USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Duxbury > Town annual report for the town of Duxbury for the year ending 1956-1960 > Part 59
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1.00
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191
Autumn Avenue Damage Awards
16.00
Standish Home Site, Improvements and Protection 460.71
Congress Street, Damages
6.00
Valley and Franklin Sts., Damages
4.85
Tobey Garden St., Damages
15.00
Chandler Street Damages
146.00
Church and Tremont Street, Damages
52.00
Indian Trail, Damages
12.00
Water, Priorities I to V
963.64
Water Reservoir Repairs
2,480.01
Water-Cleaning Mains
996.40
Water-Engineering Services
434.57
Cemetery-Hathaway Funds
101.06
Special Shellfish Account
895.62
Town Pier and Floats
2,070.03
Bay Road, Damages
15.00
Appropriation Balances as per Balance Sheet
$268,781.64
TOWN OF DUXBURY Balance Sheet - December 31, 1959 GENERAL ACCOUNTS
ASSETS
LIABILITIES AND RESERVES
Cash :
General
$607,908.73
State Assessments 1959: State Parks and Reservations Payroll Deductions : Federal Taxes
295.32
Advances for Petty :
$250.00
6,000.39
School Lunch
5.00
County Retirement System
964.40
255.00
State Taxes
1,337.56
Group Insurance
11.91
Accounts Receivable : Taxes :
8,314.26
Levy of 1957:
Deposits : Planning Board
Personal Property
141.12
20.00
Levy of 1958:
Agency :
Personal Property
287.92
County - Dog Licenses
1.75
Levy of 1959:
Excess - Sale of Land
Poll
64.00
of Low Value
516.29
Personal Property
4,048.44
Real Estate
33,752.93
Tailings
38,294.41
Treasurer's Unidentified Receipts
21.30
Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise:
Levy of 1956
21.77
Levy of 1957
245.50
Ship Weathervane Fund
60.50
Levy of 1958
894.45
Levy of 1959
18,274.57
Recoveries :
19,436.29
Veterans Benefits
619.00
192
518.04 1,053.60
Gifts and Bequests : Eben Ellison Beach Funds
14.15
74.65
Tax Collector
Special Assessments : Sea Wall: Levy of 1959
5.56
Committed Interest : Levy of 1959
.67
Federal Grants: Disability Assistance : Assistance Administration
647.18
Tax Titles and Possessions :
Aid to Dependent Children:
5,781.49
Tax Possessions
160.31
Assistance Administration
1,504.59
Aid to Highways:
Assistance
3,152.53
State
11,000.00
Administration
2,298.98
County
6,000.00
Schools:
Public Law #874
2,619.84
Departmental :
Aid to Dependent Children
1,443.75
Revolving Funds:
Cemetery
453.00
School Lunch Program
1,643.06
Health
549.49
School Athletics
157.43
Planning Board
23.74
1,800.49
General Relief
383.60
Appropriation Balances :
Veterans Benefits
5,660.16
Building Inspector
31.00
General
229,761.17
8,544.74
Water
3,922.98
Water:
Non-Revenue :
Rates
9,011.84
General
34,133.85
Meter Resettings
80.00
Water
963.64
Service Connections
1,062.21
Old Age Assistance 11,169.65
11,788.65
268,781.64
6.23
.06
Tax Titles
2,591.49
2,751.80
Old Age Assistance :
17.000.00
16.004.67 193
Revenue :
BALANCE SHEET - Cont'd
Miscellaneous 176.60
10,330.65
Underestimates, Cherry Sheet :
Plymouth County Hospital
919.35
Plymouth County Tax
1,063.35
Levy of 1958
287.92
Old Colony Transportation Area 22.37
Levy of 1959
8,896.70
2,005.07
Revenue Reserved until Collected : Motor Vehicle and Trailer Excise
19,436.29
Special Assessment 6.23
Tax Title and Possessions 2,751.80
Aid to Highways 17,000.00
Departmental
8,544.74
Water
10,330.65
120,147.43
58,069.71 255.00
996.000.00
Post War Rehabilitation Fund 147.43
120.147.43
Surplus Revenue
277,165.37
Total Assets
$1,822,680.35
Total Liabilities and Reserves
$1,822,680.35
175.00 52,869.48
9,325.74
Loans Authorized : Junior-Senior High School Construction Loan
996,000.00
Trust Fund Withdrawals Authorized: Stabilization Fund 120,000.00
