USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1951-1957 > Part 20
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24
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION DOUGLAS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
East Douglas, Massachusetts January 4, 1954
Mr. Alliston C. Wetherell Superintendent of Schools East Douglas, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Wetherell:
I am greatly pleased to have the opportunity to report on the supervised athletic program in the Douglas Junior High School.
This year the students of the Junior High School had an op- portunity to participate in such sports as touch-football, softball, volleyball, and tennis.
During the Fall a touch-football tournament was held for the boys and a softball tournament for the girls. Both of these were won by teams from the eighth grade.
In the Spring a baseball team was formed to represent the seventh, eighth, and ninth grades in competition against other schools. After losing to Dudley and Northbridge the Douglas Jun- ior High team defeated both of these opponents in close contests. The good sportsmanship and will to win which the team members displayed was a credit to themselves, their school, and their town.
Respectfully submitted,
LAWRENCE J. MEEHAN
25
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
East Douglas, Massachusetts January 4, 1954
Mr. Alliston C. Wetherell Superintendent of Schools Douglas, Mass.
Dear Mr. Wetherell:
I am pleased to submit a report on the operation of the Physi- cal education Department of Douglas Memorial High School.
The aim of the department is to offer a well supervised athletic intramural program that will benefit all students. Our program included Touch Football, Softball, Volleyball, Tennis and Horse Shoe Pitching. The program enjoyed wide participation. Tournaments were conducted in each sport.
Last June the department conducted a Field Day in which the students of the Junior and Senior High Schools participated. In the morning all field events took place on the school playground and in the afternoon a baseball game between the Junior and Senior High teams took place at Soldiers Field. The students showed such keen interest for the affair that another is planned for this year.
Twenty-one boys answered the call for Baseball. Our season record included six wins and six losses. We had double victories over Blackstone and Notre Dame and single victories over Hopedale and St. Louis. Double defeats were administered by Uxbridge and St. Mary's. We lost single games to Northbridge and St. Louis. Six- teen varsity letters were awarded.
I wish to take this opportunity to express my gratitude and ap- preciation to all who helped in any way to make the department so operative.
Respectfully submitted,
MATTHEW H. TOWLE, Physical Education Department.
26
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
STATISTICAL STATEMENT
Valuation $2,560,496
2,627
Number of persons in town between 5 and 16 years of age, October 1, 1953 484
Number of persons between 5 and 7 years
84
Number of persons between 7 and 14 years of age
329
Number of persons between 14 and 16 years of age
71
Total enrollment in all public schools during school year ending June, 1953
512
Average membership for school year
490
Average attendance for school year
464
Per cent of attendance
Number of buildings in use
Number of teachers required by the public schools
Number of special teachers
Number of teachers graduated from College
Number of teachers graduated from Normal School
Number of weeks high school was in session
Number of weeks elementary schools were in session
Number of pupils graduated from high school, 1953
Number of pupils graduated from Grade 8, 1953
94.42
3
19 4 13 5
39 38 24 37
Population, Federal Census of 1950
27
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
SCHOOL SURVEY REPORT
To the Citizens of the Town of Douglas:
We, the Survey Committee and the School Committee, submit to you this report of the School System. The chief aim of this Sur- vey is to determine the future building needs of the schools. How- ever, we have incorporated into this Survey many other factors which we consider to be of vital interest and which have a bearing on any future building project.
This report is a comprehensive study of all buildings including facilities, accommodations and future enrollments. It includes a study of the High School curricula, what is being offered to the stu- dents and what is lacking. It also embraces a study of home build- ing and population trends, a report of the industrial standing of the commmunity, a breakdown of employment figures and of home own- ership.
We have endeavored to present to you a simply yet fully-covered report. We sincerely hope it shall prove to be of value to the Citizens of Douglas.
BACKGROUND
Article 30 of the Feb. 15, 1952 Town Meeting-To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for the purpose of making a preliminary survey of the present school building facilities and of the future building needs of the Town of Douglas School System, said survey to be conducted by a "School Survey Committee" comprised of the six members of the School Committee and three citizens of the town representing the taxpayers, the latter to be nominated and elected by those attending the business session of the Town Meeting, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 30 was voted into being by those attending the Town Meeting. Dr. Raymond H. Spooner, Mr. Irving H. Fisher and Mr. Floyd S. Rawson were nominated and elected as the three members of the School Survey Committee.
