USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1914 > Part 22
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Text-Books.
SECTION 22. The committee on text-books and courses of study shall consider every proposition involv- ing a change in text-books or in courses of study. Re- ports shall be made in writing at the next regular meet- ing of the Board, and may be amended by a majority vote of the members present; but no change of text- books shall be made, and no text-book shall be adopted except by a two-thirds vote of the Board, notice of the intended change or adoption having been given at a pre- vious meeting.
Any book of reference, globe, map, or chart may be adopted by a majority vote of the Board, after examina- tion and report thereon by the committee on text-books.
293
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
It shall exercise general supervision over instruction in music in all the schools.
SECTION 23. The committee on finance shall consider all propositions for change in the salaries of teachers, offi- cers, and other employees, and shall report in writing such recommendations concerning the same as it may deem ex- pedient. It shall examine and approve the pay-rolls of all bills and submit them to the School Committee ; it shall ex- amine and approve pay-rolls of all employees of the Board and consider and report upon every proposition requiring the expenditure of money before such proposition is fin- ally acted upon by the Board. Annually in January it shall prepare a written estimate of the amount of money re- quired for the support of the public schools during the fiscal year, and shall submit the same to the School Board for its approval. It shall have the exclusive authority to provide all stationery, blanks, cards, printing, record books, diplomas, authorized books, globes, maps, and charts for the use of teachers and pupils, and all other ar- ticles required for the use of the Board, its officers, or the schools.
SECTION 24. The committee on industrial education Industrial shall have general supervision of the several branches of Education. industrial education, manual training, drawing, penman- ship, domestic science and domestic art. It shall have the general supervision of the evening schools as provided in the general regulations.
SECTION 25. The Committee on Playgrounds and School Hygiene shall have in charge the organization and conduct of playgrounds and vacation schools, and the gen- eral supervision of the same. It shall advise and co- operate with the Board of Health in all matters pertaining to the medical inspection of the schools. It shall see that all orders and requests of said board are properly executed by teachers. The annual test of the sight and hearing of pupils required by Statute shall be made by teachers under direction of this committee. It shall have super- vision over all school conditions which affect the health of pupils.
SECTION 26. The committee on rules and regulations shall consider all proposed changes of the Rules and Regulations, and report in writing at a subsequent meet- ing of the Board.
Duties of Superintendent.
SECTION 33. The Superintendent of Public Schools shall be elected annually on the last Monday of April, or whenever a vacancy occurs,
Pay-rolls and Finance
Estimate.
Rules and Regulations.
294
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Supervision of Schools.
SECTION 34. The Superintendent shall be the ad- visory and executive officer of the Board, and under its direction and control shall have the care and supervision of all the public schools. He shall direct and supervise the same in conformity with the courses of study and the rules and regulations of the Board, and shall see that all regulations and orders of the Board are carried into effect.
Visitation.
SECTION 35. He shall visit each school as often as practicable and carefully examine its condition. He shall advise with teachers as to the best methods of instruction and discipline, and for this purpose may hold meetings of teachers at such times as he may deem advisable.
Classifica- tion.
Transfers of Pupils.
SECTION 36. He shall pay particular attention to the classification of pupils that there may be, as far as prac- ticable, a uniform course of instruction and system of discipline in the different schools of the same grade. In consultation with the principal, he shall have the direction of the transfers of children from one school to another of the same grade. In making transfers, he shall duly consider the numbers in the schools and the residence of children, consulting the appropriate standing com- mittees in doubtful cases.
Supplies.
SECTION 37. Under the direction of the committee on finance, he shall see that the schools are supplied with all needed text-books, blanks, registers, record books, maps, charts. stationery, diplomas, report cards, and other articles furnished by the Board for their use. He shall see that all statistical reports are properly made by principals, and receive and record the same. He shall prepare a directory of the schools, containing the names of standing committees, teachers, schools, etc., at the be- ginning of each school year.
Attendance at Meetings.
SECTION 38. The Superintendent shall attend all meetings of the Board, except when his election is under discussion, and when called upon through the chairman, shall express his opinion on any topic under consideration.
Report of Superintend- ent and School Board.
