USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Lincoln > Town Report on Lincoln 1935-1940 > Part 7
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Section 22. The planning board or until one is established the Board of Selectmen upon its own initiative may, and upon petition of ten citizens shall, hold public hearings, public notice of which shall be given, for the consideration of any amendments to the zoning map or to this by-law, and report to a Town Meeting its recommendations as to what action shall be taken. No hearing shall be held or appeals considered for any variation or change of district boundaries except as provided in Section 27, Chapter 401 of the General Laws, and amendments thereof and in addition thereto and in this section.
Zoning Map.
Change zoning map by adding a business section on the southwesterly side of the North Great Road extending south- easterly from its intersection with the Concord Town line to a point opposite where the Concord Town line turns approxi- mately north at right angles to the North Great Road.
Explanation of Changes
Section 2.
This adds a definition of "line of way," which has been confusing to some in the past. It also provides that where there has been no "taking" the line of way shall conform to what would be the minimum taking.
Section 3.
This adds the new section (b) which establishes the Board of Appeals, and is done to conform with Chapter 269 of
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
the Acts of 1933 which makes it mandatory for a Town to provide for a Board of Appeals in its zoning by-laws.
Section 12.
This is perhaps the most important change recommended. It increases the minimum size of a lot from 10,000 sq. ft. to 40,000 sq. ft. In considering this change we have been guided entirely by the conviction that if Lincoln is to remain a residential Town it will be to the advantage of all present citizens to prevent land developers coming into Town and putting on the market large numbers of small lots. Such operations inevitably lower the value of other land. It is especially desirable for those of our citizens who wish to find employment in Lincoln as it must be obvious that more work will be provided from homes built on 40,000 ft. lots than on the smaller size. It is of course necessary that provision should be made so that our citi- zens can build on a smaller lot where it would be a hard- ship to enforce the maximum provision. To care for this authority is given the Board of Appeals to vary the regu- lation to a minimum of 20,000 sq. ft. It should be noted that under the General Laws this change does not apply to existing lots of record and no present owner of a lot smaller than 40,000 ft. is affected by the change.
Section 14. (a)
This increases the set-back from 25 ft. to 40 ft., and should not be so voted in our opinion unless the lot size is made 40,000 sq. ft.
Section 15. (e)
This provision is made to ensure to the owner of a non- conforming use the right to re-build within one year after loss by fire.
Section 15. (f)
This is inserted to prevent contractors coming into Town, removing all soil from a property and leaving it as they always do, an eye-sore for those who live in the neighbor- hood.
Section 20. (a) Technical.
Section 21. (d) Technical.
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REPORT OF ZONING BY-LAW COMMITTEE
Section 21. (e)
This section will allow two additional filling stations to be located on the Cambridge Turnpike subject to suitable restrictions.
Section 22. Changed to conform with the present statute.
Change of Zoning Map. This adds a business district at the westerly end of the North Great Road and is recommended because the Concord side of the road is zoned for business and we believe there is no advantage and some hardship to owners of property on the Lincoln side to restrict it to residences.
Respectfully submitted,
FRITZ CUNNERT, HARLAND B. NEWTON, GEORGE G. TARBELL.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF LINCOLN
FOR THE
SCHOOL YEAR 1935
COL
09.90
NEWTON GARDEN CITY PRESS, INC. 1936
110
TOWN OF LINCOLN
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ROLAND C. MACKENZIE, M.D., Chairman GLADYS DEYONGH HERMAN JAMES DENORMANDIE
Term expires 1938 Term expires 1936 Term expires 1937
Superintendent of Schools CARL F. HOLLORAN
Teachers Junior High School MARJORIE M. HOWARD FLORENCE E. WHEELER BETTINA KING
Grades IV - V - VI THELMA GODDARD MARY C. O'CONNELL
ISABELLE McBREEN
Grade III FLORENCE JACKSON
Grade II ESTHER R. COMER
Grade I JOSEPHINE C. DOHERTY
Teacher of French RUTH W. BELKNAP
Supervisor of Music WILLIAM H. TAUNTON
Supervisor of Manual Training E. W. BURCKES
School Physician HENRY A. WOOD, M.D.
School Nurse MARION OBER, R.N.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Janitors Center - WILLIAM HARRINGTON South - PATRICK LENNON
Attendance Officer J. J. KELLEHER
CALENDAR FOR THE YEAR 1936
Mid-Winter Term, begins January 6, 1936, ends February 14, 1936, six weeks.
