USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1956 > Part 21
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Part II is prepared as a report of the School Committee to the citizens and consists of (1) a description of the school property, (2) statistical tables which set forth comparative figures covering a period of years concerning enrollment, membership, attendance, cost of instruction and maintenance, and other matters of organization, and (3) tables showing statistics, not necessary for comparison, covering the last fiscal year.
Part III presents the organization of the school system at the close of the year 1956 and the lists of graduates of this year from the secondary schools, the evening high school, and the trade and vocational schools.
Respectfully submitted,
EVERETT W. IRELAND,
Superintendent of Schools
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS 1956
In submitting his twenty-ninth annual report, in a series of eighty-five already published, the Superintendent of Schools is reminded that annual reports serve many purposes. They can satisfy the requirements in the Rules and Regulations of the School Committee. They might be a log of the activities of the schools during a specific period. They might be written for purposes of public relations. They might also be simply a matter of taking count of stock. However, to be worthy of the labor of composition, with the time involved, they cer- tainly should be concerned with inventory, quality as well as quantity, appraisal as well as summary; with successes and failures noted as well as some recommendations for improve- ment.
A recent yearbook of the American Association of School Administrators, noted the following statement. "America's public School Boards and their administrators, the Superin- tendents, live and move in pressures as a sailing craft moves in wind and tide. That is the way it has always been, and that is the way it must be-as long as our schools are literally of the people." It is possible that many might object to the implications of this statement, but to those whose responsibility it is to guide the craft the truth is evident and requires often, in the solution of the complex problems, painstaking and sometimes tedious tasks. Careful planning for internal oper- ations are demanded as well as information to the public con- cerning the goals, the needs, the means and the approaches. There must be interest, understanding, and concern by the public, combined with thinking in which the evidence may be compared with merit. Without such comparison full solutions are not likely to result. The calling in public education is rivalled by very few others in its service and worth to society, for it deals directly with the youth who are, in a few years, to be the leaders of our country. Education must not fail of its objective if the orderly processes of society are to endure. Education must continue to advance through improvement of instruction, regardless of the obstacles and dilemmas facing it.
Somerville, the City of Ten Hills, for many years has been the most densely populated city in the country, small in area, 4.22 square miles, but having reached a population of 105,883 in 1945. It was first inhabited by an exploring party of the Plymouth Bay Colony early in the 1620's. From this beginning of thirteen men, including Governors Winthrop and Bradford
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and Myles Standish, it as a community played very important roles through the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, which roles are memorialized by outstanding landmarks such as the Powder House, Prospect Hill, from which the first Grand Union Flag was flown, markers following the famous ride of Paul Revere, and many others.
About two decades before the opening of the Civil War, those who lived in the area now known as Somerville, which was still a part of Charlestown, considering that education ranked next to religion, linked the desire to provide better public schools to several other factors, and took the necessary steps to become a separate town, which became a reality in 1842. One of the town's early projects was to advance its educational interest, and the beginnings show some very interesting and valuable statistics for comparisons with future development as Somerville went on to become a city in 1872. During the school year 1842-43, 226 pupils entered the several small wooden buildings, and the high school which was located in two rooms on the Highland Avenue side of City Hall. The value of the entire school property was $4455, and during that year the sum of $1287 was expended for all school pur- poses including salaries, books and supplies, and the care and maintenance of buildings.
Before the figures just recently quoted have begun to fade from the minds of readers it might be advisable to state that the valuation of available school property as of January 1, 1957 is approximately $6,000,000, and that the School Com- mittee of 1956 has estimated and requested His Honor, the Mayor to recommend an appropriation of $3,202,116.30 for the instructional work of the schools for the calendar year 1957, and the Commissioner of Public Works has estimated the cost of care and maintenance of school buildings and grounds for the year 1957 at approximately $700,000.
It should be noted here however, that against this ever increasing cost of the educational system of the community, in spite of the decrease in school enrollment, the anticipated revenue from the State, the Federal Government and other sources amounts to approximately $622,000 with respect to School Committee expenditures. Thus this revenue reduces the amount to be raised by taxation for the operation of the administration and instruction to a net cost of $2,600,000.
Attention should also be directed to the increases in popu- lation of the City and in the school population, gradual and
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steady, but with an occasional rest on a sort of plateau until the City population reached 105,883 in 1945 and the school membership reached 17,926 in 1936. Since that time both figures have taken a decided decline until the Federal census of 1955 showed Somerville having dropped below the 100,000 mark for the first time since 1925. The school enrollment stood at 12,957 on June 30, 1956, which was the lowest it had been since 1901.
At the beginning of the year 1956 the Somerville school system exclusive of the vocational school activities consisted of six elementary grades, three classes in the junior high schools and three on the senior high school level, composing a 6-3-3 system. There were twenty-one elementary schools, three junior high schools and one senior high school.
