USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Randolph > Randolph town reports 1955-1959 > Part 38
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The Trustees wish to call the attention of all towns- people to the library's hours of service shown in the head- ing of this report. These particular hours, made possible by the Town's added financial support, were introduced in the spring of last year after a study of several weeks duration. Patrons have commented favorably on being able to use the library on Saturday mornings (as well as during the late-afternoon hours on other weekdays) when the library formerly was closed. The new schedule in- creases the library's hours of service from 191/2 to 32 hours per week. This latter figure compares favorably with the total hours of library service in other neighbor- ing towns.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
During 1957, all but $18.43 of the Town's 1957 ap- propriation for library services was expended. The an- nual report of the Treasurer of the Library showing the receipts and disbursements as well as the investment of the Trust Funds as of December 31, 1957, is appended as a part of this report.
For the year 1958, the Trustees find that Library expenses will be increased due to the addition of a new staff member and to the necessary building repairs and maintenance but chiefly to the pressing need for books in all categories-adult, intermediate and juvenile, both fiction and non-fiction, including up-to-date reference material and a modern multivolume encyclopedia. Since books of all kinds are the library's stock-in-trade and its reason for existing and since our library currently fails to meet the American Library Association standards as to the number of "live" books available, the recommended expenditure of $5,000.00 for this purpose during 1958 is regarded as highly important.
At this time, on behalf of the Trustees I would like to express to Mrs. Faulkner and to all members of her staff-Mrs. Eunice Martin, Assistant Librarian; Mrs. Mae Saunders; Mrs. Dorothy Poehlman; and students Peter Briggs and George Sullivan-the sincere appreciation of the Library Trustees for the splendid work they have done during the past year. Their interest in and loyal contribution to the successful operation of the Library, attested by the library's greatly increased circulation, its growing number of borrowers and its favorable public relations, is gratefully acknowledged.
Respectfully submitted, LAURENCE F. SHURTLEFF, President of the Trustees.
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Report of The Librarian The Turner Free Library
To the Trustees of the Turner Free Library :
With a feeling of very genuine gratitude and pleasure I submit the following report for the year ending Decem- ber 31, 1957:
With nineteen and a half hours of service to the public increased early in 1957 to thirty-two hours, resi- dents of the town subsequently witnessed and participated in many salutary changes. Sometimes as we, of the library, look about us we can scarcely realize we are in the same building, for by dint of the labors of every member of the staff we find such improvements as a newly-painted issue room ; comfortable chairs and tables at our lovely stained- glass windows in areas where adults may browse quietly and comfortably ; a hospitable spaciousness all around the issue desk where once a rather forbidding "fence" pro- claimed, in effect, "Thus far and no farther." Darkening window blinds are removed; plants - and in season generous contributions of flowers - offer a cheering note in each room; a completely open-shelf system leaves our public free to wander through all the bookstacks, better- positioned, now, for daylight. Turner Library is using a maximum display system of book-arranging, rather than a "storage" system, whereby an unaware public might pass up many of their favorite titles. A large, new-gook-section is kept continuously filled, and bright jackets advertise more new books than meet the eye. Reservations are ac- cepted for most books in the library with the further ad- vantage of a telephone call when the desired books be- come available. On one side of the main area we find adult fiction arranged alphabetically by author; on the other side non-fiction arranged by the Dewey classifica-
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
tion number, thus expediting self-service, as well as as- sistance from the staff.
Proof positive of the increased interest of the public in having library service, and of the Turner Scaft ini help- ing them, was evidenced in the figures of books circulated. 1957 saw 25,510 books circulated as against 11,448 of the previous year-better than double! And part and parcel of this new activity was the issuing of library cards. Randolphians have become quite library-conscious, we find, for figures show that registrations zucmed to 1588 as against 814 of the previous year. Undoubtedly these figures reflected our efforts to shengthen the book collection by putting emphasis on acquiring a better- rounded and larger children's collection; a young adult collection per se; new adult books of both universal and specialized appeal and finally more of the reference re- quisites for any town library. Thus the beginning of 1958 finds Turner Free Library with a book collection of 22,014 volumes, and more arriving each day. Although 1327 volumes were discarded in 1957 because of impracticality of repair or unsuitability of con'ent, 1433 books were added. This is merely a dent made in the material which should be added to this library; but such books as we have added have been eagerly received and gratefully used by our public.