Spring Term, begins February 24, 1936, ends April 17, 1936, eight weeks. Summer Term, begins April 27, 1936, ends June 12, 1936, seven weeks.
Fall Term, begins September 9, 1936, ends December 18, 1936, fifteen weeks.
Holidays
Columbus Day, October 12.
Teachers' Convention Day.
Armistice Day, November 11.
Thanksgiving Recess, November 26-27. -
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
ANNUAL REPORT 1935
Education of all the people is essential to that economic, civic, and social security which a democratic government intends to promote and continue. With this ideal in mind your School Committee has endeavored to perform its civic service during the year 1935. Faithfully, it has kept before it the duty of providing the means whereby the youth of Lincoln may be reared into worthy and useful citizenship.
The model school system for the Town of Lincoln is obviously one which comes nearest to attaining this objective and at the same time is so balanced that it meets the needs of all the children of the community. If all of our boys and girls were to continue their school life in private schools or colleges after completing their courses here, it would be incum- bent on the public school to provide a preparation for these institutions. If, on the other hand, all our children were to enter the trades or crafts, or stay on the farm after their school life was ended, the needs of the first mentioned group could be ignored and emphasis placed on the more particular needs of the latter. Here, in Lincoln, the situation is complex for the needs of a sizeable group of both types must be met. The most and best possible must be done for each. To this end your committee aims to make the opportunities offered in our schools balance in such a way that equal chance for educational fundamentals is given to all.
During the year a particular study has been made by the Committee and Superintendent of the records of Lincoln pupils who have gone on into high schools, private schools, and trade schools. Through the co-operation of the principals and teachers of these schools and through quarterly report- ing of the marks obtained by our pupils, it has been possible to check up on the relative value of the foundations built here in our own school. The average of the marks has been commendably high; failures have been few. The consensus of opinions of the teachers has been that in general the prepara- tion has been entirely adequate and a common comment
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
that of itself means much has been that our Lincoln prepared pupils think for themselves and show initiative. These observations have been the same for the college preparatory, the general course groups, the trade school groups, and the private school groups. Most deficiencies have been individual ones and our Superintendent and teachers have entered wholeheartedly into corrections where it has been possible.
Most of the problems that seem difficult of correction can be traced to faulty social adjustments that arise in changing from a small school to a larger one. They are undoubtedly accentuated by the fact that Lincoln has not given her chil- dren the advantages of the socializing influences derived from the school activities that an assembly hall or a gymnasium allows. In respect to this deficiency the committee has offered concrete suggestions in the past and hopes for a more co-opera- tive reception by the citizens of the Town at some time in the future.
Encouragement has been given to the teachers during the year in their efforts to so integrate the general school work as to make it of greater interest to the pupils. French has been introduced in the five upper grades to stimulate the children's interest in peoples of other countries; to broaden their viewpoint; and at the same time to reveal their linguistic abilities in a way that may stimulate some of them to more advanced efforts in later school courses. This is an opportunity that is ordinarily limited to those in High School grades and to those who can afford private school careers or individual tutoring. Frankly, it is experimental for a public school but seems to have started off in a way that augers well for the attainment of the purposes for which it is intended.
Music, called the universal language, has been elaborated on during the year by greater support to choral and orchestral work. The handicap of lack of an assembly and practice hall is a great one.
Domestic science and general science studies are far from ideal in completeness due to crowding and lack of physical equipment. The difficulties of maintaining and operating a modern school system with equipment twenty-five and more years old has been impressed forcibly on your committee this year in their plans for improving the schools. The Town
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
should soon rouse itself to its responsibilities in providing opportunities for its children equal to those of other communi- ties.
Finances
The Committee is happy to report that in spite of some unexpected repair items occurring during the year, it has functioned within its budget and is able to return a small balance as unexpended. Continuing the line of comparison followed in last year's report, the following table which is self explanatory may be of interest.
6-Year Average Yearly Expenditure
Salaries
$18,722 25
1935 Expenditure $19,608 00
Superintendent's and Committees'
Expenses
141 02
161 56
Books and Supplies
946 21
952 19
Fuel
764 58
935 63
Health
624 17
680 35
Operating Expenses
480 61
364 39
Repairs
1,108 11
1,217 47
Local Transportation
6,396 35
4,924 73
High School Transportation
2,395 70
2,892 83
High School Tuition
5,052 84
5,949 04
New Equipment
390 56
26 80
Building plans, etc.