The sum of $500.00 was also voted to the Survey Committee and the School Committee for the purpose of engaging an educational consultant to make this survey. However, this money is still intact in the hands of the Town Treasurer. The two committees felt that they could competently accomplish the survey themselves, thereby saving the town this expense.
28
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
The initial meetings and discussions of the two committees dwelt entirely on setting up the plan of the survey. Once this plan was established, it was divided into four parts. Four sub-committees were then formed, each responsible for its respective part of the sur- vey. Upon completion of the studies and investigations of these sub-committees, a meeting was held to form another sub-committee whose task it would be to arrange these reports in sequence for final approval of the two committees.
FINDINGS
A. DOUGLAS CENTER SCHOOL
The Douglas Center School is a one story, two room frame struc- ture erected in 1922. It is structurally sound with a remaining life of approximately 50 years. The exterior of the building is in excellent condition with the exception of the front porch, which should be completely replaced. The heating system, though adequate, is an- tiquated according to modern standards. The interior should be completely redecorated and a new fluorescent lighting system in- stalled. The floors are in good repair and all of the blackboards have just been refinished. The furniture is old and in fair condi- tion, though plans should call for the installation of modern, mov- able furniture. New sanitary units were just installed in this build- ing making the overall sanitary facilties in good condition. The playground is large enough though the area to the left of the school should be filled in and lengthened. Lacking in this building is a small room for the teachers.
This school has a housing capacity of 70 pupils and presently houses grades 1 through 4 in split grades. It has an enrollment of 57 pupils. Due to the fact that there are four split grades, the enrollment necessary to maintain high teach- ing efficiency should not exceed 50 pupils.
B. GRAMMAR SCHOOL
The Grammar School is a two story, eight room brick structure erected in 1897. It is structurally sound with a remaining life of approximately 50 years. The exterior of the building is in good condition with the exception of the roof, which should be replaced in the near future. The heating system is adequate and in good re- pair, being a coal burning, steam system with a semi-automatic stoker. The interior has just been completely redecorated and a new fluorescent lighting system was installed in 1952. The floors are in very poor condition and should be sanded, filled and covered. The blackboards are in excellent condition, all having just been re- finished. The furniture is old and should be replaced with modern, movable furniture. The sanitary facilities are adequate and in good condition. The playground area is sufficient, having been recently levelled and graded. Lacking in this building is a teachers' room.
29
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
This school has a housing capacity of 280 pupils and presently houses grades 1 through 6 with two split grades. It has an enrollment of 247 pupils. The desirable enrollment necessary to maintain high teaching efficiency should not exceed 240 pupils.
The combined housing capacity of the Elementary School and the Douglas Center School is approximately 350 pupils. The desir- able enrollment is 290 pupils. The estimated enrollments for the next six years for these buildings are as follows:
September 1954 - 310
September 1955 - 324
September 1956 - 315 September 1957 - 308
September 1958 - 309
September 1959
- 305
These projected enrollments are based on the birth figures of 1948 through 1953. Based on these figures, it appears that the Ele- mentary School facilities are adequate to meet the enrollment through 1959 providing an unexpected influx of new residents does not occur.
C. JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The Junior and Senior High School is a two story, well con- structed brick building erected in 1925. It is structurally sound with a remaining life of 75 years. It has ten rooms and the Superin- tendent-Principal's office. Of the four rooms on the first floor, three are used for the Junior High School. The six rooms on the second floor and one room on the first floor make up the accommo- dations for the High School. The exterior of the building is in good condition. The interior is also in very good condition. The heating system is in good repair, being a coal burning steam unit with a semi-automatic stoker. The lighting is poor and a new fluorescent lighting system should be installed. The floors are in excellent con- dition and the blackboards have all been refinished. The furniture is in good condition and the sanitary facilities are adequate and in good repair. The playground area is large and in good shape. The teachers' room is small and not suitable for both men and women teachers. The office is not large enough for both the superintendent and the principal and is not suited for private conference. Plans are on hand to partition the assembly room with a sound proof cur- tain because of the expected higher enrollment in September of 1954.
30
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
This building is at the present time housing 202 pupils. The estimated enrollment in this building for the next twelve years is as follows:
September 1954 - 222
September 1955 - 235
September 1956 - 256
September 1957 -
- 262
September 1958 - 283
September 1959 - 302
September 1960 312
September 1961 - 326
September 1962 317
September 1963 310
September 1964 - 311
September 1965 307
Above figures are based on an estimated 5% pupil drop out.
An enrollment in this building of about 230 to 240 students is maximum to insure sound, educational policies.
