maintenance
750.00
437.13
545.19
955.75
Health
1,195.00
983.20
946.12
644.33
Transportation
4,921.00
4,552.19
4,270.00
4,251.75
Tuition
317.73
New Equipment
1,387.00
1,094.97
683.95
538.77
Town Hall
739.76
Driver Education
175.00
109.17
130.58
157.27
$83,986.00
$76,650.52
$68,710.22
$62,769.06
Total Reimbursements (Est.)
23,729.66
21,746.36
19,346.48
18,025.09
Net Expenditures (Est.)
$60,256.34
$54,904.16
$49,363.74
$44,743.97
63
ANNUAL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Plainville School Committee:
I have the honor of submitting to you my thirtieth annual report and the forty-seventh in the series of reports. I wish to call to your attention a few topics of major interest and importance for the educational progress of the Plainville Schools.
Problem of School Buildings
This past fall, the Plainville Schools for the first time went over the four hundred population mark. Last year, I estimated four hundred eleven. We have had four hundred eight this fall and well may pass the four hundred eleven mark later in the year. The school enrollment data as given in last year's report as estimates for the next several years still appears valid and deserves careful consideration. The current budget and school plans calls for one more teacher in the Elementary School in 1954. For this purpose, the only remaining space is being used-the school library. A study of the enrollment data shows a serious problem in meeting the High School need in approximately four or five years. This is true for meeting the school population figures alone but also there is the educational problem of giving a wider scope in the educational program. This is being done in all of the new High Schools that are being built in nearby towns. The pressure of school enrollments is now severe in the Elementary School. How this will be solved will affect the solution of the High School problem. They both need consideration at the same time and, therefore, the problem needs immediate and serious study. I urge a joint study of this problem by the Regional Study Group, the School Building Committee and the Plainville School Committee. The organization of the grades planned for the coming school year is given below:
Plainville Public Schools Enrollment Data
Grade
1953-54
Grade
1954-55
1.
46
1.
46
2.
56
2.
46
3.
35
3.
56
64
ANNUAL REPORT
4.
34
4.
35
5.
42
5.
34
6.
36
6.
42
7.
36
7.
36
8.
31
8.
36
Pupils
Grades
Pupils
Grades
Miss Ramsay
23
1
Miss Ramsay
23
1
Miss Zajac
23
1
Miss Zajac
23
1
Mrs. Boyce
28
2
Mrs. Boyce
23
2
Mrs. Meade
28
2
Mrs. Meade
23
2
Miss Blanchard
26
3
Miss Blanchard
28
3
Mrs. Grant
30
3-4
Mrs. Grant
28
3
Miss Wood
31
4-5
Miss Wood
35
4
Mr. Milesky
31
5-6
Mr. Milesky
25
5
Mr. Glennon
29
6
Mr. Glennon
9 (5), 16 (6)
25
5-6
New Teacher
26
6
Miss Davis
36
7
Miss Davis
36
7
Mrs. Reardon
31
8
Mrs. Reardon
31
8
HIGH SCHOOL
HIGH SCHOOL
18
9
30
9
21
10
18
10
26
11
21
11
21
12
26
12
-
-
Total
402
Total
430
Mr. Kenneth L. Sharp, Principal of Plainville Schools
Last June, Mr. Roland L. Wolcott resigned as principal of the Plainville Schools after completing five years of service. During this time, with the opening of the new Elementary School, he was elected principal of both Elementary and High Schools. He gave outstanding service. He took an active part in solving many new problems in the new set up of the schools. A very extensive search for a replacement for Mr. Wolcott was carried on during the spring term. Over fifty candidates were interviewed or recorded examined at several Colleges and Placement Bureaus. Several candidates were visited in their current teaching positions. Following these reports and the examination of candidates by the School
65
ANNUAL REPORT
Committee, the selection of Mr. Kenneth L. Sharp has been well justified by the success that he has made since last September. I am most happy to give hearty endorsement to the progress being made by Mr. Sharp in this position.
