USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1930 > Part 6
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ments, 1936
161 33
Apportioned Sidewalk Assess-
ments, 1937
161 30
Apportioned Sidewalk Assess-
ments, 1938
127 86
Apportioned Sidewalk Assess-
ments, 1939
91 81
Apportioned Sewer Assessments, Deferred
158 22
Apportioned Sewer Assessments, 1931
91 64
Apportioned Sewer Assessments, 1932
16 64
Apportioned Sewer Assessments, 1933
16 64
Apportioned Sewer Assessments, 1934
16 65
Apportioned Sewer Assessments, 1935
16 65
Temporary Loans
1,100,000 00
Funded Debt
3,384,000 00
Net Funded Debt
3,384,000 00
Accured Interest
2,461 11
Premium on Bonds
21,760 25
Outlay Appropriations
690,376 64
Trust Funds, Income:
School:
Cutler
96 18
Smith-Hughes
3,482 07
Baker
22 50
Fox
20 30
Reed
19 25
Library:
Cutler
6 30
Hunt Art
73 45
Hunt Books
124 53
Pitman Art
161 36
Pitman Poetry
120 25
Wilder
3 21
Graves
30 36
Buffum
81 26
Gilmore
89 24
Welfare: Cummings
959 46
Sundry Persons
845 57
Excess and Deficiency
256.836 47
Tax Title Revenue
19,657 67
Special Assessments Reserved
2,250 17
Carried forward
$5,550,276 71 $5,538,027 21
ments, 1934
113
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES
Brought forward
.... $5,550,276 71 $5,538,027 21
Reserve Fund Surplus from Over- lay
10,418 49
Sale of Land
243 51 1,575 00
Sale of Buildings
Conscience Fund
12 50
Trust Funds Investment
51,450 93
Public Trust Funds
51,450 93
$5,601,727 64 $5,601,727 64
.
114
ANNUAL REPORTS
The assessors' warrant for the tax levy, assessed upon polls and property April 1, 1930, amounted to $3,674,617.98.
Real Estate:
Land
$26,722,150 00 88,896,050 00
Personal
6,802,000 00
Total valuation
$122,420,200 00
At rate of $29.10
3,562,427 82
Polls, 31,824 at $2.00
63,648 00
. Street Sprinkling
48,542 16
$3,674,617 98
Supplementary Poll Warrant
140 00
Total on polls and property
$3,674,757 98
Assessments :
Apportioned Highway
$4,961 42
Unapportioned Highway
2,486 87
Apportioned Sidewalk
389 26
Unapportioned Sidewalk
967 46
Apportioned Sewer
91 64
Interest-Apportioned Ass'ts.
2,035 70
Unapportioned Ass'ts.
159 12
11,091 47
Motor Excise Taxes :
«Commitment 1
$76,635 35
2
74,708 69
3
13,023 78
4
2,526 20
5.
329 32
167,223 34
Total Commitment by Assessors ..
$3,853,072 79
Buildings
$115,618,200 00
TAXES
Balance December 31, 1929 ..
1928 $618 41
1929 $791,986 40
1930
M. V. Excise 1929 $31,264 98 2,779 38
M. V. Excise 1930
Committed, 1930
$3,624,897 82 1,414 03
$167,223 34
Supplementary
106 78
1,393 16
270 52
1,808 13
3,578 59 10 00
Total charges
$618 41
$792,103 18
$3,627,705 01
$34,314 88
$169,031 47
$4,623,772 95
Collected
$215 32
$764,464 57
$2,647,602 78
$21,672 38
$118,923 62
$3,552,878 67
Abated
220 92
4,450 90
11,518 97
1,135 98
8,159 87
25,486 64
Tax Title account
18,846 67
9,538 98
28,385 65
Total credits
$436 24
$787,762 14
$2,668,660 73
$22,808 36
$127,083 49
$3,606,750 96
Balance December 31, 1930 ..