Post War Rehabilitation Fund 147.43
996,000.00
Sale of Cementery Lots Fund Reserve Fund - Overlay Surplus Overlays Reserved for Abatements: Levy of 1957 141.12
Reserve for Petty Cash Advances Loans Authorized and Unissued: Junior-Senior High School Authorized Withdrawals from Trust Funds : Junior-Senior High School Stabilization Fund 120,000.00
194
DEBT ACCOUNTS
Serial Loans : Inside Debt Limit :
$329,000.00
Elementary School Construction
$109,000.00 30,000.00 190,000.00
6,000.00
High School Wing Construction Elementary School Wing Outside Debt Limit : Sea Wall Construction West Duxbury Water Loan
6,000.00
30,000.00
200,000.00
Water Loan - Phase I Water District Loans
27,500.00
$592,500.00
$592,500.00
195
Net Funded or Fixed Debt: Inside Debt Limit : General Outside Debt Limit : General Public Service Enterprise ( Water)
257,500.00
BALANCE SHEET - Cont'd DEFERRED REVENUE ACCOUNTS
Appropriation Sea Wall Assessments not Due (Accounts Receivable)
$4,261.35
Apportioned Sea Wall Assessments:
Revenue :
Due in 1960
$373.10
Due in 1961
373.11
Due in 1962
350.89
Due in 1963
326.17
Due in 1964
320.67
Due in 1965
251.75
Due in 1966
251.75
Due in 1967
251.76
Due in 1968
251.76
Due in 1969
251.76
Due in 1970
251.76
Due in 1971
251.75
Due in 1972
251.70
Due in 1973
251.70
Due in 1974
251.72
$4,261.35
$4,261.35
196
TRUST AND INVESTMENT ACCOUNTS
Trust and Investment Funds Cash and Securities:
Thomas D. Hathaway Fund
$ 2,245.16
$343,770.75
Post War Rehabilitation Fund *151.69
F. and H. Partch Flower Fund 315.80
Agnes S. Ellison Fund
1,196.98
Lucy A. Ewell Cemetery Fund
516.01
J. and R. Ford Fund
29,361.13
William P. Harding Library Fund
1,255.22
Lucy Hathaway Fund
23,573.06
Stabilization Funds
*123,116.19
Charles R. Crocker Flower Fund
304.50
George H. Wood Cemetery Fund
1,037.11
Cemetery, General Care and Improvement Fund
2,567.79
George Chandler Flower Fund
101.55
Cemetery, Perpetual Care Funds
156,241.44
Standish Home Site Fund, Permanent
1,765.59
Standish Home Site Fund Temporary 21.53
$343,770.75
$343,770.75
*See Authorizations for Withdrawals reported on Balance Sheet
197
198
WATER DEPARTMENT Town Accountant's Report for 1959
For cash receipts and expenditures by the Water Depart- ment please refer to "Enterprise" in the Town Accountant's Annual Report.
The 1958 Annual Town Report contains an Analysis of the Water Department's so-called "Excess and Deficiency Ac- count". It indicated that the Water Department had an oper- ating deficit of $64,520.96 as a result of operations from 1955 to December 31, 1958.
Under Article 25 of the Annual Town Meeting of 1959 it was voted that the Water Department's operational deficit as of December 31, 1958, in the amount of $64,520.96 be abated, and the Water Department be released of any obligation to reimburse the Town Treasury for said sum, provided that such action resulted in no increase in the tax rate and no decrease in available free cash.
In November 1959 all records and books of the town were audited by representatives of the Commonwealth's Bureau of Accounts and the abatement of $64,520.96 was permitted to remain unchallenged on the records; therefore, it must be as- sumed the abatement resulted "in no increase in the tax rate and no decrease in available free cash."
Since the "Status of Appropriations" as reported by the Water Department is in agreement with the Town Accountant's records, this information is not repeated here.
In its Departmental Report the Water Department has correctly tabulated the items which enter into the computation of the Water Department's Surplus of $3,235.75 as of Decem- ber 31, 1959. Therefore this computation of its Surplus is not repeated here.
