USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1951-1957 > Part 18
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Bridges
Town Appropriation
$500.00
$500.00
Expenditures :
Labor
321.60
Workmen's Compensation Insurance
16.08
$8,000.00
78
ANNUAL REPORT
Rental from town owned equipment credited to
60.00
Machinery Account
101.88
Materials
$499.56
Total Bridges
.44
Unexpended
$500.00
Railings
$500.00
Town Appropriation
222.29
Reserve Fund Transfer
$722.29
Total
Expenditures :
$248.60
Labor
12.43
Workmen's Compensation Insurance
Rental from town owned equipment credited to Machinery Account
435.06
Materials
$722.29
Total Railings
Sidewalks
Town Appropriation
$300.00
Expenditures:
$159.00
Labor
Workmen's Compensation Insurance .. 7.95
Rental from town owned equipment credited to Machinery Account
63.10
63.50
Materials
$293.55
Total Sidewalks
6.45
Unexpended
$300.00
Special Highways
Town Appropriation
$2,275.00
$2,275.00
26.20
$300.00
79
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
Expenditures :
Labor
$741.62
Workmen's Compensation Insurance
37.08
Rental from town owned equipment credited to Machinery Account
92.30
Materials
778.47
Telephone
192.64
Lights
127.30
Total Special Highways
$1,969.41
Unexpended Balance
305.59
$2,275.00
Machinery Rental Receipts
Chapter 81 Highways
$3,795.95
Chapter 90 Construction
1,868.65
Chapter 90 Maintenance
640.75
Snow Roads
1,489.70
Bridges
60.00
Railings
26.20
Sidewalks
63.10
Special Highways
92.30
Water Department
170.65
Total Machinery Rental
$8,207.30
Miscellaneous Receipts
183.63
$8,390.93
Payments from Maintenance Fund
Automotive Distributors, Inc.
$159.37
Billiel's Mobilgas Sta.
20.46
J. D. Bousquet & Sons
4.66
Buda Engine & Equipment Co., Inc.
111.76
The Burton Saw Co.
65.73
Geo. F. Blake, Inc.
19.13
Edward L. Canter, Inc.
48.00
Carter's Shell Service-Gas
246.34
Carter's Auto Service-Repairs
778.16
Central Supply Co.
77.49
Andrew Cencak
45.18
City Auto Parts, Inc.
80.17
Christie & Thomson, Inc.
55.58
Construction Equipment Co.
32.38
Columbian Steel Co., Inc.
50.52
80
ANNUAL REPORT
172.22
Commodore Steel Co.
508.97
C. & Tire Co.
1,739.59
Douglas Motor Sales-Gas and Repairs
225.95
Dyar Sales & Machinery Co.
261.17
Eastern Equipment Sales, Inc.
967.31
E. F. Edson Co., Inc.
1.80
Emmott-Valley Transportation Co., Inc.
99.47
Empire Steel & Tool Co.
130.60
Equipment Service Co.
1.40
Farrar Co.
199.32
George's Mobilgas Sta .- Gas
8.32
Harr Motor Co.
1.25
Holland's Express
19.91
Jay Dee Electric
4.65
Jenkins & Robinson
114.71
Geo. H. Jewett Co.
667.99
Johnson Motors-Gas and Repairs
462.71
Edward Jussaume-Gas
15.00
Kay Gee Sign Co.
5.72
Lang Storage
279.44
Mowry's Auto Repair-Gas
13.01
Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Co.
18.02
Mumford Motors
7.96
Mutual Steel Co.
9.60
Edward Murphy
9.86
Railway Express
6.77
Ruhland Auto Parts
113.10
Sandberg Equipment Co.
255.75
Irving Schultz & Co.
96.84
Silcraft Corporation
12.02
Sochia's Oil Co.
9.10
Irwin Smith
4.10
Stanley Electric Tools
48.58
Snap-On Tools Corp.
8.78
William Therrien
1.40
Theroux Bros.
12.00
Vassar's
1.70
P. Wajer & Sons Express Co., Inc.
70.07
W. R. Wallis Lumber Co.
21,21
Worcester Chemical Distributors Corp.
37.11
Worcester Oxy-Acetylene Supply Co.