51 67
55 00
Playground
78 24
165 38
$37,152 31
$37,933 37
Salaries
This year salary cuts were discontinued and the Committee believes that it can truthfully report that the Town has not been the loser by the action. The teachers have given full value in service and effort.
Book and Supplies
The addition of French made necessary the purchase of several more text books than usual during the year. Higher prices for supplies further added to increase this item over the average.
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Fuel
Fuel needs for the year were somewhat unusual because of the severity of the early months of the year. Sixty-two++ tons of the best grade soft coal were purchased after bids at $7.11 and $6.95 per ton. 41 + tons of hard coal were purchased at $11.95 and $10.45 per ton. Because of the uncertainty in prices brought about by the Federal legislation regulating coal production it seemed wise to purchase in anticipation of 1936 needs as far as our finances permitted, and accordingly there remains several tons for use in 1936.
Health
This item includes the charges for the services of the school physician and nurse and the incidental supplies necessary in their work. Also included are the necessary towels, soap, drinking straws, etc.
Operating Expenses
Although many of the charges under this heading are fixed, such as telephone and water rates, especial effort was made to keep the figure as small as possible.
Repairs
Repairs become an increasingly important item in the school budget as the buildings become older. The committee has attempted to keep abreast of the necessities in this respect, believing it to be poor economy to put off whatever needs to be done until the ultimate cost is formidable. During the year the copper valleys and numerous broken slates on the roof of the Center School were 'replaced, the chimney recapped, the cupola painted, and many minor repairs made as necessitated by the usual wear and tear.
This fall it was discovered that one of the boilers in the Center School heating plant had so outlived its usefulness that it must be replaced. This cost of nearly $1,000 was an entirely unforeseen emergency and one not provided for in the annual school budget for the year. Fortunately, through savings on other items it was possible to find sufficient money to cover one-half of the cost, leaving the other one-half to be included in the 1936 repair bill. Whether the other boiler,
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
which is of equal age to the defunct one will survive much longer is impossible to prophesy. Undoubtedly it will have to be replaced before long.
More painting should be done this coming year, and worn stair treads in the Center School should be replaced.
Transportation
Contracts for transportation of pupils were made on the same basis as last year, "cost plus 10%."
The cost of transporting High School pupils was $2,892.83 or $56.72 per pupil for the year.
The cost of transporting local pupils was $4,924.73 or $20.10 per pupil for the year.
Comparisons of these figures with those tabulated in last year's report will be of value to the reader.
High School Tuition
Disbursements under this item are entirely dependent on the number of pupils and the charges of the school to which they elect to go. Compared with the average yearly expendi- tures for such, it may readily be seen that the 1935 costs exceeded the average by about $900.00.
Vocational Education
The 1935 appropriation for this purpose was $1,600.00. Of this amount $1,098.35 was spent for tuition and $402.12 for the transportation of the pupils.
Receipts
Money received by the Town and credited to the School Account amounted to $7,249.31 thus making the net cost to the Town of all schools $32,184.53.
1936 Budget
The Committee estimates that the following amounts will be necessary to carry on the school system in 1936:
1. Salaries $20,486 00
2. Superintendent and Committee 151 00
3. Fuel 633 75
4. Books and Supplies 825 00
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
5. Health $734 00
6 Operating expenses 385 05
7. Repairs 821 00
8. Local Transportation 4,729 41
9. High School Transportation 2,821 44
10. High School Tuition 6,550 80
11. Playground
12. New Equipment
13. Reserve
62 55
Appropriation requested $38,200 00
Vocational Education
Tuition
$1,267 00
Transportation 243 00
Appropriation requested $1,510 00
The Superintendent's and School Nurse's reports with a Summary of School Expenditures and receipts are appended to this report.
ROLAND C. MACKENZIE,
GLADYS DEYONGH HERMAN, JAMES DENORMANDIE.
Summary of Expenses and Receipts of Lincoln Schools, 1935 General Expenditures
Salaries.
$19,608 00
Superintendent and Committee
161 56
Fuel
935 63
Books and Supplies
952 19
Health
680 35
Operating Expenses
364 39
Repairs.
