USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1941 > Part 9
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For Fuel and Light
52,725.00
For Buildings and Grounds
59,850.00
The sum of the appropriations to the two de- partments under the heading Education is therefore:
$1,588,235.00
NOTE :- It should be borne in mind that the sum of $219,375.00 is not under the control of the School Committee.
Using these figures as a basis for computing per capita cost, which is found by dividing the gross expenditures by the number of pupils in the net average daily membership for the year, it will be found that the per capita cost is approximately $97.47.
The following figures represent the revenue received by the City Treasurer on account of the activities under the jurisdic- tion of the School Committee.
From the State:
$147,040.47
General School Fund
$110,858.12
Vocational Education Reimbursement 25,887.16
Americanization Reimbursement
3,325.25
6,500.00
156
ANNUAL REPORTS
Sight Saving Class Reimbursement
500.00
State Wards Tuition
6,459.94
From Federal Government:
9,924.25
George-Deen Fund
7,155.71
Smith-Hughes Fund
2,768.54
From other cities and towns:
13,357.75
Tuition at Vocational Schools
12,687.27
Tuition at Continuation Schools
120.00
Tuition of City Wards
550.48
From Individuals:
686.36
Tuition at Conventional Schools
100.94
Forfeiture of Evening School fees
259.25
For vocational productivity
326.17
Total received through School Committee from all sources:
$170,998.83
Received by Public Buildings Department for rentals, etc.
$90.00
Total of last two items
$171,088.83
If there be added to these figures the sum of $4000, which represents a fair approximation of charges made against educa- tion which are not strictly educational, it can readily be seen that the net cost to the taxpayers for education is not the cost which one would be led to believe it is, but actually the differ- ence between $1,588,235 and $211,089, or $1,377,146. This figure reduced to a net per capita cost is approximately $86.17.
From figures released by the State Department of Educa- tion covering the school year September 1, 1940 to June 30, 1941, it is found that the average per capita cost for the thirty- nine cities of the state is $110.83. Somerville's per capita cost of $97.47 places it in twenty-second position with relation to the per capita cost of the thirty-nine cities. From the same source of information it can be noted that the per capita costs of some of our neighboring cities of the Commonwealth are $131.81. $130.99, $126.95, $122.10, $119.23, $112.40, and $104.47. It should be noted that Somerville's per capita cost is $13.36 below the average for the state. The figures concerning per capita cost are worthy of consideration only when they are used in association with another important factor, that of per capita valuation. Per capita valuation indicates the ability of the community to pay for its activities, and is the relation between number of school children in the net average member- ship and the valuation of the taxable property, real estate and personal, which shows the amount of valuation supporting each school child. Over a period of years in Somerville this pupil per capita valuation has been as follows:
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Valuation of City
Average Membership
Per Capita Valuation
1927
$116,406,900
15,042
$7,738
1928
120,172,300
15,190
7,911
1929
118,840.900
15,521
7,657
1930
122,420.200
15,632
7,831
1931
123,051,300
15,915
7,732
1932
150,285,500
16.030
9,375
1933
119,798,800
16,303
7,348
1934
118,100,500
16,616
7,108
1935
117,182,500
16,613
7,053
1936
115,688,600
16,707
6,925
1937
113,453,300
16,626
6,824
1938
114,522,100
16,623
6,889
1939
114,124,400
16,307
6,998
1940
114,057,800
16,325
6,987
1941
113,273,800
15,981
7,088
The figures indicated in this table for the per capita valua- tion of Somerville should be compared with similar figures of some of our neighboring cities which are as follows: Newton $14,643, Boston $13,124, Springfield $12,275, Cambridge $12,064, Lynn $9,676, Quincy $9,437, Lawrence $9,128, Malden. $8,439, and Medford $7.595.
The program of education offered the Somerville children is full and complete and contains all of the well recognized elements which such a program should contain. It surely can also be considered well administered, in view of the fact that Somerville, the seventh largest city in the state, operates a successful modern school system with a support for each child of $7,088, ranking twenty-eighth in the state at a per capita cost of $97.47, and ranking twenty-second among the cities of the state.
