USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1920-1925 > Part 41
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43
3. "A plan such as I have outlined-a six year high school for the whole town, located near the center of population, and one or two six year elementary schools, would give the children of Duxbury the sort of educa- tional facilities to which they are entitled if they are expected to compete with other children who get their start in life in schools of this kind. A rough estimate would put the cost of these buildings (apart from the land) at about $150,000."
"A patchwork plan of remodelling the present build- ings or adding to them, would cost but a few thousand dollars less if made to provide the features needed, and
-14-
would produce a school plant that would again be obsolete in the course of a few years."
Mr. Leeds has authorized the statement that every- thing he said in regard to the specifications and details of construction of the building he designed for the 8 grade plan applies in every respect to the 12 grade or consolidated plan presented herewith.
Parents please note on this plan the separate outside entrance to each of the first six grade class rooms. This is considered the best safeguard that can be provided for your child in case of fire or accident in school build- ings of the class of construction proposed for either the 8 grade or this 12 grade building. It enables each class to come and go by itself at any time without mixing with or disturbing another class. It keeps the first 6 grades separate and apart from the 3-3 junior-senior high school scholars, which Professor Ekstrom pronounced a very. desirable thing to do.
All of the plans are susceptible of material changes of details. They only go to show that a building such as has been recommended can be provided with the means we have at hand. (
The elevation or picture of the 12 grade building is not as pleasing, perhaps, as that of the 8 grade building. Changes of detail of this description are easily made and are expected.
For instance the Auditorium Gymnasium as shown on the 8 grade building could be used with the main 12 grade building.
Another set of plans, covering Professor Ekstrom's recommendation for separate buildings for the grade and the high schools is in preparation. It will have the 'istinct advantage of three units, any one of which can be erected separately without reference to the others. That is, the 6 grade elementary school could be erected one year, the high school the next year and the auditorium the third year or even later.
-15-
The first investment would be about 1-3 with conse- quent reduction in interest, and the additional time might permit of desirable features being worked into the plan, and with less haste in construction the character of the work might be better.
PARTRIDGE ACADEMY
As soon as this building can be released by the High School it should be put in order for use by special classes with the co-operation of the Trustees of the Fund left by George. Partridge for the higher education of Dux- bury youth.
First year college course might be given to a few pupils of the senior high school class if they showed spe- cial aptitude.
The University Extension Course of the Mass. Depart- ment of Education could be made especially valuable as well as Vocational Continuation and Americanization classes. With this beautiful building maintained by the town the Trustees and the School Committee in co-opera- tion an institution of very great educational value can be provided, not only for the youth of Duxbury but for every resident, young or old.
Let every reader understand neither the plans pre- sented nor the recommendations made are original with the writer. They embody the advice of the three ex- perts your Committee employed to provide the town with the best, and they coincide with the advice of such well-known educators as Angelo Patri, George D. Strayer, John H. Odell and such eminent school archi- tects as William B. Ittner of St. Louis, W. R. McCor- nack of Cleveland, Ohio, James O. Bettelle of Newark, N. J., to all of whom and to the many others who have been good enough to comply with the writer's request
-16-
for information, he hereby publicly acknowledges his obligation and gratitude.
To any of you who seek first-hand information, I am sure Mr. J. C. Boykin, Chief, Editorial Division, Bureau of Education, Washington, D. C., will be glad to send Rural School leaflets, Numbers 4, 9, 13, 19, 22, 23, 29, 30, 31, 34, 36, 38 and bulletin 1923 No. 39, bulletin 1925, Numbers 22 and 25.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES S. CLARK. 20th February, 1926.
REPORT of JOINT COMMITTEE
ON
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
TS +489
WOTS
Town of Duxbury
REPORT OF JOINT COMMISSION ON SCHOOL BUILDINGS
To the Voters of Duxbury :
The joint committee, composed of the Selectmen and the School Committee, respectfully submit the following report :
We have considered carefully the present condition of the schools in Duxbury, and find that the grade schools, particularly the village grammar school, and the three schools in Tarkiln are very much crowded, so that school work is hampered and sanitary conditions are far below what they should be. Some improvement that will give more schoolroom space and more adequate recreation facili- ties should be provided at the earliest possible moment.