Faithful to the promise to parents that Randolph children should have more adequate library service, Tur- ner Free Library in September opened a new and charm- ing Children's Room to take the place of their former inadequate "corner." The room-light, commodious, har- moniously furnished with painted furniture, plants, pic- ture book stand and benches, modern bookcases and quantities of colorful books-has been the source cf much joy and increased reading interest to the children, as evi- denced by the surge in juvenile circulation. Best of all --
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
the bulk of the furnishings has been a fairly unique ex- ample of the Do-It-Yourself school of thought!
My eternal gratitude is due the Turner Staff for their capable, interested and enthusiastic assistance, as well as to our many friends. Our esprit de corps is excellent, I feel, for the work has been gargantuan, and training in the professional end has had to continue right through a tremendous increase in borrower service. We, on our part, are conscious of the kindly, ever-interested and alert support of your Board. My invitation to the residents of Randolph is again warmly extended to come see us, enjoy the many books and meet and become better acquainted with the staff, each one of whom has a genuine interest in the reading tastes and aspirations of Randolph resi- dents. My first year has been a wonderfully busy, fruit- ful and happy one. I anticipate that twofold in 1958!
Respectfully submitted,
LUCIA S. FAULKNER, Librarian.
To the Trustees of the Turner Free Library :
In compliance with the requirements of the By-Laws, I hereby submit the annual report of the Treasurer of the Turner Free Library.
RECEIPTS
Dep. Randolph Savings Bank Jan. 1, 1957
$ 3,900.00
Bal. checking account Jan. 1, 1957 1,033.15
Income from other sources
Turner Fund $ 814.88
R. W. Turner Fund
1,676.04
Remaining Funds
232.25
Rent
1,620.00
Fines
280.00
Collections 100.81
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Bills paid by Town
9,841.57
$14,565.55 $14,565.55
Withdrawn from Principal Fund Randolph Savings Bank for new investment 8.00
$19,586.70
DISBURSEMENTS
Cost of Operation
Books and Magazines
$ 2,434.07
Salaries
10,092.41
Electricity
298.94
Fuel
1,260.90
Printing
76.00
Insurance
28.06
Telephone
104.78
Supplies
564.40
New Equipment
583.34
Sundries
34.94
Repairs
1,549.36
Water
8.00
$17,035.20 $17,035.20
Dep. Randolph Savings Bank Dec. 31, 1957
2,050.00
Paid out for new investment
88.00
Sale of Bond, returned to Principal Account, Randolph Savings Bank
252.71
Sale of Rights, returned to Principal Account, Randolph Savings Bank
28.67
Balance Income Checking Account
Randolph Trust Co. Dec. 31, 1957
132.12
$19,586.70 JOHN L. PORTER,
Treasurer.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
INVESTMENTS
R. W. TURNER FUND
48 shares California Packing Co.
65 shares Chase Manhattan Bank
73 shares Chemical Corn Exchange Bank
40 shares Commonwealth Edison Co.
14 shares Consolidated Edison Co.
95 shares First National Bank (Boston, Mass.)
50 shares Home Insurance Co.
18 shares New England Tel. and Tel. Co.
1 bond Ohio Power Co. ($1000 Par Value, 1968)
13 shares Randolph Cooperative Bank
62 shares Standard Oil of New Jersey
25 shares Western Mass. Cos.
TURNER FUND
10 shares American Tel. and Tel. Co.
25 shares Boston Edison Co.
34 shares Chase Manhattan Bank
10 shares Consolidated Edison Co.
36 shares E. I. Du Pont de Nemours Co.
11 shares First National Bank (Boston, Mass.)
31 shares First National City Bank of N. Y. C.
32 shares Great American Insurance Co.
11 shares Northern Illinois Co.
330 shares Union Pacific Railroad
REMAINING FUNDS
11 shares American Tel. and Tel. Co.
41 shares First National Bank (Boston, Mass.)
153
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Board of Registrars
The Board of Registrars submits its annual report for the year 1957. During the past year, 200 new voters were registered, the total number of registered voters now being 7321 which includes the following:
Precinct 1-1606 Precinct 2-1950
Precinct 3-1930 Precinct 4-1837
They street listed 9696 people and have on file, cards with names, addresses and occupations of same. Books were also printed with this information. Also listed were 1528 dogs, these being turned over to the dog officer.
