USA > Massachusetts > Worcester County > Douglas > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Douglas, for the year ending 1958-1965 > Part 5
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compensation of all elective officers of the Town as provided by Section 108 of Chapter 41, General Laws as amended, and including that of: The Moderator, Town Treasurer, Town Clerk, three Select- men, three members of the Board of Public Welfare, three Assessors, collector of Taxes, Agent Moses Wallis Devise, three Trustees of the Public Library, Tree Warden, three Cemetery Commissioners, six members of the School Committee, three Water Commissioners, two Constables, three members of the Recreation Commission and to 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, Police-Summer Detail, Fire De- partment Equipment, Insurance on Fire Department and Personnel, Teletype Service for the Police Department, Legal Services, Civilian Defense, Police Lock-up, Fire Department Ambulance, Workmen's Compensation Insurance Account, Street Lighting, Equipment Insur- ance, Veterans' Benefits, Library, Blanket Insurance, for the Observ- ance of Memorial Day, for the upkeep of the Town Clock (so-called), Maintenance of Highway Machinery, for the Care of Cemeteries, and for Group Insurance for Town Employees, Dog Officer's Expense.
Article 8. To see what disposition the Town will make of the Dog Fund.
Article 9. 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, 1959, 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 10. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to pay unpaid 1958 bills in the following Departments or Accounts: Recreation Department, Board of Health, Welfare Department, Industrial Schools.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate the sum of Seven hundred thirty-six and 90/100 ($736.90) dollars for Special Fire Department Truck Maintenance, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Se- lectmen to sell the Highway Department F.W.D. Truck and to apply the proceeds from said sale towards the purchase of a new Truck for the Highway Department and to see if the Town will vote to
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ANNUAL REPORT
raise and appropriate a sum of money, by transferring from avail- able funds or borrowing as provided by Chapter 44, General Laws, as amended, to purchase a new truck for the highway Department, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of Three Thousand ($3,000.00) Dollars from Overlay Surplus to the Reserve Fund, or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 14. To see if the Town wll vote to make any increase in salaries of Town Employees (elective or appointive) retroactive to January 1, current.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to transfer a sum of money from the Machinery Rentals Fund to the Machinery Account or take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 16. 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.
Article 17. 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 Treas- urer to give a deed for the same in the name and behalf of the Town, or to take any other action pertaining thereto.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for installing a new heating unit at the Water Department Pumping Station, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 19. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate an additional sum of money for the Water Department, said sum to be used in conjunction with the Chapter 90 Highway Con- struction work for the current year to repair service pipes, and other fittings damaged or replaced because of the construction, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 20. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money to paint, prepare the floors, heat and venti- late, and install other appurtenances thereto to an additional class- room at Ground Level in the East Douglas Elementary School in accordance with plans approved by the Department of Public Safety, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 21. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the construction of a sidewalk on Man- chaug Road, from the St. Denis Recreation Center to the St. Denis Cemetery, or to take any other action in relation thereto. (Re- quested by Charles Cody et als.)
101
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
Article 22. To see if the Town will vote to extend Street Light- ing on the Providence Pike, so-called, and to raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or to take any other action in relation thereto. (Requested by Anthony Furno et als.)
Article 23. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appro- priate a sum of money for the printing of the Assessors' Tax List, said list to include a list of abatements and exemptions that have been made since the previous printing of the Tax List, or to take any other action in relation thereto. (Requested by Charles Rudick et als)
Article 24. To see if the Town will vote to have printed in the Annual Town Report annually, in alphabetical order, the names and addresses and salaries or wages earned by each person elected or appointed to a Town Office, (the wages listed to be only those paid by the Town), or to take any other action in relation thereto. (Requested by Florendo Colonero et als)
Article 25. To see if the Town will vote to pave the road surface with a black top road on the so-called Wallum Pond Road extending from the State Reservation Southerly beyond the entrance to the Wallum Lake Terrace, and to raise and appropriate a sum of money therefor, or to take any other action in relation thereto. (Requested by Ernest J. LaLumiere et als)
Article 26. To see if the Town will authorize the Assessors to use the sum of Thirty Thousand ($30,0000.0) Dollars from Free Cash in the hands of the Treasurer to reduce the Tax Levy for the year 1959, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money for equipment for the Town Accountant, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 28. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Se- lectmen to appoint a committee of five to study the needs of the Fire Department and to study with appropriate authorities the existing and future insurance premiums insofar as available Fire Equipment may effect the local premium rates, said committee to report its findings at the next Annual Town Meeting, or to take any other action in relation thereto.
