USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Chelmsford > Town annual report of Chelmsford 1934 > Part 11
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Article 28 :
The Finance Committee recommends that the sum of $200.00 be appro- priated for the purposes of this Article.
Article 29 :
The Finance Committee recommends the appropriation of $300.00 for the - purposes of this Article.
Article 33 :
The Finance Committee recommends that a sufficient amount be raised and appropriated to pay all unpaid bills, and that each department explain over-runs of its appropriations at Town Meeting.
JOHN C. MONAHAN, BIRGER PETTERSON, GEORGE W. DAY, EMILE E. PAIGNON, JOHN G. PARKER, WILLIAM T. PICKEN,
Finance Committee,
Town of Chelmsford.
190
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND THE
Superintendent of Schools OF CHELMSFORD, MASS. FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1934
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
JOHN A. MCADAMS, Chairman Term Expires 1935 Westlands
RALPH A. BERG Term Expires 1936 Chelmsford
JAMES P. CASSIDY, Secretary Term Expires 1937 North Chelmsford
SUPERINTENDENT
GEORGE S. WRIGHT, A. B.
..... Office in McFarlin Schoo! Chelmsford
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
ARTHUR G. SCOBORIA, M. D. Chelmsford FRED E. VARNEY, M. D. North Chelmsford
SCHOOL NURSE
( MRS.) MAE S. LEWIS, R. N. Office in McFarlin School
ATTENDANCE OFFICERS
WINSLOW P. GEORGE Westlands
......
RALPH G. HULSLANDER North Chelmsford
SCHOOL CALENDAR
The school year is divided into a fall term ending at the Christmas vacation, and three terms after the holidays.
Fall term from September 5, 1934 to December 21, 1934.
Second term from January 2, 1935 to February 15, 1935. Third term from February 25, 1935 to April 2, 1935.
Fourth term from April 22, 1935 to June 21, 1935.
The school year of 1935-1936 will open on Wednesday, September 4, 1935.
NO. SCHOOL SIGNAL
In case of extremely bad storms or of roads dangerous because of ice, a signal for no school is given on the fire alarmns at the Centre, North, West, South, and East, three blasts, repeated three times. When given at 7.15 there are no sessions for the day. The signal at 11.15 indicates 110 afternoon session for the grades.
TEACHERS
The table shows the teachers at the beginning of the school year 1934-35, the position held, the date when service in Chelmsford began, and the institu- tions in which they prepared.
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HIGH SCHOOL
Lucien H. Burns, A. M., Principal, Sept. 1930, University of New Hamnp- shire, Columbia.
C. Edith McCarthy, Vice-Principal, Commercial, Sept. 1923, Salem Normal.
F. Christine Booth, B. A., Latin, Math., Sept. 1927, Colby.
*Hilda B. Dunigan, B. S. E., Commercial, Sept. 1928, Salem Normal. Daisy B. MacBrayne, English, Sept. 1929, Boston University.
Proctor P. Wilson, B. S., Science, Feb. 1930, M. I. T. George R. Knightly, A. B., Social Science, Sept. 1930, Aurora.
Morris L. Budnick, A. B., Math., Science, Sept. 1930, Tufts."
Mildred L. Wells, A. B., English, Math., Sept. 1931, Boston University. ** Dorothy F. Gay, A. B., French, Sept. 1932, Wheaton. John J. MacLaughlan, A. B., English, Nov. 1933, Holy Cross. Warren C. Dean, A. B., English, Sept. 1934, Boston University. Ernestine E. Maynard, B. S. E., Commercial, Sept. 1934, Salem. Earl J. Watt, A. M., French, Nov. 1934, Harvard.
*- Deceased August 11, 1934.
-Deceased September 29, 1934.
McFARLIN
Louis O. Forrest, Principal, VIII, Sept. 1926, Gorham Normal. (Mrs.) Eva L. Dobson, VII, Nov. 1919, Plymouth Normal. Louise E. Cummings, VII-VIII, Sept. 1931, Lowell Normal. M. Beryl Rafuse, VI, Sept. 1920, Truro Normal. Helena B. Lyons, V, Sept. 1920, North Adams Normal. Emily Hehir, IV, Sept. 1928, Lowell Normal.