If any change is to be made, we believe that the school system should be reorganized into a six grade elementary school and a six-grade junior-senior high school. This plan of organization is meeting with increasing approval throughout Massachusetts. If we may judge from informal conversations with many persons in Duxbury, we believe that such reorganization will meet with hearty approval in this town.
Assuming that the Town will reorganize its schools on this basis, two building plans have presented themselves. The first plan is one of complete consolidation of all schools into one building, which will house all grades from the first through the senior high school. The other plan con- templates the enlarging of the Tarkiln grammar school and the village grammar school so as to accommodate six grades in each building, two grades to a room, and the building of a central high school building to accommodate a six-grade junior-senior high school. The committee has held two public hearings, and has tried to learn through
-3-
personal contact with citizens as much of the public opin- ion as possible in regard to these two plans. We have made investigations of costs by consulting several architects of repute and by consultation with the State educational authorities at the State House. One member of the State Board has visited the town and inspected all of the schools and traversed the different sections of the Town thoroughly. After considering the matter from all points of view, we submit the following opinions :
ONE-BUILDING PLAN
A building that would properly accommodate all of the pupils of the Town must have from twenty to twenty-four rooms, according to a prearranged plan of internal organi- zation. There must be six standard schoolrooms for the elementary school, a combination hall and gymnasium, and sufficient high school rooms to accommodate the six classes in their various courses. There must be recreation and lunch rooms, and at least one retiring room for teachers, school physician, nurse, and for emergency purposes. If our schools were housed in one building, it must be remem- bered that a fire of any extent would entirely cripple our whole school organization until repairs could be made. It would seem right that such a building should be entirely fireproof in its construction. Such a building would cost at least $200,000, apart from the cost of land, furnishings, and architect's fees. If a building should be partly of the second-class construction, with fireproof corridors and stair- ways, the lowest estimate is about $160,000.
Complete consolidation is believed by many to be educa- tionally the superior plan. It is probably true that the principle of one grade to a room to a teacher would have its advantages. It would be somewhat easier to secure teachers. It would give the school physician and nurse
-4-
more convenient access for health instruction and for emergency care, and the education of all the children in town in the same school would in time contribute to a greater community of interest. On the other hand, we be- lieve that the fire hazard is a very real danger, and it would seem evident that the appearance in school of any epidemic would make it necessary to close the whole school at times when such would not be necessary under a plan of partial consolidation.
According to our best information, the operating costs of a consolidated school would be higher than the operating costs of three separate buildings. The cost of teachers would not be materially different. Janitor service would be more costly for one building than for three, because the law would require, for that size building, a licensed fireman who would be present in the building throughout every school day. The transportation costs would increase materially; an expert has estimated that this item would cost at least $10,000 a year.
We find, moreover, that there is much objection on the part of parents to having younger children transported such a distance from home. Theoretically, we can under- stand the contention that if children are to be transported, the question of distance is not important, but in practice, many parents do object to this feature.
There is an added fact of considerable importance in connection with the cost of the one-building plan. The State law places a debt limit of the Town of 3 per cent. of its valuation. That law limits Duxbury to an indebtedness of approximately $130,000, without special appeal to the Legislature. The present debt is about $26,000, so that in order to raise the necessary money to build the one build- ing, a special appeal must be made to the Legislature to increase our debt limit by approximately $100,000.
The committee recognizes certain definite virtures in the
-
-5-
one-building plan, but does not believe that this plan is practicable for Duxbury from a standpoint of construc- tion cost, operating cost or practical school operation.
THREE-BUILDING PLAN
The grammar schools at Tarkiln can be used as a basis for a four-room school building with assembly room and retiring room. This would be accomplished by utilizing the space that is between the two buildings and building an addition across the present front without moving either building. The village grammar school lends itself in a somewhat different way to the same sort of enlargement. The cost of enlarging these two buildings is estimated at a maximum of $30,000. A high school building to accom- modate six grades of junior and senior high school would include the necessary classrooms, laboratories, recreation and retiring rooms and a hall gymnasium. Such a building offers more latitude in method of construction than is of- fered by a building large enough to accommodate all the pupils in town. The estimated cost of such a high school building can be conservatively stated as between $50,000 and $75,000, according to the style of construction. The committee would recommend the adoption of this plan, for the following reasons :
1. The immediate need of enlargement is in the grade schools. Our high school has a good reputation and, while we believe that the six grade high school plan should be adopted, the change to that plan need not be made this year. The enlargement of the elementary school buildings, as outlined above, provides room for eight grades in each building, two rooms to a grade. When the plan is changed to a six-grade plan, the additional space in each building will not be wasted.