MEMBERSHIP
The public school membership as of December 1, 1941 is 15.492. A comparison of the size and change in membership over a period of years is indicated in the following table :
December
Membership
Change
1941
15,492
-843
1940
16,335
-319
1939
16,654
-104
1938
16,758
-170
1937
16,928
- 22
1936
16,950
2
1935
16,948
63
1934
16,885
30
1933
16,915
+344
1932
16,571
+400
1931
16,171
+149
1930
16.022
+4310
1912
11,712
158
ANNUAL REPORTS
In order to discuss the facts shown in the preceding table, it is advisable to break down these membership figures so that a comparison of the size and change in membership over a period of years for the three units, high, junior high, and elementary schools, may be shown.
The membership of the high school over a period of years is as follows :
December
Membership
Change
1941
3,204
-312
1940
3.516
. 32
1939
.........
3,548
+ 29
1938
3,519
+ 72
1937
3,447
+ 65
1936
3,382
- 30
1935
3,412
+237
1934
3,175
+160
1933
3,015
+281
1932
3,734
+272
1931
2,462
The membership of the junior high schools over a period of years is as follows :
December
Membership
Change
1941
3,609
-134
1940
3,743
-102
1939
3,845
6
1938
3,851
- 84
1937
3,935
- 92
1936
4,027
6
1935
4,033
- 36
1934
4,069
The membership of the elementary schools over a period of years is as follows :
December
Membership
Change
1941
8,301
- -403
1940
8,704
-215
1939
8,919
-122
1938
9,041
- 199
1937
9,240
54
1936
9,294
16
1935
9,310
- 12
1934
9,322
. 34
1933
9,356
These tables show a decrease of membership from the cor- responding date of last year of 843, made up of losses of 312
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SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
in the high school, 134 in the junior high schools (Northeastern 71, Southern 29, Western 34), and 403 in the elementary schools, and a gain of 6 in the Vocational School.
While these numbers appear to be large, it should be noted that during the first five years of the so-called depression period, due to lack of employment opportunities and the operation of the ERA and FERA regulations which prevented boys and girls under sixteen years of age from participation in the usual occupations of this age group, the school population greatly increased in spite of a falling birth rate in our city. Increases should be noted in the total enrollment of 149, 400, and 344, and in the high school enrollment of 272, 281, 160, and 237, followed by general but smaller increases.
The large decrease this year which brings the figures for membership back to the normal of pre-depression days is due mainly to the necessity of employing youth under sixteen years, and that fact is correlative to the factor that many families have moved from our community so that they may be nearer to the defense industries in which they are now employed.
The decrease in the elementary school enrollment reflects the falling birth rate of the past few years, which now is taking an upward turn. In spite of this recent upward trend in birth rate, it will be in the vicinity of three to four years before a material gain will be shown in enrollment of elementary schools.
The general decrease in enrollment should shortly provide an opportunity for a slightly reduced personnel, but at present the only apparent effect will be an unfavorable one, an increase in the per capita cost.
CHANGES IN PERSONNEL
It is always with feelings of serious regret and grave con- cern that the Superintendent is obliged to refer each year to the very great loss experienced by the School System when a number of our most capable associates sever their connec- tions with the schools. During 1941 the children of the schools and the community in general have been deprived of the active services and the influence for good of twenty-eight persons who have been connected with our instructional corps for periods of from three years to forty-five years.
160
ANNUAL REPORTS
Of the twenty-eight, three teachers, one of whom was the High School librarian, after periods of loyal and devoted service of twenty-four, twenty-one, and sixteen and a half years, were called to their great reward. Twelve of the twenty- eight resigned to be married, eleven retired under the pro- visions of the Teachers Retirement Act, and two left to take positions in other localities, one of whom made a fine advance- ment in the profession while the other went to another field of activity. All have served faithfully and well and their terms of loyal and devoted service were noted by the School Commit- tee by expressions of appreciation.
Notable among those who retired were Harry L. Jones, Principal of the Somerville Vocational School, whose entire service covered a period of forty-five years; May E. Small, Master's Assistant at the Lowe School, who was associated with the schools for forty-one years; Annie B. Russell, Carr School, forty years; Mary L. Bryant, Western Junior High School, thirty-eight years. G. Hortense Pentecost and Maria D. McLeod of the Prescott and Baxter Schools respectively served for thirty-six years; Blanche Thompson and Lena Munroe of the Morse School had terms of service of thirty-five and twenty- nine years respectively ; Kathinka Fessman of the Northeastern Junior High School served twenty-nine years; and Nettie Humiston of the Cutler School served twenty-one years.