The Teaching of Reading
During the past year, special attention and emphasis has been given to the teaching of reading. On several occasions; such as, American Education Week, and at individual con- ferences, the teachers are endeavoring to present to parents the procedures, methods and plans they are using in this funda- mental topic in the school program. A schedule of basic and supplementary reading textbooks for the primary grades was drawn up and careful records kept of the progress of each student. In order to explain to the pupils and make clear to the parents as well as for the teacher to have the data as her guide for present needs, a check-list of reading difficulties that each teacher found with individual students was kept at frequent intervals. Progress could then be noted in mastering the difficulties. During the current year, several teachers have been taking a professional course on the Analysis and Devel- opment of the Reading Program which is being given by Dr. Donald Durrell, Dr. Alice Crossley and Dr. Helen Sulli- van. The teachers completing this course are: Miss Beatrice Wood, Miss Mary Zajac, Miss Lois Ramsay, Mrs. Austin Grant and Mrs. Edward Meade. This is a very practical course. Each teacher applied the plans and outlines in her own classroom work. In the course, each teacher has used a series of read- ing tests to check on the reading progress of pupils. The active cooperation of parents in the reading program is earnestly desired by all teachers. Plans are underway for making this course available for others.
Opening School Conference
A conference of this type held last year proved very successfuul. Plans were made in the preceding school year for a second such conference, which was held September 9, 1953, before the opening of the school for the current school year. All teachers had met with principals for many detailed tasks in their respective school buildings on the preceding day. The topic for the conference this year was "Guidance in Teaching." Miss Mary O'Rourke, Senior State Supervisor of Elementary Education from the Massachusetts Department of Education
5
66
ANNUAL REPORT
was the director of the conference, in cooperation with the superintendent.
At the close of school in June, each teacher had been given the opportunity of submitting questions which she would like discussed in this opening conference. These were summarized and became the basis for the group discussion plans at the conference.
A few of the topics discussed at these conference were:
1. Improvement of reading
2. Understanding the child
3. Testing Programs
4. Development of Leadership
5. Good pupil-teacher relationships
6. Encouragement of parents to discuss with teachers problems of mutual interest.
An outstanding group of educational leaders was secured for this conference. They were, in addition to Miss O'Rourke, Miss Margaret A. Shea, State Supervisor of Elementary Edu- cation; Miss Gertrude Cunningham, Instructor, State Teachers' College, Lowell; Mr. Warren E. Benson, State Supervisor of Guidance and Placement; Miss Evelyn R. Robinson, Consult- ant, School Libraries; and Dr. Flint G. Taylor, State Teachers' College, Worcester.
The Teaching Staff
Due to the frequent radio and press comments, the public is more aware than ever before of the problem of the short- age of school teachers. Our Massachusetts State Teachers Colleges and Liberal Arts Colleges have been our main source of new teachers in Plainville. Due to the teacher shortages in these colleges during the past two years, a search was made in new fields for teacher supply. Teacher candidates have been interviewed from Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine. Several excellent teachers have been secured. The new principal, Mr. Sharp, is from the University of Maine where he secured much of his training from a former Massa- chusetts Commissioner of Education and a Massachusetts Su- perintendent of Schools who is now Dean of the School of Education at that University. We have found these teachers very well prepared and very capable in their respective fields. These sources of supply are being investigated again this year.
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ANNUAL REPORT
The teachers' salary item is the largest and most important one in the school budget. The need for raising salaries in Plainville for attracting and holding good teachers is a con- stant and pressing problem. Steady progress has been made in this item, but more is essential. This problem is severely complicated with the necessity of adding an additional teach- er to the school staff each year. In the past year, the beginning salary was raised from $2500 to $2600 and school committee action has recently raised it for the coming year to $2700. The average staff salary in Plainville last year was $2889. The current year is $3040, and the figure for 1954-55 is es- timated at $3190. The comparable figures for the Massachu- setts State average are as follows: 1951-52, $3720; 1952-53, $3870; and the estimate for the current year is $4000. It is very evident that the local figures are far below State averages. It is only at the beginning salary and in the lower range that the local figures offer a reasonable comparison.
Homemaking Program for Girls
For several years, Mrs. Helen A. Smith, member of the School Committee, has taught sewing to a group of High School girls during the High School Club period. She has given her services without remuneration because of her in- terest in the field of homemaking and household arts. This program was started by Mrs. Smith with the hope that the Town would authorize the School Department to take over this work and enlarge it to a full program in the Plainville Schools. Certain items of equipment have been secured which will be available for this program. Early consideration of enlarging this program needs careful attention.
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