USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1936-1940 > Part 43
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ony let us say 5,000,000 and the
Value of Property sold or
abandoned let us say 35,000,000 total of
reasonable claims $79,000,000 to be added to the equity 33,574,927 or total
assets of
$112,574,927
The New Haven claims some twelve or fifteen million dollars for cost in excess of revenue of their operation of the O. C. The Commonwealth of Mass claims these costs to be excessive and both costs and revenues effected by di- version of traffic from its usual or natural routes.
The Boston and Providence R. R. (44 miles) may have
A
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suffered in a similar manner, for Vice President Wall, testi- fying before the Massachusetts Public Utilities Commis- sion on May 2, 1938 (Record page 1518), said: "Wait a minute-there are no New York to Boston revenues allo- cated to the Boston and Providence line, no part of it." On the other side of Providence, it is a different story, for in the "Amendment to Plan of Reorganization filed by the debtor" page 21: "In the case of the New York Provi- dence, & Boston." "Bonds and ... the 'adjusted segregated earnings' of each line cover present interest requirements so many times that it would be inequitable to require the holders to exchange these bonds for even the highest grade reorganization securities." As the principal New York to Boston trains use both roads it is questionable how the "segregated earnings" could be adjusted so that one gains while the other loses.
The complaint that Highway vehicles have injured the railroad traffic comes with bad grace, from the New Haven when its wholly owned subsidiary is operated in competi- tion with its own railroad service.
The Old Colony formerly had a lease of the Boston and Providence-the two were operated as a unit by the Old Colony with complete satisfaction to the Public and Secur- ity owners.
This should be resumed to protect Public Interest.
Let the Commonwealth of Massachusetts follow the ad- vice of Judge Hinks, as expressed to members of this com- mittee on February 9, 1937, in the court in New Haven. viz "It would seem to me that when experience demon- strates that rails cannot pay for themselves that the eco- nomical procedure is to consider whether the state won't take over the property and assume the burden." This
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plan was submitted to the Governor's Special Committee.
The, (shall we say)-Boston, Providence, and Old Colo- ny Railroad operated by the present management of the Boston and Maine Railroad would serve the best interest of Massachusetts, could handle the traffic so the revenues would accrue in proportion to the several roads. Actual management would be at home and the cost, perhaps, one half of the present.
The Old Colony Commuters League is making a strong effort to preserve adequate passenger service and Dux- bury should aid and encourage them.
After nearly three long years listening to fantastic tales of a poverty which compelled the Public to suffer privation and distress, it is amusing, perhaps, auspicious to read in the daily press-
"New Haven, January 30 (AP)-Federal Judge Carroll C. Hinks refused today to authorize the trustees of the New Haven Railroad, now undergo- ing reorganization, to issue new equipment trust cer- tificates, recommending instead that the road make its purchase with cash."
"The jurist instructed counsel for the road to pre- pare an affidavit to show any reason why the equip- ment ordered last year and amounting to $1,250,000 should not be paid out of the "Huge cash surplus."
"Judge Hincks said he knew that the road had plenty of cash on hand and that the banks did not care to take any more." "I think," he asserted, "that the road must pay a premium now to deposit this money with the banks."
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This plethora of wealth should permit the purchase of equipment for operation on rails at one quarter the al- leged cost of steam trains and there-by promote the Public Welfare by the saving of lives on the highways.
Since the above was prepared the Massachusetts Public Utilities Commission has held a two-day hearing on plans for a restricted operation of passenger service.
But when it developed that even if such a plan were to be adopted it would not delay the hearing before the I. C. C. of the Trustees' petition for the complete aban- donment of the Old Colony and the Asst. Attorney Gen- · eral declined to pass on the evidence until he had had an opportunity to read it the Commission suspended hear- ings indefinitely.
The plan considered gave Plymouth three trains each way per day with Bus service from Quincy.
In view of facts given in the first part of this report it is inconceivable Abandonment of O. C. R. R. could be advocated in Good Faith. The added injury to Duxbury of another abandonment deserves and requires your per- sonal attention.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES F. CLARK, Chairman CHARLES R. CROCKER, Selectman BENJAMIN F. GOODRICH SIDNEY C. SOULE, Selectman & Sec'y. HARRY F. SWIFT PERCY L. WALKER
The Duxbury Railroad Committee
Duxbury, 14th February, 1940.
