USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Braintree > Town annual report of Braintree, Massachusetts for the year 1959 > Part 11
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POND STREET CEMETERY TRUST. Principal $20,328.95 consists of fifty perpetual care accounts at the Braintree Savings Bank. Balance of income 1/1/59 $2,510.97. Expended 1959 $1,040.00. Income 1959 $701.72. Balance of income 12/31/59 $2,172.69.
N.E. HOLLIS PARK AND PLAYGROUND FUND (Accepted Jan., 1959). Income to be expended for parks and playgrounds. Principal $100,000.00 invested in United States Treasury, Notes as follows :
$25,000 4's due 8/15/62 25,000 3's due 2/15/64 25,000 3's due 8/15/66 25,000 4's due 10/1/69
*The $25,000 4's due 8/15/62 were replaced by $25,- 000 47/8's due 11/15/63. Income in 1959 $3,789.79. Balance of income 12/31/59 $3,789.79.
139
LUCIA E. HOLLIS AND E. STANWOOD HOLLIS FUND (Accepted January 1959). Income to be ex- pended for books for the Public Library. Principal $10,000 invested in United States Treasury notes as follows :
$2,000 4's due 8/15/62 2,000 3's due 2/15/64 3,000 3's due 8/15/66 3,000 4's due 10/1/69
*The $2,000 4's due 8/15/62 were replaced by $2,000 47/8's due 11/15/63. Income in 1959 $374.18. Expended $374.18.
ANNIE STORRS HOLLIS AND NORTON EUGENE HOLLIS FUND (Accepted 3/10/59). To be expended for the benefit of the Public Schools of Braintree. Principal of $1,166,000.00 par value with a market value of $1,038,600.00 as of March 19 1959 is invested in bonds as follows:
PAR VALUE
Market Value 3/10/59
Take Over Amortized Book Value
$ 15,000 Akron Union Passenger Depot Co. $ 1st Mortgage 41/2% Bond Series A Dated Jan. 1, 1949, Due July 1, 1974
13,050.00
$ 15,341.00
10,000 Albany & Susquehanna R.R. Deleware & Hudson 41/2% Gen. Mortgage Bond Dated July 1, 1945, Due July 1, 1975
9,575.00
10,322.00
10,000 Missouri, Kansas, Texas R.R. Prior Lien
8,100.00
8,275.00
Mortgage 4% Gold Bond Series B Dated Jan. 1, 1922, Due Jan. 1, 1962
5,000 Portland Terminal & Tunnel Co. 1st Mortgage 4% Bond Dated July 1, 1911, Due July 1, 1961
4,500.00
5,023.00
10,000 Mission Appliance Corp. Conv. S.F. 6% Debenture Dated July 1, 1951, Due July 1, 1963
7,800.00
10,000.00
14,000 Northeastern Water Co. S.F. Collateral Trust 5% Bond Dated Jan. 1, 1948, Due Jan. 1, 1968
13,860.00
14,078.40
140
PAR VALUE
10,000 Pacific Finance Corp. 31/2% De- benture Dated July 1, 1955, Due July 1, 1965
8,800.00
9,950.00
15,000 Standard Oil Co. of Ohio 41/2% S.F. Debenture Dated Jan. 1, 1957, Due Jan. 1, 1982
15,150.00
15,000.00
5,000 Brooklyn Union Gas Co. 1st Mortgage 27/8 % Bond Dated July 1, 1946, Due July 1, 1976
4,000.00
5,085.00
10,000 Illinois Bell Telephone 1st Mortgage 31/4 % Bond Series D Dated July 15, 1955, Due July 1, 1995
7,775.00
10,156.60