$8,429.41
Total Expenditures
Respectfully submitted
EDWARD A. THERRIEN, Highway Superintendent
81
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
REPORT OF THE TOWN TREASURER
To the Selectmen of the Town of Douglas:
The following is my report as Town Treasurer of the Town of Douglas as recommended by the Division of Accounts, Department of Corporations and Taxation, as called for by Section 44, General Laws, for the fiscal year 1953:
RECONCILIATION OF TREASURER'S CASH
Balance January 1, 1953
$83,729.50
Receipts, 1953
375,174.80
$458,904.30
Payments, 1953
$380,694.94
Balance, December 31, 1953
78,209.36
$458,904.30
Balance December 31, 1953:
Blackstone National Bank, Uxbridge,
per check book
$65,608.19
The Merchants National Bank, Boston, per
check book and statement
10,631.56
United States Treasury Bills
4,977.25
Interest-Sale of Treasury Bills
22.75
Cash on hand
1,969.61
$78,209.36
MYRON O. MOWRY SCHOOL FUND
Savings Securities
On hand at beginning of year 1953 On hand at end of year 1953
Deposits Par Value Total $7,310.08 $19,000.00 $26,310.08 7,526.61 19,000.00 26,526.61
1953
Receipts
Payments
Income-Bonds
$727.50
Transfer to Town $727.50
Income-Interest
216.23
Added to Savings de- posit 216.23
$943.73
$943.73
82
ANNUAL REPORT
ADELINE PIERCE SANBORN LIBRARY FUND
Savings Deposit $116.32
Total $116.32
On hand at beginning of year 1953
119.53
119.53
On hand at end of year 1953
1953
Payments
Receipts
savings de-
Income-Interest
$3.21
posit
$3.21
$3.21
CARE OF GRAVES OF G. A. R. FUND
Savings
Deposit
Total $821.61
On hand at beginning of year 1953
824.07
824.07
On hand at end of year 1953
1953
Payments
Receipts
Income-Interest
Added to savings de- posit
$2.46
Transfer to Town
$22.46
$22.46
MARY SOUTH CEMETERY LOTS FUND
Savings Deposit
Total
$248.49
$248.49
On hand at beginning of year 1953
249.27
249.27
On hand at end of year 1953
1953
Payments
Receipts
Income-Interest
$.78
posit
6.00
Transfer to Town
$6.78
$6.78
$6.78 Added to savings de-
20.00
$22.46
$821.61
$3.21 Added to
83
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
MONUMENT FUND-SONS OF VETERANS POST NO. 123
Savings
Deposit
Total
On hand at beginning of year 1953
$113.86
$113.86
On hand at end of year 1953
113.95
113.95
1953
Receipts
Payments
Income
$3.09 Transfer to Town
$3.00
Added to Savings De- posit
.09
$3.09
$3.09
CEMETERY PERPETUAL CARE FUNDS
Savings
Deposit
Total
On hand a beginning of year 1953
$3,853.84
$3,853.84
On hand at end of year 1953
3,871.12
3,871.12
1953
Receipts
Payments
Income-Interest
$106.28
Added to savings de- posits
$17.28
Transfer to Town
89.00
$106.28
$106.28
POST WAR REHABILITATION FUND
Cash
Deposit
Total
Savings
On hand at beginning of year 1953
$5,068.15
$449.29 $5,517.44
On hand at end of year 1953
83.03
5,562.10
5,645.13
1953
Receipts
Payments
Income-Interest
$138.71
Added to savings de-
Cash in general
posit
$5,112.81
Treasury Dec. 31,
Cash in Treasury
83.03
1952
5,057.13
$5,195.84
$5,195.84
Respectfully submitted,
RICHARD H. ALDRICH, Town Treasurer.