At the present time the curriculum offerings are limited. The conventional college preparatory courses are provided. The pupils who pursue the commercial courses are taught the fundamentals of Stenography and Bookkeeping as well as Typing for two years. The pupils who do not qualify for the college or commercial curricula are classified as general course pupils. They take what there is left. These pupils are the ones who, at present, are most badly handi- capped by the building deficiencies. There is the lack of the fol- lowing :
1. Home Economics facilities.
2. Industrial Arts shop.
3. Up-to-date Science laboratory.
4. School library.
5. Cafeteria facilities.
6. Gymnasium facilities.
31
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
Provisions for instructions in Home Economics for girls and In- dustrial Arts for boys are "musts" in the program of any high school which is serving its purpose in educating youth to live in the world of today. Most of the present day buildings have science rooms where provisions are made for demonstration work by the instructor. (There is only a chemistry laboratory in this building.) Also, Doug- las High has no library facilities.
During the twenty minute lunch period the pupils eat their sandwiches in their classrooms. Ice cream may be purchased in the main corridor. The pupils are surviving under this plan, but it is not a wholesome health-inducing habit.
No room in the building is adequate for an assembly of the en- tire student body. At present the upper four grades (132) crowd into a room which normally accommodates 72 study pupils. No stage or equipment is available. The seventh and eighth grade pupils cannot attend unless an arrangement is made to have all the pupils move to the Town Hall for the program.
The athletic program consists of spring sports; baseball for the the boys, softball for the girls. Almost every school of comparable size has a program of intra-mural and interscholastic basketball for boys and girls. Lack of facilities deny the pupils this program.
It appears that the curriculum has deficiencies caused principally by inadequate building accommodations. To meet this need, addi- tional classroom space must be provided. Such can be provided by an addition to the present high school building.
To meet the need of assembly and gymnasium space a combi- nation gym-auditorium is used in many communities. Further in- vestigation of this type of building should be made.
D. TRANSPORTATION
Adequate bus transportation is being provided to all those stu- dents who are eligible for transportation. The buses are in excel- lent condition and are built and inspected according to State speci- fications. The bus routes are on hard surfaced roads and dirt roads. It has been found that there could be some improvement on the dirt roads over which these buses travel. It has also been found that school warning signs are inadequate.
The children who walk to and from school are subjected to cer- tain dangers and hazards on some roads because of the lack of side- walks.
32
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
E. POPULATION AND HOME BUILDING
The population of Douglas has remained quite stable during the last ten year period according to the census figures given below.
Federal Census 1940 2617
State Census 1945 2667
2624
Federal Census 1950
Home building has shown a moderate increase in the past 15 year period. From 1938 through 1953 there were 74 new homes com- pleted, while eight new homes are now in the process of construc- tion.
With the completion of route 146 to Worcester and Providence and with the constant though gradual expansion of the water sys- tem, Douglas may expect a more rapid increase in population.
Of the 543 homes in Douglas, 62 or 11.4%, are owned by people who live out of town.
Of the 128 camps or cottages, 100 or 78.1%, are owned by people who live out of town.
29.8% of the homeowners of Douglas have children in school.
28.2% of the homeowners of Douglas work in the mills.
24.5% of the homeowners of Douglas work out of town.
47.3%, or the balance of the homeowners of Douglas, fall into several categories, namely self-employed, employed by concerns other than the mills, elderly people who are retired, and homeowners who live out-of-town.
F. INDUSTRY AND EMPLOYMENT
A survey of employment of Douglas residents was made, and the survey revealed that:
43% of those who rent in Douglas work in the mills.
57% of those who rent in Douglas work out of town.
856 residents of Douglas are employed, both here and out of town.
Of the 357 people employed at the Hayward Woolen Co., 193 or 54.1%, live in Douglas.
Of the approximately 495 people employed at the Schuster Woolen Co., approximately 207 or 41.8%, live in Douglas.
This community is in a precarious position because it has only one economic prop. If this prop were to let go, and nothing found to replace it, the results would be hard felt throughout the com- munity.
33
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
If the Hayward Woolen were to shut down, the assessment of the mill would be dropped 50%, which would result in a tax rise of $2.07, based on the present tax rate.
If the Schuster Woolen were to shut down, the assessment of the mill would be dropped 50%, which would result in a tax rise of $4.55, based on the present tax rate.
If one of the mills were to shut down it would mean nearly 200 people out of work. This naturally affects the taxpayer and the merchant. Business would fall off and taxes would increase. These 200 people would have to gain employment elsewhere. Some would move out. It is questionable whether or not outsiders would rent or buy property in a community which has been economically shaken.