5,000 Rochester Gas & Elec. Corp. 1st Mortgage 47/8 % Bond Series R Due July 1, 1987
5,000.00
5.055.08
5,000 City of Cairo, Ill. 234% Refunding Electric Revenue Bond Dated Jan. 1, 1947, Due Jan. 1, 1971
4,587.50
5,053.60
10,000 Chelan County, Washington Rock Island Hydro Elec. System El Revenue 3:30% Revenue Bond Series '51 Dated Apr. 1, 1951, Due July 1, 1987
8,525.00
9,792.74
20,000 Chicago Transit Authority 334% Revenue Bond Series of 1947 Dated July 1, 1947, Due July 1, 1978
16,800.00
20,380.00
9,000 City of Chicago 334% Parking Facility Revenue Bond Series A Dated July 1, 1952, Due July 1, 1982
9,180.00
9,000.00
10,000 Consolidated School Dist. No. 15 Cook County, Illinois 21/4 % School Bldg. Bond Dated May 1, 1957. Due Jan. 1, 1967
9,025.00
9,921.72
10,000 Town of Fort Walton, Florida 4% Special Tax Revenue Certificate Dated Nov. 1, 1952, Due July 1, 1980
7,500.00
10,328.80
141
Market Value 3/10/59
Take Over Amortized Book Value
Market
Value
Take Over Amortized Book Value
3/10/59
13,050.00
15,000.00
10,000 City of Mobile, Alabama 4 1/4 % Water Service Revenue Bond Series A Dated Oct. 1, 1952, Due Jan. 1, 1989
10,000 New York Power Authority
8,700.00
10,000.00
General Revenue 3.20% Bond
Series A
Dated Jan. 1, 1955, Due Jan. 1, 1995
10,000 Port of Palm Beach District, Fla. 4% Revenue Certifcate Dated July 1, 1951, Due July 1, 1966
10,425.00
10,144.00
10,000 Municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico Public Improvement 3% Bond Dated July 1, 1952, Due July 1, 1960
9,900.00
10,000.00
10,000 Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority
8,725.00
9,900.00
212% Electric Revenue Bond
Dated Jan. 1, 1947, Due Jan. 1, 1968
10,000 Puerto Rico Water Resources Authority
8,350.00
9,300.00
21/2% Electric Revenue Bond
Dated Jan. 1, 1947, Due July 1, 1970
10,000 St. Clair County-Port Huron Bldg. Authority 31/4% Bldg. & Site Rev. Bond Dated Nov. 1, 1952, Due Jan. 1, 1985
8,700.00
9,901.26
5,000 Switz City, Indiana School Bldg. Corp.
4,037.50
5,074.35
1st Mortgage 31/4 % Bond Due July 1, 1967
5,000 Switz City, Indiana School Bldg. Corp.
4,037.59
5,076.00
1st Mortgage 31/4 % Bond Due July 1, 1967
142
PAR VALUE
15,000 Maine Turnpike Authority 4% Turnpike Revenue Refunding and Extension Bond Dated Jan. 1, 1953, Due Jan. 1, 1989
10,200.00
10,380.55
PAR VALUE
Market Value 3/10/59
Take Over Amortized Book Value 17,950.00
9,000 Standard Milling Co. 15 yr. 31/2% S. F. Debenture Due Feb. 1, 1961
8,640.00
9,036.00
15,000 Township High School Dist. No. 200 Williamson County, Ill. 3% High School Bldg. Bond Dated June 15, 1947, Due Feb. 1, 1966
13,087.50
15,254.00
10,000 Dallas Power & Light Co. 1st Mortgage 31/8% Bond Series Due Feb. 1, 1986
7,850.00
10,059.80
15,000 Sylvania Electric Products Inc. 4% S. F. Debenture Due Feb. 1, 1978
13,200.00
14,287.50