After a service of twenty-two years and four months in Somerville, Walter Prescott Sweet, Assistant Superintendent of Schools since October 1928, resigned to accept well deserved professional advancement as the Superintendent of Schools in Danbury, Connecticut.
The following resolution adopted unanimously by the School Committee, expresses the esteem in which Mr. Sweet and his service were held :
WHEREAS, Mr. Walter Prescott Sweet, for thirteen years Assistant Superintendent of the Somerville Schools, has recently resigned to become Superintendent of Schools at Danbury, Connecticut, and
WHEREAS, Mr. Sweet served with distinction in the Somer- ville schools from September 1919 as teacher in the North- ern Junior High School, being elected Vice-Principal of the Western Junior High School on May 8, 1922, and Assistant Superintendent of Schools in 1928, and
161
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
WHEREAS, his tact, sympathy, and keen sense of humor greatly endeared him to children and parents alike, and his character exemplified to them the finest qualities of a gentleman and a scholar, and
WHEREAS, because of his deep insight into the psychology of modern youth and their problems, he was able to counsel with deftness and wisdom parents who turned to him for advice, and
WHEREAS, because of his engaging and inspiring personality he is held in high regard by both teachers and citizens, and because of his scholarly attainments, breadth of view, keen sense of educational values, and high ideals, his service to the schools and to the city has been outstanding and invaluable, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the members of the School Committee ex- press their sincere and deep regret at his resignation, and extend to him their best wishes for his success and happi- ness in the new field of his activities, and be it further
RESOLVED, that these resolutions be spread on the records of this Committee and a copy of them be sent to Mr. Sweet and to the press.
To this the Superintendent takes this opportunity to add his feeling of personal loss in Mr. Sweet's resignation, but wishes to express his congratulations to the citizens of Dan- bury in securing for the children of their community the services of a well trained, able, sincere, and conscientious ad- ministrator and educator whose genial personality will endear him to his new associates and neighbors. Somerville's great loss becomes Danbury's gain. Somerville will long remember him and will feel his influence.
At the close of this year two members of the School Com- mittee with exceptional records of service of ten years in the interests of the welfare of the children are voluntarily retir- ing from School Committee membership.
Dr. Edith L. Hurd, who retires with extreme reluctance, was the most able woman ever to serve on the Somerville School Committee. During her ten years of service she has
162
ANNUAL REPORTS
brought to the deliberations of the Board the benefit of her broad vision, which she gained through her two professions; first, as a classroom teacher in Somerville High School and later as a practising attorney. She was signally honored among the legal profession through having earned the degree of Doctor of Jurisprudence from Yale University. Words cannot adequately express the appreciation due Dr. Hurd for her loyal, efficient, conscientious, and militant service and her sincere and steadfast devotion to the responsibility assigned her by her wise constituents. The influence of her services as a teacher and a school committee member will fortunately live for a long period of time. Her reward will be the memory of a task well done.
Dr. Walter E. Whittaker, another highly respected profes- sional person, gave freely of his time and energy to his task of serving the adults and the children of Ward One. During his loyal and faithful service, which consisted of one term of six years, followed by voluntary retirement, and another term of four years, he never sought honors among his associates, but was finally persuaded to accept the Vice Chairmanship in 1939 and again in 1941. His genial personality endeared him to his associates even through periods of conflict of opinion, and his voluntary retirement will be a distinct loss to the school system.
In addition to these two members, the School Committee will be deprived of the associations of two other members of the 1941 Board, namely, James H. Buckley, who has served one two-year term, and James S. Sullivan, who represented Ward six and was elected in June of this year to fill the remainder of the unexpired term of Harold W. Ramsey. Mr. Ramsey, who resigned after a successful service of a year and six months, gave evidence, by his keen appreciation and study of school problems, of his ability to do very effective work as a member of the Committee. Mr. Ramsey's assignment to a gov- ernmental position in another state made it impossible to con- tinue his fine work in the interests of the school children. His associates expressed appreciation of his services and their regret at his leaving.