182 17
4,341 04
959,044 28
11,506 52
41,947 98
1,017,021 99
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES
115
$
Total 823,869 79 3,794,900 54 1,414 03
Refunds
Recharged
10 00
116
ANNUAL REPOTRS
STREET SPRINKLING ASSESSMENTS
1929 $11,505 44
1930
Balance December 31, 1929
Committed
$48,542 16
Total $11,505 44 48,542 16 41 34
Refunds
41 34
Total charges
$11,505 44
$48,583 50
$60,088 94
Collected
$11,192 04
$35,499 76
$46,689 40
Abated
47 70
97 56
145 30
Tax Title account
244 44
139 92
384 70
Total credits
$11,484 18
$35,737 24
$47,221 42
Balance December 31, 1930
21 26
12,846 26
12,867 52
OVERLAY AND ABATEMENT
1928 $618 41
1929 $13,224 09
1930
Credit Balance December 31, 1929 Assessed in Taxes
$34,615 19
Total $13,842 50 34,615 19 10 00
Recharged
10 00
Total credits
$618 41
$13,234 09
$34,615 19
$48,467 69
Abatements
$220 92
$4,450 90
$11,518 97
$16,190 79
To Reserve Fund (Surplus)
215 32
4,442 15
4,657 47
Total charges
$436 24
$8,893 05
$11,518 97
$20,848 26
Balance December 31, 1930
182 17
4,341 04
23,096 22
27,619 43
..
..
..
..
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES
117
118
BETTERMENT ASSESSMENTS
Balance December 31, 1929 Committed
Highway 1929 $12,432 58
Highway 1930
Sidewalk 1929 $2,979 20
Sidewalk 1930
Sewer 1930
Total $15,411 78
$6,234 83
$2,250 17
$3,721 67
12,206 67
Assessments rescinded after apportionment
777 34
777 34
Paid on rescinded assessment
238 16
238 16
Refunds
12 66
12 66
Total charges
$13,448 08
$6,247 49
$2,979 20
$2,250 17
$3,721 67
$28,646 61
Collected
$2,613 28
$1,972 80
$1,155 54
$3,721 67
$ 9,463 29
Apportioned
6,912 89
2,403 42
797 76
10,114 07
Committed to 1930 taxes
1,419 31
1,067 56
967 46
3,454 33
Abated
2,502 60
565 55
58 44
3,126 53
Applied to 1930 from 1929 rescinded
238 16
238 16
Total credits
$13,448 08
$6,247 49
$2,979 20
$3,721 67
$26,396 44
Balance December 31, 1930
$2,250 17
2,250 17
..
...
..
.. ..........
..
...........
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
ANNUAL REPORTS
..
............
ASSESSMENTS IN TAXES, 1929
Highway App'd.
Highway Unapp'd.
Sidewalk App'd.
Sidewalk Unapp'd.
Sewer App'd.
Interest App'd.
Interest Unapp'd.
Total
Balance Commit- ment, 1929 ......
$176 67
$2,613 01
$37 98
$1,509 16
$16 64
$201 92
$154 78
$4,710 16
Adjustments ......
921 17
30 62
34 92
986 71
Total charges ..
$1,097 84
$2,643 63
$37 98
$1,509 16
$16 64
236 84
$154 78
$5,696 87
Collected
$1,014 01
$1,722 46
$32 82
$1,264 96
$16 64
$208 43
$111 82
$4,371 14
Adjustments
921 17
30 62
34 92
986 71
Transferred to Tax Titles
83 83
5 16
213 58
28 41
8 04
339 02
Total credits ...
$1,097 84
$2,643 63
$37 98
$1,509 16
$16 64
$236 84
$154 78
$5,696 87
ASSESSMENTS IN TAXES, 1930
Committed
Highway App'd. $4,961 42
Highway Unapp'd. $2,486 87
Sidewalk App'd. $389 26
Sidewalk Unapp'd. $967 46
Sewer App'd. $91 64
Interest App'd. $2,035 70
Interest Unapp'd. $159 12
Total $11,091 47
Collected
2,661 75
792 14
269 52
414 46
75 00
1,104 93
60 97
5,378 77
Tax Title Account
27 00
3 24
30 24
Abated
450 42
............
......
............
............
..
.....
..
Total credits ...
$3,139 17
$792 14
$269 52
$414 46
$75 00
$1,425 70
$60 97
$6,176 96
Balance December
31, 1930 ...
$1,822 25
$1,694 73
$119 74
553 00
16 64
610 00
98 15
4,914 51
......
..
....
..
..
..
..