This organization is concerned with the most vital product of the community, the most priceless of raw material-chil- dren. To fulfill its responsibility, the community must provide modern and adequately equipped and maintained buildings, properly trained administration, and adequate staffing of its public schools. Education is the largest business in any com- munity. When weighing the cost, increasing as it is con- tinuously, let it be remembered that the education of the students can't wait-it can't be adequately accomplished in so short a time or as well ten or twenty years hence.
In the Annual Report of the Superintendent of Schools for 1955 considerable was written about the establishment and the maintenance of the team work of the organization which has the task to perform of providing the necessary instruction of all the children of all the people in the community, regard- less of race, creed, or color.
Inasmuch as the School Boards of the United States are the responsible governing bodies of the Public Schools which are composed of almost thirty million students, it is logical that such Boards should effect a National School Board Asso- ciation which is a federation of state associations which repre- sents the local bodies within the states.
No other country in the world has a comparable system of citizen control of education. Approximately a quarter of a million Americans from every walk of life serve without pay as a public service. They are the connecting link between the public which supports the schools and the professional edu- cators who administer the schools. They form a grass roots
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organization which is closer to the people than any other form of government. They voice the wishes and aspirations of the parents and the children. They spend the taxpayer's money and are responsible to their neighbors for their actions. They are the trustees of a great public responsibility, and as repre- sentatives of the people, they are the first and last word on the scope and operation of their schools.
Experience has shown that the lay-membership type of board provides the best opportunity for constructive, forward- moving leadership. Such leadership must have the ability, and exercise it, to work out the individual differences of the mem- bers and arrive at sound decisions. It must be responsible for a continuous evaluation of the entire school system, by taking part in periodic reviews of finance, administration, instruction, school services, facilities, and personnel. It must further, through proper planning procedures keep the community aware of the need for improving the system and for accepting the responsibility that goes with the control. Few people will meet their own or the public's expectations as School Board members without spending time to train themselves for their task.
A review of the contents of the minutes of the meetings held under the chairmanship of Walter J. Casey, representing Ward 2, and the vice-chairmanship of Albert G. Ciampa, rep- resenting Ward 1, will provide an opportunity to compare the results with the assignments as set forth in the recent para- graphs.
The School Committee of 1956 was composed of six mem- bers of the previous term, namely, Mrs. Coyne, Mrs. Mclaughlin, and Messrs. Ciampa, Casey, and Brennan and Mayor Donovan, in addition to three new members, Lawrence J. Bretta, representing Ward 5, who replaced William J. Shea, Robert Bowdring, representing Ward 6, who took the seat held by Edward F. Moynihan who contested for another position in the City Government, and Peter J. Morrissey, President of the Board of Aldermen, who replaced Alderman-at-Large Fran- cis Leo McCarthy, as an ex-officio member.
During the first month of the administration, favorable action was taken upon a matter which had been under con- sideration for several months. This action changed the Rules and Regulations so that all meetings would be open to the public and there would be but two meetings per month, on the second and fourth Tuesdays, except when the Committee, by vote, would go into executive session, to discuss matters
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concerning personalities, or other situations which might em- barrass persons who might be involved, if these matters were. discussed in public.
This change naturally involved the abolishment of the Committee of the Whole which had been holding two closed meetings a month for a period of over thirty years, except for a change back to an obsolete practice of having sub-com- mittees, which lasted but one year. No official actions were taken in Committee of the Whole meetings, but recommenda- tions were made for ratification by the School Commtitees at its once-a-month official open meeting, after very serious, full, and complete study of the project or principle involved.
Whether or not this action has proven to be entirely satis- factory is not as yet determined for there have been expressions of doubt by some members of the Committee, and the matter may later be the subject of an order.
During the year 1956, in addition to the twenty meetings which were scheduled in accordance with the changed rule, twenty special meetings were held, some of which were called for the purpose of discussing specific problems with the following persons and groups.
(a) John Coughlan, Director of the Youth Service Board for the purpose of hearing a full explanation of Chapter. 696 of the Acts of 1955 which amends Chapter 76 of the General Laws, concerning the establishment of the position of School Adjustment Counsellor. No action has resulted.
(b) John Stalker, State Director of the School Lunch Pro- gram to discuss the possibilities of improving the present program, and expanding the program to include provisions for school lunches at the Trade School and the Healey School. Mr. Stalker offered to make a survey and report. The report did not urge or recom- mend either of these programs be set up, but arrange- ments are being made to establish a program in the Trade School which will include the feeding of the students of the Edgerly School who so desire.
(c) Two candidates for the position of Athletic Trainer which had previously been established. No action taken.