COMPARISON OF DEPARTMENTAL EXPENDITURES 1937-1953 (Inclusive)
General
Government
Protection of
Persons and
Property
Health and
Sanitation
Highways
Charities and
Soldiers'
Benefits
Schools nad
Libraries
Recreation and
Unclassified
Enterprise and
Cemeteries
State and
County Tax
1937
6,791.05
7,657.12
1,194.12
30,538.22
28,495.60
39,532.57
3,643.52
3,869.85
10,103.16
1938
6,565.15
7,473.57
1,022.18
36,027.25
41,061.43
39,110.86
5,167.25
3,809.77
12,358.30
1939
7,018.12
7,806.69
748.11
31,193.23
27,752.52
41,473.41
2,497.61
4,501.61
12,485.77
1940
8,659.08
8,433.26
761.54
32,420.94
26,456.58
41,003.21
4,664.72
4,300.96
11,622.57
1941
8,899.37
8,956.32
1,981.55
35,122.42
23,748.62
43,034.20
3,703.57
14,361.59
13,323.05
1942
8,465.48
11,013.66
1,910.09
27,674.00
24,584.04
44,607.85
2,529.25
6,721.83
12,199.23
1943
11,762.79
9,012.35
3,072.72
32,743.96
24,029.30
47,298.26
4,443.89
7,199.92
8,289.11
1944
9,689.35
10,860.05
3,247.55
30,511.60
24,914.40
46,024.11
3,597.81
4,571.88
11,810.76
1945
8,779.85
9,519.05
3,519.65
32,200.80
25,312.44
53,189.47
2,845.18
6,386.75
10,535.32
1946
14,768.04
10,742.17
2,808.78
49,099.96
28,382.02
58,756.78
2,603.36
6,052.39
8,253.17
1947
10,407.57
15,131.13
2,728.25
46,995.73
24,350.02
67,141.92
1,572.36
6,608.63
8,555.76
1948
12,564.50
13,232.84
2,304.21
52,125.50
36,797.91
71,967.16
3,092.21
9,887.95
8,387.61
1949
11,705.78
12,676.16
2,386.53
51,604.91
48,233.83
76,201.21
2,514.91
11,726.28
9,926.20
1950
16,595.38
14,436.23
2,415.38
69,242.75
49,418.91
80,797.28
2,232.51
78,639.82
10,352.16
1951
12,629.09
18,429.30
2,621.98
71,666.32
47,832.81
91,155.04
2,746.04
18,825.63
12,160.42
1952
15,097.85
19,016.53
3,182.66
72,252.00
53,805.18 108,519.22
2,293.66
22,052.41
13,370.78
1953
13,432.37
21,754.20
3,374.19
67,226.71
53,227.31 109,374.22
2,590.75
25,054.36
13,696.47
34
ANNUAL REPORT
85
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
WARRANT FOR TOWN MEETING MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1954 10:00 A.M.
DOUGLAS
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
WORCESTER, SS:
To any Constable of the Town of Douglas in said County.
GREETING:
In the name of said Commonwealth of Massachusetts, you are hereby directed to notify the inhabitants of the Town of Douglas who are qualified to vote in elections and Town Affairs to meet in the Town Hall in said Douglas, on MONDAY, the eighth day of February, 1954, A.D. at ten o'clock in the forenoon, then and there to act on the following articles, to wit:
Article 1. To elect a Moderator, a Town Treasurer, a Town Clerk, two Constables, an Agent of the Moses Wallis Devise, a Tree Warden, each for a term of one year; One Selectman, One Assessor, One Member of the Board of Public Welfare, One Trustee of the Simon Fairfield Public Library, One Recreation Commissioner, One Water Commissioner, One Cemetery Commissioner, two members of the School Committee, each for a term of three years.
Article 2. To choose all other Town Officers for a term of one year.
Article 3. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 81 Highway Maintenance, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 4. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Maintenance, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 5. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate or transfer from unappropriated available funds in the treasury, a sum of money for Chapter 90 Highway Construction, or take any ac- tion in relation thereto.
86
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 6. To see if the Town will vote to fix the salary and com- pensation of all elective officers of the Town as provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41, General Laws as amended, and including that of:
Moderator, Town Treasurer, Town Clerk, three Selectmen, three members of the Board of Public Welfare, three Assessors, Collec- tor of Taxes, Agent Moses Wallis Devise, three Trustees of the Pub- lic Library, Tree Warden, Three Cemetery Commissioners, six mem- bers of the School Committee, three Water Commissioners, two Con- stables, three members of the Recreation Commission and raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor.