15,000 Commercial Credit Co. 35/8 % Note of 1976 Due Feb. 1, 1976
13,050.00
15,000.00
*13,000 American Tel. & Tel. Co. 35 yr. 234% Debenture Dated Aug. 1, 1945, Due Aug. 1, 1980
10,172.50
10,010.00
7,000 Cornell-Dubilier Electric Corp. 37/8% S. F. Debenture Dated March 1, 1952, Due March 1, 1972
5,950.00
7,000.00
15,000 General Motors Acceptance Corp. 20 yr. 35/8 % Debenture
13,762.50
14,737.50
Due Sept. 1, 1975
8,000 National Gas & Oil Corp. 1st Mortgage 43/4 % Bond Dated March 1, 1953, Due March 1, 1973
7,680.00
8,000.00
10,000 Standard-Thomson Corp. 5% S. F. Debenture Series B Dated Jan 1, 1951, Due Sept. 1, 1967
8,000.00
10,000.00
5,000 Wheeling Steel Corp. 1st Mortgage 31/4 % S. F. Series C Dated March 1, 1945, Due March 1, 1970
4,562.50
5,071.00
18,000 Gilchrist Co. 15 yr. 4% S. F. Debenture Due Feb. 1, 1965
15,660.00
143
PAR VALUE
Market Value 3/10/59
Take Over Amortized Book Value 4,736.03
5,000 American & Foreign Power Co. 5% Gold Debenture Dated March 1, 1930, Due March 1, 2030
4,187.50
10,000 American Tel. & Tel. Co. 30 yr. 314 % Debenture Dated Sept. 15, 1954, Due Sept. 15, 1984
8,375.00
10,345.60
10,000 Central Maine Power Co. 1st & General Mortgage 31/2% Bond Series M Dated Jan. 1, 1942, Due Sept. 1, 1972
8,900.00
10,329.00
15,000 Citizens Utilities Co. 1st Mortgage and Collateral Trust 31/2% Bond Dated March 1, 1947, Due March 1, 1972
13,200.00
15,218.00
15,000 Consolidated Natural Gas 5% Debenture
Due Sept. 1, 1982
10,000 New York State Electric & Gas Corp. 1st Mortgage 33/8 % Bond Dated Sept. 1, 1955, Due Sept. 1, 1985
7,875.00
10,268.95
10,000 Jackson & Clay Counties, Mo. 33/8 % Revenue Bond Dated Sept. 1, 1952, Due Sept. 1, 1982
9,000.00
9,950.00
10,000 Township of North Bergen, N. J. 2.90% Emergency Housing Bond Dated Sept. 1, 1950, Due Sept. 1, 1964
9,475.00
9,649.65
10,000 North Johnson City Utilities District Washington County, Tenn. 4% Waterworks Revenue Bond Due March 1, 1982
7,000.00
10,065.00
10,000 Salt Lake City, Utah, Sanitary Dist. 2:4 % Sewer Revenue Bond Series of 1954
7,850.00
9,795.42
Due Sept. 1, 1985
10,000 South West Texas State Teachers College 3% Bldg. Revenue Bond Series of 1946 $5,000 Due Sept. 1, 1963 $5,000 Due Sept. 1, 1964
9,900.00
10,204.00
144
16,200.00
15,275.00
PAR VALUE
9,000 Washington Toll Bridge Authority Tacoma Narrows Toll Bridge 334 % Revenue Bond Dated Mar. 1, 1948, Due Mar. 1, 1978
Market Value 3/10/59 8,595.00
Take Over Amortized Book Value 9,000.00
*10,000 Duquesne Light Co. 1st Mortgage 41/2% Bond Due March 1, 1989
10,000.00
9,887.50
10,000 Akron, Canton & Youngstown Ry. 41/2% Consolidated Mortgage Due Oct. 1, 1988
7,800.00
9,400.00
5,000 Cleveland Short Line Railway 50 yr. 1st Mortgage 41/2% Gold Bond of 1911
4,975.00
5,010.00
Due April 1, 1961
8,600.00
9,521.38
10,000 Midland Valley R.R.