317 53
767 95
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES
119
120
WATER DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTS
Metered
Balance December 31, 1929
$ 523 52 247,458 76
Commercial Metered $ 316 65 180,936 72
Maint. $ 191 13 5,998 78 265 66 30 00
Service Ass'ts. $1,738 24
Additional $ 62 95 142 65
$ 1,094 25
Committed Refunds
Refunds made in 1931
............
........ ..
.. ..........
436,275 15 265 66 30 00
Total charges
$247,982 28
$181,253 37
$6,485 57
$1,738 24
$205 60
$437,665 06
Collected
245,741 91
178,010 06
$5,777 71
$1,738 24
$145 65
$431,413 57
Abated
403 22
162 70
278 40
844 32
Total credits
$246,145 13
$178,172 76
$6,056 11
$1,738 24
$145 65
$432,257 89
Balance December 31, 1930
1,837 15
3,080 61
429 46
59 95
5,407 17
..
.......
ANNUAL REPORTS
Total
DEPARTMENTAL ACCOUNTS FOR COLLECTIONS AND DEPOSITS
Balance Dec. 31, '29
Committed
Total
Abated
Collected
Balance
Deposits
City Clerk
Election Commissioners
88 05
Engineering Department
2 75
Building Department
13 50
Police Department
54 90
Fire Department
22 05
Weights and Measures
1,103 98
Electrical
164 39
Dental Clinic
430 35
Health Department
$1,306 31
$1,775 15
$3,081 46
72
$1,449 26
$1,631 48
Inspector Milk and Vinegar ..
200 50
1,689 75
1,890 25
1,750 25
140 00
35 00
Sanitary Department
182 55
417 43
599 98
100 00
499 98
Sanitary Buildings, Maint.
677 46
677 46
677 46
Highways Maintenance
458 30
7,554 94
8,013 24
16 62
7,899 58
97 04
Welfare, Misc. (Comm. of Mass.)
22,298 59
58,341 00
80,639 59
38 90
66,915 26
13,685 43
Welfare, Miscellaneous
9,808 19
31,616 79
41,424 98
179 06
19,156 70
22,089 22
Welfare, City Home
199 14
6,602 54
6,801 68
6,244 83
556 85
1,088 98
School Deparment
1,541 05
22,409 11
23,950 16
3,692 00
17,547 03
2,711 13
2,458 16
School Buildings
669 75
669 75
669 75
Sidewalk Maintenance
19 30
19 30
19 30
Maint. East Branch Library
7 00
7 00
7 00
Soldiers' Relief
40 00
40 00
40 00
Contagious Hospital
3,990 50
7,094 60
11,085 10
91 50
4,426 10
6,567 50
Libraries
2,138 23
Bathhouse
422 70
Showerbaths
492 15
Board of Appeal
..
..
..
. .
. .
. .
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
$40,004 43
$138,895 52
$ 178,899 95
$4,018 80
$126,883 22
$47,997 93
$11,676 23
..
..
..
..
..
......
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
...
..
. .
..
..
. .
..
..
...
..
440 00
Miscellaneous Damages
43 19
Misc. Ins. School Damages
..
..
..
..
......
..
..
..
. .
..
..
.......
....
..
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES
.121
..
..
..
...
...
..
15 00
....
$2,662 89
122
REVENUE LOANS
In Anticipation of Revenue
Balance from 1929
$800,000 00
Borrowed by authority of an order of the
Board of Aldermen on city notes, as follows :
Nos.
Rate
Premium
Discount
1- 11
272 days
@ 3.97 disc.
