USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1953 > Part 5
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92
REGIONAL SCHOOL PLANNING REPORT
Middleton committee agreed to give a final answer as to the wisdom of entering this question for Town Meeting consideration. The Middle- ton Committee agreed amongst themselves, that the question of acceptance or rejection of voting on a regional high school set-up should be decided by a town vote and not by the three-man com- mittee. On the 28th of October, as agreed, this information was relayed to the North Reading committee. At this meeting, North Reading was awaiting a vote of their town on proposed legislation to be voted on the 13th of November. On the 13th of that month, the voters of North Reading voted to accept the recommendations of the Educational Service Associates and "to build a Junior High School - with plans so prepared and drawn that a Senior High School can be added by 1958". As can readily be seen by this vote, the chance of having a Middleton-North Reading Regional High School, is for all practical purposes, dead.
This committee feels that the plan for a regional high school has definite merit and that even if this set-up is not workable, certain further steps should be taken.
(1) The continuance of the investigation of the regional high school plan.
(2) Investigation of possible regional plans with other towns.
(3) A more definite and concrete decision from the Danvers School Department, as to the length of time our pupils may expect to remain in their secondary system.
May we stress certain facts: Secondary education for Middleton youth is a serious problem. Holten High at Danvers offers a good and varied program, which we could not hope to equal if it became necessary to maintain our own high school. Let us be on the look-out for an alternate position, for Middleton's high school pupil population is far too small to support a school at the secondary level. It should seem obvious, that if a change at Danvers should occur, then a regional high school with some other town or group of towns is the best answer.
In conclusion, may we thank all those who have helped us with their ideas and faith. Superintendents Rivard and Hood were most helpful as was Mr. John Branch of the Howe-Manning School faculty.
With the submission of this report, may we caution "Eternal vigilance" and respectfully request to be discharged.
EBEN L. JEWETT,
Secretary
93
PUBLIC WELFARE AND OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE REPORT
Report to the Town of Middleton for the year ending December 31, 1953.
GENERAL RELIEF:
Unsettled State
1 case
3 persons
Outside Cities and Towns
4 cases
11 persons
Middleton
9 cases
12 persons
Child Guardianship
2 cases
2 persons
State Infirmary
1 case
1 person
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN:
(No settlement laws in A.D.C.)
6 cases
14 persons
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE:
(No settlement laws in D.A.)
1 case
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE:
Unsettled State
11 cases
Outside cases
13 cases
Middleton
27 cases
The Board would like to thank the Town Officers for their co- operation and assistance.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES PASQUALE, Chairman LESLIE MERRIFIELD LEYLAND PHILLIPS, Clerk
94
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Report of the Finance Committee For the Town of Middleton UPON THE WARRANT
For the Annual Town Meeting to be held March 9, 1954
To the Voters of the Town of Middleton:
Your Finance Committee has held twenty meetings with the various heads of departments and also an open meeting with the voters of the Town on February 9, 1954, for the purpose of discussing the budget for this year.
Unfortunately, very few of the department heads were present at the open meeting to answer questions, therefore, we, the Finance Committee request that an enactment be made requiring all department heads, or a department's legal representative be present to answer unpredicted questions at future public Finance Committee meetings upon public notice of that meeting.
We feel that the open meeting can be of greater value to us and to the taxpayers by having the departments represented herein.
Attention must be called to our very serious financial situation. Our school population is growing so much that more rooms are again needed in the grammar school, and if Danvers is not able to take care of the high school pupils, we might have to build for them, and we hardly dare to think of the cost. Without considering the additional cost of buildings, we will find that the increase in the school budget for this year is staggering. Last year $106,467.21 was spent for education. This year $120,050.25 has been requested. The $13,583.00 increase is somewhat out of proportion with the number of pupils entered, therefore, we recommend that only the actual necessities be purchased this year.
The building of a new County Prison is going to add to our tax and is going to devaluate the land near it. It is said that the building will cost $2,500,000.00, yet no County building in the past has been built within its primary appropriation. If the Prison is built, our proportion of tax will be based upon more than $2,500,000.00.
We, the Finance Committee, strongly oppose having the County Prison built in Middleton.