SECTION 39. When requested by the Board, he shall report upon the condition of the schools, and make such suggestions relating to their efficiency and usefulness as he may consider desirable. Annually, in the month of December, he shall prepare and present to the Board a detailed report of the condition of the schools, accom- panied by suitable statistical tables and suggestions, which may be adopted by the Board as its annual report re- quired by statute.
Applicants for Schools,
SECTION 40. He shall keep a list of applicants for schools, and a record of such facts as may be known to
Reports. Directory.
-
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
him respecting their character, experience, and qualifi- cations, and when requested by the proper committee, recommend to them teachers for nomination. He shall fill all vacancies occasioned by the temporary absence of teachers for a period not exceeding fifteen days not other- wise provided for, and make other temporary arrange- ments relative to the schools which he may consider needful, and report the same to the proper committees.
SECTION 41. He shall from time to time inspect the grounds, buildings, furniture, and apparatus belonging to the schools, and report to the Board any defects in the same which may impair the health of pupils and teachers or interfere with the efficiency of the schools.
SECTION 42. He shall at his discretion in very stormy or excessively hot or cold weather, strike the signal on the fire alarm bells for the omission of the next session of the schools.
SECTION 43. He shall issue certificates of the age and school attendance of children under sixteen years of age who desire employment in manufacturing or mercantile establishments, and shall co-operate with the proper authorities in securing the observance of the law con- cerning the employment of children.
SECTION 44. At least two weeks before the annual election of teachers, he shall furnish to each member of the Board as full a list as possible of teachers that are to be voted for at said meeting.
He shall annually publish and send to each member of the Board a complete list of all books, charts. maps, Books. and globes, with the number of each kind belonging to the city. He shall promptly forward to each member of the Board copies of all bulletins and general letters issued to teachers.
Under his direction, the school census shall be taken as provided by the public statutes.
SECTION 45. The Superintendent shall devote his entire time to the service of the city. He shall have his office at a suitable place approved by the Board, and shall establish suitable office hours. He shall be in attendance therein at least one hour of each secular day during the school year. He shall employ such clerical assistance as may be necessary, subject to the approval of the Board.
SECTION 46. All votes and directions of the Board affecting pupils, parents, or teachers shall be communi- cated through the Superintendent. In all matters where his duties are not definitely prescribed, he shall exercise his discretion, subject to the approval of the Board. He shall, when requested, render any advice or aid to any stand-
295
Vacancies.
Inspection of Buildings.
Storm Signal.
Employnient Certificates.
List of Can- didates.
List of Text
Census. Office Hours.
Clerical Assistance.
Notices of Votes of Board.
-
296
ANNUAL REPORTS.
1-
ing committee and perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time direct.
Duties of Truant Officers.
Election.
SECTION 47. The Board shall elect annually, at the meeting in April, one or more truant officers. One of the officers shall devote his whole time during the school year to the duties of his office, under the direction of the Superintendent.
To enforce Ordinances.
SECTION 48. The truant officers shall enforce all ordi- nances of the city and statutes of the Commonwealth in relation to truant children, absentees from school and such children as persistently violate the reasonable rules and regulations of the schools.
Investiga- tion of Truancy.
SECTION 49. Upon request of a teacher, duly made upon truant cards provided for the purpose, and coun- tersigned by the principal, the truant officer shall investi- gate the absence of any child thought to be a truant, take such action as he may think proper and report the facts to the principal. He shall not be employed to investigate the absence of pupils who are not suspected of truancy.
Reports.
SECTION 50. He shall make a written report of his doings each month to the School Board, render such service in connection with the evening schools as may be required by the committee on industrial education, and perform such other duties as the Board may from time to time direct.
Election of Teachers.
Nomina- tions.
.
SECTION 51. All teachers, supervisors, and other em- ployees of the Board shall be nominated by a standing committee of the Board to consist of five members to be appointed in the same manner as other standing com- mittees, and the various district committees, the High School committee, and the industrial committee shall have no authority to nominate teachers.
Teachers not nominated.
Whenever in the opinion of said standing committee. it is thought best not to nominate any such person for re-election, such person shall be notified by the committee in writing of their decision at least one month before the April meeting of the Board. Any appeal by the ag- grieved party from this decision to the full Board must be claimed in writing within two weeks after receiving the aforesaid notice. Pending such appeal, no new nomi- nation shall be made by the committee.