1,217 47
Local Pupil Transportation
4,924 73
High School Pupil Transportation
2,892 83
High School Tuition
5,949 04
New Equipment and Building
81 80
Playground
165 38
Total
$37,933 37
1935 Appropriation
38,000 00
Unspent balance
$66 63
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
Vocational Education Expenditures
Tuition
$1,098 35
Transportation
402 12
Total
$1,500 47
1935 Appropriation
1,600 00
Unspent balance
$99 53
Receipts
Grammar School Fund
$38 03
City of Boston, Tuition Wards
136 18
City of Boston, Transportation Wards
80 00
City of Boston, Rebate on Tuition
93 06
Com. of Mass., Tuition Wards
125 40
Com. of Mass., Transportation Wards
76 00
Com. of Mass., Part I, Chapter 70
2,070 00
Com. of Mass., Part II, Chapter 70
638 89
Com. of Mass., High School Transportation
3,107 07
Com. of Mass., Vocational Tuition
605 79
Com. of Mass., Vocational Transportation
265 80
Miscellaneous
13 09
Total Receipts
$7,249 31
Net Cost of all Schools to Town
$32,184 53
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT
To the Lincoln School Committee:
This, my seventh annual report, will consider in some detail the high school education of the boys and girls of Lincoln. It is a matter to which I have given considerable attention dur- ing my term of office and, as you know, I have from time to time reported to you on various phases of this problem. Much of the material here presented has been given to you at regular meetings of the Committee but I feel that in bring- ing it together in this report may serve the purpose of acquaint- ing the townspeople with an important part of the educational work of the Town.
From time to time one hears comment regarding the diffi- culty which has been encountered by one of our pupils upon entering high school. From this single instance the conclusion is drawn that all pupils have a like difficulty and the further conclusion is drawn that the difficulty is insurmountable. It is always unsafe to generalize from a single instance. shall present here some data which shall make generalization somewhat safer, and considerably more accurate, than some which have come to my attention.
I shall discuss the number of pupils who go to school after leaving our Junior High School upon graduation; the courses they choose in high school; the schools they attend; the success they have in school. Since it is success in high school which causes most of the discussion I shall go into that phase of the matter in some detail even at the risk of being boring. It is only by the presentation of facts, not heresay evidence, that the record may be kept straight.
During my term in Lincoln beginning September, 1929, a total of 99 pupils have completed the Junior High School course. Of this number only two went directly to work after graduation. Two pupils during that time have entered private schools directly upon graduation.
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
Twenty-one of the remaining 95 pupils did not complete their high school or trade school courses under our auspices for the following reasons :
Withdrew because of illness 2
Married
2
Moved to another community . 7
Transferred from high to private school 2
Poor school work
3
Miscellaneous reasons 5
Contrary to popular supposition the great majority of our graduates do not enroll in college preparatory and scientific preparatory courses in high school. Such pupils are in a decided minority as shown by the following table:
Commercial courses. 39
College courses 28 (including 2 in private schools)
General courses 10
Scientific preparatory 9
Normal preparatory
2
Domestic Arts
5
Trade Training courses. .
4
College and scientific preparatory total 37
All other courses 60
The choice of a suitable course in high school is a matter which demands considerable attention from parents and teachers. Such a choice should not be made on any basis except aptitude for the work to be done, and probability of success. Pupils very often select a course because a friend has selected it or for some equally poor reason. Parents should frown upon such a procedure and consult the teachers who have been dealing with the pupil before signing an "elec- tive blank." The class adviser of our graduating class, the home room teacher, makes it an important part of her work during the second half of the school year to advise pupils on their high school courses. The Superintendent has aimed at timely educational guidance by conferences with pupils and parents of prospective graduates. The results have been extremely gratifying during the past six years.
Our approval of choice of high school courses has been
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
withheld in nine instances, six of which have been in the choice of college and scientific preparatory courses. Of these nine, seven have changed courses in high school, and five of the seven changes have been from college and scientific courses to courses presenting less difficulty.
When we withhold our approval of the choice of a high school course it does not mean that the pupil cannot take such a course if his parents approve it. Withholding approval means simply that in the opinion of the adviser and the Superin- tendent such a course is not the one best suited for that pupil. That such an opinion has some basis for support is indicated by the figures cited in the preceding paragraph.
The ninety-seven graduates entering a higher school have chosen as follows:
Concord High 72
Waltham High 15
Weston High 3
Wayland High 1
Waltham Trade 4
Private schools. 2
There were original choices but two boys later transferred from Concord to Waltham. One boy transferred from Con- cord High to Waltham Trade School, and one boy transferred from Waltham High to Waltham Trade School.