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Report of Committee to Investigate the School Situation
To the Citizens of the Town of Duxbury:
The Committee to investigate the School Situation is returning to the town treasurer unused, the $500.00 au- thorized by the Town Meeting of March 1939 and is here -. with submitting its report.
SUMMARY
The buildings at present housing the first four grades (Tarkiln, Point and Village Schools) are inadequate, obsolete, and in need of considerable repair. If the present rate of increase in school population continues, these build- ings will be inadequate to accommodate the pupils in the first four grades before other space can be made available. In all Duxbury schools there is at present a 15 per cent overload in seating.
The High School Building is crowded in a few depart- ments and includes the relatively young children of the fifth and sixth grades with the much older high school students.
Construction of a new elementary school building for the first six grades would provide space necessary for the first four grades, space desirable now (and soon neces- sary) for the High School and provide many advantages discussed later.
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CONCLUSIONS
After a consideration of many alternatives, this com- mittee has concluded that the best solution to the school problem is the construction of a new elementary school to accommodate the first six grades, and to be of the follow- ing characteristics:
1. Situated southeast of the present High School and suitably separated from it.
2. Consisting of one story and ground floor, exterior walls of solid brick, colonial design with flat roof.
3. On the interior-first floor to contain ten Class- rooms, principal's office and teachers' room with provision on the ground floor for lunches and special activities.
DISCUSSION
The committee has inspected the school buildings in Duxbury (Point, Village, Tarkiln, High and South Dux- bury) and outstanding schools recently constructed out- side of Duxbury. It has had the advice of an eminent educator, a firm of school architects, and the Duxbury School Committee. In studying the problem it has estab- lished as a yardstick the following set of conditions which must be fulfilled by any recommendation:
1. Adequate housing for the students.
2. Minimum expense to the town.
3. Provision for expansion.
4. Adaptability to progress in educational methods.
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Many plans of providing additional space have been considered. Among them:
1. Use of existing facilities with two sessions.
2. Reopening the South Duxbury School, etc.
3. Construction of a new four room school, remodel- ling the Village School. Addition of rooms to the new school as necessary.
4. Construction of an addition to the High School.
5. Construction of a new elementary school south- east of the present High School.
Considered solely from the standpoint of the number of students to be accommodated, the need for a new build- ing depends upon the answer to the question of whether the increase in school population is temporary or part of a trend which will continue. The committee is inclined toward the latter opinion, and on this basis eliminated plans 1 and 2 above. Plan 3 was eliminated as being too expensive in the long run. Plan 4 had no advantage over Plan 5, and had some disadvantages.
Removal of the fifth and sixth grades from the High School not only provides space needed there, but it places the students in those grades in a more congenial age group. Also, by simplifying the bus situation it would permit a reduction in the length of the school day for the fifth and sixth grades.
Consolidation of the first six grades into one building has many tangible advantages, such as:
1. Availability of hot lunches for the small children.
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2. Flexibility in adapting the size of the class to the teaching problem.
3. Flexibility in grouping students according to their needs and abilities.
4. Simplified supervision.
5. Ability to use equipment and methods of instruc- tion not economically possible with scattered groups of students.
Of fundamental interest is the question of the cost of constructing and operating a new consolidated school. An attempt has been made here to evaluate these costs. The committee wishes to emphasize however, that growth of the school population will require increased expense regardless of the method of housing adopted, and that the value to the town of such intangibles as have been described above should be considered seriously.
EFFECT OF NEW SCHOOL ON OPERATING EXPENSE
Added Expense
Bus transportation (no change)
Heating and Janitor service (no change) .....
Maintenance (this probably would be lower with a new building) . ....