2. We doubt that complete consolidation offers enough
-6-
educational advantage to justify the greater cost of con- struction and maintenance. Perhaps the majority of teach- ers and supervisors advocate the one grade per room prin- ciple, but we find enough advocates of the two grades to a room principle to make us believe that the results of this plan would be entirely adequate.
3. We believe that in case of fire or contagious disease, our children are better off housed in smaller buildings far enough apart so that in either case the whole school system will not be crippled.
4. We believe that there is greater justice to the smaller children of the Town if they are not transported so far from home, especially when weather and road conditions make transportation at its best very difficult.
5. We believe that the principle of educating all the children together will be adequately observed if complete consolidation begins at the seventh grade, when children are old enough to begin to form more profitable friend- ships.
6. We heartily agree that we want complete town unity, but we believe that there is a distinct unfairness in remov- ing from the west side of the town all of their schools, so long as the residents of the west side desire to retain them. We believe, moreover, that in each district, such a school- house as we have planned may become a distinct advantage as a community center that will have the atmosphere of refinement and that will furnish to the people of the com- munity a much more attractive opportunity for community life than can be furnished in any other way.
7. We believe that the cost of the three-building plan is within the reasonable limits of what the Town can finance, and we do not believe that the extra cost of the one-building plan, either on the side of construction or maintenance, is within the limits of what the Town can reasonably afford to raise.
-7-
CONCLUSION
We therefore recommend that the Town raise and appro- priate the amount of $30,000 for the enlarging of the grammar schools at Tarkiln and Duxbury Village, and that the committee be authorized to secure plans and esti- mates for the most desirable form of high school building, such plans to be presented at the next annual Town Meet- ing.
Respectfully submitted, RALPH K. BEARCE, ELIZABETH A. PHILLIPS, JOHN SIMMONS, SIDNEY C. SOULE, WENDELL PHILLIPS.
Alfred E. Green, dissenting, submits the following as a minority report :
MINORITY REPORT
Herewith I submit minority report.
I am firmly of the belief, in view of the fact that the school population is no larger now than it has been for many years, that action on the reorganization of the school system can safely be delayed and that a schoolhouse can be built between the twin schoolhouses at Tarkiln which will remedy the evils complained of until a more propitious time. This makeshift, in my opinion, will an- swer the purpose for several years when we should be relieved of many tax burdens and be in a better position to meet the problem of education.
A. E. GREEN.
Articles in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting Saturday, March 12, 1921 With Recommendations of Selectmen
Article 5. Will the Town raise and appropriate a sum of money for the payment of bills remaining unpaid for the year 1920, and overdrafts in Police, Forest, Health and Snow Departments ?
Art. 5. We recommend that the above Articles be voted.
Article 6. To raise and appropriate such sums of money as may be necessary to defray town charges.
Art. 6. We recommend that the following amounts be appropriated. Resurfacing St. George and Washington Street loan, 1917,
$800.00
Re-surfacing King Caesar Road loan, 1918,
1,200.00
Road Machinery loan, 1919,
1,000.00
Re-surfacing Washington Street, 1919,
1.000.00
Re-surfacing Columbus Ave. and Marshall Street, 1919, 2,200.00 Re-surfacing Chestnut, Toby Garden and Elm, etc., 1920,
6,000.00
Interest,
5,000.00
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth,
1,693 03
State, County and Highway Tax, estimated,
21.000 00
Cemeteries,
1,500.00
Plymouth County Hospital,
10,610.50
Support of Schools,
25 000 00
Transportation of School Children,
4.000 00
Fire Protection,
400.00
Forest Warden,
500 00
Tree Warden,
100.00
Snow Removal.
1.000 00
Street Lighting.