Article 29. To transact any other business that may legally come before the 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 Douglas, SEVEN days at least before the time of holding said meeting.
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ANNUAL REPORT
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.
GIVEN under our hands this twenty-seventh day of January in the year one thousand nine hundred and fifty-nine.
ROBERT J. FROST WILLIAM J. WALLIS LOUIS A. CALLAHAN Selectmen of Douglas, Mass.
DOUGLAS, MASS. JANUARY 28, 1959
A TRUE COPY, ATTEST:
WARREN JOHNSON Constable of Douglas
ANNUAL REPORTS
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
OF THE
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
746
FOR THE YEAR ENDING
December 31, 1958
ETNONTOI IAUMMA
ATTTIMMOD JO0HOR
3
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Member
Term Expires
WILLIAM J. DUNLEAVY, Chairman
1960
MRS. FRANK I. PENDLETON, Secretary 1959
JOSEPH VIROSTEK 1959
HAROLD BUXTON
1960
MRS. FELIX VECCHIONE 1961
JOSEPH T. ROCHE
1961
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS-H. DEANE HOYT
Office at the Douglas Memorial High School Office Hours: 8:30 A.M .- 12 Noon; 1:00 P.M .- 3:30 P.M. When School is in Session
Other Hours by Appointment
Telephone: East Douglas GR 6-3332
Secretary to the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Clifford Ballou Dr. Raymond H. Spooner Mrs. Mabel Brown, R.N. Victor Nelson
HOURS OF SCHOOL SESSIONS
Douglas Memorial High School 8:45 A.M .- 2:30 P.M.
East Douglas Elementary School
8:45 A.M .- 11:45 A.M.
12:45 P.M .- 2:45 P.M.
Douglas Center School
8:45 A.M .- 12 Noon 1 P.M .- 2:45 P.M.
The School Committee submits the following report for the financial year ending December 31, 1958:
The appropriation for the Schools amounted to $146,283.39
The expenditures amounted to 146,282.70
We have been informed that these reimbursements to the town have been authorized:
General School Fund $25,381.01
Union Superintendent's Salary 1,883.24
School Transportation 10,037.50
Tuition and transportation-State Wards
462.97
School Aid-Special classes
2,377.05
School Physician
School Nurse
Supervisor of Attendance
4
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
Receipts:
Sale of School Furniture
67.50
Supplies and damage property
8.03
Telephone reimbursement
3.15
Tuition from other towns
639.60
Total Receipts $40,860.05
This reduces the Net Cost of the Schools to
$105,423.34
EXPENDITURES OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
For the Period Ending December 31, 1958
1958
1958
1959
EXPEND-
BUDGET
ITURES
BUDGET
GENERAL EXPENSES:
School Committee,
Superintendent's and
Secretary's Salaries
$6,408.33
$6,472.68
$6,950.00
EXPENSES FOR INSTRUCTION:
Supervising Teachers
2,775.00
2,916.94
3,075.00
Teachers, High Salary
31,000.00
30,826.98
35,473.33
Teachers, Elem. Salary
50,433.32
50,586.27
57,388.89
Substitute Teachers
800.00
945.00
800.00
Home Instruction-Spec. Class
2,600.00
2,124.20
2,600.00
Text Books
2,500.00
2,171.56
2,500.00
Supplies
2,500.00
3,071.29
2,500.00
Visual Education
300.00
127.00
300.00
Driver Training
. .. .. .