Our only solution for our financial problem seems to be in the planning and the establishment of controlled areas wherein suitable industries can operate. An earning power must be found because the present taxable property will not carry the load, and the load this year runs $30,000.00 more than it did last year.
We beg all departments to exercise strict economy this year and for some years to come .
2
95
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
The taxpayers will notice in the study of the following list of transfers that $2310.31 of the $2500.00 Reserve Fund was used this year. With the cooperation of the department heads we feel that we can reduce the $2500.00 to $2000.00, thus taking $500.00 from the taxable amount.
At this time it may be well to have drawn to your attention a section of the "LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF APPROPRIATION" law.
Ch. 44 sec. 31 (as amended by 1946 Ch. 358 sec. 23 and by 1949 Ch. 138).
In substance the law provides that no department financed by taxation shall incur liability in excess of its appropriation, except in emergencies and with previous authorization. Any officer who violates or authorizes or directs any official or employee to violate such a provision is liable to fine or imprisonment, and Selectmen shall and five taxpayers may report such a violation to the District Attorney who shall investigate and prosecute.
The Finance Committee requests all department heads to check carefully with any sub-departments using money, hence to avoid any excesses.
Transfers made by the Finance Committee during 1953:
1. Apr. .7 Counsel Expense $ 150.00
2. Apr. 26 Tax Collector's office renovation 300.00
3. May 31 To Highway from Cemetery
200.00
4. May 31 Check-writer paper 153.50
5. July 12 Tree Department
500.00
6. Dec. 8 Town Hall Salary
41.00
7. Dec. 8 Advertising Zone by-laws
61.65
8. Dec. 8 Interest, Firehouse Loan
432.50
9. Dec. 8 Police Wages and Expenses
140.00
10. Dec. 22
Highway General Fund
200.00
11. Jan. 5 Town Clerk
27.35
12. Jan. 5 Moth Department
65.74
13. Jan. 5 Wire Department
7.09
14. Jan. 12 Tax Title
8.10
15. Jan. 13 Memorial Hall
23.38
Transferred to Surplus Revenue $ 2,310.31
189.69
$ 2,500.00
The Finance Committee
HAZEN M. RICHARDSON ELMER McINTIRE JOSEPH R. HILYARD
96
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE 1. To hear and act on committee reports.
No recommendation needed.
ARTICLE 2. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1954, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew such note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Chapter 44 Section 17 of the General Laws.
Committee recommends approval of this Article.
ARTICLE 3. To see what action the Town will take to defray the Town expenses.
Committee recommendations are set forth in schedule "A".
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Assessors to use the amount of $10,000 from available funds to reduce the tax rate.
Committee recommends approval of this Article.
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Select- men and their successors in office to sell at Public or Private Sale, any of the property which the Town may have acquired or may hereafter acquire through proceedings based upon non payment of taxes or under proceedings for sale of land of low values, to impose upon the property so sold such restrictions, reservations or conditions as shall be deemed expedient, and to execute and deliver in the name of the Town and under the Seal of the Town, quit claim deeds or other instruments therefor.
No recommendation needed.
ARTICLE 6. On petition of the School Committee to have a special committee appointed by the moderator consisting of a member of the School Committee, a member of the Board of Selectmen, a member of the Planning Board, a member of the Finance Com- mittee and a fifth member to investigate and make recommen- dations as to additional school facilities and to report back their findings at a Special Meeting not later than September 1954.
No recommendation needed.
97
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 for improvement of the Peabody Street Bridge under Chapter 90; said money to be used in conjunction with any money which may be allotted by the State and County.
Committee recommends approval of this Article and that the sum of $1500.00 be appropriated from available funds to meet the Town's share of the cost of Chapter 90, for the improvement of the Peabody Street Bridge, and that in addition the sum of $4500.00 be transferred from Unappropriated Available Funds in the treasury to meet the State and County's share of the cost of the work. The reimbursement from the State and County is to be restored upon their receipt, to Unappropriated Funds in the Treasury.
ARTICLE 8. On petition of the Highway Surveyor to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $700.00 to buy a used power broom for the Highway Department for sweeping streets.
We recommend that the sum of $700.00 be taken from the road machinery fund to buy a power broom.
ARTICLE 9. On petition of the Moth Superintendent to see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $250.00 for the purchase of a four wheel trailer, tires and platform to carry 400 gallon sprayer.
