USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Merrimac > Town Annual Report of the Officers of the Town of Merrimac 1955 > Part 6
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MAINTENANCE
From time to time during the school year, expendi- tures were made to maintain the proper operation of the school plant. Plumbing, heating, ventilating and lighting repairs were made as needed. The high school building again experienced a few cold days even though the heating units were working at maximum capacity. This situation can not be remedied without the expenditure of thousands of dollars, because any attempt to basically alter the pres- ent system would require the approval of the Department of Public Safety, which would force the replacement of the present units. In view of the pending regional school, such expenditures would not be justified at this time.
Acoustical tiles have been placed in the coffers of the elementary school gymnasium ceiling to improve the sound qualities of this area. This treatment of the ceiling was originally included in the building specifications, but was eliminated to reduce costs. This application of tiles does not completely solve the acoustical problem, but it has improved it.
10
SCHOOL £ REPORT
TRANSPORTATION
The transportation of school children to and from the public schools has become a major item in the annual school budget. This increase has been caused by the in- crease in the costs of transportation and the increase in the number of pupils transported.
Although there has been an increase in the trans- portation item of the budget, the actual cost to the town has not significantly changed, inasmuch as the town is reimbursed for all transportation costs over five dollars per net average membership. The following summary illustrates the cost to the town in 1955:
Expended in 1955 $ 9,305.84
Reimbursed in 1955 6,345.05
Difference $ 2,960.79
Your School Committee acknowledges the growing interest in this community for the education of its child- ren. The educational opportunities available to your child- ren should provide for development of each child in accordance with his needs. Within the limits of the resources available to the schools, your schools are ac- complishing this aim.
The School Committee approves and hereby incorpo- rates the report of the Superintendent of Schools as part of its report.
VIRGINIA H. WEBSTER, Chairman F. N. SWEETSIR, M. D., Secretary IRVING A. BLAKE KENNETH G. FOWLE CARL G. OLSON
11
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
The report of the Superintendent of Schools for the year 1955 is presented to you for your careful considera- tion and evaluation. This report presents a financial ac- counting of your school, statistics regarding the school and the forces contributing to the understanding of the decisions made therein.
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM
The education of your children begins in an ungraded primary unit, which is regarded as the best way to help pupils to learn properly and become good citizens. The ungraded unit provides for elasticity in instruction corres- ponding to the growth differences in each child. It re- cognizes that some children are ready for some activities, such as reading and arithmetic, while others are not. These differences are recognized and respected. Your children are not forced to move in lock-step fashion from grade to grade.
This method of instruction is helpful to all children, and not simply to the regular group. A child that gets a slow start has the advantage of additional time and materials at his or her level. Children with unusually good starts are permitted to progress developmentally without gaps in their instructional program. For the term of their education in the primary unit, usually about three years, the child lives and works in a classroom without crises usually reached annually regarding failures.
In the intermediate grades - four, five and six - the
12
SCHOOL REPORT
instructional program returns to the grade level approach to learning. During these grades the teaching is carried on in small groups within the grades to accommodate the different levels of achievement and speed of learning. In these grades the reading program is continued but more variety is added to the curriculum in terms of skills and knowledge.
A brief review of some general principles of learning and child development are included here because they illustrate the basis upon which the educational program is patterned.
1. Growth is continuous.
2. Learnings occur in orderly sequence.
3. Patterns of growth vary from child to child.
4. Growth patterns within a child may be uneven.
5. Rate and pattern of growth may be modified by conditions inside and outside the body.
6. A child's growth is a complex of interrelated phases.
7. Each child develops in a unique way.
Grades seven and eight are patterned upon the junior high school plan of rotating classes and special- ization of instruction. The junior high school movement in the United States has become a force for adjustment in the curriculum for these grades. The functions of this level of education are constantly being adapted to the needs of this age group. Further adjustment in curriculum can be expected to more satisfactorily bridge the gap between elementary and high school instruction. Several factors inherent in the present limited facilities of the building militate against a more functional curriculum. However, a study group within the school system now has this matter under consideration and further adjustments can be ex- pected in 1956.
13
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
With the increasing enrollment of the high school, plans are in operation to provide a more varied type of in- structional program with emphasis on providing more adequately for individual pupil needs. This curriculum adjustment will serve to ameliorate somewhat the limited offerings of the present program. The final solution to the needs of the adolescent population in Merrimac will have to await the opening of the Pentucket Regional High School, which is presently in the advanced planning stage.