30 yr. Mortgage 4% Gold Bond
Due Apr. 1. 1943 extended to
April 1, 1963
12,000 Northern Pacific Railway Collateral Trust 4% Bond Due Oct. 1, 1984
11,220.00
11,940.00
10,000 West Virginia & Pittsburg R.R. 1st Mortgage 4% Gold Bond Dated 1890, Due April 1, 1990
8,500.00
9,300.00
15,000 Arkansas Power & Light Co. 1st Mortgage 33/8 % Bond Series Due April 1, 1985
11,625.00
15,200.00
10,000 Georgia Power Co. 1st Mortgage 35% % Bond Due April 1, 1986
8,100.00
10,123.25
20,000 New York Telephone Co. 33/8 % Refunding Mortgage Due April 1, 1996
15,950.00
20,100.77
10,000 Pacific Power & Light Co. 1st Mortgage 33/8 % Bond Series Due April 1, 1984
7,800.00
10,192.00
10,000 Philadelphia Electric Co. 1st Refunding Mortgage 31/8 % Bond
8,225.00
10,008.25
Due April 1, 1985
10,000 Public Service Elec. & Gas Co. of N. J. 31/2% Debenture Bond Due Oct. 1, 1974
9,025.00
10,354.00
145
PAR VALUE
10,000 South Jersey Gas Co. 1st Mortgage 41/8 % Bond Due Oct. 1, 1977
9,300.00
Take Over Amortized Book Value 10,130.00
15,000 Twin City Rapid Transit Co. 4% Collateral Trust Bond Due Oct. 1, 1964
13,800.00
15,100.00
6,000 City of Brownsville, Texas 21/2% Refunding Bond Series of 1945 Due April 1, 1968
5,250.00
5,940.00
15,000 Cape May County Bridge 234% Refunding & Improvement Revenue Bond Due Oct. 1, 1969
13,087.50
14,925.00
15,000 Grant County, Wash. Public Util. District No. 2 21/2% Electric Revenue Bond Series of 1954 Due Apr. 1, 1970
12,487,50
14,775.00
10,000 City of Key West, Fla. 4.60% Sanitary Sewer Revenue Bond Series A Dated April 1, 1953, Due April 1, 1981
10,175.00
10,246.00
10,000 Redford Township, Mich. 334% Water & Sewer System Revenue Bond Series of 1952 Due April 1, 1978
9,900.00
10,317.00
10,000 Ritta Drainage District, Fla. 3% Water Control Bond Dated Oct. 1, 1945 $5,000 Due Oct. 1, 1963 $5,000 Due Oct. 1, 1964
8,000.00
10,000.00
10,000 City of St. Petersburg, Fla. 234% Refunding Bond Due Oct. 1, 1979
8,825.00
10,134.00
10,000 City of Tyler, Texas 334% Waterworks & Sewer Sys- tem Refunding Bond Dated April 1, 1957, Due April 1, 1974
10,425.00
10,110.25
10,000 City of Wichita Falls, Texas 23/4 % 1st Mortgage Waterworks System Revenue Improvement Bond Series of 1947 Due April 1, 1975, Optional 1964
8,675.00
10,195.00
1
146
Market Value 3/10/59
PAR VALUE
*23,000 Boston Edison Co. 1st Mortgage 51/4 % Bond Series C Due Oct. 1, 1989
23,000.00
15,000 Detroit Terminal & Tunnel Co. 1st Mortgage 50 yr. 41/2% Gold Bond
14,625.00
15,132.00
Dated May 1, 1911, Due May 1, 1961
7,000 Kansas, Oklahoma & Gulf Ry. 1st Mortgage 35/8 % Bond Series Due May 1, 1980
5,845.00
6,912.50
10,000 Continental Oil Co. 30 yr. S. F. 3% Debenture Due Nov. 1, 1984
8,400.00
10,103.16
15,000 Crucible Steel Co. of America 1st Mortgage S. F. 31/8% Bond Series
13,387.50
15,000.00
Due Nov. 1, 1966
14,062.50
15,063.00
Due May 1, 1976
5,000 Pittsburg Coke & Chemical 1st Mortgage 31/2% Bond Dated Nov. 1, 1944, Due Nov. 1, 1964
4,650.00
5,000.00
10,000 American Tel. & Tel. Co. *4,000 25 yr. 5% Debenture Due Nov. 1, 1983
15,050.00
10,133.00 4,040.00
10,000 Florida Power Corp. 1st Mortgage 31/4% Bond Due Nov. 1, 1978
8,300.00
10,095.20
10,000 Long Island Lighting 1st Mortgage 33/8% Series H Due Nov. 1, 1985
7,750.00
10,122.50
10,000 Michigan Consolidated Gas Co. 1st Mortgage 31/2% Bond Due Nov. 15, 1980
8,375.00
10,210.00