199
Accounts Receivable - Water Department
Meter Resettings :
January 1, 1959
Balance Outstanding
82.00
1959 Commitments
1,466.00
Transfer
4.00
1,552.00
Abatements authorized
16.00
Cash Receipts
1,456.00
December 31, 1959
Balance Outstanding
80.00
Water Rates:
January 1, 1959
Balance Outstanding
9,784.40
1959 Commitments
48,361.10
Refunds
44.20
58,189.70
Abatements authorized by Commissioners
194.40
Transfers authorized
by Town Collector
19.88
Cash Receipts
48,963.58
49,177.86
December 31, 1959 Balance outstanding
9,011.84
Service Connections :
January 1, 1959
Balance Outstanding
281.65
Refunds
136.21
Transfers authorized
by Town Collector
19.88
1959 Commitments
7,035.58
7,473.32
1,472.00
200
Abatements authorized by Commissioners Cash Receipts
7.65 6,403.46
6,411.11
December 31, 1959
Balance outstanding
1,062.21
Miscellaneous Accounts Receivable outstanding
176.60
See Balance Sheet of the Town of Duxbury
Outstanding Water Department Accounts Receivable
10,330.65
Respectfully submitted
ISABELLE V. FREEMAN,
Town Accountant
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF DUXBURY
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31 1959
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SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Year Ending December 31, 1959
SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
Term Expires
Mr. Edward L. Butler, Chairman
1962
Mrs. George G. Palfrey, Secretary
1962
Mr. John A. Brock, Jr. 1961
Mr. Walter B. Collins 1960
Mr. Herbert R. Nelson 1960
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Everett L. Handy
SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT
Miss Helen F. Hanigan
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REPORT OF THE DUXBURY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
For the Calendar Year 1959
To the Citizens of Duxbury:
Our country continues to examine and debate the pros and cons of its educational system, but without the near panic of two years ago. This Committee has kept itself informed on current educational ideas and opinions, and to modify or change our curriculum in accordance with the best informed thinking. Dr. Handy's report expands on this subject and we know you will find it interesting and informative.
We are very pleased with the solution of our housing prob- lem and with the overwhelming support of the new High School Building project by our fellow townspeople. We are experiencing some difficulties due to our current cramped quarters, but will make it through to September 1961 without serious impairment to the educational program.
Realizing our obligation to the taxpayers as well as to our children, the new budget to be submitted at the March Town Meeting, has been thoroughly checked to make sure that all proposed expenditures appear justified. We appreciate the able assistance given us by Messrs. Wadell, Beane, and Reed of the Finance Committee who sat in with us.
The teachers' minimum salary has again been raised by state law and we will undoubtedly have to make some adjust- ments in individual salaries. However, this Committee has unanimously voted against any across the board increases be- lieving the best interests of both the teachers and the Town of
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Duxbury will be served within the framework of our merit salary system. This merit schedule is being continuously studied and improved and, in our opinion, is both attractive and competitive.
We believe the citizens of Duxbury may take pride in their school system. We have our weak spots and are trying to correct them. We believe overall we have a fine teaching staff which is doing a good job with our children. Again we commend Dr. Handy for his able and forward looking leadership, ably seconded by our two principals, Mr. McCormick and Mr. Cain.
Once again we join with the Superintendent in thanking the many organizations and interested individuals who have done so much work for our schools.
Respectfully submitted,
EDWARD L. BUTLER, Chairman MARTHA M. PALFREY, Secretary WALTER B. COLLINS JOHN A. BROCK, JR. HERBERT R. NELSON
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REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
A Decade of Change and Growth
The year 1959 marked the end of a decade of great signifi- cance in the field of education. Rapid growth of population created demands for more classrooms faster than they could be provided. An insufficient supply of teachers made it difficult to fill all vacancies with fully qualified personnel. Costs in- creased the burden on local tax resources to the point where greater state aid or other tax sources had to be provided if the financial needs of our schools were to be met adequately. As if all this were not enough a review of the "fifties" indicated great concern as to the adequacy of our school curriculum in an age of automation, great scientific advancement, space exploration, nuclear warfare, and rapid communication. Perhaps at no pre- vious period was so much written or said about education. All of which indicates how vital our schools are not only in meeting the needs of day to day living, but in our search for survival and peace.
Major criticisms of our schools pointed in several direc- tions. Of first concern was the quality and scope of the cur- riculum in the fields of science, mathematics and foreign lan- guage. The successes of Russia in space exploration and our own temporary inability to equal or surpass them gave rise to serious doubts about the content and quality of our science and mathematics teaching. Advances in the speed of com- munication and travel made distances between countries a mat- ter of hours where formerly they were measured in days or weeks. Russia became our next door neighbor instead of a distant country. Such changes called for more attention to the study of foreign language, and schools were urged to adjust to this need.