1.569.00
Health Department,
1.000.00
Animal Inspection,
150.00
Inspection of Slaughtered Animals,
150 00
Charities. 6.000.00
Soldiers' and Sailors' Aid,
100.00
Town Physicians,
400.00
Selectmen,
1,200.00
Election and Registration,
350.00
Treasurer, 950.00
Collector of Taxes,
1,000.00
Assessors,
1,200.00
Law, 500.00
Town Office, 700.00
Town Clerk, 450.00
Accounting,
600.00
Police,
500.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures,
150.00
Bounties,
75.00
Unclassified,
1,300.00
Town Dump,
50.00
Highways, Bridges and Sidewalks,
7,000.00
Town Landing,
50.00
Article 7. Will the Town vote to apply the dividend from the Plymouth County Dog Fund to the Support of Schools ?
Art. 7. We approve.
Article 8. Will the Town vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $300, to be expended under the direction of William Wadsworth Post No. 165, G. A. R. for the obser- vance of Memorial Day ?
Art. 8. Approved.
Article 9. Will the Town vote that the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, be authorized to borrow money from time to time, in anticipation of revenue for the financial year beginning Jan. 1st, 1922, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, any debt or debts incurred under this vote to be paid from the revenue of said financial year.
Art. 9. Approved.
Article 10. To see if the Town will vote to authorize its Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to hire money to continue the Moth work from Dec. 1st, 1921, to March 1st, 1922.
Art. 10. Approved.
Article 11. To see if the Town will vote that the balance of the 1917 Overlay of Taxes $684.35 be transferred to the Reserve Fund for the year 1921.
Art. 11. Approved.
Article 12. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to repair the dyke at the Matta- keesett Court Town Landing ?
Art. 12. Approved.
Article 13. To see if the Town will vote to rescind the vote of March, 1920, whereby they voted to pay from fifty to sixty-two and one-half cents an hour for labor, and $10 for man and double team ?
Art. 13. Approved.
Article 14. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate for the use of the Plymouth County Trustees for County Aid to Agriculture, a sum not exceeding $200, and choose a town director, as provided in Chapter 273 of the Acts of 1918, and act thereon.
Art. 14. Disapproved.
Article 15. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate a sum of money for the completion of Toby Garden and Elm Streets, and authorize the Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow any or all of said sum in anticipa- tion of reimbursement by the State; or to take any action relative thereto.
Art. 15. Approved.
Article 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and ap- propriate a sum of money to resurface with sand asphalt that portion of Powder Point Avenue from the residence of Mr. Phillips, easterly to Gurnet Bridge. (By petition.)
Art. 16. Approved.
Article 17. Will the Town vote to resurface with sand asphalt or crushed stone, Harrison Street and Mattakeesett Court, and appropriate money for same ? (By petition). Art. 17. Disapproved.
Article 18. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate a sum of money to build with sand asphalt on Crescent Street, beginning at Standish Street and continuing around the westerly side of Captain's Hill to a point called Allen's Gate. (By petition.)
Art. 18. Disapproved.
Article 19. Will the Town raise and appropriate $1,000 to repair Temple Street and make fit for public travel, from barn on E. S. Stevens Estate northerly, by W. H. Hunt place to Mr. Gerrish's place ? (By petition).
Art. 19. Disapproved.
Article 20. Will the Town raise and appropriate a sum of money ($1000 or more) to be expended during the season of 1921, in the construction of a permanent sidewalk along
the main thoroughfare between Duxbury Railroad station and South Duxbury station, via St. George, Washington and South Depot Streets, and designate the place of beginning and the materials to be used. (By petition).
Art. 20. Disapproved.
Article 21. To see if the Town will appoint a committee to consider the matter of laying out a highway leading from the southerly end of Columbus Avenue, southerly and west- erly to Standish Street. (By petition).
Art. 21. Approved.
Article 22. What action, if any, will the Town take toward the removal or change in location of the stone water- ing trough at the junction of St. George, Cove, Washington Streets and Powder Point Avenue ? (By petition).
Art. 22. We recommend the removal.
Article 23. To see if the Town will raise and appropriate the sum of $575 for the Duxbury Free Library.
Art. 23. Disapproved.
Article 24. To see if the Town will accept an act of the Legislature (Chapter 153, Acts of 1916) regarding the Slaughtering License Fee ?
Art. 24. Approved.
Article 25. Will the Town raise and appropriate $200 for improvement of the public playground at Train Field ? Part of this money to be used to provide Swings and Parallel Bars for the children This money to be expended under the di- rection of the Train Field Committee of the Duxbury Rural Society.