Since the last street listing, the town has many new streets with more than 200 homes added.
ETHEL McDONALD, Chm. ELIZABETH CUNNINGHAM KATHERINE M. SMITH
Report of Civil Defense
Board of Selectmen
Randolph, Massachusetts
1. Progress has been made in the development of the Civil Defense Organization during the past year, as follows :
a The last segment of the Air Raid Warning system is being installed on the Foley Buick Garage, in North Randolph. This will complete the alarm sys- tem for the Town.
b A definite training program is in effect in the War- den Service. Progress is being made in the enroll- ment of additional personnel.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
c The Auxiliary Police for civil defense, meet each month for instruction under the direction of Chief McDonnell.
d For an efficient Auxiliary Fire Defense, an addi- tional 100 men must be enrolled as auxiliary fire- men, to receive training under the direction of the regular fire department officers.
2. Effective January 1st, the Randolph Ground Ob- server Corps observation post will not be manned around the clock, but observers will receive periodic training, and partitcipate in scheduled "alert" exercises.
However, while in "Ready Reserve" status the Ground Observer Corps will continue to perform its additional jobs of community and National service, to include reporting severe weather, unidentified flying objects, aircraft in dis- tress, and nuclear detonations.
3. An efficient and effective Civil Defense Organiza- tion requires the interest, thinking, support and cooperation of all our town's people. To date we are far short of an efficient Civil Defense Organization, because of the general lack of interest. Civil Defense is a necessity. Let us recog- nize that fact, and volunteer our services.
Respectfully,
RALPH E. MacLEOD
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
Report of The Town Treasurer
Edward T. Clark, Town Treasurer, in account with the Town of Randolph, year 1957.
DEBIT
Balance on hand January 1, 1957 $ 401,457.24
Received during year 1957
4,215,061.29
$4,616,518.53
CREDIT
Paid Sundry Persons per Warrants
$3,578,811.84
General Cash on Hand and in Banks December 31, 1957
1,037,706.69
$4,616,518.53
SOLDIERS MONUMENT FUND
Balance on Hand January 1, 1957
$ 201.95
Interest added
3.02
$ 204.97
Payments made
20.00
Balance Randolph Savings Bank
$ 184.97
SCHOOL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT FUND
Ballance on Hand January 1, 1957
$ 95.65
Interest added
1.91
Balance Randolph Trust Company $ 97.56
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
CODDINGTON FUND
Balance on Hand January 1, 1957
$ 1,957.42
Interest added
59.15
Interest withdrawn
116.57
Balance December 31, 1957
$ 1,900.00
ELLEN BENNET FUND
Deposit March 1, 1957
$ 12,258.10
Interest added 1957
178.76
$ 12,436.86
Interest withdrawn
178.76
Balance December 31, 1957
Randolph Co-operative Bank
$ 12,258.10
Examined and found correct.
EDWARD FAHEY, Town Accountant
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD T. CLARK, Town Treasurer
157
$ 2,016.57
ANNUAL REPORT
of the SCHOOL DEPARTMENT of the
TOWN OF RANDOLPH
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TOWN
INCORPO
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¥17935
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MASSACHUSE
For the Year Ending December 31
1957
TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS .
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Members of the Randolph School Committee are elected by the voters of Randolph under the General Laws of the Commonwealth and are charged with the important responsibility of providing the best possible education for the youth of Randolph.
School Committees in Massachusetts are, in general, State Committees, carrying out the conduct of education as delegated to them by State Legislatures under the Gen- eral Laws. They have acquired a substantial degree of independence from local government through judicial in- terpretations. Members of the Randolph School Com- mittee serve without pay. They meet twice a month in regular sessions, as well as many additional special meet- ings, study conferences, and research activities. Policies that are administered by the Superintendent of Schools are formed by the School Committee. The principal duties of the School Committee may be summarized as policy forming, budget making, personnel appointments, approval of curricula and textbooks, planning of school services and evaluation of the educational program. The powers of the School Committee are vested in the Committee as a unit.