With the firm conviction that it does make a differ- ence what kind of schools you provide, not only for your child but also to the welfare of the community, I would implore each resident of this community to study and support the plan to provide a regional school for the education of your children. The report of the Pentucket Regional School Committee will be found in another séct- ion of the town report and can be considered recommended reading.
Respectfully yours, John C. Jakobek Superintendent of Schools
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1955-1956
1955
September 7 Wednesday Schools open
October 7 Friday Schools closed-Teacher's Convention
October 12 Wednesday School closed-Columbus Day
November 11 Friday Schools closed - Veterans' Day
November 23 Wednesday Schools close for
Thanksgiving Holidays
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SCHOOL REPORT
November 28 Monday Schools open
December 21 Wednesday
Elementary schools close for Christmas Holidays
December 23 Friday High school closes for Christmas Holidays
1956
January 3 Tuesday Schools open
February 17 Friday Schools close for winter vacation
February 27 Monday Schools open
March 30 Friday Schools closed - Good Friday
April 19 Thursday Schools closed - Patriots' Day
April 23 Monday Schools closed - beginning of Spring Vacation
Apriil 30 Monday Schools open
May 30 Wednesday Schools closed - Memorial Day
June 14 Thursday High School Graduation
June 20 Wednesday All schools close
Elementary School Days - 180
High Schools Days - 182
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL
NO SCHOOL announcements will be made over Stations WBZ and WHAV after 7 o'clock in the morning.
6:30 A. M. 11-11-11- No school all day. 11:30 A. M. 11-11-11 No school in grades seven and eight.
15
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
1956 SCHOOL BUDGET MERRIMAC SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
1955
Appro.
1955 Expended
1956
GENERAL CONTROL
$
25.00
$ 44.25
School Committee Expenses $
50.00
2,043.00
2,100.00
Supt. Schools' Salary
2,555.55
761.00
716.64
Secretary's Salary
733.32
200.00
176.00
Extra Help
none
350.00
411.65
Travel & Office Costs
400.00
350.00
208.75
Law enforcement
350.00
COST OF INSTRUCTION
$ 79,866.00
$ 78,286.06
Full-time teachers & subs
$ 81,197.32
1,660.00
1,746.25
Part-time teachers
3,414.33
2,500.00
1,237.68
Text books
2,500.00
2,500.00
3,332.50
School supplies
3,000.00
3,673.00
2,730.00
School Lunch Salaries
none
COST OF OPERATION
$ 5,550.00
$ 5,274.96
Janitors' Salaries
$ 5,500.00
2,600.00
2,999.01
Fuel
2,600.00
700.00
691.38
Janitors' Supplies
700.00
1,000.00
1,507.73
Maintenance
1,000.00
500.00
478.40
Athletics
500.00
400.00
55.50
Libraries
400.00
1,400,00
1,367.83
Health
1,400.00
9,100.00
9,305.84
Transportation '
9,500.00
500.00
140.70
New equipment
500.00
300.00
567.54
Telephone & all other
400.00
$115,987.00
$113,378.67
$ 2,000.00
$ 2,123.66
$116,700.52 Vocational trans. & tuition $ 3,000.00
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SCHOOL REPORT
1955 FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Regular school appropriation
$115,978.00 7.56
Refunded dog tax
Total available for schools
$115,985.56
Total expenditures
113,378.67
Balance
$ 2,606.89
Total expenditures
$113,378.67
Total reimbursements
40,583.75
Net cost to town
$ 72,794.92
Reimbursements:
1955
1956 Estimates
Supt. Schools $ 933.33
$ 1,000.00
Chapter 643
29,935.29
31,000.00
Tuition local schools
712.00
500.00
All school transportation
6,345.05
6,500.00
Tuition, trans. state wards 2,658.08
2,500.00
$ 40,583.75
$ 41,500.00
Other reimbursements :
Construction
$ 10,992.71
Sale of Center School
2,000.00
All other (sale of books,
vending machine, etc.