(Art. 25. Disapproved.
Article 26. To see if the Town will vote to return to the Treasury the urexpended balances of North Street Repairs, Resurfacing Washington Street, Stone Road Repairs, Temple and Church Street Layout, Surveying Washington Street, Commission on Schools, Fire Protection at South Duxbury. Total amount, $720.99.
Art. 26. Approved.
Article 27. To see if the Town will vote to accept the lay- out by the Selectmen on February 25, 1921, of the South side of Massasoit Road to supersede the layouts of 1907 and 1920.
Art. 27. Approved.
Articles in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting Saturday, March 11, 1922 With Recommendations of Selectmen
Article 1. To choose a Moderator to preside in said meeting.
Article 2. To bring in their votes for three Selectmen for the term of one year, one Assessor for the term of three years, Three Overseers of the Poor for the term of one year, for Town Clerk for one year, for Town Treasurer for one year, for Tax Collector for one year, for Tree Warden for one year, for one person for the Board of Health for three years, for one School Committee for the term of three years, for one Cemetery Trustee for the term of five years. for three Constables for one year, for one Auditor for one year, all on one ballot. Also on the same ballot, Will the Town grant licenses for the sale of certain non-intoxicating bever- ages for the ensuing year ? The vote to be "Yes" or "No" in answer to the question, Shall licenses be granted for the sale of certain non-intoxicating beverages in this town?
Polls will be open at 6 a. m. and may, close at 11 a. m.
Article 3. What action will the Town take relative to the appointment of necessary officers not chosen by ballot ?
Article 4. To hear the reports of the various Town Offi- cers and Committees and act thereon.
Article 5. Will the Town raise and appropriate a sum of money for the payment of bills remaining unpaid in the various departments for the year 1921 and overdrafts in Police, Forest, Fire and Snow Departments ?
Article 5. We recommend that these amounts be appropriated.
al
P t.
p
ler-
at
he he
T'S
Article 6. To raise and appropriate such sums of mone as will be necessary to defray Town charges.
Article 6. We recommend that the following amounts be appr priated:
Re-surfacing St. George and Washington Streets, loan, 1917, $800.0
Re-surfacing King Caesar road, loan, 1918,
1,200.0
Road Machinery, loan, 1919, 1,000.0
Re-surfacing Washington Street, loan, 1919,
1,000.0
Re-surfacing Columbus Avenue and Marshall
Street, loan, 1919, 2,200.0
Re-surfacing Chestnut, Toby Garden and Elm Streets, loan, 1920,
6,000.0
Interest,
5,000.0:
Gypsy and Brown Tail Moth,
1,741.1
State, County and Highway Tax, estimated,
21,000.0
Cemeteries,
1,500.00
Plymouth County Hospital,
1,439.47 Ir
Support of Schools, (together with all reimburse_ 'ments received during the year, and the Dog Fund),
31,000.00
Fire Protection,
1,000.01
Forest Warden,
800.00
Trec Warden,
100.00
Snow Removal,
1,000.00
Street Lighting,
1,600.00
Health Department, (including vital statistics),
1,000.00
Animal Inspection Department,
150.00
Department of Inspection of Slaughtered Animals,
150.00
Charities,
6,000.00
a
Soldiers and Sailors Aid.
100.00
Town Physicians,
400.00 a
Repairs of Gurnet Bridge,
762.31
Selectmen's Department,
1,200.00
Election and Registration Department,
350.00
Treasurer's Department,
950.00
Collector of Taxes Department,
1,000.00
Assessor's Department,
1,200.00
Law Department,
500.00
Town Office and Hall,
1,000.00 450.00
Town Clerk's Department,
600.00
Police Department,
500.00
Department of Sealer of Weights and Measures,
150.00
Bounties on Hawks, Crows and Seals, Unclassified Department,
1,300.00
Town Dump,
50.00
Highways, Bridges and Sidewalks (including new construction),
15,000.00 50.00
0
e
Accounting Department,
S
75.00
a
Town Landings,
M
Article 7. Will the Town vote to raise and appropriate he sum of $300 to be expended under the direction of Wil- iam Wadsworth Post No. 165, G. A. R. for the observance f Memorial Day ?
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.