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(d) The members of the Joint Executive Committee of the Teachers' Clubs with respect to their request for an increase in the maximum salaries in the salary schedule by an amount of $500 effective January 1, 1957. Two meetings were held for this purpose, and the School Committee members attended another meeting called by the Joint Executive Committee for the same pur- pose. It was suggested by His Honor the Mayor that the goal be reached in two steps, $200 beginning in January 1957 and $300 effective January 1958. No further action was taken at that time but it was agreed that favorable action would be taken at the time of the preparation of the budget for 1957. In November of 1956 an item was placed in the budget which would provide an increase of $200 for all school committee employees, but no action was taken with respect to the second step which would have provided for the additional $300 to be effective in January 1958.
(e) The members of the Joint Executive Committee of the Teachers' Clubs with reference to the establishment of a promotional examination plan for all positions above those of the classroom teacher level. Such a plan had been under discussion by the School Com- mittee for about one and a half years, and the teachers were requested to suggest their ideas with respect to such a plan. Later three other plans were proposed, none of which were satisfactory to all, and finally a questionnaire involving the matters of conflict of opinion was formulated, circulated, and the results tabulated. No action has yet been taken but it is expected that early in 1957 a plan will be submitted by the Superintendents formulated as a result of the votes of preference as shown by the tabulations of the questionnaire.
(f) Some members of the Board of Aldermen, which reduced the amount of money which the School Com- mittee approved as necessary for the operation of the Schools for the year 1956 by an amount of $19,925. After communications had been forwarded to the Mayor and the Board of Aldermen requesting the restoration of the moneys deducted from the budget, the School Committee requested the members of the Board of Aldermen to sit with the School Committee to discuss the legal features of the act. Since no action was taken by the Board of Aldermen on the request
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of the School Committee to restore the necessary funds the secretary was directed to appeal to the Attorney General of the Commonwealth in accordance with the provisions of the statutes. This appeal brought no action, the Attorney General feeling that it was a matter which could be settled between the parties in- volved without court action, and the School Committee then proceeded to engage counsel to take court action. The time being insufficient to get action from the courts, the School Committee relaxed its efforts, and just about ten days before the close of 1956 the funds were restored by appropriation by the Board of Alder- men.
(g) Walter J. Markham, Director of the Vocational Divi- sion of the State Department of Education, on the pro- cedure to be followed to fill the position of Principal of the Trade High and Vocational School caused by the extremely sad and untimely death of Philip J. Heffernan who had been in the faculty of the school for 38 years, the last 15 of which were as Principal.
Mr. Markham discussed the method of procedure for establishing an eligible list of candidates, which due to the fact that the school is state aided, must have the approval of the State Department. He further discussed certain revisions that should be considered with reference to courses and suggested additions to and replacement of certain equipment. The procedures were followed, the eligible list established and in August the School Committee elected Walter E. Struble, Jr. to be the Principal of the school. The title was later changed to be Director of the Somerville Trade High and Vocational Schools.
Mr. Struble has been a member of the faculty of the school since 1935 serving as teacher and later as Head of the Department of Painting and Decorating. During the short time since his appointment he has, with the advice and cooperation of the agents of the State Department and the approval of the School Com- mittee made a series of revisions which will eventually be of considerable advantage to the school, including: the establishment of (1) a four year Trade High School with the end view of obtaining positions for the grad- uates in a specific trade resulting in profitable em- ployment, plus a High School diploma; (2) a Sheet Metal Department in the Trade High School on or before September 1957 which will replace the present
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sheet metal work now set up as a general department, and (3) a Department of Drafting, on or before Septem- ber 1957 to replace the related drawing work now being offered.
(h) Inspector Mello of the State Registry of Motor Vehicles with reference to the program of Driver Training which had been conducted in the Somerville High and Som- erville Trade Schools, with the idea of expanding and improving the service already being rendered. A new Driver Training car was procured from the Broadway Chevrolet, and the service has been extended to a considerable degree.
(i) Dr. Wilfred C. McDonald, Medical Inspector of the Board of Health, concerning the possibility of com- pleting the second inoculations for all eligible school children of the Salk Vaccine for polio. The current stage of the inoculation plan was completed, and the School Committee expressed its appreciation to Dr. McDonald and his staff.
(j) Edward M. McCarty, Supervisor of Special Classes, to hear report on a survey made by him, on the order of Mr. Casey concerning the advisability of establishing a Health Class. The information provided, and the advice and counsel of health authorities, both local and state, indicated the necessity of further study.
(k) William J. O'Keefe, Legal Advisor of the Massachu- setts Teachers Association, and Irving L. Stackpole, City Solicitor of Somerville, concerning the proposal which had been requested by certain former married women teachers, to abolish Section 78 of the Rules and Regulations of the Somerville School Committee, which prohibits the permanent employment of married women as teachers. As late as the close of 1956, no definite action had been taken.
