USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Ipswich > Town annual report of Ipswich 1915 > Part 6
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Each Mazda lamp, one year,
$ 2 62
Carbon 68 66
3 91
Arc
88
35 09
I have called attention year after year to the very low price of the cost per lamp for street lighting in Ipswich. This year there has been a reduction in the cost from the very excellent showing re- ported last year when the 60 watt carbon lamps cost $4.18 each as against $3.91 this year, and the 40 watt Mazda lamps cost $2.79 as against $2.62 this year.
Mazda lamps are now being put in in place of carbon lamps on the entire street service. They consume only 40 watts and give 25 candle power while the carbon lamps consume 60 watts and give only 16 candle power. The price of Mazda lamps has been so re- duced that the use of carbon lamps can well be done away with not only on the streets but by the private consumers also. The Mazda lamps give more and better light and cost less to burn.
The following table shows the increase in the number of com- mercial customers, and the increase in the receipts for sale of cur- rent each year since the plant was established :-
28
MUNICIPAL LIGHT REPORT.
Sale of Current and Power
Year
No. Services
1904
69
$ 3605 53
1905
105
7076 77
1906
131
8330 68
1907
170
7462 43
1908
195
9010 34
1909
218
9178 74
1910
269
10594 48
1911
323
12159 42
1912
362
14557 45
1913
435
16131 80
1914
477
17380 33
1915
521
19559 41
n
1
The steady healthly increase in receipts as shown by the above table indicates that satisfactory service is being given. The in- crease for 1915 was fully up to the standard of previous years.
In connection with this it should be noted that the increase in receipts was made in spite of a reduction in the price to consumers. On October 1, 1915, the price per K. W. hour was reduced from 12 cents to 11 cents and one cent per hour discount made on all bills paid on or before the 20th day of the month, making the net price 10 cents per K. W. hour which is a very low rate. In view of the financial showing made in 1915 it is evident that another reduction in price can soon be made.
It is my honest belief that the citizens of Ipswich did a wise thing when they decided to own their own lighting plant. The cry raised by those who do not believe in Municipal ownership, that politics will make impossible the success of such a plant, may be true in some places, but it is not true in Ipswich. What is the reason? The answer is, that politics have not been allowed to have anything to do with our plant. The employees of the plant are em- ployed on account of their ability and fitness, and not on account of political pull. The voters have refused to inject politics into the election of Commissioners. The Board elected in 1904, when the plant was installed is the Board today. During the twelve years
29
MUNICIPAL LIGHT REPORT.
the plant has been running the voters have always refused to make a change in that Board, apparantly believing that the faithful ser- vice, so well proven by the excellent results shown, deserved the approval of the people. As manager of the Plant since the start, I have deeply appreciated the attitude of the voters for I fully realize that to a great extent whatever of success has come, has been due to the knowledge that the people of Ipswich have always refused to . allow the Lighting Plant, which is a business proposition, to be a political football. The work of the Commission and the work of the Manager has been judged, not by the political standard of to what party or faction do they belong, but by the results of their labor. That is why Municipal ownership is a success in Ipswich.
Respectfully submitted,
GEORGE A. SCHOFIELD, Manager.
30
MUNICIPAL LIGHT REPORT.
COMMISSIONERS' REPORT.
To the Citizens of Ipswich,
Gentlemen :
The Water and Municipal Lighting Commissioners submit their annual report for the year ending December 31; 1915.
WATER DEPARTMENT.
On pages four to seventeen inclusive will be found a detailed account of the receipts and expenditures of this department for the year 1915.
During the year, extensions of the mains amounting to 6,631 feet of six inch pipe, a little over one and one-quarter miles, have been put in, the largest amount for a number of years, giving to those who live along the lines extended the opportunity to have the benefit of a public water supply, not only for domestic purposes but for fire protection also.
Under the state law the time limit for the use of old boilers at the pumping station expired last year and a new modern boiler has been installed, a duplicate of the boiler installed five years ago. The old steam pipe used at the station, which was not up to the standard required for the new boilers, has been also replaced with new pipe and the station is now fully equipped with boilers, pipes and fittings up to date and satisfactory to the requirment of law and good for many years to come.