Additional salary for a teacher- principal $800.00
Salary-3 additional teachers
3,600.00
Additional supplies 200.00
Total
$4,600.00
A building of the type recommended would contain
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approximately 300,000 cubic feet which at $0.30 per cubic foot would cost $90,000. This sum might be financed in the following manner:
From existing reserves (these are now in
excess of $80,000.00) $35,000.00
Taxes in first year 15,000.00
Bonds for 10 years
40,000.00
Total
$90,000.00
Such a plan of financing would increase the tax rate:
INCREASE IN TAX RATE
Principal and
Operating Expense
Interest
Total
1st year
$0.70 per $1,000.00
$2.20 $2.90
Next 9 years $0.70 per $1,000.00
$0.68 $1.38
These figures would be reduced slightly by any funds realized from the sale of existing school properties.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is the hope of this committee that the Town Meeting of 1940 will initiate definite steps in the execution of this report by authorizing the formation of a committee to fomulate definite construction plans and to secure definite bids for the construction of a new elementary school build- ing as outlined in this report.
Respectfully submitted,
OLIVER L. BARKER KENNETH G. GARSIDE, Sec'y J. NEWTON SHIRLEY (By K.G.G.) HARRY F. SWIFT, Chairman DONALD N. MUIRHEAD (H.F.S.)
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
of the
TOWN OF DUXBURY
IS
1637
ED JÚ
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1939
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School Committee
For the year ending December 31 1939
School Committee
Joseph W. Lund, Chairman
Term expires 1942
Mrs. Lemuel Wyman, Secretary
Term expires 1941
George M. Mayers
Term expires 1941
J. Newton Shirley Term expires 1942
Walter G. Prince
Term expires 1940
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held in the Duxbury High School buildings at eight o'clock on the evenings of the second and fourth Friday of each month.
Superintendent of Schools George E. Green, Duxbury, Massachusetts Office Telephone: 346 School Physician Dr. Connie H. King, Telephone: Duxbury 212 School Nurse Miss Annie L. Williams, R. N., Telephone Duxbury 175 Attendance Officer Earl W. Chandler, Telephone: Duxbury 358
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School Calendar
Year 1940
Winter term begins
January 2
Winter vacation
February 17-25 inclusive
Spring vacation
April 13-21 inclusive
Memorial Day
May 30
Graduation
June 14
Reception
June 15
Fall term begins
September 2
Teachers' Convention
October 25
Armistice Day
November 11
Thanksgiving recess
Christmas vacation
November 28-December 1 in- clusive December 20-January 1, 1941 inclusive
Staff
George E. Green Superintendent B. S., Bates College, Graduate Work at Boston Uni- versity.
Leroy N. MacKenney Submaster B. A., University of Maine, Graduate Work at the University of Maine.
Kenneth O. Macomber Manual Training, Print Shop Gorham Normal, Bates College.
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Amelia E. Hausman French B. A., Middlebury College; Graduate work at the University of Colorado.
Winifred E. Sanders English B. A., Bates College; Graduate work at University of New Hampshire; Boston University; Emerson School of Oratory; Bates; Columbia, Harvard.
A. Kempton Smith Latin and History
Director of Orchestra
B. A., Brown University; Graduate work at Boston University.
D
Dorothy H. Fogg Commercial Coach of Girls' Basketball B. S., in P. A. L. Boston University. Graduate work in New England Conservatory of Music, Studied in Germany.
Jane E. Schopfer Home Economics
B. S., Massachusetts State College.
Ellen W. Downey Junior High School Subjects Partridge Academy, State Extension Courses.
Dorothy Cushman Sixth Grade B. S., Ed., Bridgewater Teacher's College.
Jennie A. White Fifth Grade Bridgewater Normal; Boston University, State Ex- tension Courses.
M. Abbie Baker Tarkiln Primary School Partridge Academy, Hyannis Normal School, State Extension Courses.
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Constance Lee Newton Tarkiln Primary School B. A., Smith College. Graduate work at the Boston University.
Sara E. Paulding Village Primary School Partridge Academy, Study at Columbia University and Harvard, Hyannis Normal School Diploma, State Extension Courses.
M. Dorothy Rust Point Primary School Salem Normal School, Study at the University of Vermont. Boston University.
Dorothy W. Colbath Village Primary School Perry Kindergarten Normal, Boston University.
Robert A. Girardin Opportunity Class Keene Normal School, Springfield, Pennsylvania State College.
Ralph N. Blakeman
Physical Education
Athletic Coach
B. S., Boston University; M. Ed., Boston University.
Samuel Warner Supervisor of Drawing Boston Art Club, New England Conservatory Art Department.