. Mayme G. Trefry, III, Sept. 1921, Truro Normal. Myrtle Greene, II, Sept. 1928, Lowell Normal.
Clara W. Dexter, B. S. E., I, Sept. 1934, Lowell.
EAST
Harry Y. Hilyard, Principal, VII-VIII, Sept. 1930, Gorham Normal. (Mrs.) Jessie F. Brown, V-VI, April 1930, Boston University. Mildred G. Perry, III-IV, Sept. 1931, Lowell Normal.
Gladys G. Mooney, I-11, Sept. 1931, Lowell Normal.
HIGHLAND AVENUE
Harry J. Kane, B. S. in Education, Principal, VII-VIII, Sept. 1929, Bridge- water Normal.
Viola Mellen, V-VI, Sept. 1931, Lowell Normal.
Lottie M. Agnew, III-IV, Sept. 1923, Lowell Normal.
ยท Gertrude P. Henderson, I-11, Sept. 1932, Lowell Normal.
PRINCETON STREET
Ella A. Hutchinson, Principal, VII, Sept. 1905, Framingham Normal. Ebba A. Peterson, B. S. E., VIII, Nov. 1933, Boston University.
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(Mrs.) Elsa Reid, VI, Sept. 1922, Lowell Normal. Ann G. Murphy, V. Sept. 1932. Lowell Normal. (Mrs.) Lilla B. McPherson, IV, Sept. 1920, Framingham Normal. Genevieve E. Jantzen, III, Sept. 1911, Lowell Normal. Helen C. Osgood, II, Sept. 1921, Lowell Normal. Catherine J. McTeague, I, Sept. 1927, Lowell Normal.
QUESSY
V. John Rikkola, Principal, VII-VIII, Sept. 1930, Salem Normal. Bertha H. Long, V-VI, April 1896, Salem Normal. Josephine M. Quigley, B. S. E., III-IV, Sept. 1934, Lowell. Jane E. McEnaney, 1-11, Sept. 1926, Lowell Normal.
SOUTH
Mary H. Ryan, IV-VI, Sept. 1930, Lowell Normal. Hazel R. Young, I-111, Sept. 1930, Lowell Normal.
SOUTH ROW
Gladys Harrington, I-II-III-IV, Sept. 1931, Lowell Normal.
WESTLANDS
H. Jean Rafuse, Principal, VII-VIII, Sept. 1920, Martin's Point, N. S., High School.
Vera G. Rafuse, V-VI, Sept. 1921, Truro Normal.
(Mrs.) Charlotte K. Duffy, III-IV, Sept. 1932, Lowell Normal.
(Mrs.) Marion S. Adams, I-II, Jan. 1928, Lowell Normal ..
SUPERVISOR
Charlotte L. Hyde, Music, Oct. 1927, Lowell Normal.
TRANSPORTATION
George W. Marinel, North Chelmsford.
JANITORS
High School, C. O. Robbins, Chelmsford Centre. McFarlin, Otis Brown, South Chelmsford. East, Bernard McLaughlin, East Chelmsford. Highland Avenue, Edward Fallon, North Chelmsford. Princeton Street, Patrick Cassidy, North Chelmsford. Quessy, John Boutillier, West Chelmsford. South, George Burton, South Chelmsford. South Row, Mrs. Hildur Smith, Chelmsford Centre. Westlands, E. Berg, Westlands.
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REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of the Town of Chelmsford :
We herewith submit the report of your School Committee for the year 1934.