$250,000 09
$7,498 89
12- 13
257
"
3.75
"
100,000 00
2,677 03
14- 30
255
3.95
250,000 00
6,994 7 )
31- 46
245
3.32
300,000 00
6,778 33
47- 58
256
",
3.32
200,000 00
4,715 73
59- 60
206
"
3.40
100,000 00
1,945 50
61- 62
170
"
3.21
100,000 00
1,515 85
65- 66
210
3.21
",
100,000 00
1,872 50
67- 73
139
3.18
100,000 00
1,227 84
74- 76
249
"
2.68
100,000 00
1,853 67
77- 79
275
2.68
100,000 00
2,047 22
80- 83
165
2.47
100,000 09
1,132 0
84- 88
268
"
2.38
100,000 00
1,771 78
89- 93
301
"
2.38
100,000 00
1,989 94
94
168
2.26
100,000 00
1,054 67
95
201
2.26
100,000 00
1,261 83
96
236
2.26
100,000 00
1,481 ₣6
97
266
=
2.26
100,000 00
1,669 89
98
301
2.26
100,000 00
1,889 61
99-103
164
2.45
100,000 00
1,116 11
Continued next page
ANNUAL REPOTRS
$6 05
"
",
"
Nos. Rate Premium 104-108 196 days @ 2.45 100,000 00
Discount 1,333 89
2,700,000 00
$3,500,000 00
$53,828 80
Paid notes maturing in 1930
2,400,000 00
Maturing in 1931
$1,100,000 00
Notes, 1930 averaged to run 2341/2 days and the average rate 3.06 Notes, 1929 averaged to run 1851/2 days and the average rate 5.04- Notes, 1928 averaged to run 2011/2 days and the average rate 3.95-
Notes, 1927 averaged to run 200 days and the average rate 3.5129 Notes, 1926 averaged to run 215 4/22 days and the average rate 3.6288 Average for 1925, 213 days and the average rate 3.365+ Average for 1924, 216 150-195 days and aver- age rate 4.07+
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES
124
ANNUAL REPORTS
The funded debt December 31, 1930 was $3,384,000.00 clas- sified as follows :
Beyond limit fixed by law
Within limit
Total
Lowell Street Bridge at 31% per cent
$19,000 00
Sewer at 31/2 per cent
15,000 00
Sewer at 4 per cent
67,000 00
Sewer at 414 per cent
13,000 00
City at 4 per cent
21,000 00
Highway at 4 per cent
270,000 00
Highway at 5 per cent
5,000 00
City Hall Addition at 4 per cent ...
24,000 00
City Hall Addition at 41/4 per cent
70,000 00
Public Buildings at 4 per cent .
46,000 00
Public Buildings at 41/2 per cent ..
28,000 00
Schoolhouse at 4 per cent
533,000 00
High School at 31/2 per cent
550,000 00
Hight School at 4 per cent
498,000 00
Southern Jr. High School at 4 per cent
475,000 00
Western Jr. High School at 4 per cent
300,000 00
*Northern Traffic Route at 41/2 per cent
$450,000 00
$450,000 00 $2,934,000 00 $3,384,000 00
* Section 7, Chapter 489, of the Acts of 1924.
OUTSTANDING BONDS DECEMBER 31,1930
Northern Traffic Route Outside
Bridge
Sewer
City
Highway
City Hall Addition
Public Buildings
Schoolhouse
High School
Southern Junior High School
Western Junior High School
Total $288,000
1931
$50,000
$1,000
$16,000
$12,000
$42,000
$8,000
$15,000
$44,000
$61,000
$24,000
$15,000
1932
50,000
1,000
14,000
9,000
37,000
8,000
15,000
44,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
278,000
1933
50,000
1,000
14,000
32,000
8,000
14,000
43,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
262,000
1934
50,000
1,000
14,000
32,000
7,000
14,000
43,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
261,000
1935
50,000
1,000
13,000
32,000
7,000
8,000
43,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
254,000
1936
50,000
1,000
6,000
20,000
7,000
4,000
43,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
231,000
1937
50,000
1,000
6,000
20,000
7,0,00
4,000
43,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
231,000
1938
50,000
1,000
4,000
20,000
7,000
43,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
225,000
1939
50,000
1,000
3,000
20,000
7,000
43,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
224,000
1940
1,000
2,000
20,000
7,000
43,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
173,000
1941
1,000
1,000
7,000
43,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
152,000
1942
1,000
1,000
7,000
43,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
152,000
1943
1,000
1,000
7,000
15,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
124,000
1944
1,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
101,000
1945
1,000
61,000
24,000
15,000
101,000
1946
1,000
61,000
23,000
15,000
100,000
1947
1,000
61,000
23,000
15,000
100,000
1948
1,000
23,000
15,000
50,000
1949
1,000
23,000
15,000
39,000
1950
$450,000
$19,000
$95,000
$21,000
$275,000
$94,000
$74,000
$533,000
$1,048,000
$475,000
$300,000
$3,384,000
.....
...
23,000
15,000
38,000
11,000
125
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES
BONDS DUE IN 1931
January
April
July
October
Total
Lowell St.
Bridge
............