Article 7. To consider the report and recommendations of the Finance Committee and to see what sums of money the Town will raise and appropriate to defray the necessary and usual expenses of the several departments of the Town, including appropriations for Selectmen's Clerical hire, Treasurer's Clerical hire, Town Clerk's Clerical hire, Police-Church Detail, Fire Department Euipment, In- surance on Fire Department Equipment and Personnel, Civilian De- fense, Police Lock Up, Fire Department Ambulance, Rent Control Board, Workmen's Compensation Insurance Account, Street Light- ing, Equipment Insurance, Veterans' Benefits, Library, Blanket In- surance, for the observance of Memorial Day, for the upkeep of the Town Clock (so-called), and for the care of the Cemeteries.
Article 8. To hear and act upon the reports of the several Town Officers and any outstanding committee or committees and to choose any Committee or Committees the Town may think proper.
Article 9. To see what disposition the Town will make of the Dog Fund.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow money from time to time in anticipation of the revenue for the financial year beginning January 1, 1954, to issue a note or notes therefor, payable within one year, and to renew any note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Section 17, Chapter 44 of the General Laws as amended.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of Twenty-eight hundred ($2,800.00) Dollars from Overlay Surplus to the Reserve Fund, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from the Machinery Rentals Fund to the Machinery Main- tenance Account, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from the Workmen's Compensation Insurance Fund to the Workmen's Compensation Insurance Account, or take any other action in relation thereto.
87
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Board of Selectmen to dispose of any Real Estate held by the Town by Foreclosure of Tax Titles and authorize and empower its Treasurer to give a deed for the same in the name and behalf of the Town or to take any other action pertaining thereto.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from the Water Department Surplus Fund to the Interest Account, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from the Water Department Surplus Fund to the Debt Ac- count, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 17. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the printing of the Assessors' Tax List, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to extend Street Light- ing on Maple Street, or take any other action relating thereto.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to pay unpaid bills in the following depart- ments: Health Department.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money, to be raised in the Tax Levy of 1954, by transfer from available funds or borrowing as provided by Chapter 44 General Laws as amended, for the purpose of extending the Water Main on North Street towards the Sutton-Douglas Town Line with a Water Main of at least six inches, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money, to be raised in the Tax Levy of 1954, by transfer from available funds or borrowing as provided by Chapter 44, Gen- eral Laws as amended, for the purpose of extending the Water Main on Gilboa Court with a six inch Main, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money, to be raised in the Tax Levy of 1954, by transfer from available funds or borrowing as provided by Chapter 44, Gen- eral Laws as amended, for the purpose of extending the Water Main on South Street to the Downs' Farm with a Water Main of at least six inches, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of making necessary repairs on the Highway Department Grader, or take any other action in re- lation thereto.
88
ANNUAL REPORT
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the purpose of constructing a sidewalk from the intersection of North and Gilboa Street to Carter Square, or take any action in relation thereto.
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to purchase a new police cruiser and authorize the Selectmen to sell the present Police Cruiser and apply the proceeds from said sale towards the purchase price of a new 1954 Police Cruiser, or take any other action in re- lation thereto.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to name and dedicate the square at the intersection of West and Main Streets as the "Joseph J. Michna Square" and to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the initial curbing and landscaping of the same, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to authorize and in- struct the Board of Selectmen to name a Special Committee of Seven Members to consider the erection of a suitable World War II War Memorial in the Town of Douglas, said Members to comprise of two members of the Taxpayer's Association, two members of the Joseph J. Michna Post, VFW, two members of the Michael Carter Post, A.L., and one member representing the General Public, said members to serve without compensation and to report their findings and recommendations at the Next Annual Town Meeting, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will authorize the Assessors to use ten thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars of Free Cash in the hands of the Treasurer to reduce the Tax Levy for the year 1954, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 29. To transact any other business that may legally come before said meeting.
THE POLLS WILL CLOSE AT EIGHT O'CLOCK P.M.
YOU ARE HEREBY DIRECTED to serve this warrant by posting attested copies thereof at the Post Office at East Douglas and at the Insurance Office, formerly the Post Office at East Douglas, SEVEN days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
HEREOF fail not and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk, at the time and place of said meeting.