10,000 City of Ashland, Wisconsin 31/2% Sewerage Revenue Mort- gage Bond Dated Nov. 1, 1952, Due Nov. 1, 1986
9,550.00
9,710.14
10,000 Coastal Highway, District, Ga. 334% Savannah River Crossing Bridge Revenue Anticipation Certificate Dated Nov. 1, 1952, Due Nov. 2, 1982
9,150.00
10,218.00
147
Market Value 3/10/59
Take Over Amortized Book Value 23,603.75
15,000 General Electric Co. 31/2% Debenture
PAR VALUE
10,000 City of Connersville, Ind. 314 % Sewerage Works Revenue Bond Dated Feb. 1, 1955, Due Nov. 1, 1980
Market Value 3/10/59 8,825.00
Take Over Amortized Book Value 10,000.00
10,000 Florida Improvement Commission 3.30% Series 30 Broward County Revenue Bond Dated Nov. 1, 1953, Due Nov. 1, 1975
9,000.00
10,098.00
10,000 City of Gulfport, Miss. 31/2% Combined Water & Sewer System Revenue Bond Dated May 1, 1952, Due May 1, 1976
9,587.50
10,274.00
10,000 Massachusetts Turnpike Authority 3.30% Turnpike Revenue Bond Series of 1954 Due May 1, 1994
8,400.00
10,000.00
9,000 Wasco County, Oregon 31/2% Toll Bridge Revenue Bond Dated Nov. 1, 1949, Due Nov. 1, 1974
8,392.50
9,172.10
10,000 Town of West New York, N. J. 31/2% Sewer Bond Dated Nov. 1, 1952, Due Nov. 1, 1974
9,325.00
10,282.00
10,000 Township of Woodridge, N. J. Board of Education School Dist. 33/4% Bond
10,225.00
10,056.80
Due Nov. 1, 1976
13,000 Commonwealth of Australia 20 yr. 312% Bond Dated Dec. 1, 1946, Due Dec, 1966
12,155.00
12,954.50
15,000 City of Daytona Beach, Florida 334% Recreational Facilities Bond Dated Dec. 1, 1947, Due Dec. 1, 1970
14,700.00
15,170.00
15,000 City of Corpus Christi, Texas 1st Mortgage 3% Waterworks Revenue Bond Dated Feb. 1, 1954, Due Dec. 1, 1980
12,900.00
15,000.00:
10,000 Southern New England Tel. 34 yr. 31/2% Debenture Dated June 1, 1955, Due June 1, 1989
7,400.00
10,109.80
148
Market Value 3/10/59
PAR VALUE
10,000 Pacific Gas & Electric Co. 1st and Refunding 33/8 % Bond Series Y Dated Dec. 1, 1954, Due Dec. 1, 1987
8,350.00
Take Over Amortized Book Value 10,129.60
10,000 Gatineau Power Co. 1st Mortgage 3% Bond Series C Dated June 15, 1946, Due June 15, 1970
8,500.00
10,128.00
15,000 Connecticut Light & Power Co. 1st & Refunding Mortgage 31/4 % Bond Series N Dated Dec. 1, 1955, Due Dec. 1, 1985
12,112.50
14,925.00
15,000 Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. 1st Refunding Mortgage S. F. 3 1/4 % Bond Dated Dec. 1, 1955, Due Dec. 1, 1990
11,250.00
15,099.20
10,000 Alabama Power Co. 1st Mortgage 33/8 % Bond Dated Dec. 1, 1948, Due Dec. 1, 1978
8,400.00
10,255.00
10,000 Household Finance Co. 4% S. F. Debenture Dated June 1, 1956, Due June 1, 1978
9,450.00
10,000.00
5,000 American Airlines 3% S. F. Debenture Dated June 1, 1946, Due June 1, 1966
4,500.00
5,000.00
5,000 Toledo & Ohio Central Ry. 334% Refunding & Improvement Mortgage Bond Series A Dated June 1, 1935, Due June 1, 1960
4,900.00
5,000.00
10,000 Pennsylvania R.R. 41/2% General Mortgage Gold Bond Series A Dated June 1, 1915, Due June 1, 1965
9,700.00
10,026.00
15,000 Atlantic Coast Line R.R. General Unified Mortgage 50 yr. 41/2% Coupon Gold Bond Series A Dated June 1, 1914, Due June 1, 1964
15,112.50
15,153.00
1,166,000
$1,038,600.00 $1,166,367.20
*Purchased since March 10, 1959.
149
Income 1959 $35,867.56. Balance of income 12/31/59 $35,867.56. The following issues were called and sold, or matured.