500.00
$92,908.32
92,769.24
105,137.22
EXPENSES FOR OPERATION:
Janitors
$9,232.00
$9,394.24
$9,400.00
Fuel
5,000.00
5,107.78
5,000.00
Lights and Power
1,000.00
2,264.56
2,500.00
Telephone
500.00
705.14
725.00
Janitor's Supplies
800.00
860.38
800.00
Water Dept.
36.00
36.00
36.00
$16,568.00
$18,368.10
$18,461.00
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS:
$5,000.00
$4,160.86
$5,000.00
AUXILIARY AGENCIES:
Health
$2,765.00
$2,776.00
$2,975.00
Transportation
15,000.00
14,622.75
16,000.00
5
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
Tuition
1,300.00
1,183.21
1,500.00
Athletics
1,000.00
630.38
500.00
Miscellaneous
500.00
526.74
500.00
Mowry Fund Assistance
300.00
300.00
300.00
Cafeteria & Home Economics
1,000.00
423.39
500.00
Driver Training
300.00
501.42
(above)
$22,165.00
$20,963.89
$22,275.00
INSURANCE
100.00
149.21
100.00
NEW EQUIPMENT:
3,000.00
3,398.72
3,000.00
Special Warrant
133.74
TOTAL
$146,283.39 $146,282.70 $160,923.22
6
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL CALENDAR
1958-1959
Days
September
20
School opens September 3
October
22
Oct. 13-Columbus Day
November
16
Nov. 7-Teachers' Convention
Nov. 11-Armistice Day Nov. 27 & 28-Thanksgiving Recess
December
17
Dec. 23 to January 2-Christmas Recess
January
20
February
15
Feb. 20 to March 2-Mid-Winter Vacation
March
21
March 27-Good Friday
April
17
April 17 to April 24-Spring Vacation
May
21
Elementary Schools close June 12
June 15
15
High School closes June 19
184
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 PM.
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 moment 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.
For admission to the first grade in the schools of Douglas, the parent or guardian must present a birth certificate showing that the pupil is at least five years, nine months old on September 1st of the current year.
7
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the Douglas School Committee :
I respectfully submit my third annual report as Superintendent of the Douglas Schools for the year ending December 31, 1958.
In the face of continuing rising school budgets, caused by the administration and staffing of the increased facilities in the High School and also larger first grades in the East Douglas Elementary School necessitating the appointment, in September, of an assistant in grade one. A teacher of shop and mechanical drawing in the High School was also added. Only one third of such cost was reflected in the 1958 budget while the entire amount of these salaries are included in the 1959 estimate of expenditures, represents a part of such budget increase. The estimate of the first grade in East Douglas Elementary School for September 1959 is again larger than the normal number, necessitating appointing the first grade assist- ant a regular member of the instructional staff, as of next September.
STAFF CHANGES
Appointments
Name Mrs. Elizabeth Allard
Mrs. Margaret Walker Mr. Leverett W. Gilley Miss Barbara Saunders Mrs. Margaret Monahan Mr. Jay Sheldon
School East Douglas Elementary School
East Douglas Elementary School
Memorial High School
Memorial High School
Memorial High School
Resignations
Mrs. Edith McTeer
Mrs. Agnes Lucas
Mrs. Germaine Dalpe Mr. Charles McCabe
East Douglas Elementary School Memorial High School Memorial High School
The professional personnel must be professionally prepared for its diversified and complex tasks, so continuous study, experimenta- tion, and in-service growth are imperative. Encouragement to grow and favorable conditions for growth are the responsibility of the administration and board, but improvement is the responsibility of the individual teacher.
8
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
To fulfill all these conditions assumes a stable teaching staff, with minor changes, working under conditions conducive to freedom from tension and worry, from lack of essential teaching needs and financial responsibilities of the individual.
The Merit Salary Plan adopted a year ago, if administered properly, will reduce the number of resignations and hold the successful teacher in Douglas.