Because of the over-taxing of classroom facilities it was necessary in 1957 to institute double sessions in certain grades of the Randolph School system. Unless steps are taken at once to provide additional classroom space the undesirable double session plan will expand to other grades. The completion of the Vesey Road School will provide some relief, but not sufficient to eliminate the so- called "half-time" pupil from our rosters. Parents and tax-payer's should realize the unwanted conditions that result when double sessions are adopted. They should
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
vigorously support a building program to provide ample facilities for the fast growing school population of the town.
To strive for competency in our teaching personnel and to avoid the inroads made on desirable teachers by other communities, the salary schedule for our teachers was increased to a degree which will minimize those inroads and will permit the selection of new personnel of high calibre.
This year, and for the first time, Randolph has re- ceived monies from the Federal Government under Public Law 874. Checks totaling more than $20,000. have been received. Appreciation is extended to our administrators and to the parents for the cooperation given.
Citizens are urged to read and study the various re- ports herewith submitted by our administrators and depart- ment heads.
We observe with regret, the resignation of Dr. William F. Maguire from the School Committee. Dr. Maguire served on the committee for nine years. His contributions in faithful and diligent service to the Town are sincerely appreciated by the Committee.
Mr. P. Raymond McGerrigle was elected to serve the balance of Dr. Maguire's term. Mr. McGerrigle's educa- tional and civic background will be of great benefit to the Committee and to the Town.
We express our appreciation to the Superintendent of Schools and his staff of administrators, to the teachers, clerks, custodians and all personnel for their cooperation and loyalty.
The School Committee realizes that a school system is as good as the citizens of a community want it to be. We are sure that the citizens of Randolph want their school
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
system to be a fine one. That task is never-ending. Your comments and criticisms are always welcome.
Randolph School Committee
MURRAY LEWIS, Chairman JOHN GRIFFIN, Secretary EDWARD L. DUFFY CHARLES E. GREEN, JR. P. RAYMOND McGERRIGLE
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENIT OF SCHOOLS-1957
To the Members of the Randolph School Committee and all other Citizens of Randolph, I herewith submit my annual report as Superintendent of the Randolph Public Schools.
The primary deterrent to the proper education of the pupils of Randolph is the lack of classrooms and auxiliary facilities. Approximately 1100 pupils are now attending school on an 80% basis, and those of grades 6, 7, 8, will probably have no different arrangement for the remainder of their public school education. We are only too familiar with the difficulties which these "double-sessions" have caused, not only in the schools but in hundreds of homes of those involved. Every effort has been made to be com- pletely objective and impartial in deciding what groups should be on part time, and at what times they should at- tend. Once these decisions had been approved, no excep- tions were made in order that all persons would be treated the same.
A new Junior High School is absolutely essential at once if we wish to give the pupils of grades 7-12 the op- portunity of obtaining a complete secondary education.
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
A careful reading of the entire school report will familiarize all citizens with the entire educational program, and in order to supplement this information, the Randolph School Committee approved the establishment of a quar- terly publication "Our Randolph Public Schools", the first issue of which was distributed in May. Because of the fact that this paper is composed and printed for us by the Waltham Trade School, our cost is very low, for we pay only for the paper stock used.
All Randolph personnel who participate in the prepa- ration of the bulletin do so voluntarily, and on their own time. I am very grateful to the Editor, Mr. Stephen E. Hart, Principal of the Stetson School, and the other members of the staff for their work.
The immediate concern of all newcomers to Randolph who are parents, and in the past few years there have been thousands, is the quality of the public school education which their children will receive. We have factual data to prove that all pupils are afforded an excellent educa- tional opportunity, and where there is mutual cooperation, faith, and understandings, on the parts of the parents, pupils and teachers, the best possible results are obtained. As a result of the School Committee's having established a salary schedule which is competitive with those of neigh- boring communities, we are able to be highly selective in the appointing of teachers.