It is necessary to reiterate that the number of pupils in the High school is larger than the building can accommodate. This condition first devel- oped several years ago, and the number of High school pupils has been steadily increasing since that time. The High school building, constructed in 1916-1917, was designed to accommodate 225 pupils. In 1917, the enrollment was 161; in 1922 it was 184; in 1927 it was 224, in 1932 it was 376. At the opening of school in September, 1934 the enrollment was 407. The number of students is so large that makeshift arrange- ments have been necessary in order to find space for more students than the building can adequately house. This condition is harmful to the students, to their teachers and to the community at large. In such cramped quarters the students are deprived of the quiet, roomy environ- ment so necessary to concentration and efficient study. The teacher's task of drilling book learning into restive young minds, difficult enough at best, is made more difficult by hampered surroundings. The com- munity ill serves itself under the present conditions, for it is axiomatic that the school children of today are the men and women of tomorrow. Their training now will have a large effect upon their government then. We therefore recommend that an adequate addition be made to the High school.
In our report of 1932 we called to your attention the fact that some of the school buildings are not sufficiently insured against loss or dam- age by fire. No insurance whatever is carried on the High school or the McFarlin school. The town maintains an insurance fund which is now approximately $37,600.00 for the purpose of repairing and reconstruct- ing town buildings damaged or destroyed by fire. This fund is not large enough to pay the cost of reconstructing either the High school or the McFarlin school. It is not within the province of this committee to place insurance upon these buildings. We recommend that an adequate amount of insurance against fire loss be placed upon all school buildings.
The contract under which George W. Marinel is now transporting the school children of Chelmsford expires in June, 1935. During the term of this contract, the number of pupils so increased that it was necessary for the contractor to add three new bus trips to the number of trips which were being made at the time the contract was executed. The contractor received no extra compensation for these additional trips. His service has been very good, and we have found him at all times willing to cooperate with our department for the good of the schools.
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The work of the Parent-Teacher Associations throughout the town has been most helpful to us. We are grateful for the unselfish efforts of the members of these organizations, and we wish them continued suc- cess in their work.
The janitors of the various school buildings have performed their duties in a very satisfactory manner.
We wish to give to the teachers written expression of our apprecia- tion of their work. The rank and file of our teachers give a full and satisfactory performance of their duties. Always conscious of their high moral responsibility they give to their teaching the zealous ardor which it demands. We commend them for their spirit of cooperation and loyalty, and for the patience, kindness, and sympathetic understanding which characterize their work.
IN MEMORIAM
Within seven weeks in the fall of 1934, the town of Chelmsford lost two of its ablest, most loyal and best loved teachers. Hilda Beatrice Dunigan passed away on the 11th day of August, 1934. Dorothy Frances Gay was taken from us on September 29, 1934. These two esteemed young ladies were the finest examples of American womanhood, and an inspiration to everyone who knew them. Extremely capable teachers, they worked untiringly for their students, their friends and the organiza- tions of which they were members. They were daughters to be proud of.
On each sad occasion, this committee drew and adopted a memorial. It is fitting that these memorials be made a part of this report.
HILDA B. DUNIGAN-A MEMORIAL
Hilda B. Dunigan was born in North Chelmsford on the 29th day of May, 1906, the daughter of James P. and Rose E. (Smith) Dunigan. Her primary and grammar school training was hiad at the Highland Avenue School very near to her father's home. She then attended Chelmsford High School where she accumulated many honors particularly in the commercial subjects, her chosen line of study. In. September, 1924, after completing a one ycar post-graduate course at Chelmsford High School, she entered Salem Teacher's College. She studied for four years at that college, commuting daily from her home in Chelmsford. For her excellence in scholarship she received many honors from Salem Teachers' College and was graduated from there in June of 1928 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education.
In September 1928 Miss Dunigan was elected a teacher of com- mercial subjects in the Chelmsford High School. From the time of assuming her duties in our High School, she knew she had the illness which finally caused her death, but she went about gallantly, doing her work well, holding her head high and happily smiling-so that no one would suspect. For six full years she taught commercial subjects in Chelmsford High School. In the vineyard of young minds committed to her charge she worked patiently, gently, and cheerfully, moulding happy and successful lives. She encouraged the children to give their
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best and they gave it. Her way was the effective way. It may have been because she believed in the children-believed them to be capable; believed them to be good-and they fulfilled the faith she had in them. She was admired, respected, and loved by all the students in the school. When they heard of her untimely death they went, alone and in groups, to pay their last respects to their teacher. The capable students, the efficient students, the passing students, and too, the blundering ones who in youthful energy often trespassed on the rules-she had understood them all ; with downcast eyes and heavy hearts they stood beside her coffin and silently shed a tear, paying a tribute that no memorial could ever equal.