$ 1,000 Washington Tool Bridge Authority
9,000 South Coast Company
4,000 Federal Machine and Welding
15,000 Muskogee Company
10,000 Ecorse Township School District No. 11 Michigan
5,000 City of Detroit, Wayne University
5,000 Jamestown, Franklin and Clearfield Rail- road
Purchases made were:
$10,000 Dusquene Light 41/4% due 3/1/89
13,000 Am. Tel.& Tel. 234 % due 8/1/80
4,000 Am. Tel. & Tel. 5% due 11/1/83 23,000 Boston Edison 514% due 10/1/89
The Board commends the noteworthy action of the Park and Playground Commission in its dedication of the Municipal Golf Course to be known as the N. E. Hollis Golf Course, thereby publicly perpetuating the name of Norton Eugene Hollis.
For assistance and co-operation given the Board this past year, we thank the town officials and committees.
150
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE, 1959
Robert J. Barrett, Chairman
Roger W. Arnold
Ruth W. Shuster, Secretary
Leonard Alves
Robert M. Burdett Reuben H. Frogel, M.D.
Your School Committee has devoted a great deal of its time in the past year in a concerted effort to explain to the citizens of the town where their tax dollar for schools is spent. As our Superintendent so aptly states in his report which follows, 1959 has certainly been a year of reappraisal. Monthly meetings of the Citizen's Committee were held throughout the town, at which time each part of the School Budget was explained in de- tail to all interested citizens. The faithful and co-opera- tive effort of those people who did attend was most grate- fully appreciated by the School Committee. Their suggestions and recommendations were most helpful in preparation of the 1960 Budget.
Financial problems during 1959 were, and still are, under continuous study by our Committee. Adequate compensation for our teachers, administrators and other school personnel is one phase of our problem that requires lengthy study and deliberation. We have recognized our responsibility to attract and hold outstanding teachers and our capacity as taxpayers to provide the funds for the overall support of our schools. The obligation to pro- vide the best possible education for every child in Brain- tree is one which every citizen of our town must share. We expect and we welcome constructive criticism of our efforts as School Committee Members, but we also are well aware of our own responsibility of providing what we think in our humble judgment is in the best interest of the Public School System in Braintree.
Maintenance and care of our many School Buildings has been another phase of our problems. In an effort to conserve expenditure in past years, a tremendous amount of much needed maintenance work has built up. These necessary repairs, such as heating, weather strip- ping and plumbing renovations, must be undertaken now in order to preserve the basic requirements as far as hous- ing for our school children is concerned.
Constant investigation of our Educational Policies and the routine problems of our large school system re- quire our constant attention.
151
May I express the Committee's best wishes and suc- cess to those able members of our staff who have com- pleted their careers in Braintree or have found profes- sional advancement in another community. We have accepted these resignations with deep regrets.
The willingness to serve and the sincere co-operation of our Superintendent, Administrators, Principals, Teach- ers, Custodians and other members of our staff have made our responsibilities and duties a distinct pleasure.
The problems ahead seem difficult, but with the co- operation and constructive assistance on the part of all our citizens, we can not only maintain our standards, but by providing the best education possible, we can insure our future and the ideals which we all cherish so dearly.
ROBERT J. BARRETT
Chairman
Braintree School Committee
ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1959
Superintendent of Schools, Braintree, Mass. The American High School Today
1959 has been a year of reappraisal, with the reali- zation that the future of America in relation to competi- tion with Russia, will be determined by our utmost utilization of the potential talent of our school age youth. Science, math, foreign languages, social studies, have been strengthened and enriched.
Dr. Conant's report " The American High School Today " indicates the need for a strong comprehensive high school offering all the necessary opportunities for individuals with varied interests and talents to develop optimum growth through varied learning experiences. Study of his twenty-one recommendations by our facul- ties indicated that we checked out very well in sixteen items. Of the five items in which we could do more, three are concerned with (1) additional time devoted to English composition, (2) special attention for the slow
reader (3) a developmental reading program. These items require additional teachers and equipment. Pro- gress will be made as rapidly as the necessary facilities become available. The fourth item (4) urges the four- year foreign language sequence which is in the process of development. A start in providing foreign language lab-
152
SENIORS WORK ON THEIR LAWRENCE S. MAYERS PEACE ESSAY CONTEST PAPERS IN THE FOURTH YEAR ENRICHED DIVISION IN ENGLISH
oratory equipment is being made with N.D.E.A. funds. This will be continued each year as funds become avail- able. The fifth item (5) recommends diversified pro- grams for the development of marketable skills through halfday vocational cooperative work. Programs in Retail Selling and Diversified Occupational Training are presently being planned in cooperation with the State De- partment of Education, and will be offered as soon as coordination between business and school can be achieved.