Yet other communities have been faced with this problem and have overcome it. Smaller, diversified industries could be attracted to the community to take up the vacant space. Within two or three years it is conceivable the town could right itself.
It must be realized that the foregoing is only in the realm of probability. It is our deepest hope that nothing whatsoever happens to our industries.
RECOMMENDATIONS
As was pointed out in the first paragraph of this report, your committee has included as comprehensive a picture of the present and future of the Douglas School system as is possible, together with a view toward possible expansion to meet future needs.
To this end the committees are in unanimous accord to present to the people of the Town of Douglas the following considerations.
From the part of the report dealing with the future enrollment in the high school building through 1965, it is clearly seen that our facilities are not adequate to both house and properly educate our young people. The very nature of the broad curriculum, which must take in pupils preparing for college, those preparing for com- mercial work and those who prefer a general course, makes it im- possible to have uniform numbers of pupils in all rooms. The pinch will become more evident next year when the present study room must be divided to make room for more actual class rooms. When this is done many of our pupils will have to study in the back seats of rooms being used for other recitation. Already we are faced with a moderate participation in this practice which does not meet de- sirable educational standards.
To meet the immediate need for more class rooms, the commit- tees set forth the following as minimum requirements to carry on a program exactly as it now exists, inadequate in many respects though it may be.
1. The addition of four class rooms capable of housing 30 students each.
34
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
2. The inclusion of a Superintendent's office where private consultation may take place.
3. The addition of a teachers' room for women teachers (assuming the present one to be adequate for men teachers).
As has been pointed out the above items are NEEDED in the very near future. However, the committees agree that an addition for absolute minimum requirements would not only be poor policy in view of our already limited curriculum, but that State reimburse- ment might be denied if some of these needs were not satisfied. We therefore recommend that an addition be considered which will em- brace space enough to accommodate rooms and facilities to bring Douglas in line with modern educational standards as has been done in the majority of communities of our size and even smaller.
In order to satisfy those requirements the committees set forth the following:
1. The addition to the present high school building of a wing or addition composing of six class rooms to be used as follows:
a. Three regular class rooms.
b. One science laboratory.
c. Two rooms, one each for Home Economics
and Industrial Arts.
2. A combination auditorium-gymnasium with a ca- pacity of about 500 seats to be used for school assemblies and sports as well as community assemblies for concerts, plays and educational programs.
3. The consideration of a cafeteria.
4. A Superintendent's office.
5. A teachers' room.
6. Some space for a school library.
7. A clinic room.
It is further recommended that a meeting of the School Survey Committee, the School Committee, the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Board be held within thirty days following the Annual Town Meeting to consider and deliberate the recommendations of this re- port.
We are greatly appreciative of the advice and assistance given to us by the citizens of Douglas, School and Town Officials.
ANTHONY H. COPPOLA, Chairman IRVING H. FISHER FLOYD S. RAWSON DR. RAYMOND H. SPOONER
WILLIAM J. DUNLEAVY
NORMAN S. JUSSAUME HOWARD P. LEKBERG JOSEPH T. ROCHE WINIFRED V. SALO
INDEX
Accountant's Report
Table of Accounts-Between Pages 16 and 17
Balance Sheet
20
Agent Moses Wallis Devise
48
Animal Inspector
Board of Assessors
Board of Health Nurse
Board of Public Welfare and Bureau of Old Age Assistance