May Blair McClosky Supervisor of Music
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Report of School Committee
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To the Citizens of Duxbury:
The report of our superintendent has covered the major activities and developments of the school year. We would like to point out again the saving made in the new transportation contract, made possible by the improved design and lower cost of operation of school buses. The town is fortunate in having two reliable local concerns bidding against each other in order to provide us better than average service at the lowest possible cost.
The School House Committee appointed at our last regular town meeting has made an exhaustive report of their findings in connection with our housing problem. In the middle of this winter our school population is at the highest point since 1900, a point only reached in recent years once during the early fall season in 1933 when we had several families of summer visitors staying with us temporarily. According to surveys made this year by citizens interested in the pre-school clinic and the child welfare organizations, there is a strong likeli- hood of the number of children in our schools increasing over the next few years. In order to meet this problem, we must have a solution for our present overcrowded condition.
Your committee is willing to accede to the wishes of the townspeople in economizing in every possible way, but we do feel that the present is the logical time to provide permanently for our future needs as far as
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they can be foreseen. Building costs are about as low as they have been for several decades and the cost of bor- rowing money is less than it has been since 1896. Should a new building be decided on, many dollars can be saved by eliminating certain repairs and alterations, in our scattered school buildings, which must be undertaken if we are to continue their occupancy for more than a year. We hope that the voters will take these facts into con- sideration in taking action on the report of the special School House Committee.
For our regular operations during the coming year, we request an appropriation of $46,000.00 and the dog tax. This is the same amount as in 1939.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH W. LUND, J. NEWTON SHIRLEY, WALTER G. PRINCE, GEORGE M. MAYERS, ETHEL S. WYMAN.
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Report of Superintendent
To the School Committee of Duxbury:
I present, herewith, a statement covering the operation of the schools during the year 1939, together with such reports as have been presented by supervisors, special teachers, the nurse, and the school physician.
p Si ir
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As in other fields of human endeavor, the problems in the public schools vary from year to year. The year 1939 has presented no new issue but has accented the need of caring for conditions which are becoming steadily more acute.
Increased enrollment is responsible, indirectly for most of our problems. How can the school work be ade- quately motivated in quarters which are cramped or poorly lighted? Should tools and equipment, to interest and educate the manual or tactile minded pupils be pro- vided until there is adequate room for proper installation and use of such equipment? Visual aids to the educative processes are essential but can not be provided economi- cally where the groups are so widely scattered and facilities for their use so inadequate. The advantages of homogeneous grouping can not be attained under the present conditions. Yet the more progressive school sys- tems offer just such advantages.
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Teachers
At the end of the school year Duxbury lost three teach- ers through resignation. Miss Dorothy Rist accepted a position at Robinson Seminary and Mr. A. Kempton Smith was secured to fill the vacancy caused thereby. Miss Stella Dondero went to Kent's Hill Academy and Miss Dorothy Fogg came to Duxbury to carry on the work of the commercial department and to coach the girls' basketball team. In the home economics department and management of the cafeteria, Miss Jane Schopfer re- placed Miss Arline Maine, who had resigned to accept a similar position in Simsbury, Connecticut. After study- ing a year at Columbia University, Miss Winifred Sand- ers returned to the English department and relieved Mr. Philip Skerrye, who had been hired to substitute during her absence. Just before the end of the calendar year Mr. Loring Mugford was called to take charge of the Individual School in Plymouth and Mr. Robert Girardin was elected to teach the Opportunity Class. The spirit of friendly cooperation, always an outstanding quality of the teachers at Duxbury, seems even stronger this year. A large proportion of the teaching staff is enrolled in professional study classes and all teachers are alert to every possibility of increasing their educational efficiency.
Activities
Many years ago education moved away from the narrow restraint of the three R's and gradually enlarged its sphere of interests until it encompassed every factor that goes into the development of an upright, happy, successful human benig. The special activities are as . much a part of our work as the teaching of arithmetic or Latin. Administrative planning and control in this
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field have become so extensive that it is now incorrect to refer to special activities as something special or apart from the regular work. In schools today, supervised work and supervised play are both considered vital forces in the development of character, leadership, sportsman- ship, loyalty, poise, and personality.