89
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
GIVEN under our hands this twenty-fifth day of January in the year one thousand nine hundred and fifty-four.
ROBERT J. FROST HERBERT K. MEEK WILLIAM J. WALLIS Selectmen of Douglas, Mass.
DOUGLAS, MASS., JANUARY 26, 1954
A true Copy, ATTEST:
Joseph M. Kostka Constable of Douglas
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
A
od
S
INCO
46
PO
FOR THE YEAR ENDING December 31, 1953
In Memoriam
MOLLIE KELLY
February 18, 1953, the Douglas Public Schools lost a valued, conscientious and capable elementary school principal and teacher in the death of Mollie Kelly. Mollie Kelly was a posses- sor of the faith, the hope, the love-all prerequi- site qualities of a master teacher.
Beginning in 1908, Miss Kelly taught in the Douglas Schools until the time of her death. She was a kindly and lovable teacher, admired and loved by all her associates. The memories of her classroom days will remain in the minds of the children who were in her care and keeping.
3
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The School Committee submits the following report for the financial year ending December 31, 1953.
The appropriation for the Schools amounted to
$102,540.00
The Expenditures amounted to
102,472.85
We received the following reimbursements:
General School Fund
$21,140.39
School Transportation
8,230.80
Tuition and transportation-State Wards
721.44
Sale of supplies
2.70
Sale of power mower
45.00
Tuition from other towns
691.00
$30,831.33
This reduces the Net Cost of the Schools to
$71,641.52
EXPENDITURES OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT For the period ending December 31, 1953
1953 1953
1954
EXPEND- BUDGET ITURES BUDGET
GENERAL EXPENSES:
Secretary to Superintending School Committee
Miscellaneous School Committee
Superintendent's Salary
$4,350.00
$4,557.35
$5,500.00
EXPENSES FOR INSTRUCTION:
Teachers, High School
21,820.00
21,070.79
20,370.00
Teachers, Elementary
37,300.00
36,674.69
37,950.00
Substitute Teachers
600.00
583.00
600.00
Special Teachers
2,440.00
2,391.61
2,470.00
Home Instruction
500.00
499.78
500.00
Text Books, High
860.00
779.19
860.00
Text Books, Elementary
1,000.00
1,549.28
1,250.00
Supplies, High
1,000.00
1,104.03
1,000.00
Supplies, Elementary
1,000.00
1,094.53
1,000.00
Visual Education
300.00
489.42
300.00
$66,820.00 $66,236.32 $66,300.00
4
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
1953
1953
1954
EXPENDI- BUDGET ITURES BUDGET
EXPENSES FOR OPERATION:
Janitor, High
Janitor, Elementary
Janitor, Douglas Center
Fuel, High
Fuel, Elementary
2,800.00
3,091.82
2,800.00
Fuel, Douglas Center
Lights and Power, High
585.00
570.50
585.00
Lights and Power, Elementary
Telephone, High
350.00
405.58
450.00
Telephone, Elementary
Janitors' Supplies, High
437.00
431.11
439.00
Janitors' Supplies, Elementary
Water Department, High
36.00
36.00
36.00
Water Department, Elementary .
$11,300.00 $11,779.59 $11,490.00
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS:
High School
$5,000.00
4,591.98
4,000.00
Elementary Schools
AUXILIARY AGENCIES:
Health, High
1,810.00
1,896.89
1,810.00
Health, Elementary
Transportation, High
11,320.00
11,230.75
11,260.00
Transportation, Elementary
200.00
200.00
200.00
Tuition
600.00
573.55
600.00
Athletics
240.00
287.96
300.00
Miscellaneous
14,170.00
14,189.15
14,170.00
100.00
38.60
100.00
INSURANCE
800.00
1,079.86
2,000.00
NEW EQUIPMENT
102,540.00 102,472.85 103,560.00
SCHOOL COMMITTEE: ANTHONY H. COPPOLA, 1954 WILLIAM J. DUNLEAVY, 1954 HOWARD P. LEKBERG, 1955 Chairman
JOSEPH T. ROCHE, 1955 NORMAN S. JUSSAUME, 1956 WINIFRED V. SALO, 1956
Secretary
$7,180.00
$7,092.00
$7,244.58
5
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
SCHOOL CALENDAR
DAYS
September
16 Schools open September 9
October
21 October 12-Columbus Day Holiday
November
17
November 6-Teachers' Convention November 11-Armistice Day
November 26-November 30-Thanks- giving Recess
December
17
December 23-January 4, 1954-Christ- mas Recess
January
20
February
15
February 19-March 1-Mid-Winter vacation
March
23
April
16
April 16-Good Friday
April 16-April 26 Spring Vacation
May
20
May 31-Memorial Day Holiday
June
19
Schools close June 25
184 days
Schools are in session from 8:45 A.M. to 2:40 P.M.