Committee recommends approval of this article. To appropriate $250.00 for purchase of trailer.
ARTICLE 10. On petition of the members of the Board of Trade to see if the Town will vote to amend Section III of the Zoning By-Laws by adding to Paragraph B thereof, under areas designated for business, the following Sub-section 5; "5. The areas bounded by Richardson's Brook, the Ipswich River, Bridge Road, River Street, land now or formerly of Charles A. Roberts and South Main Street, as shown on Plan entitled 'Proposed Industrial and Business Areas in Middleton, Mass., Massachusetts Survey Co., December 4, 1953, W. H. Tingley, Eng., on file with the Town Clerk and being defined in a description thereof attached to said Plan, or take any other action thereon.
No recommendation needed.
98
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE 11. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Select- men to annually appoint a Custodian of the Town Hall and to remove this office from the Ballot.
No recommendation needed.
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $81.00 to pay the 1953 bill for back-hoe service for the Highway Department.
Committee recommends approval of article. To appropriate $8100.
ARTICLE 13. To see what action the Town will take to dispose of the article laid on the table at the Special Town Meeting held December 29, 1953: On petition of David Burns and the Boy Scout Committee to see if the Town will appropriate the sum of $4,500.00 to install one thousand feet of six-inch cast iron pipe to supply water to the Boy Scout Building on Recreation Park together with hydrant for fire protection of Recreation Park and surrounding . areas.
Committee does not approve of the expenditure of $4500.00 to put water into the new Scout House. But will approve of $1500.00 to drill a well.
ARTICLE 14. To see what action the Town will take to dispose of the article laid on the table at the Special Town Meeting held Decem- ber 29, 1953; On petition of the Electric Light Commissioners to see if the Town will vote to raise the sum of $1,500.00 for the purpose of material to be used to install street lights on North Main St. from the corner of Forest St. to the North Andover line. This amount to be taken from the General Fund of the Town.
Committee recommends that the sum for this purpose be taken from the Electric Light Company's earnings.
99
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Schedule A
RECOMMENDATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 3
Average Item Expended
Expended
No.
1950-1952
1953
Recom- mended 1954
GENERAL GOVERNMENT - 6.09% OF TOTAL
1.
$ 50.00
$ 50.00
Moderator, Salary
$ 50.00
Finance Committee:
2.
30.00
10.00
Expense 30.00
Selectmen:
3.
900.00
900.00
Salaries
900.00
4.
330.92
417.25
Expenses
450.00
5.
83.00
250.00
Clerk
250.00
Accountant:
6.
900.00
900.00
Salary
900.00
7.
100.00
45.45
Expenses
100.00
Treasurer:
8.
900.00
900.00
Salary
900.00
9.
365.09
825.75
Expenses
477.00
10.
150.90
358.10
Tax Titles
300.00
Collector:
11.
900.00
900.00
Salary
900.00
12.
312.38
700.49
Expenses
715.00
Assessors:
13.
1500.00
1500.00
Salaries
1500.00
14.
665.37
699.17
Expenses
750.00
Counsel:
15.
600.00
600.00
Salary
600.00
16.
64.98
211.65
Expenses
Clerk:
17.
400.00
400.00
Salary
400.00
18.
82.64
105.85
Expenses
100.00
Elections and Registrations :
Salaries
220.00
20.
465.63
187.89
Expenses
600.00
Planning Board:
21.
189.30
71.50
Expenses 2125.00
Town Hall:
22.
730.00
406.00
Salary
480.00
23.
684.93
566.78
Expenses
650.00
19.
180.00
100.00
100
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Item
Average Expended 1950-1952
Expended 1953
Recom- mended 1954
Memorial Hall:
24.
300.00
360.00
Salaries
360.00
25.
1244.40
1523.38
Expenses
1500.00
26.
223.96
694.44
Alterations
700.00
$13,738.25
Grand Total
$15,957.00
27.
35.00
35.00
Salary Police Chief:
35.00
28.
3253.00
3710.00
Salary
3900.00
29.
1408.41
2032.35
Wages
2000.00
30.
1979.75
1662.00
Expenses
1837.00
31.
819.91
Car
.
$ 8,258.26
Totals
$ 7,772.00
32.