$1,000 00
$ 1,000 00
Sewer
9,000 00
7,000 00
16,000 00
City
$2,000 00
3,000 00
7,000 00
12,000 00
Highway
10,000 00
32,000 00
42,000 00
Building
4,000 00
5,000 00
6,000 00
15,000 00
Schoolhouse 15,000 00
16,000 00
..
...
BOND INTEREST DUE IN 1931
January
April
July
October
Total
Lowell St.
Bridge
$ 332 50
$ 315 00
$ 647 50
Sewer
$ 617 50
1,261 25
$ 617 50
1,085 00
3,581 25
City
360 00
60 00
320 00
740 00
Highway
5,200 00
325 00
5,200 00
100 00
10,825 00
Building
...
1,190 00
360 00
1,110 00
260 00
2,920 00
Schoolhouse
3,900 00
6,760 00
3,600 00
6,440 00
20,700 00
City Hall
Addition ..
1,967 50
1,967 50
3,935 00
High School 19,585 00
............
19,585 00
............
39,170 00
Northern
Traffic
Route. ...
10,125 00
............
10,125 00
20,250 00
Southern Jr.
H. School
9,500 00
9,500 00
.........
19,000 00
Western Jr.
H. School
6,000 00
6,000 00
12,000 00
$40,352 50
$27,191 25
$39,932 50
$26,292 50
$133,768 75
..
....
8,000 00
8,000 00
High School
61,000 00
61,000 00
Northern
Traffic
Route ...
50,000 00
50,000 00
Southern Jr.
H. School
24,000 00
............
24,000 00
Western Jr.
H. School
15,000 00
15,000 00
$21,000 00
$44,000 00
$137,000 00
$86,000 00
$288,000 00
... .....
............
...
...
........
..
..........
............
..
...
..
..
$13,000 00
44,000 00
City Hall
Addition ..
....
..
.....
.........
126
ANNUAL REPORTS
BONDS OUTSTANDING DECEMBER 31, 1930 With Interest to Maturity
Bonds
Interest
Total
Lowell Street Bridge
$ 19,000 00
$ 6,317 50
$ 25,317 50
Sewer
95,000 00
14,661 25
109,661 25
City
21,000 00
1,060 00
22,060 00
Highway
275,000 00
51,725 00
326,725 00
City Hall Addition
94,000 00
27,207 50
121,207 50
Public Building
74,000 00
9,200 00
83,200 00
Schoolhouse
533,000 00
134,340 00
667,340 00
High School
1,048,000 00
364,740 00
1,412,740 00
Southern Jr. High School
475,000 00
198,000 00
673,000 00
Western Jr. High School
300,000 00
126,000 00
426,000 00
Northern Traffic Route
450,000 00
101,250 00
551,250 00
$3,384,000 00 $1,034,501 25 $4,418,501 25
127
TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES
YEARLY BOND MATURITIES WITH INTEREST
Date Due
Principal
Interest
Total
1931
$288,000 00
$133,768 75
$421,768 75
1932
278,000 00
122,401 25
400,401 25
1933
262,000 00
111,433 75
373,433 75
1934
261,000 00
100,946 25
361,946 25
1935
254,000 00
90,581 25
344,581 25
1936
231,000 00
80,493 75
311,493 75
1937
231,000 00
71,223 75
302,223 75
1938
225,000 00
61,993 75
286,993 75
1939
224,000 00
53,003 75
277,003 75
1940
173,000 00
44,051 25
217,051 25
1941
152,000 00
37,386 25
189,386 25
1942
152,000 00
31,541 25
183,541 25
1943
124,000 00
25,766 25
149,766 25
1944 ..
101,000 00
21,112 50
122,112 50
1945
101,000 00
17,077 50
118,077 50
1946.
100,000 00
13,042 50
113,042 50
1947
100,000 00
9,047 50
109,047 50
1948
50,000 00
5,052 50
55,052 50
1949
39,000 00
3,057 50
42,057 50
1950
38,000 00
1,520 00
39,520 00
$3,384,000 00 $1,034,501 25 $4,418,501 25
MEMORANDUM OF PAYMENTS IN 1930 ON ACCOUNT OF DEBT
Principal $239,000 00
Interest $104,226 25 53,828 80
Total $343,226 25 53,828 80
Bonds, General City Debt
Revenue Loans
On account of:
Metropolitan District Debt:
Sewers
12,635 76
16,560 41
29,196 17
Parks
12,740 94
16,608 78
29,349 72
Charles River Basin
312 48
3,431 79
3,744 27
Alewife Brook
818 39
35 83
854 22
Water
31,735 48
109,477 02
141,212 50
$297,243 05
$304,168 88
$601,411 93
..............