42.13
$ 13,034.84
SCHOOL FUND STATEMENT (Athletics)
Balance, January 1, 1954 $ 14.97
17
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Total receipts
314.20
$ 329.17
Expenditures
264.42
Balance, December 31, 1955
$
64.75
SCHOOL LUNCH STATEMENT
Balance, January 1, 1955
$ 3,579.06
Receipts U. S. D. A. claim
4,580.19
Lunch sales
9,963.25
$ 18,122.50
Expenditures :
Wages
$ 2,769.50
Food
9,951.74
Fuel
120.00
Equipment
437.05
Other
512.22
Balance, December 31, 1955
$ 13,790.51 $ 4,331.99
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION STATEMENT
Vocational Education appropriation
$ 2,000.00
Vocational Education expenditures
2,123.66
Deficit
$ 123.66
Transferred in
123.66
Balance
0
Vocational Education expenditures
$ 2,123.66
Vocational Education reimbursements
1,306.19
Net Cost to Town
$ 817.47
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT BY GRADES October 1, 1955
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Readiness
Group
Adjustment Group
Mixed Level Group
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Total
1954
69
67
54
39
51
47
327
1955
75
56
64
50
40
48
333
JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Grade 7
Grade 8
Total
1954
54
44
98
1955
49
58
107
HIGH SCHOOL
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Total
1954
42
28
22
23
115
1955
36
27
21
18
102
OTHER SCHOOLS
Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Total
1
1
1
1
1
3
Essex Country Agricultural
4
18
SCHOOL
REPORT
Haverhill High School Amesbury High School
VOCATIONAL SCHOOLS
Grade 9
Grade 10 2
2
Haverhill Evening Apprenticeship
1
Haverhill Practical Arts
1
Haverhill Evening
4
Boston Part-Time Apprenticeship
1
SCHOOL CENSUS As Of October 1, 1955
Boys
Girls
Total
From 5 to 7
53
63
116
From 7 to 16
271
233
504
324
296
620
Comparative Totals for 6 Year Period
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
From 5 to 7
49
102
73
141
120
116
From 7 to 16
399
403
415
419
447
504
448
505
488
560
567
620
TOWN
OF
MERRIMAC
19
Total 7
Haverhill Trade School Haverhill Trade Extension
3
Grade 11 Grade 12
4
20
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE PENTUCKET SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMITTEE
To the Honorable Boards of Selectmen :
Towns of Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury
The second annual report of the Pentucket Regional School District Committee is submitted to you for your consideration. This district became effective on May 25, 1954, when the towns of Groveland, Merrimac and West Newbury voted to accept an agreement whereby such a district could be formed.
Your district committee has proceeded meticulously in laying plans for the proposed junior-senior high school which will resolve the school housing probems of the three towns and supply the type of education that your children need. Your Committee held twelve regular and seventeen special meetings during the year. In addition, there were numerous meetings of subcommittees as well as participation in discussions with other committees co- operating in the planning of this school.
The Regional District is indebted to the many (over one hundred) individuals that participated in the cooper- ative planning of the educational specifications for this new building. Hours and hours were spent by these committees in reviewing the needs of the new school, in studying the success of these specifications in similar situations, and in consultation and organization of these needs.
These committees, organized for cooperative plann- ing, met for specific phases of the total educational plant. Committees were formed to report on the following aspects of the new school program of studies, safety, site, com- munity use of plant, interior treatment of building, special purpose units, service facilities, administrative units and.
21
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
school plant. We are grateful for the work that was con- tributed by these groups in the development of our plans.
With the acceptance of the completed plans of these committees, it became the duty of the superintendent of schools elect, who served as consultant for the Regional District from April until August 31, 1955 when his official duties began, to draw up the educational specifications for the new regional school with the approval of this co- mmittee and the School Building Assistance Commission.
During the early months of the year, there were many hurdles to be crossed. Work began immediately on the various aspects of the planned district and school. The committee worked on many phases of the problems often at the same time. It was necessary to prepare and accept by-laws for the Regional School. It was necessary to in- terview architects and select one to plan the school. It was necessary to prepare and maintain financial trans- actions including bonds and bonding procedures. A site for the new school had to be selected and approved. Approval meant that the School Building Assistance Commission had to concur on the site and the Department of Public Health had to view and grant its permission for the site and sewage disposal methods. These and other phases in the development of the regional school have been met.
The Second National Bank of Boston was retained to advise the committee upon bond procedures and floating bond issues. The Merrimac National Bank of Haverhill was selected as the bank to be used for deposits of Region- al School funds and from which payments will be made in accordance with practice and law.
