USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1927 > Part 6
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"Five members shall constitute a quorum for the trans- action of business.
"The Secretary of the School Committee shall act as secretary and shall record all votes taken. All matters voted upon by the Committee of the Whole shall be reported to the School Committee for its approval.
"The function of the Committee of the Whole shall be to consider and pass judgment upon matters which re- quire the action of the School Committee. These may include (a) matters referred to the Committee of the Whole by the School Committee, (b) matters introduced in writing by mem- bers of the School Committee, and (c) matters introduced by the Secretary of the School Committee.
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"The Committee of the Whole shall have all the juris- diction and power heretofore exercised by any of the stand- ing committees of the School Board."
This action is in line with the present day tendencies among the city school boards. A circular of the United States Bureau of Education issued in November of this year states that "of 41 boards of education in cities of 100,000 or more population reporting to the Bureau of Education in 1917 only 3 had no standing committees; of 55 boards of education in cities of this size reporting in 1927, 21 have no such commit- tees." The same tendency was reported among the school committees of smaller cities. The circular gives extracts from city school survey reports within the past few years to show the general attitude of authorities on school administration in regard to standing committees. The following extract from the Report on a Survey of Certain Aspects of the Lan- caster, Pa., City School District, made by the Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, 1924-1925, Paul H. Hanus, Director, expresses well the reasons which led the School Committee of Somerville to make this change.
"The practice of school boards to appoint standing sub- committees to whom various executive and technical func- tions may be delegated is now happily passing away through- out the country. There are various reasons for the disap- pearance of such subcommittees to school boards, but two of them are so important that they must be mentioned here.
"First, many of the duties assigned to standing sub- committees are technical ; as, for example, the duties of a com- mittee on textbooks and supplies, or of a committee on school hygiene, or of a superintending committee, or of a committee on buildings and grounds. * * *
"Second, by assigning technical and executive functions to standing subcommittees, the board deprives itself of the leadership required in the discharge of those functions. * * *
"Incidentally, it should be noted that the abolition of standing subcommittees of the Board causes a practical in- crease in the responsibilities of every member of the Board. As a member of a subcommittee he usually feels chiefly re- sponsible for the work of his subcommittee and only a limited responsibility for decisions relative to the work of other sub- committees."
By this action, the Committee departed from the policy which had been in effect from the beginning of its existence as a School Committee. The fact will be clearly apparent when contrasted with some of the conditions in the organiza- tion of earlier school committees.
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The School Committee of the Town of Somerville in 1842 consisted of six members. There was no superintendent of schools. Executive functions were apportioned to the several members of the Committee, each member having a different executive and administrative duty. In the School Committee of 1851, subcommittees were appointed as follows : on Fuel, two members ; on Books, two members ; and on Teachers, three members. A local committee of two members was appointed for each school building. In 1872, in the first meeting of the School Committee of the City of Somerville, with Mayor- George O. Brastow presiding, the following standing com- mittees were appointed : On Examination of Teachers, four members ; on Books, five members; on Music, four members ; on School Furniture, four members; on Heating Apparatus, three members; on School Supplies, three members. Local' committees were appointed as follows : High School, four mem- bers ; Forster School, three members; Prescott, three members ; Prospect Hill, three members ; Morse, three members ; Lincoln, two members. On January 1, 1900, when the second charter of the City of Somerville went into operation, a School Com- mittee was elected consisting of two members from each ward. Standing Committees were continued by this Board as follows : Additional School Accommodations, High Schools, Text Books and Courses of Study, Evening Schools, Finance, Industrial Education, Music, Private Schools, Repairs of School Build- ings, Rules and Regulations, Salaries, Supplies. Local com- mittees were continued under the title of District Committees, consisting of two members from each ward, and one member from a contiguous ward
In September two important additions to the work of the schools were made when the School Committee established the position of teacher of Lip-Reading and that of Home Visitor. The first of these measures made provision for the pupils of the schools who are handicapped by impaired hear- ing. The second of these measures was taken to bring assis- tance to the teachers and to pupils who are irregular in at- tendance because of lack of co-operation between the home and the school. Both of these steps were taken as part of the policy of the School Board to care for children whose needs could not be met without special provision for them. The decision to employ a teacher of Lip Reading came as a result of the disclosure of the prevalence of impaired hearing among school children, which followed the use of the audi- ometer. In December of the last school year an audiometer was purchased, to be used in the testing of the hearing of school children, which the law requires shall be made every
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year. This instrument had recently been perfected and made available for this purpose. It is intended to afford a means of measuring acuity of hearing accurately and quickly, using the same standard of measurement for all examined. It avoids the errors inherent in the method of using a whisper or a watch tick test for this purpose. Tests with this machine were made in the High School in January of this year and thereafter in other schools of the city. Records were made for each pupil examined who had a deficiency of hearing in either ear. These records were of the utmost importance because they disclosed clearly the needs for treatment and relief which such pupils experienced. While at the close of the school year in June, tests, by means of the audiometer, had not been made in all of the schools of the city, it was evident that the number of children having diminished hear- ing was large enough to justify the employment of a teacher of Lip Reading. Consequently the Committee provided a teacher of Lip Reading in October. Seventy-four children were thereupon organized in classes and are now regularly receiving instruction in Lip Reading. The classes extend from the second grade through the High School. The benefit of this teaching to the children who need it can hardly be over- estimated. Until greater knowledge is attained in the field of otology, whereby progressive impairment of hearing may be arrested or new methods of compensating for such loss may be discovered, lip reading will be the most important aid available for the deafened.