In her desire to serve, to benefit, and to inspire the children in our school she never tired. Her disposition was contagious. It animated the whole school. The passing of her gentle personality will tint the school with blue for many a day to come.
Not our department alone, but the whole town of Chelmsford will deeply feel her loss, for she gave generously and graciously of her time and talents in all community endeavors. She was an active member of many village organizations and worked tirelessly and unselfishly for the public good even to the last week of her useful life. She possessed in abundance those qualities which mark men and women of excellence and worth, in the community. By her industry, honor, frankness, truth, kindli- ness, and her spirit of helpfulness she has placed her name upon life's roll of honor.
Her work is done, but it will not be unremembered. Its results are dedicated to Time, and Time will see what she could not stay to see- the ripening and unfolding of her ideals in the many minds sometime within her charge. Thus is she numbered one "of those immortal dead who live again in minds made better by their presence."
In tribute to the memory of Hilda B. Dunigan and in testimony of our deep and heartfelt sorrow upon her passing, it is hereby RESOLVED:
1. That in the death of Hilda B. Dunigan we have lost a learned teacher who, inspired by noble ideals, was loyal and devoted to the pub- lic good.
2. That for ourselves and for the people of Chelmsford we extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Miss Dunigan, and send to them a copy of these proceedings in the hope that our poor words may bring them some slight measure of condolence in their loss.
3. That these proceedings be made a part of the permanent records of this committee.
DOROTHY FRANCES GAY-A MEMORIAL
Dorothy Frances Gay was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred W. Gay of Billerica Road, Chelmsford, formerly of Methuen, Mass. It was in the latter town that Miss Gay received her early scholastic training, grad- uating from Methuen High School in June, 1928. She continued her education at Wheaton College, and after a brilliant academic and extra- curricular career, received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1932. A vacancy occurring in the French department of Chelmsford High School,
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Miss Gay was chosen from a host of applicants as the person best quali- ficd for the position. She started her work as head of the French depart- ment in September, 1932, and continued as the capable head of that department until the day of her untimely death. In addition to her class work, she assumed control of the French Club, and later of girls' basketball.
It may be truly said of Miss Gay that she won the hearts of all with whom she came in contact, not only by the determination with which she overcame the many obstacles which beset a new teacher, but also by her sense of the true value of things, which gave her insight and understanding. Hers was the restless soul that is never satisfied with mediocrity, and she constantly strove for greater perfection of both mind and body. This was evident in both her teaching, and her private life, as she read constantly and well those books that would be of value to her, and sought to practice the lore thus gained. Hers was a well balanced program entirely in keeping with the intellect that fostered it.
We feel keenly the loss of Miss Gay, not merely because of her proven ability as an instructor, but because of the splendid example she was to each and every girl student who came in contact with her as teacher, coach, and always as their friend. Their successes were her joy, and the proudest moment of her life came when her team won the Suburban League championship last year. Mentally alert and physically active to the last, she was the type of American girl that every parent desires his daughter to become. She lived her short life to the full and left nothing undone that could have been completed, an epitaph that few can claim.
We cannot forget Miss Gay in the days to come, for her personality is impressed upon our memories indelibly. We shall have with us always a picture of that youth, gayety, and ability that will remain untarnished by any of the misfortunes which the world too often bestows. The children "of Chelmsford have lost an efficient teacher, an outstand- ing example of American womanhood, and most of all a true and dear friend, but the memory of her life remains as an inspiration that shall continue long after the walls of Chelmsford High School have crumbled to dust. It is impossible for us to express ourselves to her family in this. their hour of loss, but the poet offers consolation as he says :
"Death came unheralded ;- but it was well; For so thy Saviour bore Kind witness, thou was meet at once to dwell On His eternal shore; All warning spared, For none He gives where hearts are for prompt change prepared."