In addition to the many hours devoted to the conferences just mentioned to obtain complete advice and council upon the matters involved, many more hours were consumed in pursuing study and investigating the regular routine matters of the jurisdiction of the Committee.
Having felt for several years, as have the School Com- mittees of many other communities of the state, that the School Aid reimbursement to the city from State Income Tax, which amounts in this city to approaching a half million dollars,
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should be credited to the account of the School Committee instead of being credited to General Revenue, so that the citizens could be acquainted with the actual net cost of the operation of the educational program, the Somerville School Committee gave the matter considerable consideration. The Committee finally voted to request all the members of the General Court representing Somerville, to introduce, sponsor, and support a bill which would cause the so-called School Aid to be made directly to the School Committee. The bill was filed by Representative James Doncaster and became H-147. However, when the bill was heard before the Committee on Education, Representative Doncaster didn't appear at the hear- ing but sent a message asking to be recorded as opposed to the bill.
Due to the fact that the years 1955 and 1956 brought to our schools, through recent immigration legislation, an unusual number of minors from foreign countries who were unable to speak English or enough English to carry on in other academic elementary school subjects, it became necessary to set up a special class for such students. It appears that soon other similar classes may be necessary.
Inasmuch as half of all costs for Americanization and Citi- zenship classes for adults are paid by the State, it seemed that similar services for minors should be borne by the state and our legislators were requested to file, endorse, and support a bill providing for such state reimbursement. Rep. Doncaster again filed a bill which became H-148.
Contrary to the rule of the School Committee prohibiting collection of funds from students in the schools, permission was granted, under suspension of the rules, to solicit donations from the children for the March of Dimes, the Heart Fund, the Cancer Fund, the Cerebral Palsy Fund, the fund for Boston Association for Retarded Children, the Red Feather Fund, the Fund for the Museum of Immigration at the Base of the Statue of Liberty, and for the sale of buttons and bangles for the Middlesex Health Association.
During the course of the year resolutions were written and adopted expressing :-
Appreciation to the Fire Departments of Somerville and those of other communities that aided in the task of fighting the fire in the High School in January, and the more serious, damaging and costly fire in the High School in June.
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Commendation to Somerville Lodge of Elks for organizing and making arrangements for the Junior High Civic Govern- ment Day on March 2, 1956.
A request to the City of Medford and Metropolitan District Commission Officials for the erection of suitable safety mark- ers for protection of the pupils of the Conwell School.
Deep appreciation and gratitude to Somerville Lodge of Elks and Paul Owen Kelley for services rendered in the use of the Elks Club Hall for the conduct of music activities when the High School facilities were not available due to the fire damage.
Deep and sincere sympathy to the family of Philip J. Heffernan upon his passing, and lauding and commending his very loyal and devoted service as teacher and Principal of the Somerville Trade High and Vocational Schools.
Appreciation of the excellent services rendered by Alder- man-at-large, Francis Leo McCarthy, as an ex-officio member of the School Committee during the year 1956.
In addition to these resolutions it was voted to express congratulations to School Committeeman John J. Brennan of Ward 7 upon his appointment to membership on the Gov- ernor's Committee for the employment of the Physically Handi- capped.
During the closing months of the year 1955, the entire population of Somerville, the School Committee, its personnel, both instructional and administrative, the students and their parents, were all looking forward, with enthusiastic anticipa- tion, to the completion and occupancy, during the year 1956, of the three new elementary school buildings then in process of construction.
The first phase of the long term building program recom- mended by the survey of elementary school needs, begun in 1950 and published in 1951, was approaching completion. What a thrill was to be experienced by this first major addition to the physical plant of the school system in nearly a quarter of a century. Located in different sections of the city, these three beautiful modern buildings were to be expected to meet several long awaited needs.
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The Arthur D. Healey School, a large twenty-four elemen- tary class room structure, augmented by two kindergartens, and the necessary auxiliary rooms, was being constructed on property on Meacham Street in Ward 4, composed of some city owned land, part of which was known as the Marchi playground, some land formerly owned by the Metropolitan District Commission, and some small parcels of land which were privately owned and recently purchased by the City. This building, the largest elementary school in the city, was occupied on February 18, 1956 by students from the Glines, Grimmons, and Forster buildings, by some changes in district lines, with an enrollment of 945. It was dedicated to the memory of Arthur D. Healey, lawyer, soldier, Congressman and Federal Judge, on October 28, 1956.
The Leon M. Conwell School, on Capen Street, of six class- rooms, kindergarten and general utility room equipped with stage, was constructed on land formerly the property of the Metropolitan District Commission and seven parcels of land privately owned, but causing no standing buildings to be bought or demolished. This school bears the name of Leon M. Conwell, "Mr. Somerville," publisher, member of the several branches of local and state government, and former Mayor of Somer- ville, and was dedicated to his memory on October 28, 1956.
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