On February 24, by a vote of the Regional School District Committee, the district became known as the Pentucket Regional School District. Work proceeded upon the By-Laws of the District until April 4 when these By-Laws were finally approved. These By-Laws define
22
SCHOOL REPORT
the membership and organizational structure for the district and explain the financial structure. They also carry methods for amending the By-Laws and accounting for miscellaneous items not otherwise provided for.
Mr. Ted Miller of West Newbury was authorized to prepare a seal for the district, which was presented and accepted. This seal was adopted as the Seal for the Pen- tucket Regional District on March 16. A rubber stamp seal and plate have since been prepared to use on official documents.
Mr. Sydney O'Neill of Groveland was named Treas- urer of the District for one year beginning April 4, 1955. He was also named Secretary of the District until Sep- tember 1, when the new superintendent would assume this work as part of his official duties.
On May 2 the Regional Committee selected Harry Korslund of Norwood to draw plans for the regional high school building. Mr. Korslund was selected after the committee had interviewed a number of architects and investigated the previous buildings of these architects. Mr. Korslund has had extensive experience in the type of planning that this school necessitates. During the progress of our plans since his selection, this Committee has been very favorably impressed by his knowledge of educational facilities and economical construction.
With the approval of the architect, the School Build- ing Assistance Commission and the Department of Public Health, the site for the Regional School was selected on the property of Mrs. Hazel Albertson. This property lies in West Newbury and adjoins the Groveland town boundary. Test pits and borings have been made on this property. The contours on this property have been map- ped. In every respect it meets the needs of the planned junior-senior high school. Among the advantages not previously mentioned in regard to this site are: proximity to the center of the population of the three towns, near-
23
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
ness to public utilities, ease of drainage and sewage disposal and the adaptability of areas for athletic fields. On December 17th, an agreement was concluded to pur- chase 19.506 acres of land from Mrs. Hazel Albertson for $15,000 upon which to construct the new junior- senior high school.
Although the work of preparing the legal aspects of the district have been considerable, this work represents but a fraction of the time and effort in preparing the actual details of the school plant itself. After the pupil enrollments were projected for the district, it was neces- sary to adopt a philosophy of education for what we expect from our school. On the bases of what our children should secure from their secondary school, a program of studies was adopted for the regional school. This program will provide a comprehensive education for every type of interest of secondary youth, except for highly specialized vocational skills which are met in vocational schools near- by.
Not only are these skills available more economically elsewhere, but this Committee takes the position that school systems should not determine at an early age whether a child must have a vocational or academic edu- cation. We want the education of our children to be both academic and vocational. We do not want to categorize our children and shunt them into specialized programs and contend that such a step is good for them. Pre- destination in education is born neither out of practice nor theory.
On the basis of the projected enrollments for the regional junior-senior high school, and the objectives of our educational planning, the educational specifications were determined. This part of the planning provides for the number, size, shape and purpose of the rooms that will be needed in the building. This planning provides scientifically for the number of rooms needed. In this
24
SCHOOL REPORT
planning phase, it was necessary to decide the number and types of special facilities needed in our school. In light of the immensity of our needs, these facilities were carefully considered. One can easily understand that careful planning is necessary to neither underbuild nor overbuild. Because there are specialized facilities for teaching domestic arts, industrical arts, music, physical education, science, art and other pupil needs, each set of facilities must meet the projected needs of our children. In every stage of the preparation of these educational specifications, it was necessary to confer with, and secure the approval of the School Building Assistance Com- mission.
Upon the final acceptance of these educational spe- cifications, the architect was empowered to begin drafting plans for the projected needs of this district. Mr. Kors- lund, the architect, has, since the acceptance of our edu- cational specifications, met a number of times with this Committee and presented this Committee with many building outlines. After much discussion relative to the form of the building, its suitability for our needs, its placement on the site, and the other factors involving usability and convenience, a building scheme was accept- ed. The architect is proceeding with detailed working plans for the building at this time.
The timetable for 1956 calls for architectural plans to be completed in June. Although this committee is not in a position to present its plans at this time (January 3, 1956), shortly after the beginning of 1956 the details of our plans will be presented to the townspeople of the district. We entreat you to study carefully the thinking that went into these plans and the future educational welfare of this and succeeding generations of youth upon whose shoulders will rest the salvation of society. As soon as the estimated construction cost has been deter- mined, the respective towns of the region will be requested
25
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
through special town meetings to approve the construction of this building.