Time of Election.
SECTION 52. The Superintendent, teachers, super- visors, and truant officers shall be elected annually by ballot, or otherwise as the statutes may direct, at the
297
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
regular meeting in April, nine votes being necessary to a choice. Any vacancy occurring during the year may be filled at any meeting of the Board. Evening school teachers shall be elected in September, and vacation school teachers in June.
The secretary shall forthwith give written notice to Notice of each person elected, who shall be requested to notify the Election. secretary of his acceptance within ten days from the date of the notice. Such election and acceptance shall be subject to the provision of the public statutes that the Board may dismiss from employment any teacher when- ever it may think proper.
SECTION 53. Unless otherwise specified, all elections shall be for the school year or remainder of the school year following the election. Teachers intending to resign are required to give the secretary written notice four weeks (exclusive of vacations) before the resignation takes effect. All salaries shall be established at the time of election. The Superintendent, truant officers, and Su- perintendent's clerks shall be paid one-twelfth of their annual salaries each month. The salaries of teachers shall be payable in ten equal installments.
SECTION 54. Regular teachers who are absent from school on account of personal illness, or who are absent not more than three days on account of the death of either of the following members of their immediate family, to wit :- a parent, child, brother, sister, husband or wife,- shall suffer no loss of pay, provided such absence does not aggregate more than five days in any school month or fifteen days in a school year. Absence in excess of the above periods or from any other cause, shall be without pay.
SECTION 55. There shall be elected annually at the April meeting not exceeding three teachers to serve as regular substitutes whenever and wherever they may be needed. These teachers shall be under the direction of the Superintendent in consultation with the several dis- trict committees.
Salaries of Teachers.
SECTION 56. The salaries paid to teachers and other employees of the Board shall be as follows :-
High Schools. Teachers in the high schools are desig- nated as head masters, masters, sub-masters, junior sub- masters, and first, second, third, and fourth assistants, who shall be paid in accordance with the following schedule :-
Dismissal of Teachers.
Resigna- tions.
Salaries when paid.
Absence of Teachers.
Permanent Substitutes.
High School Salaries.
298
ANNUAL REPORTS.
1 st yr.
2nd yr.
3rd yr.
4th yr.
5th yr.
6th yr.
7th yr.
8th yr.
9th yr.
Head Master
$2,300
$2,400
$2,500
$2,600
$2,700
$2,800
$2,900
$3,000
$3,200
Master
1,800
1,850
1,900
1,950
2,000
Sub-Masters.
1,000
1,100
1,200
1,300
1,400
1,500
1,600
1,700
Junior Sub-Masters
1,000
1,050
1,100
1,150
1,200
1,250
1,300
First Assistants.
1,000
1,050
1,100
1,150
1,200
Second Assistants.
900
950
1,000 750
800
850
900
Fourth Assistants.
Asmay be dete
rmined
by vote
Fourth assistants in the high schools may be ap- pointed by the Board at such salary as it may determine, on recommendation of the standing committee of the high schools.
SECTION 57. Grammar and Primary Schools. Teachers in grammar and primary schools shall be paid annual sal- aries according to the following schedule :-
Ist year
2d year
3rd year
4th year
5th year
6th year
7th year
8th year
9th year
Masters
$1,500 $1,550
$1,600
$1,650
$1,700 $1,750
$1,800
$1,850
$1,900
Masters' Assistants.
700
725
750
775
825
875
.
800
. . . .
Ninth Grade
6:25
650
675
700
725
775
825
....
Head Kindergartners
300
375
450
525
600
650
700
. ..
Assistants not in charge of room
200
275
350
425
475
525
. .
Principals, 12-room buildings.
800
850
900
950
1,000
. .
..
. .
..
Principals, 8-room buildings
750
800
850
900
950
..
...
Principals, 4-room buildings
675
725
775
825
850
..
SECTION 58. Supervisors and Special Instructors, and other employees shall be paid annual salaries according to the following schedule :----
1st year
2d year
3rd year
4t year
5th year
6th year
7th year
8th year
9th year
Teachers of Music in high school
and upper grammar grades .....