In order that our teachers may continue to be aware of all worthwhile advances in education, we carry on a continuous program of in-service training. During the past year, workshops in reading, arithmetic, and science, have been held and all teachers meet weekly in various groups to plan for any worthwhile improvements in our curriculum, at both the elementary and secondary levels. In addition, a great many of our teachers and administrators are taking courses at the graduate level in order that they may be better fitted for the tasks before them.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUETTTS
Since it is essential that we be cognizant of costs as well as the value of the educational program, we are pleased to report that even though our standards are high, our per pupil cost for the past year was $223.00 which is $40.00 less than the median cost for 64 towns of Massachu- setts with a population greater than 10,000. Of the 64 towns, sixty had a higher per pupil cost. Despite this econ- omy of operation, the school budget continues to increase year after year, because of a number of factors, such as the constantly increasing school population, the increased costs of all educational supplies, and necessarily increased salaries.
You may see our school population growth by reading the statistics on another page. Please note that since the year 1950, we have increased from 1989 pupils to 3585, and by next fall, we'll have approximately 3900 students. Notice further that the high school enrollment is already double that of 1950, and that of the junior high is more than two and one-half times as much in the same period of time.
Obviously this growth necessitates a much greater staff and increased expenditures for books, and supplies, which constantly cost more. Adjustments in the teachers' salary schedule are an absolute necessity, in order to main- tain a highly qualified staff, and to enable us to fill va- cancies and new positions with the best of the available teachers.
The continued interest and growth of the Parent- Teachers groups at the various schools is gratifying and commendable for only by working together is it possible for us to bring about a complete intellectual development of the young people of Randolph.
During the past year, the Lord has, in His infinite wis- dom, taken from our community two persons who, for a great many years, gave their utmost to pupils of the Ran-
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
dolph Public Schools. Mrs. Anna McCann, teacher of Latin in the High School since 1932, and an active member of the faculty until her death, passed away on May 4, 1957. Her presence and influence for good upon the students, as both a classroom teacher, and as the school librarian, are greatly missed.
Mrs. Elizabeth G. Lyons, a teacher in the elementary schools, taught from 1921 until her retirement in 1946. Her faithful and successful work with the elementary pu- pils of the town for a quarter of a century will be remem- bered by staff members and hundreds of her ex-students.
Your attention is called to the policy regarding "No School" on stormy days. Each school day costs the tax- payer many thousands of dollars, and the cancellation of a day's session is not to be taken lightly. The ultimate de- cision and responsibility for a child's attending or not at- tending school, should be made by the parent who alone is fully cognizant of all circumstances involved.
Within a period of a year, the Randolph Public Schools will have lost the services of three gentlemen who without remuneration have given a total of twenty-four years of their time and energy in the interest of the educational welfare of the people of Randolph. Regardless of what community it may be, or who the committeeman or woman might be, we are usually all too unappeciative of the hun- dreds of hours which school committee members give in the interest of the school children. This has been particularly true in Randolph because of the tremendous growth of the school population in the past ten years.
Mr. Clark Freeman retired from the committee in March, 1957, after having served from 1951 to 1957.
Dr. William F. Maguire resigned from the Committee, terminating nine years of continuous and diligent service.
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TOWN OF RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS
Mr. Murray Lewis, Chairman of the Board for the past two years, and with the exception of the year 1954 a mem- ber since 1948, has announced his retirement with the termination of his term in March, 1958.
These gentlemen served as Trustees of the Stetson Fund and on various committees in conjunction with school building and educational matters. Their contributions to the pupils, faculty, and administration of the Randolph School Department are appreciated.
I wish to express my heartfelt thanks and deepest gratitude to the Town officials, the members of the School Committee, the School Department, the parents, the pupils and all of the other citizens who have cooperated so well in helping me to carry on my duties.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS L. WARREN Superintendent of Schools
REPORT OF THE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
Perhaps the most important item to report is that the constant increase in high school population is a national trend and not strictly local and that this trend is to continue for years to come. Where years ago a grammar school educatio for most would suffice, today a high school diploma is a must; therefore, more students are entering high school and more remain for graduation. The results of this are twofold: we are faced with a less homogeneous group and the secondary school is becoming more of a common school.
This increase trend locally has reached the point where it was necessary to put the seventh and eighth
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ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
grades on shift, grade seven going to school in the morn- ing and the eighth grade in the afternoon. We expect we can function under this same arrangement during 1958-59, but beginning '59-60 some other plan will have to be used because of even larger enrollment. At this time it looks as though grades nine through twelve will have to go to school in the morning and the seventh and eighth grades in the afternoon.
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