The calibre of the citizens who have been persuaded to handle the most important task within our community, that of taking charge of the educational program of our future citizens by serving as members of the School Committee, has
163
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
always been on an extremely high level, the majority being professional men and women. During the past year six per- sons, all of whom were professional men (three medical men, an engineer, and two educators), have passed to their great reward. Dr. Francis J. Fitzpatrick, who passed away on Jan- uary 3, 1941, gave sixteen years to the duties of the School Committee, and Dr. Herbert Cholerton, who ended a full and complete life of service on September 25, 1941, gave twenty- three years to his School Committee task, the longest period of service ever given in this City. Dr. Harry M. Stoodley, a member for thirteen years, completed his earthly mission on November 5, 1941, and Charles W. Boyer, an engineer by pro- fession who served six years on the School Committee, laid down his working tools on November 7, 1941. Frank M. Hawes and Walter I. Chapman, educators, who passed away on Jan- uary 21, 1941, and March 5, 1941, served as members of the School Committee for periods of two years and eight years respectively. May the memory of these devoted citizens persist as will the influence of their conspicuous service.
In filling the position of Assistant Superintendent of Schools left vacant by the resignation of Walter P. Sweet, the policy of giving promotion for service within the system was continued by the School Committee.
Leo C. Donahue, elected to be Assistant Superintendent of Schools, brought to his task a fine education and an experience which included teaching, supervision, and administration, as a High School teacher, vice-principal of the Northeastern Junior High School. and Supervising Principal of an elemen- tary school district. His training and experience, combined with his excellent personal qualities, upright and gentlemanly character, loyalty to his associates and his position, trust- worthiness, tact, and diplomacy, constitute a background which expanded by further experience will make him a successful and worthy incumbent.
Philip J. Heffernan, Principal of the Vocational School, Joseph A. Regan, Supervising Principal of the Glines. Edgerly, and Hanscom District, and Joseph M. Thornton, Vice-Principal of the Northeastern Junior High School, all were worthy of their promotions through education and through successful experience in their previous assignments.
164
ANNUAL REPORTS
RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
Each year it is the privilege of the Superintendent of Schools in presenting his Annual Report to call the attention of the School Committee and the public to matters which seem to him worthy of serious consideration and necessary to the effectiveness of the schools. Recommendations of the Superin- tendent are made only after a careful study of all the factors involved, and are based upon the probability of accomplish- ment.
Due to the chaos in world affairs and the uncertainty of how the present crisis will affect Education and the economic status, it seems inadvisable to make recommendations with relation to ideas and situations which would cause long-term and far-reaching activities to be anticipated and formulated.
Attention must be given, however, to the expansion and acceleration of our Vocational Education program to meet the National Defense needs of industry and the Federal Govern- ment. It is recommended, therefore, (1) that the program of work for National Defense be continued and expanded as the need requires, (2) that the curriculum of the Vocational School be increased to include other trade offerings, partic- ularly welding. and (3) that serious attention be given to scattering the elementary school pupils now housed in the Vocational School Building to make room for the proposed expansion of the vocational program.
It is further recommended that the School Committee make provision in its Rules to participate in the plan of the National Teachers Examinations as a factor in establishing its eligible lists for teachers and cadets.
Again, it is necessary to call attention to recommendations previously made, as follows:
1. That provision be made by legislative act to change the City Charter so that the control and maintenance of school buildings will be placed under the jurisdiction of the School Committee, as is the practice in most other cities and towns
2. That as soon as possible and before others of our school buildings erected in Civil War days need too much
165
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
attention and when the conditions of the City's finances permit, serious consideration be given to the replace- ment of the Prescott Building.
In concluding his fourteenth annual report, the Superin- tendent of Schools takes this opportunity to express his gratitude and appreciation to his associates for their assist- ance and cooperation in making 1941 a year of success and progress for the public schools.
The Superintendent is indebted to the members of the School Committee for their keen appreciation of the legisla- tive obligations facing them and for the willing and cooper- ative manner in which they have spent both time and energy in the service of the welfare of the children.
Much credit is due to the able and efficient leadership of the Chairman of the School Committee, William J. Koen, who, well versed in educational matters, having a keen appreciation of the implications for Education of the present world crisis, and being determined to meet the challenge presented to Educa- tion, gave untiringly of the time allowable from his active life as a Federal official to make his leadership effective in guid- ing forward the progress of the schools.
Hearty and sincere commendation is extended to the masters, supervisors, and teachers for their loyalty and co- operative effort given to their regular tasks and obligations, and particularly for the enthusiastic manner in which they are giving of their time and energy to prepare themselves for the exigencies of the emergency now facing all the citizens of this country.
The Superintendent pledges to continue his best efforts in the interest of progress in the work of the schools during 1942.