The expenditures for the coming year are estimated to be as follows :
For Interest Payments,
$7970 00
For Sinking Fund Payments, 4410 42
For General Expenses, 4500 00
Total,
$16,880 42
31
MUNICIPAL LIGHT REPORT.
We feel that the earnings of the department will be sufficient to pay the above amount without' any appropriation from the Town and we do not ask for any appropriation. We desire to call your attention to the fact that the Town is getting free hydrant service, and that for the past five years we have paid the sinking fund, $20,131.27 from our earnings, thereby saving the tax payers from having that amount raised by taxation as was formerly the case.
We call your attention to the report of the Sinking Fund on page ten. The Fund is now $87,551.76. It is invested as shown al- most wholly in Town of Ipswich securities. These securities are non-negotiable and are absolutely secure. The balance at the First National Bank is larger than usual, but this will be invested as soon as the Town appropriations are make as we prefer to get local securities whenever it is possible to do so.
ELECTRIC LIGHT DEPARTMENT.
Pages 18 to 28 inclusive of the report give a full account of the receipts and expenditures of this department as submitted by the Manager. We are pleased to note it is shown by this report that this department shows a steady, conservative growth, not speculative, not up then down, but a sound annual increase in revenue and cus- tomers which argues well for permanent success.
During the year we have succeeded in getting a renewal of the contract with the Town of Rowley for another period of five years on a basis fair alike to Rowley and to Ipswich.
. On October first 1915, we made a reduction in price to consum- ers from 12 cents to 11 cents, and gave a discount of 1 cent per K.W hour on all bills paid before the 20th of each month, making the net price 10 cents, which is a very low rate. We are inclined to believe that a still further reduction will be made by June 1st of 1916, so that the net price will be 9 cents. It is our opinion that the con- sumers are entitled to reductions whenever receipts warrant it, and that it is unfair to expect the private consumers to pay for our street lighting. The expense of lighting the street should be shared by all the tax payers and not be paid by those who use electricity in their houses and in stores.
32
MUNICIPAL LIGHT REEORT.
We call your attention to the fact that the year 1915 marks the point where the net debt of this department shows a reduction, in other words we are now paying off each year more of the old debt than the new issue of notes amount to. In addition to that we are paying part of the old debt from the earnings of the department. Last year we paid $1000.00. This year we will pay $2000.00.
Acting under the vote of the town the Selectmen have appoint- ed an Inspector of Wires and he has made many inspections and has found a large amount of defective wiring. He is not an em- ployee of our department and we have no authority over his work. All matters in connection with his work should be taken up directly with him or with the Selectmen's Department.
The following amounts are called for by this department for 1916. Depreciation $2040.00. Interest $2548.00. Note payment $3250.00, We have notified the Finance Committee that we have available funds in our treasurer's balance to pay $2000.00 in notes so that only $1250.00 need be appropriated for that purpose.
We extend to the voters and to the employees of our depart- ment our sincere thanks for their kindness and co-opeation in help- ing make our work successful, and we trust that our management of these two important business departments has merited and will receive the approval of the citizens of Ipswich.
Respectfully submitted, GEORGE A. SCHOFIELD, GEORGE H. W. HAYES, WILLIAM H. RAND,
Water and
Municipal Light Commissioners.
Ipswich, January, 1916.
AUDITOR'S STATEMENT.
I have examined the books and accounts of the Water and Electric Light Department, and of the Treasurer of the Sinking Fund and find them correct. ARTHUR H. WALTON, Auditor. Ipswich, Feb. 18, 1916.
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
OF THE
TOWN OF IPSWICH
MA.
USA.
1634
THE BIRTHPLACE OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE 1687
FOR THE YEAR 1915.
CHARLES G. HULL, PRINTER. 8 COGSWELL STREET, IPSWICH, MASS.
1916.
D
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Organization of the School Department
Page 4
List of Teachers® 5
Age and Grade of Pupils 8
Report of School Committee 9
Report of Superintendent of Schools 13
Report of School Physician 56
School Expense 1915 61
Auditor's Report of School Funds 76
ORGANIZATION OF THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT. 1915.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
Dr. George E. MacArthur, Chairman. Joseph Ross. Herbert W. Mason.
$
COMMITTEE ON REPAIRS: Joseph Ross. Herbert W. Mason.
SUPERINTENDENT: Frederic B. Knight.
