USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1935-1940 > Part 16
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Lincoln had schools even before Horace Mann's day, for we find it recorded that in 1754 a "moving school" was con- ducted in three places in the Town. That the idea of schools was one that our forefathers wished to perpetuate is evidenced by the fact that in 1759 a leading citizen of the Town, Joseph Brooks, bequeathed the sum of approximately $388.00 for the support of a grammar school. This Town will indeed be ungrateful if in the future it does not in some way provide a proper memorial for this first benefactor of our schools. And in passing it would indeed be negligent if the attention of the Town were not called to those who have followed Brooks' example - among whom are the late Hon. Charles Sumner Smith and more recently Mr. Julian DeCordova.
In 1792 the Reverend Stearns' school was established and successfully conducted for nearly two decades. When in 1810 the Town acquired the Stearns school, the real inception of public schools in Lincoln became a fact; for since that time schools have been conducted continuously in the Town.
Thus, from the beginning the desire of the early Town fathers has been to provide the children of the day with edu- cational advantages as nearly equal as possible to those pro- vided by larger towns.
The establishment and maintenance of public schools became compulsory with the enactment of Chapter 71 of the General Laws of Massachusetts which required that every town maintain for at least 160 days of every year a suffi- cient number of schools for the instruction of its children in "orthography, reading, writing, the English language and grammar, geography, arithmetic, drawing, the history and constitution of the United States, the duties of citizenship, physiology and hygiene, good behavior, indoor and outdoor
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games and athletic exercise" and "such other subjects as the School Committee considers expedient."
Section 34 of this same Chapter makes it obligatory on the part of the Town to raise by taxation money for the support of schools, and even provides a double forfeit for neglect to do so; as also it does for a town's refusal or neglect to elect a School Committee. These two requirements our Town has never failed to meet.
While State law delegates these duties to the Town, it imposes upon the School Committee nearly absolute control over the schools, giving it authority to designate hours, elect teachers, specify salaries, and make purchases of supplies.
The Lincoln School Committee consists of three members, one of whom is elected each year for a term of three years. The Superintendent is ex-officio Secretary for the Committee but has no vote, although he may participate in all discus- sions except when his own salary or tenure is the subject. The Committee elects its own Chairman and formulates its own rules. The Rules of the Lincoln School Committee are published at the end of this Report and it would be profitable for all who have business with the School Department to become familiar with them.
As seen by these Rules, the Superintendent is the executive head of the school system. Furthermore, the authority is delegated to him by State Laws "to under the direction of the School Committee have care and supervision of the schools and to assist it in keeping its records and accounts and mak- ing its reports and he shall recommend to the committee teachers, text-books, and courses of study." After election for three consecutive years, he is said to be on "tenure" and cannot be removed without justifiable cause and has the right of hearing and appeal. Neither can his salary be re- duced without his consent without a year's notice from the Committee.
The present Superintendent of Schools was elected in 1929. He is a graduate of the Fitchburg Teachers' College and Boston University and had experience in Montclair, New Jersey, Fitchburg Teachers' College, and Newton, Mass., before coming to Lincoln. His duties combine those of Superintendent and Principal and his salary is $3,500.00 per year. He has no clerical assistance.
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At present Lincoln employs nine full time teachers and three part-time teachers: one each in Music, French and tutoring, and Woodworking. The maximum salary allowed is $1,600.00 per year for elementary grade teachers and $1,700.00 per year for Junior High teachers. All are Normal School, Teachers' College, or College graduates. The oldest in point of service has been with us for 14 years; one for 10 years, and two for 7 years.
One full time and one part time janitor are employed at the salaries of $1,100.00 and $400.00 respectively.
Teachers participate in the State Teachers' Retirement fund but as the Town has never accepted Section 44 of Chap- ter 32 of the State Laws, the janitors do not have pension benefits.
The School Committee sincerely hopes that every person in the Town, who has not already done so, will make it part of his civic duty to visit both school houses. Only by such a visit can the brief descriptions given here be understood: -
The South School accommodates Grades 1 and 2. It is a wooden structure and was built over forty years ago. Use of it was discontinued at one time but it was necessary to reopen ,it in 1922. It is not overcrowded and its two class rooms are large and well lighted. Heating is a difficult and expen- sive problem in spite of two heating plants and double win- dows. The toilet facilities are not modern and are kept sanitary with difficulty. That the children are all on the first floor and that constant vigilance is exercised to prevent fire hazards developing are the only factors that prevent this building from being a moral liability when the Town's duty toward the proper protection of its small children is con- sidered. The lot surrounding this school is ample in size for its two classes and it is well fenced. Its possession by the Town is contingent on its use for school purposes.