$1,200
$1,300
$1,400 $1,500
1.600
$1,700
Supervisor of Music in lower grades
700
800
900
1,000
Supervisor of Drawing ..
700
800
900
1,000
Supervisor of Penmanship.
800
900
1,000
1,100
1,200
1,300
1,400 800
1,500
Sewing Teachers.
500
550
600
650
700
750
Manual 'Training Teachers, for five hours daily*
1,100
Permanent Substitutes in grades be- low the ninth
375
450
525
600
. 650
700
Temporary Substitutes in grades be- low the ninth. .
1.50
to
2.50
per
day
...
. .
3.00
per
day
Substitutes for Masters or Sub- Masters . .
5.00
per
day
First Truant Officert
1,000
1,100
1,200
1,300
1,350
Second Truant Officer.
50
2,500
2,600
2,700
2.800
2,900
3,000
Superintendent's Clerk
600
650
700!
750
...
700
750
First Eight Grades
375
450
525
600
650
Principals, 10-room buildings
750
800
850
900
950
Principals, 6-room buildings
725
775
825
875
Third Assistants
650
700
..
*$1400 for six hours daily. +He to furnish and maintain his own team,
..
Temporary Substitutes in high schools, ninth grades, or for prin- cipals ..
. .
Superintendent of Schools
. .
. .
. .
299
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
SECTION 59. Salaries of evening school teachers shall be fixed in accordance with the following schedule :- High School.
Evening School Teachers' Salaries.
Master
$6.00 for each evening
Sub-master
4.00
First assistants
3.00
Second assistants
2.00
Third assistants
1.50
Elementary Schools.
Masters of schools with an average
attendance of 150 or more. $4.00 for each evening
Masters of schools with an average attend- ance of less than 150.
$3.00 for each evening
First assistants
2.00
Second assistants
1.50
Third assistants 1.00 SECTION 60. Vacation school teachers shall be paid according to the following schedule :
$15.00 for each week
First assistants
10.00
Second assistants
7.50
5.00
SECTION 61. The salary of any teacher or other em- ployee of the School Committee shall be fixed by the committee at the time of election. It may be fixed at the minimum, at the maximum, or at any intermediate sum provided for in the foregoing schedules, except that no teacher shall receive the maximum salary who has not had at least five years of teaching experience. Gradua- tion at a normal school shall be considered equivalent to a year of teaching experience.
Increase of salaries shall commence at the monthly period of payment next succeeding the end of each year of service.
SECTION 62. District committees may at their dis- Assistants. cretion appoint assistants
(1) In kindergartens with a membership exceeding thirty ;
(2) In any class having an average membership of more than fifty.
SECTION 63. Vacation school teachers shall be nomi- Vacation nated by the committee on playgrounds, and shall be des- School ignated as principal, and first, second, and third assistants.
Teachers.
Training or Experience Required.
SECTION 64. No person not now in the service of the Board shall be eligible to election to any position con- nected with the schools who has not had professional or college training, or suitable experience in the line of work which he is to teach or supervise.
Special Instructors.
SECTION 65. At the regular meeting in April there Election, shall be elected special instructors in music, drawing, pen-
Salaries When Fixed.
Principals
Third assistants
300
ANNUAL REPORTS.
manship, sewing, and such other special branches as the Board may hereafter determine.
Subject to Rules.
SECTION 66. They shall be subject to all the regula- tions of the Board relating to regular teachers, unless it is otherwise provided.
Musical Instruction.
SECTION 67. Instruction in music shall be given in all the schools, and no pupil shall be excused from this study, except by permission of the chairman of the committee on text-books and courses of study, or the Superinten- dent.
Musical Instruction. By whom Given.
SECTION 68. In all the grades below the eighth, in- struction in this study shall be given by the regular teacher under the direction of the special instructor. In the eighth and ninth grades and in the high schools the musical instruction shall be given by the special teacher.
'Drawing.
SECTION 69. Instruction in drawing shall be given in all grades of the grammar and primary schools, and in the English High School. It shall be an optional study only in the three upper classes of the high school.
By whom Taught.
In all grades below the high school, instruction in drawing shall be given by the regular teacher, under the direction of the supervisor of drawing. In the English High School drawing shall be taught by special in- structors appointed for the purpose.