In retrospect we would again acknowledge the as- sistance of all individuals who have contributed to the success of this project thus far. We are indebted to those people who have contributed by their knowledge and experience to the preparation of the educational planning of the building. We are indebted to our many town offi- cials and the public for their understanding and coopera- tion. Our grateful appreciation is extended to all.
In reviewing the progress of our plans we realize that not many of the efforts of this committee are evident to the public. Completed plans of all phases of the Committee's efforts will be released very shortly. It has been our practice and policy to proceed carefully in the planning stages in order that rashness of action would not jeopardize the future education of our children. It is an established fact in building construction of this type that four or six additional months of educational planning have prevented ten to twelve months delay in construction, plus additional financial burdens to the district.
A financial recapitulation of the Pentucket Regional School District follows in detail.
Respectfully yours, IRVING A. BLAKE, Chairman T. TAIT BENDER DOUGLAS V. CROOK, M. D.
KENNETH G. FOWLE FRANCIS HARRIMAN JOSEPH E. JOYCE LOUISE E. MILLS CARL G. OLSON LEO A. SOUCY
26
SCHOOL REPORT
PENTUCKET REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT TREASURER'S REPORT 1955
RECONCILIATION OF CASH
Cash Balance January 1, 1955 0
Receipts
Assessments to the Towns
$
1,300.00
School Bond Issue 84,000.00
$ 85,538.05
Expenditures
Operating and Maintenance
$
1,452.13
Construction 580.00
U. S. Treasury Bills
29,834.70
31,866.83
Cash Balance on hand Dec. 31,1955
$ 53,671.22
Temporary Short Term Investments
U. S. Treasury Bills due Feb. 2, 1956 29,834.70
Total Balances on Hand Unexpended
Dec. 31, 1955 $ 83,505.92
Receipts
Assessment to Town of Merrimac $ 520.00 Assessment to Town of Groveland 403.00
27
TOWN OF MERRIMAC
Assessment, West Newbury
377.00
$ 1,300.00
School Bond Issue $ 84,000.00
Premium on Bond
173.88
Accrued Interest
64.17
$ 84,238.05
Total Receipts
$ 85,538.05
Expenditures
Educational Consultant $ 500.00
Digging & Filling Test Pits
80.00
Total Construction Costs
-$ 580:00
Superintendent's Salary $ 166.64
Secretary-Treasurer's Salary
286.25
Janitor's services at Committee's Meeting Place
57.50
Retainer Fee for Attorney
100.00
Expense of Bond Issue
612.98
Office Supplies & Expense
146.90
Telephone and Postage
25.70
Delivery of Brochures
25.00
Treasurer's Bond
18.36
Ad in Haverhill Gazette
4.80
Bank Charge
4.00
Travel Expense
4.00
Total Operating & Maint. Costs -$ 1,452.13
Investment 30,000 U.S. Treasury Bills $ 29,834.70
-
Total Expenditures
$ 31,866.83
28
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
In a democracy such as ours, which depends upon the development of each individual, it is important that each child be trained in democratic ideals and practices. It is our belief that the home and family life has the greatest influence upon the child and his way of living democratically in a group situation. Experience in the family is the closest and longest lasting of all experiences.
Subordinate to the home, but of great value in the training of the child are many agencies, one of which is the public school. This makes it mandatory that the home and school work closely together to enable the school to provide broader experiences for the child which will guide his day by day relationships with others.
It is in the light of this philosophy that we of the Elementary School wish to work. We want the parents of our children and the friends of our school to feel welcome to visit us during school hours and to confer with the teachers after school hours. We know that this will bene- fit the child, the school, the home and the community.
One of the ever present problems in any school is that of reporting a child's progress. This is the second year with our present system of reporting. We are form- ing a study group of parents and teachers who will evalu- ate this method and, if necessary, produce a new type of report which may reveal the progress of the child to the parent more comprehensibly.
Fire drills are held monthly during the year. During the first day of school, trial drills are held to teach the children the routine. Following that time all drills are unannounced. Fire Chief, George Buzzell, holds his Offi- cial drill during Fire Prevention Week. Our drills average
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