134.66
Civil Defense
Fire Department:
33.
752.00
798.75
Salaries
1115.00
34.
4211.59
4203.28
Expenses
4630.00
$ 5,002.03
Total
$ 5,745.00
Building Inspector:
35.
400.00
400.00
Salary
400.00
36.
171.38
150.00
Expenses
100.00
$ 550.00
Total
500.00
Board of Appeals:
37.
137.72
231.62
Expenses
235.00
Wire Inspector:
38.
66.00
200.00
Salary
200.00
39.
20.22
57.09
Expenses
50.00
$ 257.09
Total 250.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures:
40.
125.00
125.00
Salary
125.00
41.
31.74
25.00
Expenses
532.00
$ 150.00
Total
657.00
No.
PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY - 7.01% OF TOTAL
Constable :
101
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Recom- mended 1954
42.
1199.36
1265.74
Moth
1200.00
43.
1576.05
1498.30
Tree
1000.00
44.
297.08
497.47
Dutch Elm Cont'l
500.00
45.
298.41
Planting Trees
46.
Poison Ivy Cont'l
200.00
$ 3,558.92
Total
2900.00
Dog Officer:
47.
Salary
100.00
48.
Expense
200.00
Total
300.00
Grand Total
$18,359.00
HEALTH AND SANITATION - 1.23% OF TOTAL
49.
Health:
Salaries
120.00
50.
1801.28
1507.75
Expenses
1900.00
Dental Clinic:
51.
1067.52
Expenses
1000.00
Inspector of Cattle:
52.
100.00
100.00
Salary
200.00
53.
100.00
100.00
Inspector of Slaughtering
25.00
$ 2,774.87
Total
3245.00
HIGHWAY DEPT. - 9.47% OF TOTAL
54.
3360.68
4678.99
Road Machinery Account
4500.00
55.
2996.66
3500.00
Highway Surveyor, Salary 3536.00
(From available Dept. Funds)
56.
4139.81
4697.81
Highway General Fund
5000.00
57.
4800.00
4800.00
Chapter 81
4800.00
58.
8800.00
8800.00
Chapter 81, State
8800.00
59.
2000.00
2000.00
Chapter 90, Construction
2000.00
60.
6000.00
6000.00
Chapter 90, State-County
6000.00
61.
2000.00
2000.00
Chapter 90, Maintenance
2000.00
62.
1000.00
1000.00
Chapter 90, State
1000.00
63.
6056.33
6009.30
Snow Removal
7500.00
Item
No.
Average Expended 1950-1952
Expended 1953
Forestry:
102
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
No.
Average Average 1950-1952 1953
Recom- Recom- 1954
64.
3500.00
3500.00
Street Lights
3500.00
65.
68.22
Traffic Lights
66.
35.33
Land Taking
67.
Street Layout Survey
$47,134.32
Total
$45,100.00
CHARITIES - 13.36 % OF TOTAL
Public Welfare:
68.
475.00
Salaries
650.00
69.
6137.48
Expenses
7500.00
70.
2406.79
Old Age Assistance Aid
25000.00
71.
18798.67
Federal Grant
72.
2490.38
Aid Dependent Children, Aid
2500.00
73.
1891.23
Federal Grant
74.
348.33
Disability Assistance, Aid
1200.00
75.
Federal Grant, Aid
Welfare District, Admin.
618.00
$33,160.88
Total
$37,468.00
VETERANS' AID SERVICE - 1.64% OF TOTAL
77.
250.00
250.00
Salary
250.00
78.
Expenses
50.00
79.
2157.40
Veterans' Aid
4000.00
$ 2,407.40
Total
4300.00
SCHOOLS - 45.86% OF TOTAL
School:
80.
40087.56
53637.27
Salaries
59,564.00
81.
31868.26
50599.33
Expenses . 51,921.00
82.
Supt. out of State Travel
75.00
83.
770.59
2230.61
Vocational Education
2500.00
$106,467.21
Total
114,060.00
76.
613.00
Veterans' Agent:
103
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Recom- mended 1954
LIBRARY 1.15% OF TOTAL
Library :
84.
1192.58
1321.00
Salaries and Wages
1400.00
85.