128
ANNUAL REPORTS
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 1930
Appropriated
$37,620 00.
Salaries:
Treasurer and Collector ....
$4,500 00
Deputy Collectors
5,283 43
Cashiers
3,505 61
Clerks
16,334 71
$29,623 75
·Other Expenses :
Postage
$2,150 59
Books and supplies
967 25
Printing and advertising
2,333 30
Telephone
105 72
Bonds
1,285 70
Forgery Insurance
106 25
Convention Expenses
249 51
Brink's Express Company.
30 45
All Other
284 79
7,513 56
:Special Items:
Check Writer
$ 90 00
Check Endorser
110 41
Typewriter
101 25
301 66
$37,438 97
Balance unexpended
181 03
$37,620 00
129
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE CITY OF SOMERVILLE
School Committee Rooms, December 22, 1930.
Ordered, that the annual report of the Superintendent of Schools be adopted as the annual report of the Board of School Committee, it being understood that such adoption does not commit the Board to the opinions or recommendations made therein; that it be incorporated in the reports of the City Officers; and that 1,000 copies be printed separately.
EVERETT W. IRELAND,
Secretary of School Board.
130
ANNUAL REPORTS
SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1930
FRANCIS J. FITZPATRICK Chairman -
WILLIAM F. DEWIRE
Vice-Chairman
Members EX-OFFICIIS
JOHN J. MURPHY, Mayor 19 Gibbens Street ERNEST C. CARR. President Board of Aldermen 79 Boston Street
WARD ONE
FRANCIS J. FITZPATRICK 2 Austin Street 37 Cross Street East
EUGENE H. GIROUX
WARD TWO
ELIZABETH J. CAIRNES
WILLIAM F. DEWIRE
10 Mossland Street 5 Magnus Avenue
WARD THREE
JOHN C. KELLEHER
JAMES C. SCANLAN
WARD FOUR
A. MARION MERRILL
"MINNIE S. TURNER
WARD FIVE
LOUIS B. CONNELLY
PERRY F. NANGLE
84 Bartlett Street 29 Highland Road
WARD SIX
HERBERT CHOLERTON
EDWIN A. SHAW
WARD SEVEN
'ORVILLE S. WALDRON
Superintendent of Schools EVERETT W. IRELAND
Office: West Building, High School, Highland Avenue. Residence: 137 Powder House Boulevard.
The Superintendent's Office will be open on school days from 8:00 to 5:00; Saturdays, 8:00 to 10:00. His office hour is 4 o'clock on school days, and 8:30 on Saturdays.
Assistant Superintendent of Schools "WALTER P. SWEET, 71 Hume Avenue, Medford
Superintendent's Office Force
Mary A. Clark, 15 Pleasant Avenue Mildred A. Merrill, 26 Cambria Street Marion E. Marshall, 30 Gilman Street S. Regina Truelson, 38 Rogers Avenue Alice I. Amidon, 27 Gorham Street Bernice A. Tuck, 95 Belmont Street Anita Sumner, 276 Summer Street
8 Bigelow Street 36 Munroe Street
2 Madison Street 64 Hudson Street
94 College Avenue 63 College Avenue
CRAWFORD K. SWEELEY 25 Curtis Street 135 Powder House Blvd.
131
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Board Meetings
January 6 January 27 February 24 March 31
April 28 May 26
October 27
November 24
June 30
December 29
September 29
132
ANNUAL REPORTS
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
TO THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE :
In accordance with your Rules and Regulations, I submit the report which the Superintendent of Schools is required annually to prepare as the report of the School Committee. This is the fifty-ninth in the series of such reports and the third which I have prepared.
The usual statistical tables which are a part of this re- port fully set forth the comparative figures concerning enroll- ment, membership and attendance, cost of instruction and maintenance, and other matters of organization, over a pe- riod of years.