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Another matter of concern was physical fitness. Schools were asked to shift the emphasis in their programs from game activities to the use of apparatus to help build sound bodies. National testing procedures were devised to measure the physical competence of our students, and programs to correct weaknesses were developed. Spearheaded by the President's commission on physical fitness, health and physical competence became a vital concern of the schools.
A third major criticism, and one about which there was much controversy, centered around the academic achievement of our high school graduates. Was the quality of their work as good as that of students of previous generations? More impor- tant, was it high enough to meet the needs of an age of science and technology? The general belief was that it was not, and this was somehow related to our failures in space exploration. Although there were many charges and counter charges on this point, the end result was a stiffening of requirements which showed itself in increased homework and a demand by teachers for higher standards of performance. Admiral Rickover's charges that our schools were not intellectually tough enough were being met, in part, by an effort to require excellence and quality in learning.
A fourth criticism was directed at the lack of attention given to the academically talented student. It was argued that, since so much depended on the leadership these students could develop, opportunities for their rapid advancement should be provided. In close association came the request for more guid- ance so that these academically superior students might be iden- tified as early as possible and programs arranged to develop their talents.
Meeting the Criticisms and Demands of the "Fifties"
While a great deal still remains to be done, schools did much to meet these criticisms of the fifties. The Carnegie Foun-
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dation for the Advancement of Teaching made a study of the education of academically talented youth. The Fund for the Advancement of Education supported research in a variety of fields at the secondary level. President Eisenhower created a committee on physical fitness. Individuals, such as James B. Conant, made special studies of our school curriculum. Taken together they seemed to point away from "life adjustment" as a goal in education. Instead, they indicated that our schools should emphasize "quality" or "excellence" in education with careful guidance so that time would not be lost in developing outstanding talent.
Some of these studies pointed to the need for better means of recruiting persons who could become outstanding teachers. To this end the federal government set up scholarships under the National Defense Education Act. Under this arrangement a student could apply for a loan from his college and would be required to repay only fifty per cent of the amount borrowed if he became a teacher. Other studies investigated the use of television to bring outstanding teachers to large numbers of students, and to supply instruction where no teachers were available. The use of audio devices were studied for their effectiveness in teaching foreign language.
Few, if any, towns failed to provide new school housing during the "fifties". Towns commonly exceeded their debt limits to meet the cost of needed buildings. In instances where very small schools existed regional schools were established thereby making more and better educational opportunities pos- sible.
Criticisms that pointed toward the need for curriculum change were met by reorganizing mathematics and science courses and adding advanced work in each field. Foreign lan- guage study was strengthened by providing more years for the study of each language offered. In some instances foreign lan-
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guage study was begun in the elementary grades. The use of language laboratories to develop oral skills was recommended and tried out in a number of school systems. Again, the federal government assisted by providing money, on a matching basis, to purchase equipment and thus strengthen these parts of the curriculum.
Educational programs were adjusted to meet the needs of talented students by ability grouping. Talented students were permitted to extend the depth and breadth of their studies, and the Advanced Placement Program made it possible for them to skip some of the beginning work in college.
How the Duxbury Schools Attempted to Meet These Problems
Our Duxbury schools were sensitive to many of these criti- cisms and problems. School Committees discussed trends, prac- tices and criticisms and assessed the Duxbury schools in the light of what they learned. Plans to improve the status of teach- ers were established, a long range building program was set up, curriculum changes were approved, and courses for the profes- sional advancement of teachers were provided. The Committee kept abreast of local reactions through personal contact and by means of community education conferences. Under the leader- ship of the superintendent of schools and through the efforts of principals, supervisors and teachers a number of approved changes were put into operation.
In the curriculum area science courses were re-organized to provide an advanced science course in grade twelve. Mathe- matics courses were re-alligned to provide analytical trigonom- etry and calculus in grade twelve. Latin was extended one year downward to include a grade eight thereby making a three year sequence instead of the traditional two year program. French was offered each year from grade three through grade twelve, thereby providing eight years of continuous study and drill.
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Money available from the federal government under the National Defense Education Act was obtained to purchase science and foreign language equipment to strengthen instruc- tion in these areas. Fifteen microscopes were purchased for use in science classes. Two portable laboratory tables were also purchased. To aid in the teaching of foreign language a tape recorder especially equipped for student use was purchased. Ten students at a time may use this instrument to improve their speaking and listening skills.