1598.91
Expenses
1600.00
686.75
Plus Dog Tax refund
772.47
$ 3,606.66
Total
3772.47
RECREATION - . 40% OF TOTAL
Park:
86.
872.70
Expenses
800.00
87.
300.00
Equipment
150.00
UNCLASSIFIED - 4.04% OF TOTAL
$ 1,172.70
Total
950.00
88.
2770.67
Retirement Fund Assessment
3192.15
89.
400.00
359.76
Memorial Day
800.00
90.
832.37
Town Reports
900.00
91.
4355.24
Insurance
4000.00
92.
2000.00
1000.00
Reserve Fund
2000.00
93.
Christmas Tree Lighting
75.00
$ 9,318.04
Total
$10,567.15
PUBLIC SERVICE ENTERPRISES
94.
Electric Light, Salaries
7960.00
(incl. Com., Clerk and Mgr.)
7580.00
95.
14472.70
Wages
15049.60
96.
68216.99
Energy
69500.00
97.
18222.50
Expenses
14500.00
98.
3968.32
Depreciation
4000.00
99.
1000.00
Reserve
100.
1500.00
Line Clearance
1000.00
$115,340.51 Total
$111,629.60
Average Item Expended No.
Expended
1950-1952
1953
104
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Average Item Expended
No.
1950-1952
Expended 1953
Recom- mended 1954
CEMETERIES - 1.85 OF TOTAL
101.
30.00
30.00
Supt. of Burials, Salary
30.00
102.
60.00
60.00
Commissioners, Salaries
60.00
Cemetery:
103.
3079.70
Expenses
3495.00
104.
439.20
Opening Graves
750.00
105.
118.35
Equipment
106.
700.00
Hot Top
500.00
$ 4,427.25
Total
$ 4,835.00
MATURING DEBT AND INTEREST - 7.92% OF TOTAL
107.
2000.00
2000.00
School Construction Loan
2000.00
108.
10000.00
10000.00
School Addition Loan
10000.00
109.
Fire-Highway Building Loan
4973.25
110.
3550.00
Interest
3752.50
$15,550.00
Total
$20,725.75
366,610.06
Grand Total
390,968.97
ANNUAL REPORT
of the
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Town of Middleton
IT
also
Report of the Superintendent of Schools for the Year Ending December 31, 1953
107
SCHOOL REPORT
SCHOOL REPORT
School Committee
MR. EBEN L. JEWETT, Chairman Term expires 1955
MRS. ROSAMOND BASTABLE, Secretary Term expires 1955
MR. HAROLD F. PURDY
Term expires 1956
MR. HENRY LUSCOMB
Term expires 1954
MR. DAVID BURNS
Term expires 1954
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS THOMAS L. RIVARD, Tewksbury
Tel. Lowell 8643 Office: North Street School
The superintendent may be seen at the Howe-Manning School by appointment. Appointments may be made through Mr. Raymond Dower, Principal. Telephone Danvers 475-M 1.
SCHOOL PHYSICIAN
Mrs. Lois Rogers, M.D. Topsfield, Mass.
SCHOOL NURSE
Mrs. Louise Brennan, R.N. Salem, Mass.
School Calendar 1954
Open January 4, 1954 Close February 19, 1954 VACATION - ONE WEEK
Open March 1, 1954 Close April 16, 1954
VACATION - ONE WEEK
Open April 26, 1954 Close June 18, 1954
SUMMER VACATION
Open September 13, 1954 Close December 23, 1954
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
February 22 Good Friday May 30 November 11 October 12 November 25 and 26 (and such other days as the School Committee may designate.)
The School Calendar may be subject to change.
108
SCHOOL REPORT
No School Signals
The following no school signals have been adopted:
a. 2-2-2 blast on the fire signal.
b. Two blasts at the B. B. Chemical Co.
c. Street lights on for three minutes.
d. Radio Stations WBZ and WNAC will carry an announcement on their regular no school broad- casts.
The signal for the High School will be at 7:15 A.M. The signal for the Howe-Manning School will be at 7:45 A.M.
SCHOOL CENSUS
October 1, 1953
Age
Girls
Boys
Total
5-7
57
67
124
7-16
178
218
396
4-5
30
26
56
3-4
32
35
67
2-3
25
26
51
1-2
23
19
42
Under 1 year
29
Age of School Admission
All children born on or before January 1, 1949 are eligible to attend school in the coming fall term. No entrance tests for children under the age requirements will be given. .