PER PUPIL COSTS
Property tax payers are always interested in school cost, espe- cially in the face of continually rising budgets for its school depart- ment in Douglas. The citizens in this analysis of good government and schools, question relative costs with other Towns in relationship to quality of instruction. Below are comparative school costs taken from the reports of the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Town of Douglas Reimbursement
from State
Per Pupil Cost
$252.63
per pupil $75.95
from local taxes $175.65
State Average-Group III
Towns under 5,000 and maintaining a High School $289.01 $66.70 $222.76
These figures clearly indicate that Douglas receives above the average financial reimbursement from the State of Massachusetts and as a result, the amount per pupil taken from local tax sources is substantially less than other towns our size. Also listed in this connection is a break down of the several different divisions of State and local reimbursements which are deposited with the Town Treas- urer for use of the town in lowering the property tax. This money does not, in any part, revert to the local School Committee.
List of reimbursements received or applied for, for School year 1957-58:
General School Fund
$25,381.01
Superintendent's Salary
1,883.24
Transportation
10,037.50
State Wards 462.97
Special Classes
2,377.05
Town of Uxbridge
639.60
Money collected in schools and turned
over to Town Treasurer 78.68
$40,860.05
9
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
Our budget as listed elsewhere in this report has increased very nearly in proportion to our increase in enrollment and increased State minimum salary for teachers.
QUALITY OF INSTRUCTION
Although there is ample evidence to show that the public schools have been successful in fitting many pupils for college, for citizen- ship, and for vocational productiveness, the demands of the future require much improvement. Both quality and quantity in learning should be stepped up. Not only more speed but also more depth of learning can and must be achieved. New content and newer methods are imperative lest the schools fail. In line with this, a policy should be adopted whereby the unwilling or uncooperative learner should be dropped from the High School so that they may not lower the quality, and quantity of the learning process.
DRIVER EDUCATION
This year because of the increased number of students desiring to elect a "behind the wheel" driver training in both Towns of Douglas and Sutton it has been necessary to discontinue the sharing of one car between the Towns.
Through the cooperation of the R.E.N. Chevrolet Agency of Whitinsville the Douglas High School will enjoy the privilege of a car for its exclusive use thereby greatly increasing the breadth of offering to the local High School. This training in the past has been on a voluntary basis after school hours and Saturdays. I personally feel that this policy should be continued and not become a part of the regular school day.
LENGTHENING THE SCHOOL DAY
One change which is facing the American Public School is the problem of lengthening the school day for high school students from the traditional five and one half hours to approximately seven or eight hours.
This can only be justified if it improves the quality and quantity of the learning process. Some of the advantages are:
1. Including all school activities into school day.
2. Broader general education with more elective subjects.
3. All so-called "homework" to be done under supervision in school with no outside preparation.
4. A more complete extra curricula program.
5. Supervised physical education periods daily.
10
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
There are certain problems connected with such a lengthened program which would interfere with the home, such as:
1. Conflict of school hours with students living in rural areas, having responsibilities at home.
2. Duration of time bus students would be away from home.
CAFETERIA
In March the cafeteria was opened in the Douglas Memorial High School under the Massachusetts School Lunch Program.
Mrs. Mary Kelly was appointed to be in charge and act as head cook. Through her skillful management, with the cooperation of her assistants, the program has progressed both through number of students participating and financially.
The promise was made at the outset of this program that it would be self-supporting without financial aid from Town funds. This promise has been adhered to.
At the present time approximately two hundred High School students and one hundred and forty elementary students are eating their noon meal at the cafeteria.
Through the cooperation of the Selectmen, new tables have been provided at the Town Hall. The cafeteria and Selectmen joint- ly paid for these as they will be available to all organizations of the Town using the lunchroom facilities.
I wish to thank the members of the School Committee and faculty of the School Department for their very fine cooperation, without which little could be accomplished. I also desire to ack- newledge the support and help of the Town officials, parents, com- munity organizations and custodial staff which are gratefully re- ceived.
Respectfully submitted,
H. DEANE HOYT Superintendent of Schools
11
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
REPORT OF PRINCIPAL DOUGLAS MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
December 30, 1958
To the Superintendent of Schools:
I herewith submit my fifth annual report as principal of Douglas Memorial High School, grades seven through twelve.