The Centre School was built twenty-eight years ago. It is of brick and wood and is not of fire-proof construction in any sense of the word. It was originally intended to house six class-room units but for fourteen years it has been necessary to adapt it to seven units. With one exception the class- rooms are not overcrowded but are in use at approximately their maximum capacity. Continuation of the Town's growth will soon make necessary added class room facilities.
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There is no assembly hall, gymnasium, lunch, or health room. The facilities for library purposes and for the teaching of Science, Music, and the Practical Arts are very rudimentary and quite insufficient for the conduct of a modern school. Adequate fire-escapes are lacking and with the existing wooden stairways the question of safety of the pupils should cause the Town concern. The Centre School lot has been well drained and graded and provides a sufficient play area for a school of this size.
At the present time there are 230 pupils attending grades 1 to 9 inclusive. Fifty-five are in the South School and 175 are in the Centre School. In addition Lincoln sends 41 pupils to Concord High School, 6 to Waltham High School, 2 to Wayland High School, 2 to Weston High School and 5 to Waltham Trade School. Thus, the Town must pay tuition charges for 56 pupils in other than Lincoln schools. These pupils are, nevertheless, subject to the general rules and regulations of the Lincoln school authorities.
The total enrollment for which the Town provides educa- tional advantages at the present time is thus 286. In 15 years this represents a 21% increase.
It will be apparent to those who analyze the varied re- quirements necessary for a complete educational offering for each individual child in Lincoln, that the diversity necessary is equal to that found in a community many times its size and wealth. The Town's proximity to large cities means that its yardstick for school standards becomes the city school and not that of the rural community of equal size. The economic and social range of its people is just as broad as that of the city and the ultimate destination in life of its school graduates is fully as diversified. Probably an educa- tional system that would meet all of these demands is beyond the financial ability of the Town and so it becomes necessary to do for the greatest number the greatest possible amount of good.
Lincoln schools are operated on the so-called 6-3-3-plan: Six years of elementary training, three years of junior high school, and three years of senior high school. The arguments for and against this particular system are beyond the province of this report; suffice to say that the plan is accepted by authorities in education as suitable and successful and so has
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proven to be in its 14 years here. As to the controversial methods and theories variously called "progressive," "ortho- dox" and so forth, it has seemed better in Lincoln to glean those ideas which best fit our needs and utilize them. As examples there may be cited the combination of "phonetic" and "flash" methods of teaching reading in the primary grades, the modification of the "co-operative group plan" in use in grades 4, 5, and 6, the introduction of the conversa- tional method of teaching a foreign language in the elemen- tary grades, and finally the opportunity to hear fine music through the use of modern recordings.
If the objectives of our Lincoln schools are to be stated in a few brief words, it would be that the pupils are expected to be well grounded in reading, and in arithmetic, and in suffi- ciently varied other subjects to aid them in thinking and reasoning for themselves in an intelligent way. The testi- mony of teachers in other schools to which our pupils go confirms our belief that Lincoln is reasonably successful in this.
As Lincoln maintains no Senior High School, arrangement with neighboring towns is necessary to care for our secondary school pupils. As the number of pupils has increased, there has been necessary a gradual increase in the appropriation for this purpose. Fifteen years ago there were 38 pupils attend- ing High School and the tuition costs were $3,374.00. Today there are 51 and the costs in 1936 were $6,001.05. In 1937 we expect to have at least 60 pupils in High School and the estimated tuition charges are $7,440.00.
Transportation to and from the out-of-town high schools is provided by the Town but the State returns to the Town Treasury the amount expended provided it does not exceed 40 cents per pupil per day of attendance.
The object of vocational education is to fit persons for profitable employment. Massachusetts maintains industrial, agricultural, and household arts schools. Children over 14 years of age are eligible for admission where vacancies occur and as there is no established school of the sort in the Town, pupils are sent elsewhere. The Town pays the tuition charges for these pupils and for their transportation and is reimbursed by the State for one-half of their tuition and for their trans- portation up to the same 40 cents per pupil day of attendance
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as with High School pupils. At present there are five Lincoln boys attending Trade School in Waltham.
The policy of this and previous School Committees has been to keep all school equipment in good repair; this policy extending to buildings as well as other equipment. Every child has a clean desk with a modern hygienic adjustable seat. Blackboards are kept in condition. Lighting and ven- tilation are regulated as far as possible although undoubtedly the lack of modern methods of heating and air-conditioning cause a greater incidence of colds and throat irritations than is usual in more modern buildings. Each school room is thoroughly swept and dusted daily. Furthermore, books are kept clean and rebound or replaced when their condition indicates such action is necessary.
As you are aware, the maintenance of schools is compulsory on the Town. Annually at the Town Meeting two appro- priations for schools are made: one is for General School Purposes, and the other for "Vocational Education." The requested sums are ascertained by careful estimates of the needs for the year. Each item is carefully budgeted. Where opportunities for saving are possible by bulk purchases this is done, and competitive bids are obtained when to our advantage.