109
SCHOOL REPORT
HOWE-MANNING SCHOOL Corps of Teachers 1953-1954
Date of
Grade
Appointment
Name Raymond S. Dower, Jr., M.Ed., Principal
Boston University
Sept. 1951
Catherine Devane
Lesley College 1
Sept. 1937
Marjorie Shaw, B.S. Ed.
Salem Teachers Col. 1 Sept. 1950
Ruth Edwards, B.A.
Tufts College 2 Sept. 1953
Jane Taylor, B.S. Ed.
Lesley College
2 Sept. 1953
Carmelina Marino, B.S. Ed.
Boston University 3 Sept. 1951
Fannie Hinkley
Salem Teachers Col. 3&4 Sept. 1914
Andrea Gallagher, B.A.
Boston University 4 Sept. 1953
Nellie Johnston
Salem Teachers Col. 5 Sept. 1949
Lillian Taylor, B.S. Ed.
Salem Teachers Col. 5 Sept. 1953
Ann Rikkola, B.S. Ed.
Worcester Teachers Col.6
Sept. 1951
Norma Simard, B.S. Ed.
John Branch, B.A.
University of Maine 7&8 Sept. 1951
Eleanor Lozeau, M. Ed.
Boston University 7&8 Sept. 1953
Dale McElroy, B.S.
Boston College 7&8
Sept. 1953
Supervisors
Dorothea P. Shea, M. Ed.
Doris Nyquist, B.M.
Edward Bruzzo, B.S.
William Rinehart, Director
Rinehart Functional
Penman.
Handwriting ship Sept. 1951
Janitor and Attendance
Nathan Hayward, Jr. Middleton
Boston University Read. Sept. 1951 N.E. Conserv. of Music Music Sept. 1951 Tufts College Art Oct. 1953
Lowell Teachers Col. 6 Sept. 1953
110
SCHOOL REPORT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the taxpayers and citizens of Middleton the school committee hereby submits its annual report:
The past year has on the whole been a very gratifying one to the school committee as we have seen many of our hopes realized and many of our newly-inaugurated programs being carried on with considerable success.
The dental program, athletic program, physical education pro- gram, remedial reading, testing and guidance, regularly scheduled assembly programs, teacher workshops, school conducted educational field trips, extensive use of visual aids in the classroom, the school library, activity groups such as the glee club, school newspaper, orchestra, dancing groups, and school socials have all become an integral part of our school program and are doing a great deal to máke education in Middleton a happy and interesting experience. Details of the aforementioned programs and activities are incorporated in the principal's and supervisors' reports attached.
As was predicted in our report of last year, our school facilities are being taxed by increased enrollment. During the present school year, it was necessary to take over the reading room on the lower floor for a regular classroom. Fluorescent fixtures were installed in the upstairs teachers' room and that room was taken over for the remedial reading groups.
Next September we are faced with the necessity of having one of our classes in the auditorium. The following year we expect to need still further facilities. Consequently, we have sponsored an article in the town warrant asking that a special committee be appointed to make a study of the need for additional school facilities and to report to the townspeople at a special town meeting.
We should like to call attention to the report of the regional high school investigating committee. We, too, would suggest that our own continue to investigate the possibilities of a regional school program. It is difficult to predict what the outlook for education at the secondary level will be within the next few years.
Our committee has been informed by the Danvers School Com- mittee that the per pupil cost for our students has increased from $237.85, the 1953 tuition rate, to $247.33 for 1954 or an increase of
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SCHOOL REPORT
$9.48 per pupil in the operating cost. To this figure, the Danvers Committee saw fit to add another $15 per pupil, which they say is to cover the cost of the present Holten High School - which has been paid for since 1950 - spread over a 50-year period. Our committee has protested the $15 per pupil charge for capital outlay and has obtained a ruling from our town counsel as to the legality of the charge. Danvers, in turn, has done likewise. Consequently, we are still negotiating with Danvers on the 1954 tuition rate. However, if such a charge for capital outlay is assessed, when the time comes for Danvers to add to its present high school facilities, the outlook for Middleton tuition rates is a rather grim one.
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