Sewing.
SECTION 70. Instruction in sewing shall be given in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth grades of the schools, by special teachers appointed for the purpose.
Cooking, etc.
SECTION 71. Instruction in cooking, woodworking, and physical training may be given by special teachers, in such schools and in such grades as may be designated by the Board.
Special Instruction.
SECTION 72. Instruction in any of the special branches may be extended or restricted in the schools at any time, by a majority vote of the Board, on recom- mendation of the special committee in charge.
Duties of Principals.
Responsi- bility and Authority.
SECTION 73. Principals are responsible for the en- forcement of the regulations of the Board, and for the general discipline of the schools in their respective build- ings, and are invested with authority to make such rules not inconsistent with these regulations, and re- quire such co-operation of the other teachers as may in their opinion be needful for the successful conduct of their schools. They shall themselves be subject to all regulations of the Board relating to teachers.
SECTION 74. They shall exercise a vigilant super- vision over their respective buildings and grounds, and
301
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
see that they are kept in a neat and wholesome condition. Any continued neglect of duty on the part of janitors they are to report to the Commissioner of Public Buildings. Defects in the heating or sanitary arrangements of the building and needful repairs are to be reported to the Superintendent of Schools.
SECTION 75. They shall receive all applications for admission to their schools, assign each pupil to his proper class, and use their best efforts to secure regularity of attendance and to prevent truancy.
SECTION 76. They shall order from the Superinten- dent, on blanks provided for the purpose, whatever text- books and supplies may be needed in their schools, take charge of the same when received, and see that they are properly cared for and economically used by the teachers.
SECTION 77. They shall carefully record the absences Time of their teachers and the times during which substitutes Reports. are employed, and send a report of the same to the Super- intendent at the end of each school month.
SECTION 78. Principals are responsible for the cor- rectness of teachers' registers, and shall examine them each month. They shall make such returns and reports as may be requested from time to time by the Board.
SECTION 79. They shall see that all teachers in their buildings are provided with a copy of these regulations, Rules. and are immediately informed of any changes in them, and of any directions for the management of their schools issued by the Board or the Superintendent. They shall see that all rules and directions are uniformly in- terpreted.
SECTION 80. They shall give such instructions to teachers and pupils as will enable them to act prudently and promptly in case of fire or other emergency, and shall train the pupils to leave the building in order. and speedily, on the striking of the emergency alarm. They shall see that the doors by which the pupils leave the building are unlocked during school hours, unless pro- vided with means by which they may be easily opened in emergencies.
They shall see that fire-drills are practiced in their re- spective buildings at least once in every two weeks, provided that the weather conditions are suitable.
SECTION 81. Principals shall patiently hear and im- partially investigate complaints which may be made by parents or others, and shall use their best endeavors to redress any real grievances without reference to the Committee or Superintendent.
SECTION 82. Principals of schools containing the
Supervision of Buildings and Janitors.
Admission and Assign- ment of Pupils.
Supplies Ordered.
Registers.
Changes in
Emergency Alarm.
Complaints to be Heard
302
ANNUAL REPORTS.
Supervising Principals.
ninth grade shall be known as supervising principals or masters. They shall perform all the duties of principals as set forth elsewhere in these regulations. In addition to these duties, they shall instruct classes, examine and grade pupils, and supervise the instruction of teachers in their own schools. They shall counsel and aid teachers in all matters relating to their duties. They shall famil- iarize themselves with the methods of discipline employed by every teacher under their direction, and labor to se- cure the best methods.
Supervising principals shall teach at least twelve hours per week.
Duties of Teachers.
To Observe ยท Regulations.
SECTION 83, All teachers connected with the public schools are required to make themselves familiar with the provisions of these regulations, and especially that portion of them relating to their school duties, and to observe and enforce them faithfully.
Absence.
SECTION 84. No teacher shall be absent from duty except for personal illness or emergency, unless permis- sion has first been obtained from the Superintendent, and the Superintendent shall be notified of the time when the teacher may be expected to resume his or her duties.
Punctuality.
SECTION 85. Principals shall be in their respective buildings twenty minutes before the time of opening school. They shall see that the outside doors are open for the ad- mission of pupils fifteen minutes before the opening of each session.
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