The office of the superintendent of schools is open from 8:45 A.M. to noon and 1:00 P.M. to 3:15 P.M.
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS
7:15 A.M-3 blasts of the Hayward Mill whistle, repeated- No school in all schools-All day
11:30 A.M .- 3 blasts of the Hayward Mill whistle, repeated- One session, in which case schools will close at 12:15 P.M. 7:00 A.M .- 7:28 A.M .- 7:45 A.M .- 8:15 A.M .- WTAG broadcast of "no school" bulletins
Since weather reports are not always reliable, and because the school department wishes to render maximum educational service by having schools open the greatest number of days, storm signals will not be used when there is reasonable doubt. Weather conditions may warrant the non-attendance of certain pupils who at the mo- ment lack normal health. This would tend to make it advisable for parents to keep the child at home.
Good health is essential to sound education. Care for your child's health by keeping him at home when in your opinion as a parent his health interest would be best served.
6
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
December 30, 1953
To the School Committee and Citizens of Douglas:
I am pleased to submit this report as Superintendent of the public schools of Douglas. Since I have been serving in this posi- tion for only one month, this report must, of necessity, be a brief summary of the state of the schools as I see them, rather than a review of accomplishments during the year.
Let me begin by saying that I have found that my predecessor has left the school system in good running order. It is very evident that he had a good understanding of school problems and en- deavored to put into practice that which is considered good edu- cational procedure. I am sure that the citizens of the town of Douglas extend their most cordial wishes for continued success to Mr. Harry Hilyard in his new position as Superintendent of the Grafton-Upton schools.
The teaching staff in our schools now consists of 19 teachers and 4 supervisors. Additional personnel are a secretary to the superintendent and high school principal, 3 custodians, a nurse, and a doctor. My first impression is that they are accomplishing their duties with an attitude of sincerity and a realization of the great trust given to them, that of instructing and leading youth. You know, that in order to be a superior teacher, one must really love children as well as have a good understanding of methods and subject matter. I have seen evidence that there are teachers of this caliber in the Douglas system. It is my humble opinion that good teachers are the backbone of any school system.
We have three buildings that are filled almost to capacity with children. The Douglas Center school with two rooms now houses 4 grades and total of 55 pupils. The East Douglas ele- mentary school of 8 rooms has 6 grades and 247 pupils. The Doug- las Junior-Senior high has all the pupils of grades 7-12, 202 pupils. All buildings are in good condition. I can see no emergency repair problems. The boys' toilet at Douglas Center school is being equipped with modern urinals during the Christmas vacation. A program of reconditioning the Elementary school at East Douglas has al- ready been undertaken. During 1954, two rooms will have new flooring and modern movable furniture installed. The High School
7
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
building is in good repair, but work will need to be done to meet the needs of the enrollment. We should have 4 rooms for 7th and 8th grade pupils next September and at present we have only 3 rooms available. The present thought is to divide the large room (seating 72) into 2 smaller rooms. This will result in a situation whereby several pupils will have to be assigned to study in the rear of classrooms where recitations are being held.
Each of our school buildings is well constructed and will con- tinue to serve for many years. The town is most unusual in that there has been no expenditure for new school construction for 26 years. The most recent school to be built is the high school which was erected in 1925 as a memorial to William E. Hayward and Winfield S. Schuster at no cost to the Town of Douglas. The Doug- las Center building was erected in 1922, the East Douglas ele- mentary school in 1897. The average age of these buildings is 37 years.
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