REGULAR SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING: First Tuesday of Each Month.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE ROOM: High School Building. Telephone 34-W.
SECRETARY TO THE COMMITTEE: Frederic B. Knight.
LIST OF TEACHERS.
1915 --- 1916.
Superintendent:
Frederic B. Knight Office, High School Office Hours
School Days from 3 to 4 P. M.
Supervisors:
W. W. Lunt Elizabeth Nutter Arthur Tozer Franklin B. Mitchell
Manual Training Domestic Science Music Drawing
High School:
John P. Marston, Principal Emma Gardner
Dorothy Rand
Charles Goodwin
Marion Farrar Amy Lindsay
Dorothy Richardson
Gladys MacLay
History French and English Economics and Commercial Geography Science English, Ancient History Commercial Subjects German and Modern History Latin and English
6
LIST OF TEACHERS.
Mildred Emerson Dorothea Whitney Dr. MacArthur
Mathematics Science, Physiology Physiology Supervisor
Winthrop School:
Grades 7 and 8.
Ralph Westcott, Principal
S. Isabelle Arthur
Katherine Sullivan
Anna Hartford
Walter Brooks
Latin and Arithmetic Literature and Expression Arithmetic and Physiology History and Geography Community Civics, Physiology
Burley School:
Nellie Sullivan, Principal Ruth Carens Elsie Green Kathleen Broderick
6th Grade 3d and 4th Grades 5th Grade 2d Grade
Payne School:
Augusta N. Appleton, on leave of absence.
Alice Maguire, Principal Claudia McDuff
Lydia Harris
5th Grade 3d and 4th Grades 1 st and 2d Grades
Warren Street School:
Bertha Porter, Principal
Eva Willcomb
6th Grade 5th Grade
Cogswell School:
Martina O'Neil, Principal
3d and 4th Grades 1 st and 2d Grades
Ellinore Soutter
7
LIST OF TEACHERS
Dennison School:
Annie P. Wade, Principal Lucy A. Kimball
3d and 4th Grades 1 st and 2d Grades
Portable School:
Winifred Fleming Carrie Bowman
1 st Grade 1 st Grade
Wainwright School:
Hilda M. Joyce
1 st and 2d Grades
Linebrook School:
Esther L. Tenney 1 st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Grades
Grape Island School:
Cora H. Jewett Dr. George E. MacArthur Martha Stuart
Ungraded
School Physician School Nurse
AGE AND GRADE OF PUPILS School Year 1915.
This Chart Shows Pupils Making Normal, Rapid and Slow Progress.
-Age-
Grade 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Total
1
49 84 28 6 8 1
1121
181
2
48 47 21 12 6 3
137
3
1 11 50 24 14 2 2
2
106
4
2 3 13 31 9
7
9
1 1 1 1
78
5
4 15 24 26 10
2 4 1 1
87
6
2 24 35 12
4
2
1
80
7 The numbers 1 9 26 24 21
7
2
90
8 underscored show
6 21 26 19 5
77
I. pupils making normal
7 24 34 18 12
3 98
II. progress. On the left,
3 23 20
8
4
1 59
III. those making rapid pro-
1
1 18 22
1 2 45
IV. gress. On right, slow progress.
2 14 8
3 30
Total
1068
Students making rapid progress Students making slow progress
331
140
Students making normal progress
597
Total
1068
2
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The School Committee, in presenting its annual report for the year 1915, is mindful of the responsibility with which it was charged by the voters assembled at the last annual town meet- ing. That meeting went on record in favor of a number of spe- cific things which it requested the committee to carry out. The earnest spirit of educational betterment there expressed was the fruit of the campaign for a broader curriculum in the entire school system, with the rounding out, enlargement and enrich- ment of the various courses in the High School, which stands as the apex of the educational pyramid of our public school sys- tem.
The committee in 19.14 devoted several months of careful study to the needs of the schools, and, as a result of that study, made the following recommendations in its annual report:
A full time superintendent of our schools.
A new school building.
A heating plant for the Manning School building sufficient- ly large to heat the same and any other school buildings in its vicinity.
A commercial course in the High School.
Additional teaching force.
Full time instruction in manual training.
Larger rooms and better accommodations for instruction in manual training and domestic science.
Increased appropriations.