FOREWORD
Too long has the idea predominated that education is simply a scholastic process limited to the few years of con- ventional schooling. In these days of scientific treatment of all situations,-industrial, political, economic, and education- al; the modern educational leaders are convinced that educa- tion is a life-long process. Hence, emphasis is being placed on pre-school training, and on the more recent development of adult education, through continuation and evening schools, and impetus is being given to the advantages of public libra- ries and recreational opportunities. These advantages are of- fered for the purpose of surrounding the individual with con- structive and refining influences throughout his whole life.
Education is a process of adjustment,-physical, emotion- al, or mental. Every new experience entering one's life ne- cessitates an adjustment in one of these three fields.
The acceptance of this truth that education is adjust- ment to the manifold phases of life explains the extension of the modern school curriculum to embrace art, music, recrea- tion, physical and health training, and manual, practical, and industrial arts.
The schools, realizing that other institutions assist in ar- fecting the destinies of our people, are cooperating effectively with the home, the library, and other community organiza- tions and institutions.
133
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
The School Committee is charged by statute with the es- tablishment and maintenance of a public school system which will offer the best opportunity for the highest possible type of education to every child in the community. In order to carry out this responsibility, the School Committee must face the future, strive to understand the youth of the genera- tion, and provide educational opportunities for training and experience which will be as effective as possible in adjusting the youth of today to the life of today. The responsibility is clearly defined and the success of the educational efforts de- pends upon the intelligent attention and sincerity of purpose given to the responsibility.
Mistakes can and will be made, because it is easier to look backwards than to understand the present and anticipate the future; but the School Committee of Somerville must be congratulated upon its strict adherence in many ways to the fulfillment of its responsibility as will be shown later by ref- erence to various progressive educational steps taken during the year nineteen hundred and thirty.
During this past year, when the whole world has been subjected to the influence of one of the periodic economic de- pressions, those in charge of education have been confronted with several pertinent questions as follows :
Does an industrial depression affect the administra- tion of schools ?
Should school activities be lessened or their extension limited ?
Should new schoolhouse projects be postponed, or the purchases of textbooks, supplies and other general paraphernalia be decreased?
Is the efficiency of the teaching decreased or is better teaching necessitated?
Should false economy be practised ?
In view of the conception just expressed concerning educa- tion, the answer is, in the main, that the administration of the schools can and shall be in no wise affected. The educa- tion of the children must not depend upon good or bad times, lest the fixed policy of American education to hold the schools on the highest plane of service be sacrificed. The expenditures cannot be lessened if the high standards are to be maintained. Teaching must also be maintained at a high standard, in fact must be better, in order that we may be prepared to meet normal conditions when they are resumed.
134
ANNUAL REPORTS
It is well to note that true economy is always in order and is the policy of the Somerville School Committee, and rad- ical retrenchment cannot be effected without seriously im- pairing the efficiency of the schools.
This report is offered to the citizens of the community, who compose an appreciative public as manifested by its keen interest in school affairs, as an account of the stewardship of the School Committee of the year just closing.
ACCOMMODATIONS
In order that the School Committee can carry out its re- sponsibility with reference to the demands of modern educa- tion, it is necessary that the City Government provide ad- equate and suitable schoolhouses. Schoolhouses, designed for the pursuit of certain purposeful activities, are almost as nec- essary a part of the equipment to furnish the proper environ- ment, as are the teachers who furnish the instructional part of the process.
The very definite program of providing more and better school accommodations has shown a considerable degree of realization during the past year.
The remodelled and enlarged High School Building, which was placed at the disposal of the School Committee in Septem- ber, 1929, has had its first opportunity to show results after a year of instruction carried on under as nearly ideal condi- tions as the City Government saw fit to provide. The accom- plishments are such that a considerable degree of pride may be manifested by the citizens for their insistence upon a mod- ern, well equipped, and well organized plant. The accomplish- ments insofar as they can be expressed mathematically will be shown later.
The fact also that the enrollment has increased 223 over that of last year shows that the project was started and com- pleted at just the right time to prevent a very disastrous, chaotic condition from being imposed upon a system which, although operating for many years under very trying condi- tions, had no reason to be ashamed of its past record.
The young people who attend school in this greatly im- proved and modern building in the future are to be envied for their opportunity, which should incite them to earnest effort and success. Pride in their school buildings does much to en- courage better scholarship. A recognition by the pupils of the fine facilities with which they have been provided by the citizens augurs well for a better citizenry in the future.
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