In testimony of our respect for Dorothy Frances Gay and in rever- ence to her memory, it is hereby RESOLVED:
1. That in the untimely passing of this lovely girl, Dorothy Frances
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Gay, we have lost an excellent teacher who was an inspiration to all her students.
2. That for ourselves and for the people of Chelmsford we extend our deepest sympathy to the family of Miss Gay, and send to them as a token of our sorrow a copy of these proceedings.
3. That these proceedings be made a part of the permanent records of this committee.
The reports of the Superintendent of Schools, the Principal of the High School and the heads of the various departments are hereto appended. We urge you to read carefully these reports as they are enlightening from a financial as well as from an educational view- point.
Respectfully submitted.
JOHN A. McADAMS, RALPH A. BERG, JAMES P. CASSIDY,
School Committee.
9
.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT
To the School Committee :
This, my seventh report to you and to the people of Chelmsford, the 61st in the series, deals particularly with school costs, as did the report of 1930. The earlier one was written at the beginning of the period of busi- ness depression, before towns and cities began cutting school budgets. The cost of the Chelmsford schools that year was $103,296.87; the average num- ber of pupils was 1,382; making the cost per pupil $74.74 .. In 1934 the cost was $98,022.61; the average membership 1,624; making the cost per pupil $60.36. The above figures include the cost of the regular day schools only ; the cost of the evening school of 1930 and the tuition paid Lowell Vocational School are not included.
The comparisons given below are based on the report of the Depart- ment of Education for the year ending June 30, 1934. Costs in Chelmsford are for the town fiscal year ending December 31st. Comparison is made with the 83 towns of Group II, towns of over 5000 population ; with a list of twenty selected towns, ten larger and ten smaller than Chelmsford; and with the entire state. The most valid comparison is doubtless with the twenty towns, which are in order of size: Middleborough. Hudson, Stough- ton, Whitman, Rockland, Ware, Maynard, Agawam. Grafton, Franklin, North Andover, Millbury, Dracut, Shrewsbury, South Hadley. Randolph, Westborough, Mansfield, Uxbridge, and Billerica. The population of these towns ranges from 5880 to 8608, the valuation (April 1, 1933) from $4,018,360 to $9,500,688, and the valuation per pupil from $2,767 to $6.340. Chelmsford had a population of 7022, a valuation of $6,683.620, and a valu- ation per pupil of $4,284. Certain towns which are near Chelmsford in population, such as Concord, Barnstable, and Hingham, are omitted from the selected list on account of their much greater wealth. The costs are figured on a unit basis. the cost per pupil in average membership. Obviously the greater the number of pupils the greater will be the gross costs. The unit basis is the only fair method of comparison.
ADMINISTRATION.
The largest item in the overhead cost of running the schools was the salary of the superintendent, $3,250. Other costs were : Expenses of School Committee, $350; travelling expense to the annual conference of school sup- erintendents, $8.00; attendance officers, $30; stationery and postage, $71 20; telephone, $91.55; making the total for administration $3,800.75. Dividing this by the average membership, 1624, the cost of administration per pupil was $2.46. For the school year ending June 30, 1934, the cost for the 83 towns in Group II was $2.90; in the 20 selected towns, $2.88; and in the state, $3.30.
INSTRUCTION.
Under this heading is found the largest single item in school costs, the salaries of teachers. It is the expenditure to which all others are subsid- iary. Unless the returns from the investment in salaries are of high
10
quanty the school system cannot be a good one. I urge careful considera- tion to the comparisons given below, which show the cost of instruction in Chelmsford and other towns.
High School
Elementary Schools.