Comparison of Departmental Expenditures, 1937-1953 (Inclusive)
Civil Defense Organization Report
Dog Officer
Finance Committee Report
Fire Department Report
Forest Warden Report
Highway Superintendent
Inspector of Slaughtering
Library Treasurer's Report
Librarian's Report
Officers of the Town of Douglas
Police Report
Recreation Commission
Rent Control Board Report
School Report
School Committee
School Calendar
Report of Superintendent of Schools
5 6
Age and Grade Table-Boys
10
Age and Grade Table-Girls
11
Attendance Record-1953
12
List of Teachers
13
Report of School Nurse
15 19
Report of Supervisor of Art
21
Report of Supervisor of Writing
22
Report of Director of Physical Education
Report of Physical Education Douglas Junior High School Statistical Statement
School Survey Report
Sealer of Weights and Measures
Tax Collector
Tax Rates in the Town of Douglas
34
Town Clerk's Report
11 26 46 81
Treasurer's Report
Tree Warden
74
Veterans Service Director
72
Warrant for Town Meeting
85
Wire Inspector
74
Water Commissioners
51
54 25 63 37 84 68 44 6 39 43 76 54 60 62 3 55
45 71 91 3
Report of Douglas Memorial High School
14
Report of Supervisor of Music
Report of Teacher of Brass and Woodwind Instruments
23 24 25 26 27
46
Town Hall Report
12
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
TOWN OFFICERS
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
a
C
S
INCO
46
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
December 31, 1954
TIMES PUBLISHING COMPANY WEBSTER, MASS. 1955
3
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
TOWN OFFICERS 1954
Selectmen
ROBERT J. FROST, 1957, Chairman HERBERT K. MEEK, 1955 WILLIAM J. WALLIS, 1956
Moderator JOSEPH S. VIROSTEK, 1955
Town Clerk
LUCIUS J. MARSH, 1955
Treasurer
RICHARD H. ALDRICH, 1955
Town Counsel JOSEPH S. VIROSTEK, 1955
Assessors
LUCIUS J. MARSH, 1957, Chairman IRVING H. FISHER, 1956 WALTER J. BUDZYNA, 1955
Members Board of Public Welfare
FRED J. JETTE, 1955, Chairman W. LINCOLN CARPENTER, 1954 FRANK X. RINFRETTE, 1956 VERA H. WARNER, Agent
School Committee
HOWARD P. LEKBERG, 1955, Chm. JOSEPH T. ROCHE, 1955 NORMAN S. JUSSAUME, 1956 WINIFRED V. SALO, 1956
HAROLD W. BUXTON, 1957 WILLIAM J. DUNLEAVY, 1957
Tree Warden JAMES FULONE, 1955
Superintendent of Highways EDWARD A. THERRIEN, 1955
4
ANNUAL REPORT
Agent, Moses Wallis Devise GILBERT W. ROWLEY, 1955
Cemetery Commissioners GUSTAVUS W. DUDLEY, 1956 EDWARD H. BALCOM, 1955 JACOB KOLUMBER, 1957
Town Accountant JOSEPH S. VIROSTEK, 1957
Board of Registrars
MOSES DEBLOIS, 1955, Chairman JAMES HANLEY, 1956
WALTER B. PINE, 1957 LUCIUS J. MARSH, 1955
Trustees of Public Library GUSTAV BIGOS, 1957
WILLIAM J. DUNLEAVY, 1956 HELEN R. JENCKES, 1955
Life Members-Trustees of Simon Fairfield Public Library
LENA M. SCHUSTER
VERA H. WARNER
WILLIAM J. WALLIS DR. RAYMOND H. SPOONER PAUL D. MANNING, JR.
Chief of Police VICTOR J. NELSON, 1955
Chief of Fire Department EDWARD A. THERRIEN, 1955
Superintendent of Schools ALLISTON WETHERELL, 1955
Superintendent of Water Works EDWARD M. MARTINSEN, 1955
Water Commissioners GILBERT W. ROWLEY, 1955 FELIX S. VECCHIONE, 1957 WILLIAM J. WALLIS, 1956
Board of Health SELECTMEN
RAYMOND H. SPOONER, M.D. VICTOR J. NELSON, Agent (Mrs.) MABEL M. BROWN, Nurse
5
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
Sealer of Weights and Measures KENNETH E. McMAHON, 1955
Collector of Taxes THEODORE F. VECCHIONE, 1956
Moth Superintendent JAMES FULONE, 1955
Forest Fire Warden EDWARD A. THERRIEN
Recreation Commission
ANDREW J. MERCAK, 1955 HAROLD KEITH, 1956 CHARLES E. DEVLIN, 1957
Dog Officer VICTOR J. NELSON, 1955
Fence Viewers CHARLES L. CHURCH, 1955 EVERETT BALLOU, 1955 JOHN MESZARO, 1955
Bridge Viewers EDWARD A. THERRIEN, 1955
Inspector of Animals ROY KENYON, 1955
Inspector of Slaughtering ROY KENYON, 1955
Measurers of Lumber
ANDREW BACA, JR., 1955 CHESTER WALLIS, 1955 HENRY BALLOU, 1955 CHARLES L. CHURCH, 1955
Weigher of Coal LEON T. SOCHIA, JR., 1955
Inspector of Wiring GEORGE BROUWER, 1955
6
ANNUAL REPORT
FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
GENERAL GOVERNMENT-5.767% of Total
Approp. 1954
Expend. 1954
Recom. 1955
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