Let me present now a picture of their record in high school. Since an overwhelming majority have attended Concord High School I shall take the record in that school. In order that the discussion may not be too tedious I shall confine my remarks to the records of our graduates who attended Con- cord High beginning September, 1933, and ending June, 1935. Thus we shall get approximately 50% of the pupils attending that school, and in my opinion a fair cross section of the Lincoln pupils.
During the school year ending June, 1935, the marking system in Concord High was changed from the "E G F P" system to the "A B C D" system. In the following data therefore all marks of "E" received prior to the change are credited as "A" and so with other marks in respective order.
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
Marks of "A" or "B" are recorded without the qualifying sign of "plus" or "minus."
Included in the following charts are the records of 34 pupils, all of whom have attended grade 10. Twenty-eight of them have attended grade 11, and twelve have attended grade 12. You will note that marks for Physical Education and Music are not here included though credit is given for these subjects in Concord High School.
Final Marks Received in Grade 10 by 34 Pupils
Subjects
Number of Marks
A
B C
D
English
2 15
17 0
French
1
6
7
3
Latin
0
5
4
3
Plane Geometry
0
8
5
3
Typewriting
0
10
6
0
Medieval and Modern History
0
2
10
1
Commercial Geography
1
9
7
0
Biology
0
2
3
0
Totals
4
57
59
10
Mark
Per cent of Total Number
A
.0308
B
.4385
C
.4538
D
.0769
-
Note that over 46% of these marks are of "A" and "B" grade, and that they were given at the completion of the work of grade 10.
The 10 failing marks of "D" were received by six pupils of whom more will be said later in this report. On the other side of the record there is the fact that six of these 34 pupils did not receive any mark lower than "B" during their year in grade 10.
The following table shows the distribution of final marks given to 28 pupils who attended grade 11. It is of interest to note that the 12 failing marks of "D" were given to 8
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
pupils, 4 of whom received seven of the 10 such marks in grade 10. Sixteen of the 22 marks of "D" in grades 10 and 11 were given to 5 pupils, 3 of whom withdrew from school before completing grade 12. Five of these marks were given to 1 pupil whose choice of a college preparatory course was not approved by us and who later withdrew from Concord High School.
Final Marks Received in Grade 11 by 28 Pupils
Subjects
Number of Marks
A
B
C
D
English
0
10
18 0
French
0
4
7
2
Latin
0
1
4
2
Review Mathematics
0
1
4
4
U. S. History
0
3
12
3
Plane Geometry
0
1
2
0
Typewriting
1
6
5
0
Bookkeeping
0
11
2
0
Biology
0
1
2
0
Stenography
0
2
5
1
Chemistry
0
3
4
0
Algebra
0
0
1
0
Totals
1
43
66
12
Mark
Percent of Total Number
A
.0082
B
.3524
C.
.541
D
.0984
Final marks for the 12 pupils who have attended grade 12 in the time under discussion are presented in the following table. Two of the 3 failing marks of "D" were given to 1 pupil who has accounted in the two charts above for 3 of the failing marks. This pupil, who withdrew from school, accounts for 5 of the total of 25 failing marks.
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TOWN OF LINCOLN
Final Marks Received in Grade 12 by 12 Pupils
Subjects
Number of Marks
A
B
C
D
English
0
8
3
1
Problems of Democracy
1
0
0 0
Physics
0
1 2 0
Physiology
0
0
3
0
Elementary Science
0
1 0
0
Medieval and Modern History
0
1 0
0
Economics and Commercial Law
1
1
0
0
Algebra
0
1 0
0
Bookkeeping .
0
3
1
0
Penmanship and Spelling
0
1 0
0
Typewriting
0
1 2
0
U. S. History
0
4
2
1
Stenography
0
0
1
0
French
0
1
1
0
Chemistry
0
1
0
0
Review Mathematics
0
0
0
1
Commercial Geography
0
0
1
0
Biology
0
0
1
0
Totals
2 24
17
3
Mark
Per cent of Total Number
A
.04
B
.52
C
.37
D.
.07
Note that 56% of the marks given to these pupils at the end of grade 12 are of "A" and "B" grade. Such a record is excellent, yes superior, by any group of 12 pupils in any school.
Now let me summarize briefly some of the facts set forth in the preceding tables. To show at a glance the results in the various grades we have the following tables:
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