To help meet the criticism of lack of competence in the fundamentals more periods per week for English and Mathe- matics were provided at the high school level. In addition, a course in developmental reading to improve this skill was organ- ized. At the elementary level a new program was developed in connection with the reading clinic at the Massachusetts Gen- eral Hospital. This program was set up for pupils with reading difficulties so severe we had not been able to help them in any of our regular procedures. To date the program has been excit- ing and rewarding. Consultant for this work was Dr. Helene C. Durbrow, formerly of the Hospital reading clinic staff. Other activities to strengthen our work in the fundamentals were pro- vided by courses in the teaching of basic skills by a specialist from the State Department of Education and by an instructor from Lesley College. The head of the department of English at the Newton High School gave a course on the teaching of high school English.
Meeting the needs of our talented youth was accomplished, in part, by grouping and, in part, by providing advanced courses. In the elementary years the very fast learners were grouped so they could proceed as rapidly as their talents would permit. At the high school level a two track college curriculum was provided. The most able students follow one tract and take the advanced courses in science, mathematics and foreign lan- guage. Other college preparatory students meet the require-
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ments for college admission but at a less rapid pace. This year an "Honors" course in writing in connection with the English department was organized for talented students. When the new high school is completed, there will be more opportunity for individual research and advanced study.
For the student who is not interested in college, through the use of other federal funds (Public Law 874), additional equipment was purchased to broaden and improve instruction in industrial arts. This program now includes woodworking, metalworking, welding, and mechanical drawing. During the fifties "on the job experience" was provided for high school students training for commercial positions. Actual experience in an office, bank or store gave them valuable practical training. During the same period the home economics program was made a state approved vocational department.
In accord with the recognized need for more guidance Duxbury developed a full-time counseling service during the fifties.
Educational television became a part of the school program in the elementary grades two years ago. Last year it was used at the high school in connection with the teaching of literature. Programs covered the fields of physical science, natural science, social studies, music, and literature. Broadcasts are received over channel two once each week in each of the above fields. Oftentimes the telecasts are repeated in the evening for home reviewing. Class preparation for the telecast and a follow-up discussion are a regular procedure.
A strong and continuing attempt was made to maintain high standards of pupil performance. "S" and "U" grade mark- ings were eliminated in favor of the more definite "A", "B", "C", etc, designations. More outside study was required. The standard subject load for high school students is now five major
12
subjects instead of four. Shoddy performance is not acceptable. Grades five and six were put on a departmentalized plan in order to utilize each teacher's strongest teaching field to the fullest and thus improve pupil performance.
As in other small school systems, maintaining a competent and stable faculty was a difficult and continuing problem. An effort was made to strengthen the teaching force by spending an increasingly larger per cent of the total school budget on teacher salaries. In 1950 sixty-six per cent (66% ) of the total budget was spent on salaries. This per cent has increased each year until, in 1959, it reached seventy-two per cent (72% ). This indicates that more of the money expended is going into the real work of the schools, namely, teaching. In 1950 a teacher's average salary was $3,000.00. In 1959 it had advanced to $4,900.00. The minimum salary a teacher received in 1950 was $3,800.00. The maximum salary for teachers in 1959 was $6,600.00. Another indirect attempt to improve instruction was the establishment of a merit salary plan. This plan provided higher salaries for teachers who qualify for them, and eliminates "across the board" increases.
During the fifties more school housing was provided and a long range plan to meet future building needs was proposed. In 1951 an addition was made to the present high school. In 1954 ten rooms and an assembly-playroom were added to the elementary school, and in 1959 it was voted to construct a new high school. The Committee's long range plan provides for the use of the new high school and the present buildings until 1969-70. At that time it is expected that a new elemen- tary school will be necessary. With the construction of this school the present (old) high school building will become a junior high school. It is expected that these two buildings (the present high school and the new high school) will provide for our secondary population for many years.
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To help build goodwill and promote better international understanding Duxbury joined the exchange student program sponsored by the American Field Service in 1959 and invited Klaus Josef Raidl, a student living in Waidhofen, Austria, to attend the Duxbury High School during the 1959-60 school year. It is hoped that one or more of our high school students will be accepted to visit and study in a foreign country in 1960. Klaus has adjusted easily to the young people in our high school, and finds his school work interesting and valuable. While in this country he is making his home with the Carl Petersons on Hornbeam Road.
Statistics and charts on the following pages indicate in another way some of the changes described in the preceding pages.
The Decade Ahead
No one would be unwise enough to attempt to predict the future with certainty. Long range planning is important, how- ever, if we are to meet the problems that lie ahead with intel- ligence and a high degree of success.
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