E
10
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
The school committee and superintendent of schools were a unit in favor of these recommendations, which in a broad sense stood for the general school policy. The superintendent's re- port at the time dealt with the more detailed and specific mat- · ters pertaining to the carrying out of the school policy.
The annual town meeting adopted the recommendations and made adequate appropriations for maintenance and for in- creased school accommodations. The latter were provided by remodeling the Manning Building and adding a six-room annex and a manual training room to the Winthrop Building. A heat- ing plant was installed in the basement of the latter to heat both buildings. This work was done by a special School House
Building Commission created by the town meeting. The re- modelled Manning Building has been in use since October 1st and the Winthrop Annex is now nearly ready for occupancy.
Following the instructions given by the town, the committee increased the teaching force in the High School. There are now ten teachers in that school, including the principal, who teaches five periods per week; and the rest of his time is devoted to su- pervision of the work of the teachers and the general problems of administration which pertain to a high school of this class.
Our High School has been placed in Class A by the State Department of Education. Class A represents the highest stan- dard of requirements of that department.
A commercial course has been established in the High School in accordance with those instructions, and is now in op- eration. Full time instruction is now being given in manual training and the new manual training room is nearly ready for occupancy. Plans are under consideration for new quarters for teaching of domestic science, the little building now in use not being nearly large enough for carrying on the work efficiently, so that all the children shall receive the instruction to which they are entitled. The plan under consideration by the com-
11
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
mittee makes ample provision for the successful carrying on of this work.
. The superintendent of schools who last year gave three days a week to supervision of the work was this year employed to give full time. This we believe to be wise policy, and we recommend its continuance.
Evening School.
For several years past Ipswich has maintained an Evening School for the instruction of non-English speaking minors. Up to last year the town might or might not do this, according to the will of the voters. Action on the part of the town was pure- ly gratuitous, but the town voted each year to maintain a night school. Now it must do so, as a law passed in 1914 requires that in all towns where a certain number of child labor certifi- cates are issued, such towns shall maintain an Evening School. Therefore the town has no option this year, but must maintain such an Evening School.
The committee believed that an Evening School where some commercial instruction could be given would be of great ben- efit to many of our young people who work during the day. On the advice of the superintendent the committee established such a school which is now in operation and it has been suc- cessful. Detailed information in regard to it will be found in the superintendent's report. We recommend the continuance of the Evening School for instruction in commercial branches and would ask that an appropriation be made sufficient to main- tain both these divisions of the Evening School.
The town accountant's report shows that $41,268.49 was expended by the department in 1915. From this sum should be deducted $2,100. for the Portable School and $2,082.72 for unpaid bills of 1914, for which a special appropriation was made in 1915, leaving the cost of maintenance for 1915
12
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
$37,075.77. It should be borne in mind, however, that only four-tenths of the increased maintenance expenses came in 1915. In 1916 the increased expense must be reckoned upon a ten-months basis, which represents a full school year. It should also be remembered that the department will have an income from Rowley pupils and other sources estimated at $3,500. This income goes to the treasury, but the assessors may take account of it when they assess the taxes for the cur- rent year.
We would commend a careful reading of the report of the superintendent of schools. It contains much detailed informa- tion and many valuable suggestions. The recommendations under its several headings are plain.
The superintendent sets forth the things that have been ac- complished, what the schools are now doing, and what they should aim to do in the future. He discusses very frankly the educational side of the school policy and places special empha- sis upon certain educational necessities which he points out. He shows where the work is strong and also where it needs strengthening. The committee commends the educational work carried out in 1915 and is in accord with the plan for educa- tional betterment during the coming year.
A last word to the voters: An adequate appropriation is needed to carry on the work if you wish to maintain the educa- tional standard that has been established, and is now bearing fruit. The responsibility in the last analysis rests with you.
Respectfully submitted,
George E. MacArthur Joseph W. Ross Herbert W. Mason School Committee.
Ipswich, February 1st, 1916.
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.
-
January 10, 1916.
To the School Committee of Ipswich, Massachusetts, Gentlemen :-
The following report of the public schools is respectfully submitted for your consideration. This is the fourteenth in the series of annual reports of superintendents, and the second by the present incumbent of that office. I shall confine myself in this report to three distinct subjects: First, a history of the school year of 1915; Second, a discussion of the educational policy for the school year 1916; Third, a schedule of statistical tables which will inform you about the financial and numerical condition of the schools.