166
ANNUAL REPORTS
SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Number of Pupils by Subjects December, 1941
English
3373
Oral English
1487
Physical Education
2259
United States History
968
English History
113
Modern European History
476
Early European History
331
Ancient History
208
Economic & Civic Problems
205
Elementary Economics
28
Latin
505
Greek
...
...
French
716
Spanish
312
Italian
141
German
75
Chemistry
494
Physics
137
Physiology
243
Biology
812
Astronomy & Geology
17
Mathematics Beta
78
Mathematics Gamma
63
General Mathematics
391
Geometry
380
Algebra
417
Secretarial Training
56
Transcription
56
Stenography
424
Typewriting
387
Bookkeeping
465
Arithmetic
193
Clerical Practice
894
Office Machines
77
Business Organization
408
Business Science
121
Salesmanship
177
Commercial Law
571
Commerce & Industry
785
Occupations
1117
Household Arts
257
Freehand Drawing
341
Graphics
267
Arts &
Crafts
104
Manual Training
128
Musical Theory
147
Music Appreciation
354
Choral Practice
504
Student Activities
December, 1941
Orchestra
68
Band
78
167
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Girls' Bugle & Drum Corps
110
Girls' Glee Club
87
Boys' Glee Club
54
Student Council
37
School Paper
150
National Honor Society
18
Traffic Squad
54
Webster Debating Society
38
Portia Debating Society
39
Players' Club
64
Boat Club
12
International Friendship
6
Girls Athletics
302
Boys' Athletics
483
SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Students entering Higher Institutions in September, 1941
State Teachers Colleges
10
Massachusetts School of Art
3
Salem
7
Colleges and Engineering Schools
81
Bates College
2
Boston College
14
Boston University
13
College Business Administration 4
Sargent
1
College Practical Arts
8
Emmanuel
1
Good Counsel College, N. Y.
1
Graceland Junior College, Iowa
1
Harvard
3
Jackson
6
Kent's Hill Junior College
1
Massachusetts State College
.
2
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
2
Mount St. Mary's
1
University of Vermont
1
University of Virginia
1
Northeastern University
14
Business Administration
2
College of Liberal Arts
3
Engineering
9
Pembroke
1
Simmons
5
Springfield
2
Tufts
9
Liberal Arts
6
Engineering School
3
Westbrook Junior College
1
Other Institutions
73
Bentley
4
Bryant and Stratton
4
Burdett
7
Kathleen Dell
3
168
ANNUAL REPORTS
Fisher Business
40
Forsyth Dental
1
Katherine Gibbs
1
Lesley
1
Lincoln Technical
10
Wentworth Institute
2
Hospital Training Schools
23
Cambridge
5
Carney
1
Lawrence Memorial
4
Massachusetts Memorial
3
New England Baptist
1
Somerville
9
Summary
State Teachers Colleges
10
Colleges and Universities
81
Other Institutions
73
Hospital Training Schools
23
Total
187
SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC COMMITTEE
Report of the Treasurer, January 1, 1941 to January 1, 1942
Receipts
Balance in Treasury January 1, 1941
$147.52
Basketball games
923.10
Baseball games
108.10
Football games
7,748.60
Hockey games
11.07
Miscellaneous
181.20
$9,119.59
Expenditures
Athletic supplies
$3,131.65
Medical supplies
163.85
Paid visiting teams
2,167.02
Officials
468.00
Policing
653.00
Assistance at games
340.00
Postage
6.84
Printing
149.73
Telephone
7.70
Transportation
364.70
Dues to AA
3.00
Entry fees
20.25
Orchestra-Basketball games
190.00
Federal Taxes
578.03
Miscellaneous
413.39
$8,657.16
$462.43
Balance in Treasury, January 1, 1942
169
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
SOMERVILLE TEACHERS' CLUB Officers, 1941-1942
President, MARY A. ROONEY
(ANNE DEE Vice-Presidents ) HELEN O'BRIEN Recording Secretary, PHILOMENA LOMBARDI Corresponding Secretary, WINIFRED M. FORD Treasurer, MARGARET BROWN Auditor, JULIA CONNOR
OBJECT
The object shall be to secure a close union among the women teachers in Somerville; to promote the spirit of mutual helpfulness; to advance professional interests; to create a deeper sense of the dignity of the profession ; to unite the inter- est of the home and school.
PROGRAM
October 22-Supper, Hotel Woodbridge, Speaker, Mrs. Emma B. Flagg, "Celebrity Chatalogues."
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