This effort also places a premium on finding talent among the students in all schools. Dr. Conant calls for a full guidance program to discover student talent and place this talent in an individualized educational program : Braintree is well out in front in this aspect, having had a strong program of this sort in effect. Annually, our edu- cational program provides more effective and efficient opportunities for acceleration and enrichment from the fourth grade through high school.
Academic Standing
Our achievement testing from the primary grades through grade eight shows good educational growth. Dur- ing the period 1946-1952 we were considerably worried
153
by some of the low results found in arithmetic and spell- ing. Since 1954, however, we have surpassed the N.E. norm in every test in every subject by an increasing mar- gin each year. This year, the Metropolitan test on the grade eight level indicated that word knowledge (voca- bulary) and Social Studies-study skills were tenth grade level. All others are well above the expected norm of 8.3. The Durost Scoring Service reports " We think that every-
POWER MECHANICS BOYS AT PRACTICAL WORK IN SHOP
one concerned will be very much pleased with the high level of achievement shown again this year in your schools, especially since an entirely different battery of tests was used. It surely indicates continued excellent work on the part of the pupils, the teachers, and the ad- ministrators."
This is the final test and essence of our work; nothing can be more satisfying than to know that our long hard efforts continue to bring results in such achievements.
Over a period of seven years approximately 38% of the Braintree High School graduates went on to higher education; 21% to four year colleges. In the Braintree High School Class of 1959 there were 295 graduates. 130 of these or 44% went on to higher education, including 65 or 22% to four year colleges. Many of these students.
154
received substantial scholarships and prizes. For the first time in history, two of the three winners in the World Peace Foundation Essay Contest came from the same school-Braintree High School. This Spring our seniors and accelerated junior class participated in the annual math contest sponsored by the Math Association of America. The entire group ranked in the upper ten per cent in the schools of the New England region. Re- cently our Latin students participated in the National Latin Examination; all of our second and third year students placed in the upper quarter. Our business and industrial students are much in demand and secure re- sponsible positions.
Housing
Enrollment
Sept. 19, 1958
Oct. 31, 1959
Est. Sept. 1960 1270
Senior High
1172
1276
Junior High
1586
1713
1804
Grades 1-6
3686
3675
3650
Kindergarten
687
671
670
Total
7131
' 7335
7394
It will be noted that grades 1-6 are fairly well stab- ilized now. Present facilities will care for them provided extra maintenance money, which has not been available before, is expended on replacing and improving heating systems in old buildings. Probably in the Monatiquot School, the cost of such improvements would be as expen- sive as replacing the school. Serious consideration should be given to this project, as repairs to provide suitable lunchroom, gymnasium and satisfactory heating in a build- ing sixty-five years old would be a poor investment. Con- ditions are now far from satisfactory in the old building. Similarly, heating improvements in the Torrey, Perkins, Lincoln and Penniman cannot be postponed. The time has come, as previously reported, for the adoption of a substantial program to care for these needs over the next few years. The Citizens Committee has recom- mended an extra $100,000 for the next three years for this purpose.
With the addition to the high school ready by next September, we shall be able to continue for one more year until 1961, when the entering class will jump from 425 to 550 each year.
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B. H. S. CHEMISTRY STUDENTS IN LABORATORY SESSION
The most difficult situation next year will be in the already over-crowded junior highs presently enrolling 1713, with a capacity of 1500. Next year the figure will increase to 1800 pupils, who can be accommodated only by means of large classes, conversion of libraries, lunch- rooms, stages, etc. for class use. Relief on the secondary area by construction of the proposed new junior high is therefore essential.
Costs
For the past two years the Town Meeting has seen fit to further cut a budget that had already been severely pruned by the School Committee. This year $30,000 was cut. We have been able to operate within the budget only by retrenchment in services, and utilization of P.L. 874 funds for various special projects. Maintenance usually suffers most in such cuts, with resultant increased costs later as the postponed work becomes more costly. The budget for 1960 will show a marked increase due to this cause, plus increased teachers' salaries. Yet, our per pupil cost remains below the state average, lowest in our enrollment class, and in the lowest third of all cities and towns in our population group.
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