In June 1958 there were 24 graduates. The honor students were Betty Beckham, Deborah Buxton, Nancy Carpenter, Bruce Dudley, and Frederick Hastings.
The Reader's Digest Award to the highest honor student to Bruce Dudley.
The D. A. R. Good Citizenship Award was won by Nancy Carpenter.
The Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award to Bruce Dudley.
The Commercial Award for highest average in Commercial Course to Betty Beckham.
The American Legion Award to Boy's State to James Budzyna.
The Douglas Alumni Scholarship to Deborah Buxton.
The Mollie Kelly Scholarship sponsored by Douglas Teachers' Club to Bruce Dudley.
The P. T. A. Scholarship to Apostol Evangelidis.
Graduates of 1958 continuing their education: Betty Beckham-Salters Secretarial School
Deborah Buxton-Becker Junior College
Nancy Carpenter-Massachusetts General Hospital Joanne Dargan-Ward School
Bruce Dudley-Worcester Polytechnic Institute Patricia Dudley-Household School of Nursing Apostol Evangelidis-Boston University Ronald Forget-Lowell Polytechnic Institute Anthony Gressak-Pratt & Whitney Apprentice Frederick Hastings-Worcester Polytechnic Institute Adele Jussaume-Salters Secretarial School Robert Kalvinek-Worcester Junior College Robert Lanpher-Worcester Boy's Trade School David Prince-General Electric Apprentice
12
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
Ronald Senecal-Worcester Boy's Trade School Barbara Gove-Salter's Secretarial School Robert Vecchione-Eastern Nazarene College
In basketball, we have a full schedule of games for Junior High boys, Senior High girls and Senior High boys this winter. Last winter one team finished in a tie for second place in the Tri-County Basketball League.
New courses started in 1958 are Seventh grade Science, Home Economics and Shop for the seventh and eighth grades, Home Economics and Shop for grades nine through twelve on a volun- tary basis and Physical Education for everyone.
During 1958 the following teachers took courses for professional improvement: Mr. Dudley, Mr. Matthews, Miss Dunleavy, Mr. Du- prey, Mrs. Monahan, Mrs. Towle, Mrs. Wagner, and Mr. Gilley.
New members of the faculty are:
Mrs. Margaret Monahan-Science and History Mr. Leverett W. Gilley-Industrial Arts Miss Barbara Saunders-English and French Mr. Jay Sheldon-Music Supervisor
Driver Training:
During November of this year, Mr. Robert Nydam, President of R.E.N. Chevrolet Sales Company of Whitinsville, presented a 1959 Chevrolet to the Douglas Memorial High School for the Driver Education program. Any student, after his sixteenth birthday, is eligible for this course. The Registry requires that each student have twenty hours of classroom instruction, six hours of observa- tion in the rear seat and six hours of driving. At present there are fifteen seniors enrolled in the course. With our own car, more students will be taught.
Student Council:
Plans have been formulated to inaugurate a Student Council in the High School. This is another step in assisting the students in their preparation for later life. An election to membership in the council will be a well deserved merit. The Council will assist the faculty in the monitoring of the halls, cafeteria and social events. It will continue in the improvement of the students dress habits.
Attitude:
The educational attitude of the students is gratifying. All the students are displaying a greater appreciation for education. The revision of the report cards and honor roll have exerted a marked influence. Recently the practice of issuing warning slips was in- stituted.
13
TOWN OF DOUGLAS
New Course:
In January of 1959 a course in Conversational French will be offered in the eighth grade. It will be taught by Miss Elinor Dun- leavy. Next year it will be given to the seventh and eighth grades. Stress will be placed on practical usage.
Extra-Curricular Activities:
In September the calendar of social functions was established. Faculty chaperones have been assigned for all events. All students are to be commended for their good behavior at these social gatherings. The new additions to the school building have been used to good advantage. The gymnasium has been used for gradu- ation, basketball games, rallies and informal dances; the auditorium for formal dances, dramatic presentations and musicals; the home economics room for student sponsored tea which will be an an- nual event.
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