SECTION ONE.
A History of the School Year 1915.
Introduction:
The work of the school department has been of no mean import during the year. Many significant changes have been made. These changes have not been fragmentary or haphaz- ard. They have been a part of a well organized and consistent plan to make our schools thoroughly efficient and as economical as is consistent with effective education. It must be constantly borne in mind, however, that the work of this year is not com- plete in itself. It must must be materially supplemented before
14
PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS.
our schools become what we wish them to be. It is impossible within the limits of the report to give a complete history. I shall cover the major point under the four following heads:
1. Physical improvement of the schools.
2. Educational improvement of the schools.
3. Re-organization of the janitor service.
4. Action on the recommendations made in the school re- port of 1914.
Physical Improvement of the Schools.
Manning High School:
During the summer of 1915 the Manning High School was remodelled. As a result of this remodelling 3,354 square feet are being used for school purposes which was not used before the remodelling took place. The renovation increased the use- fulness of the High School by giving us six additional class rooms, an excellent Principal's office, practically a model labor- atory for physics and chemistry, a commodious central store room and properly located cloak rooms. In the remodelling, proper lighting facilities, exits, stairways and corridors have been secured. All the walls and ceilings have been tinted or whiten- ed and the wood work re-finished. The capacity of the build-
ing has been increased by about 150 pupils. The cost of the remodelling is in the neighborhood of $55. for each additional pupil. It might be noted that a new construction would have cost about $250. a pupil. Central Heating Plant:
A central heating plant has been installed, from which we will heat the Manning School, the Winthrop School and the Winthrop School Addition. This plant has taken the place of hot air furnaces which were unsatisfactory for buildings of this size. The heat supplied from this plant is steady and thorough- ly heats all parts of the buildings. In connection with the heat-
15
EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT.
ing plant a complete ventilating system has been installed of the most modern type. This ventilating system keeps the air in the class room clean and sweet and prevents drowsiness which was all too common before the ventilating system was installed. Winthrop School Addition:
Within a few weeks the addition will be turned over to the school department. This addition consists of six class rooms of proper size with correct heating, lighting and ventilating ar- rangements. Wide corridors, superior coat room facilities, two small offices one for the principal and one for the school physi- cian and nurse, excellent sanitary arrangements and a large well lighted Manual Training room. This addition is conspicuous . for absence of unused space. I wish to comment especially up- on the adequate provision made for manual training because this 'division of school work is becoming more and more important. School Garden:
In the spring a spacious school garden was laid out and equip- ped. A substantial fence and tool house were constructed by the Manual Training Department.
Educational Improvement of the Schools.
The efforts to increase the educational facilities may be grouped around the following eight topics:
A. The Superintendent was employed for full time.
B. Successful efforts were made to put the High School on the Class A List.
C. The work of the 7th and 8th grades was thoroughly re- organized.
D. The instruction in manual training, drawing and music was increased.
E. Provision was made for proper text books.
F. Frequent and helpful teachers' meetings have been held.
16
THE DUTIES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT.
G. Summer gardens for children were conducted.
H. Commercial Evening School.
A. Full Time Superintendent:
Beginning July, 1915, the committee engaged a full time su- perintendent. The duties of the superintendent in the school have increased greatly in the last decade. It was but a few years ago that the Boston School Committee elected a gentle- man as the first superintendent of schools in the United States. His duties were defined as follows: "To be a good example to the community and a genial influence among the teachers." To- day a superintendent is supposed to be an expert in the various and difficult branches of education. He must watch the pro-
gress of each class, he must know the best methods of teaching each subject, he must be able to judge which text book out of many samples is best adapted for his schools, he must be able to plan courses of study to meet the varying needs of the pu- pils, he must be able to find new teachers of maximum ability for minimum cost, he must be able to judge teaching and to ad- vise and counsel teachers from the first grade through the High School. In addition he must know something of business ad- ministration. He must keep himself posted on the financial side of the schools so as to be able to advise the committee as to matters of policy. He must supervise repairs and direct the janitor work. He must buy and distribute supplies to the best advantage. He must keep himself informed as to the needs and desires of the community and be constantly ready to meet pa- rent or citizen on matters pertaining to individual pupils or the schools in general. In addition he should keep posted on the
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