Salaries
$18,470.80
$42,677.41
Total $61,148.21
Books
705.41
825.79
1,531.20
Supplies
1,081.33
962 29
2,043.62
Total
$20,257.54
$44,465.49
$64,723.03
The sum paid teachers is a large one, but so is the number of, children cared for. Dividing the amounts in the first column by 374, the average membership of the High School, in the second by 1250, and in the third by 1624, the unit costs for instruction are seen to be ;
High School Elementary Schools All Schools
Salaries
$49.39
$34.14
$37.65
Books
1.89
.66
.98
Supplies
2.89
.77
1.26
Total
$54.17
$35.57
$39.85
When analyzed to show unit costs the wonder is that so much can be done for so little. At an average cost of less than $40, a pupil was given instruction for 176 days ; his books cost less than a dollar ; and his supplies, such as paper, pencils, notebooks, laboratory equipment, typewriters, maps, etc., cost $1.26. It should be said that the expenditure for books in 1934 would not be adequate to keep these essential aids to good schools in service- able condition year after year. The policy is followed of having books which cost 75c. or more rebound before they are too badly worn out. From $50 to $100 is spent in this way each year, at a cost of 30c. or 35c. a book. School books are very strongly bound. Their prices generally did not go down during the depression nor have they advanced. School paper went down to a pre-war level, and under the code prices are now sharply ad- vanced. Six additional typewriters were bought for the High School, and their cost, $360, is included in supplies for 1934 The table below compares the unit costs in Chelmsford with other towns :
Chelmsford
Group II Twenty Towns The State
Salaries
$37.65
$56.34
$43.56
$63.06
Books
.98
1.37
1.25
1.11
Supplies
1.26
2.45
2.01
2.29
Put in another way, the expenditure for salaries for each pupil in school in Chelmsford was $5.91 less than in the twenty selected towns, $18.69 less than in the towns of Group II, and $25.41 less than in the entire state. To make the comparison entirely complete it should be stated that Chelmsford is not paying the lowest salaries per pupil in school. Of the twenty selected towns there is one which pays less.
.
In connection with this discussion of salaries I would call attention to the fact that two separate reductions have been made. In the spring of 1931 the salaries at which teachers begin were reduced by $50 for elementary
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positions and by $100 for High, and the maximum salaries for all positions were reduced by $100 for all teachers who were not already receiving more than the new maximum. Only a few teachers were affected at first, but as changes have occurred the number has increased till now there are no less than 27 out of the 49 teachers who are receiving either $50 or $100 less as a result of the downward revision of the salary schedule in 1931.
A second was made by the teachers themselves when from September, 1932, to February 1, 1933, they (with two exceptions) returned to the town treasury five per cent. of their monthly salaries, and the Superintendent ten per cent. At the annual town meeting of 1933 the appropriation for the School Department was cut to such an extent that the Committee was forced to reduce the salaries of teachers, the nurse, and physicians five per cent , the principal of the High School ten per cent., and the Superintendent about 141/2 per cent. This reduction is still in force. The teachers have requested that this last cut be restored.
During the last four years many towns and cities have reduced the amount of the teachers' payroll by abolishing or suspending positions, by enlarging classes so as to avoid engaging new teachers, by accepting contri- butions from teachers or requiring teachers to make them, and by actually cutting salaries. The contributions, voluntary and otherwise, and the cuts range from 5% to 20% of the salaries formerly paid If contributions are received the salaries remain the same on paper, and for the purpose of deter- mining the amount of pension due a teacher about to retire, but the salary actually received is reduced as when a direct cut is applied. Chelmsford has economized in all these ways : positions have been abolished, physical direc- tor and building assistants ; classes have been enlarged till the rooms literally can hold no more pupils ; contributions have been made ; and since February, 1933, a cut of 5% or more has been applied to salaries. In many towns and cities, but not all, cuts have been restored wholly or in part, and other places are planning to take such action at an early date. Also, it should be noted that the salary schedule was low in Chelmsford before any reductions were made. In many places after the cuts of 5, 10, or 15% were applied the teachers were still receiving more than the Chelmsford teachers received before the last cut was made. Is not the request that salaries be restored to the 1932 basis a reasonable one ?
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