"The Partridge", our school paper, has changed slight- ly. Instead of the monthly news magazine of the past few years we are experimenting with a bi-weekly news sheet. Except for the last issue which will be a magazine- year book, all advertising has been eliminated. This en- tails many new problems and the financing requires some careful study and planning. Our paper won Honor- able Mention in the Southeastern Massachusetts League of School Publications.
The Student Council has grown in strength and effi- ciency. It has assumed wider influence in the solution of our school community problems and has accepted defi- nite control of some activities. There is a congress of representatives from eight near-by towns which meets once a month to discuss common problems.
The Senior play, Skidding, given early in December was very successful.
The Junior High School gave a cantata as the annual Christmas program for the Parent-Teacher Association.
Both boys' and girls' basketball teams completed very successful seasons. The boys won the league champion- ship and the girls finished in third place. In spite of the stress which such keen competition imposes upon the players the sportsmanship was of the highest order and
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our relationship with the other teams continued on the friendliest terms. The baseball teams, although less suc- cessful in winning games, enjoyed a normally good sea- son. For the first time in the history of Duxbury a girls' hockey team was organized in the spring. No attempt was made to enter competition with outside teams but there was much interest displayed and inter-group games were enjoyed. Other activities in this field will be cov- ered, I am sure, by the report of Mr. Blakeman.
The orchestra continues, as in previous years, to play for the weekly assemblies and at school entertainments. There is a teacher of the wind instruments at the school two days each week and a violin teacher once a week.
Each of the High School classes and each organization holds one dance a year. This supplies about one social activity each month.
The Parent-Teacher Association sponsored dancing classes during the fall. While the numbers were slightly under the minimum necessary to make the venture finan- cially solvent, those who attended profited greatly from the excellent instruction which they received. The Par- ent Teacher Association has also sponsored several de- lightful assembly programs.
Gifts
The Sons of Veterans and the American Legion have constantly kept the school flags in excellent condition.
The Trustees of the Partridge Academy Fund pre- sented to the schools a very excellent and complete sound moving picture outfit, including a record turn table pick up, supplementary amplifier, and screen. The Senior
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Class of 1939 left a fund with which to buy a microphone for a public address system. This unit was added to the above equipment.
Pieces of statuary, pictures, and books for our library have been presented to us by individuals some of whom wish their names withheld. Nevertheless, I wish to thank them, as well as the organizations mentioned, for the manifest interest in the success of our schools.
Repairs and Equipment
Quite extensive general repairs have been necessary on the older buildings.
At Tarkiln both the plumbing and heating systems received considerable necessary attention. A wind storm did severe damage to the flag pole but by being shortened somewhat it was made suitable for use a while longer. In the entry ways repairs were made to the wall from which the plaster had fallen. The number of children enrolled exceeded the rated capacity of the building, thus making it necessary to install movable furniture. Within a very short time more extensive repairs must be made on the heating plant, and the exterior of the school house must be painted.
At the Village School much of the plumbing had to be replaced and a new ventilating fan was installed. Desk tops were refinished and some new window shades were purchased. This school, also, will need further repairs to the furnace and there should be new floors in the class rooms.
The plumbing and desk tops at the Point School re-
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ceived attention. This building must be shingled soon. The floors are badly worn and will need replacement within a very few years.
Repairs at the High School consisted of painting the trim on the front of the building and the flag pole. An almost complete replacement of window shades was necessary. The roof over the ventilatnig shaft at the west end of the auditorium became dangerously inse- cure, and was repaired. The electric stoves which were installed as a part of the original equipment of the Home Economics laboratory became useless and gas ranges were secured to replace them.
Throughout the entire school system there was the usual attention to minor repairs and the replacement of worn or broken equipment. Every building was given a thorough cleaning during the summer vacation and they were kept clean throughout the year. All floors were either oiled or varnished and scratches were removed from walls and desk tops.
Conclusion
In education it is difficult, even with the most accu- rate measuring instruments yet devised, to gauge accu- rately the results of our efforts. Methods which may be considered of paramount importance today are forgotten to-morrow, or may appear in a modified form. Advocates of the Dalton Plan, the Bativian System, or the Montis- sori Method, each believed that adherence to their rules would bring about an educational millennium; yet how many today can describe in detail the objectives and re- sults of these methods? They have passed. Other meth- ods will be presented and, after a period of trial will be
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