Bills are scrutinized first by the Superintendent, then sub- mitted semi-monthly to the School Committee for approval before submission to the Selectmen for their order on the Town Treasurer. No part of the appropriation is handled directly by the School Department and all reimbursements from the State on account of schools, or moneys payable to the schools from other sources go directly into the Town Treasury and are not added to the funds at the disposal of the School Department.
Probably sufficient has been said about transportation of the younger pupils in the reports of the past two years to familiarize everyone with this function of the School De- partment. State laws require that where a child's residence is further than two miles from his school, the Town must furnish transportation for the pupil for at least one mile of the distance. With four busses about 85% of Lincoln chil- dren are carried to and from school. The busses are furnished
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by private contractors who are paid on a "cost plus 10%" basis.
It is hoped that in making a report of this type the School Committee has been able to present enough to sustain the co-operative interest which the Townspeople have so gener- ously shown during the year. Rules of the Committee, Finan- cial summaries, and the Reports of the Superintendent and the School Nurse follow :
ROLAND C. MACKENZIE, M.D., GLADYS DEYONGH HERMAN, JAMES DENORMANDIE.
RULES OF LINCOLN SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SECTION I The School Committee
1. Organization
The Lincoln School Committee shall organize annually at the first regular meeting after the annual election of Town officers.
This meeting shall be called to order by the senior member of the Committee.
2. Officers
The Chairman of the Committee shall be chosen by ballot and shall continue in office until his successor is chosen.
The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Com- mittee.
It shall be the duty of the Chairman to prepare the annual report, and to submit a draft of such report to the members of the Committee for their concurrence, at the regular meet- ing in December of each year.
The Superintendent of Schools shall be the Secretary for the School Committee.
The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of votes, orders, and proceedings of the Committee and shall keep on file in his office all reports, communications, papers, and documents relating to the business of the Committee.
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The Secretary shall furnish to each member of the Com- mittee a copy of the minutes of each meeting.
3. Meetings
The Committee shall meet on the second Monday of each month, except July and August, at 8 P.M., at the office of the Superintendent, unless otherwise ordered by the Com- mittee.
Special meetings may be called by the Chairman or upon the request of two members of the Committee.
Two members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, except as otherwise provided in these rules.
The Rules and Regulations of the Committee may be amended or repealed by a majority vote of the whole Com- mittee, provided notice of such proposed amendment or repeal has been given at a previous regular meeting.
A previous vote of the Committee shall not be reconsidered except by a majority vote of the whole Committee at a regu- lar meeting.
The conduct of meetings and of the business of the Com- mittee shall be in accordance with the laws of the Common- wealth and the rules of the Committee as herein laid down.
Matters of business in regular meetings shall be taken in the following order, unless otherwise voted :
1. Reading of minutes of previous meeting.
2. Approval of bills and payroll.
3. Unfinished business.
4. Business presented by the Superintendent.
5. New business.
4. General Procedure
The Committee shall generally act as a unit - that is as a Committee of the whole - on all matters of general policy, but sub-committees may be appointed for investigation and report on specific matters and shall serve only so long as the need exists.
No members may act for the Committee except as au- thorized to do so by a definite vote of the whole Committee specifically stating the extent of the authority granted.
All complaints and protests must be in writing and signed by the complainant, when presented to the Committee, and
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if not against the Superintendent of Schools, they shall be immediately referred to him for investigation and report.
Disciplinary cases shall not be considered by the Com- mittee except when reported by the Superintendent or on an appeal of a pupil or parent from a decision of the Superin- tendent.
No child shall be admitted to the first grade in the Lincoln Public Schools unless he shall be six years of age on or before the first day of January in the school year during which he wishes to be admitted.
Proof of age in the form of a birth certificate shall be re- quired before admission to grade one.
SECTION II The Superintendent of Schools
1. The Superintendent shall be the advisory and execu- tive officer of the Committee and under its direction and control shall administer and supervise the public schools of the Town, and shall have authority over all employees of the School Department.
In all matters where his duties are not definitely prescribed he shall exercise his discretion, subject to the approval of the Committee.
2. He shall make and enforce such regulations for the conduct and maintenance of the schools as he may deem conducive to the best interests of the schools, subject to the approval of the Committee.
3. He shall attend all meetings of the Committee and have the right to speak on all matters before the Committee. When his election or salary is under consideration he shall withdraw unless otherwise voted.
4. All votes, orders, directions, and communications of the Committee affecting pupils, parents, teachers, or other employees of the School Department shall be communicated through the Superintendent.
5. The Superintendent shall appoint all employees of the School Department, subject to the approval of the Committee.
He shall have authority to fill all vacancies caused by tem- porary illness or necessary absence of teachers or other em- ployees, and when necessary provide temporary teachers or
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other employees until a regular teacher or other employee is appointed.