A Home Visitor was elected in the October meeting and began work on the seventh of November. Her duties have been defined to be to visit the schools and the homes to in- vestigate and help cases of children whose irregular attend- ance was attributable to conditions which could be improved by the sympathetic aid of a school worker. By visits to the homes, she learns the facts which govern the child's life out of school. She becomes acquainted with the parents and brings to them helpful understanding of the child's life in school, its requirements, and the obligations which those re- quirements impose upon the home. As a result of the know- ledge so gained she is able to assist the teacher to deal more intelligently with the child. In this way the Home Visitor will work among all the schools of the city and will be the means of improving the habits of many children who without such help might become habitual truants or school offenders.
In the May meeting, two orders relating to married wo- men as teachers were adopted. The first was "that the mar- riage of a permanent woman teacher of the School Department
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
of the City of Somerville shall operate as an automatic re- signation of said teacher". The second provided "that no married woman shall hereafter be elected as a permanent teacher in the School Department of the City of Somerville". The adoption of these orders closed a discussion which has been going on intermittently for several years. It did not affect the status of married women teachers already in the service.
Another order adopted in the May meeting declared "1. That the School Board hereby disapproves the existence of, or the further formation of, secret societies in the Somerville High School; 2. That no member of the faculty of the High School act as faculty advisor to these societies, or be connected wherewith as far as any connection with the High School is concerned".
Two classes for children three or more years mentally retarded were opened in the Edgerly School in January, one for boys and one for girls. Both of these classes were planned for children twelve to sixteen years of age and were provided with means for carrying on more advanced manual work. These classes have well met the needs of older pupils and have held their interest throughout the year. The Committee has authorized several more of these special classes and they will be formed as soon as arrangements to that effect can be made.
Eighteen persons have been elected teachers during the year,-fourteen women and four men. Of these, six women and three men were from Somerville. Of the teachers who resigned during the year, five were women who resigned to be married, two left to take better professional opportunities elsewhere, and two were retired.
This year has brought a most important contribution to the welfare of the High School in the adoption by the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen of a plan of enlargement and al- teration of the High School Building. This policy was for- mulated in the early part of the present year by His Honor, Mayor Conwell, and was later adopted by the Board of Al- dermen. It provides for the expenditure of more than $1,- 000,000 for the enlargement and improvement of the high school building and for a gymnasium building. These pro- posals when effected will meet the need for increased accom- modations which has resulted from the growth of the school in recent years, will provide facilities adequate to the demands of a modern high school, and will furnish the gymnasium for which the School Committee has been asking for more than twenty years. This event in itself is enough to signalize the
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ANNUAL REPORTS
current year as making a most important addition to the' schoolhouse accommodations of the city.
The membership of all the day schools at the beginning of December this year was 15,343, three more than that on the same date last year. The membership of the High School has increased by 24 pupils, the Northeastern Junior High School by 37, and the Southern Junior High School by 19. On the other hand, the membership of the Western Junior High School has decreased 22 pupils. The membership of the Boys' Vocational School is 28 more than last year. The Hanscom, Knapp, Cummings, Edgerly, Glines, Forster, Proc- ter, Lincoln, and Lowe Schools all show small increases in membership. The other elementary schools show decreases. There are 146 pupils in the Continuation School, 3 more than last year. These facts show a tendency to growth in mem- bership in the high and junior high schools without a corres- ponding growth in the elementary schools. The explanation of this condition is found in the fact that parochial schools in various parts of the city are developing along the grades parallel to the elementary schools and are checking corres- pondingly the growth of the latter. It is significant that the development of the property known as the Ten Hill Farms has not yet resulted in overcrowding of school facilities in the eastern part of the city. It should be noted, however, that all the rooms of the Glines, Prescott, Southworth, and Hans- com School Buildings are occupied and that seven of the rooms in the Edgerly School are also in use. It is probable that in the near future the increase of population in this part of the city will make necessary the provision of additional school accommodations for that section. It is also probable that such additional facilities should be made on the easterly side of Broadway. While a new building is not now called for to accommodate the present attendance of these schools, it would be an economical prevision of the needs of the city to secure land for a future schoolhouse while yet there are open spaces in this region which can be purchased without addi- tional cost for building improvements.