6. He shall act as the agent of the Committee in the purchase and distribution of supplies for the schools, except that all extraordinary repairs, equipment, and supplies shall be ordered only after the Committee has so voted.
7. All bills against the School Committee, including all payrolls, shall be referred to the Superintendent for exami- nation and approval before the Committee approves them for payment.
He shall keep a full and accurate account of all receipts and disbursements and shall from time to time furnish a state- ment of these to the Committee with a statement of the amounts of the various appropriations expended and unex- pended.
8. The Superintendent shall prepare for the Committee the annual returns required by law, and transmit them, after being duly signed, to the State Department of Education.
At the end of each fiscal year he shall prepare and present to the Committee for publication a report on the condition of the schools for the year preceding, together with such suggestions as he may deem worthy of consideration.
9. In case of stormy weather the Superintendent may suspend school and shall have authority to close any school whenever in his judgment conditions are such as to endanger the health or safety of the pupils.
10. He shall have power and authority to assign pupils to their respective classes.
11. He shall have authority to suspend from school any pupil whose conduct or character is detrimental to the good order of the school, or whose parents wilfully neglect or re- fuse to co-operate with the Superintendent or teachers in carrying out the regulations of the schools.
Such suspension is to be immediately reported to the parents or guardian of the pupil and to the Committee.
12. He shall have control over those pupils in the Senior High School for whose tuition the Town is liable.
13. He shall have supervison of the work of janitors and shall see that they conform to the rules of the Committee and to such directions as he may deem wise to give.
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14. He shall report to the Committee the failure of any teacher or employee to do satisfactory work, to comply with the rules of the Committee, or to follow his directions.
SECTION III Teachers
1. Elementary teachers must have education equivalent to graduation from high school and must be graduates of an approved college, teachers college, normal school, or an approved training school.
Junior High School teachers must have education equiva- lent to graduation from high school and must be graduates of an approved college or teachers college.
No person who has not had at least one year of successful teaching experience shall be employed to teach regularly in the Lincoln Public Schools.
2. After notification of election each teacher shall within ten days notify the Committee through the Superintendent whether she accepts or declines the appointment.
3. Any teacher intending to resign shall give to the Super- intendent four weeks' notice of such intention.
Unless otherwise ordered by the Committee resignations will not be accepted to take effect. between May 15, and the close of the school year nor during the month of September unless in the latter case a written resignation has been filed with the Superintendent on or before August first.
4. In case of necessity substitute teachers may be em- ployed by the Superintendent subject to the approval of the Committee.
5. Teachers shall be in their respective class rooms not later than fifteen minutes before the time for opening school.
In case of necessary absence teachers shall notify the Superintendent as early as possible in order that a suitable substitute may be engaged.
6. All teachers shall respect the rules, regulations, and re- quirements of the Committee transmitted through the Superintendent and shall co-operate cordially with him and with each other in the conduct of the schools and the main- tenance of good order therein. They shall consider the sug- gestions and directions of the Superintendent as given by authority of the School Committee.
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7. Teachers who marry during their term of service in the public schools of Lincoln shall sever their connection with the schools.
8. Teachers shall keep a copy of these rules in their respec- tive school rooms and shall thoroughly familiarize themselves with the contents.
9. Sick leave shall be granted to teachers as follows: ten days with pay and one day additional for each year of service in Lincoln.
There shall be a further allowance of the difference between her pay and that of a substitute for such time as the Com- mittee may decide.
General Procedure
In all cases of absence teachers shall require the pupil to furnish in writing, or other satisfactory way, a reason for such absence.
No pupil is to be dismissed from school without the approval of the Superintendent and only when a satisfactory reason, in writing or otherwise, has been given for such dismissal.
No pupil shall be allowed to communicate during school hours with any person except his parents or guardian unless by written permission from the Superintendent.
The rules of the Board of Health of the Town of Lincoln are to be strictly observed in the public schools.
No child shall be admitted as a pupil in the Lincoln Public Schools until a physician's certificate or other satisfactory evidence has been furnished the Superintendent that the child has been vaccinated or is not a fit subject for vaccination.
Certificates of exemption from vaccination are to be re- newed every two months.
Damage done to school property, other than ordinary wear, shall be paid for by the person causing such damage.
Post-Graduates
1. A pupil wishing to return to high school for post-graduate work must file a written application showing plans to meet certain college entrance requirements, or plans that indicate some similar worthwhile purpose.
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The School Committee will not provide post-graduate work for any pupil who has already completed college entrance requirements.
2. This application shall be filed with the Superintendent of Schools in Lincoln prior to September first of the school year in which the pupil plans to do such post-graduate study.
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