It was necessary this year to provide an additional teacher in the Department of Electrical Work of the Boys' Vocational School. This school now has the largest enroll- ment in its history and fills all three of the buildings consti- tuting the plant. It has been necessary to put the class in Carpentry into a room in the Edgerly School and any future expansion of the school must be provided for either by addi- tions to the plant or by using rooms elsewhere. The only vacant space now available for such a purpose is in the Edger-
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
ly School building where five schoolrooms are unused for school purposes. It seems inevitable that this school will be called upon to meet an increasing demand for vocational edu- cation, as the trend of the times impels more boys to seek an education leading directly to the industries and preparing them immediately for profitable employment.
No part of the school system has gone on during this year with greater enthusiasm and success than that which provides the teaching of English for adults of foreign birth, the training to prepare them for becoming citizens of our country. The zeal and eagerness of these men and women in sustaining the labor of this difficult undertaking win for them the admira- tion and commendation of all who are engaged in carrying on this work. The results obtained are tangible and encouraging. The persons for whom this provision has been made have proven themselves worthy of the opportunity and appreciative of it. They are of the stuff from which good citizens are made.
That the Professional Improvement Plan, adopted by the School Committee in 1923, continues to stimulate professional study among teachers is shown by the fact that 288 teachers are now pursuing courses of study under this Plan. The op- portunities for such study offered to our teachers are rich in variety and extent, and they are taking advantage of them according to their varying interests and aptitudes. The in- tellectual and cultural enrichment of the teaching corps as a result of this study is manifestly great. A quickening of pro- fessional interest in teaching is widely apparent. The fi- nancial benefits of the Plan to teachers is also important, 309 having received a salary increase in September, earned under its terms. Taking all the facts of the case into consideration justifies the conclusion that this provision is one of the wisest acts of the School Committee in its efforts to promote the in- terests of teachers and to improve the instruction of pupils.
The general work of the day schools has been carried on with vigor and success. The spirit of the teaching corps has been happy and governed by professional ideals. The results obtained have been unsurpassed in any previous years. The High School has worked again under the disadvantages of an over-crowded building. It has been necessary again to re- strict desirable activities because of lack of room, and to carry on some of the work of the school in a cramped manner. Notwithstanding these untoward conditions, the work of the year was well done. A class of 521 was graduated in June. 132 graduates were sent to higher institutions. High School teachers during this year have been conducting a study of the
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ANNUAL REPORTS
curriculum with the purpose of preparing a course of study to be recommended for adoption for the High school. The teach- ing corps is divided into subcommittees, each studying a special feature of this program. When the work of this Committee is completed it will be submitted by the Superintendent of Schools to the School Committee for adoption for use in the High School. The Junior High Schools and the Elementary Schools have also had a successful year. The Southern and the Northeastern Junior High Schools are overcrowded and are hindered in certain phases of their work by this fact. Committees of teachers from the Elementary and Junior High Schools have assisted in the preparation of several courses of study and in the selection of textbooks. In all respects the work of these schools during the year has been good.
The success of the work of the schools this year has been accomplished through the harmonious efforts of all parts of the school system. Teachers and principals have carried on their work in a way to deserve the commendation of the public and of the School Committee. I desire publicly to acknowledge the many acts of thoughtfulness and regard which they have done for me during this year. For these they have my heart- felt gratitude. I want also to express to the School Com- mittee my deep appreciation for the unfailing consideration which it has shown me throughout the year.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. CLARK,
Superintendent of Schools.
December 19, 1927.
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Statement made by the Superintendent of Schools to the School Committee at its meeting held on March 26, 1928, and in the meeting held on May 28 ordered printed in the Annual Report.
On June 30 I shall be retired by the provisions of the State Statute governing the retirement of teachers and super- intendents of public schools, after a service of twenty years as Superintendent of Schools of Somerville. To prevent this necessity the School Committee resorted to its right to peti- tion. In accordance with the following order, adopted by the School Committee February 28, 1927,-"That a petition be filed with the Legislature of the year 1928 for legislation suspend- ing the provisions of the Retirement Act in re Charles S. Clark, Superintendent of Schools of the City of Somerville for an ad- ditional period not exceeding five years at the discretion of the School Board. The Chairman of the School Board is hereby au- thorized to prepare the petition and the necessary bill to ac- company it." a petition to give effect to this request was duly filed in the Senate by Senator Warren C. Daggett. It was sup- ported at a joint hearing held by the Committee on Pensions of the Senate and House of Representatives, by the Chairman and members of the School Committee, the last three Mayors of Somerville, the Senator and Representatives from Somerville, and others. But holding to the policy which it has taken in recent years to refuse exemption from the provisions of the Retirement Act by special legislation in response to local peti- tion, the Committee voted leave to withdraw. It is fitting un- der these circumstances that I should express my appreciation to the School Committee of this action and should take this occasion to recall to its memory some of the outstanding acts which have come to pass during this relationship of School Committee and Superintendent now so soon to close.
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