USA > Massachusetts > Plymouth County > Plymouth > Town annual report of Plymouth, MA 1956 > Part 14
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Description of fuel, Oil.
Amount used, 10,153 gallons.
Pumpage for the year: Wolverine-Gould 174,679,000 gals.
Fairbanks-Morse
173,496,000 gals.
348,175,000 gals.
Manomet Well (electric)
42,109,000 gals.
Lout Pond Well (electric)
52,985,300 gals.
443,269,300 gals.
(Note: New High Service (electric) 49,223,000 gals. RE-PUMPED.)
Average static head, 68 feet.
Average dynamic head, 74.5 feet.
Number gals. per gal. of fuel oil:
Wolverine-Gould 31,772
Fairbanks-Morse 37,522
Duty of pumps:
Wolverine-Gould 145,100,000
Fairbanks-Morse 172,400,000
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COST OF PUMPING FIGURED ON PUMPING STATION EXPENSES, VIZ: $13,764.60
Per million gallons against dynamic head into direct pipe $39.533
Per million gallons raised one foot high (dynamic) 0.531
COST OF PUMPING FIGURED ON
TOTAL MAINTENANCE EXPENSE, VIZ: $63,247.14
Per millian gallons against dynamic head into direct pipe $181.653
Per million gallons raised one foot high (dynamic) 2.438
STATISTICS OF CONSUMPTION OF WATER
Population, estimated, 13,892. (Summer population, 15,- 250, according to Selectmen's estimate.) Estimated population on pipe line, 12,500. Estimated population supplied, 12,500. Total consumption for the year, 548,507,460 gallons. Average daily consumption, 1,498,825 gallons. Gallons per day to each inhabitant, 116. Gallons per day to each tap, 323.
STATISTICS RELATING TO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM
Kind of pipe, Cement lined sheet iron, Cement lined cast iron and Cement asbestos. Sizes, from 2-inch to 30-inch. Extended, 15,658 feet. Discontinued, 1,700 feet. Total now in use, 89 miles, 4,098 feet. Cost to repair per mile, $16.16. Number of leaks per mile, 0.100.
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Small distribution pipe less than 4-inch, 6 miles, 2,715 feet. Hydrants now in use, 492 Public, 75 Private.
Stop gates added, 57. Discontinued, None. Number now in use, 1,220.
SERVICES
Kinds of pipe, Lead, Cement lined Galvanized and Cop- per Tubing.
Sizes, from three-quarter-inch to six-inch.
Total now in use, 13 miles, 3,172 feet.
Service taps added, 95. Discontinued, 3.
Total now in use, 4,638, (3,461 in Plymouth and 1,177 in Manomet).
Average length of service, 17 feet.
Average cost per service, $56.00.
Number meters added, 93.
Number now in use, 3,609.
Percentage of services metered, 77.8%.
...
1956 PUMPING RECORD
WOLVERINE-GOULD
FAIRBANKS-MORSE
GRAVITY
Hours Fuel Oil Run
Gallons Pumped
Hours Run
Fuel Oil in Gals.
Gallons Pumped
NHS Gallons Pumped
Gallons
RAIN AV. TEMP. In Inches Max. Min.
Jan.
1293/4
431
13,476,000
13044
360
13,487,000
2,896,000
9,171,520
7.32
37
26
Feb.
11742
3904/2
12,260,000
1293/4
363
13,473,000
2,766,000
9,583,300
5.14
42
28
Mar.
14414
479
15,018,000
110
304
11,470,000
3,091,000
10,786,020
6.42
41
27
April
1293/4
433
13,537,000
11044
305
11,478,000
2,909,000
8,954,820
2.58
54
36
May
120
39942
12,542,000
1451/2
401
15,161,000
3,281,000
7,966,140
3.02
53
42
June
14674
4841/2
15,261,000
1791/2
4941/2
18,587,000
5,490,000
7,438,660
2.18
79
58
July
18414
609
10,089,000
17644
48542
18,267,000
6,834,000
7,264,320
5.27
81
63
Aug.
2087/2
682
21,642,000
15214
42314
15,915,000
7,011,000
7,481,040
2.72
80
62
Sept.
1514/2
50112
15,663,000
1323/4
36612
13,738,000
4,467,000
7,240,000
4.18
68
54
Oct.
117
358
12,101,000
1413/4
39214
14,636,000
3,754,000
8,535,660
3.62
64
44
Nov.
114
379
11,801,000
1304/2
362
13,548,000
3,422,000
9,104,560
3.89
54
37
Dec.
1093/4
39242
12,289,000
13242
36642
13,736,000
3,302,000
11,712,120
7.53
46
32
Total
167212
552944
174,679,000
167144
462334
173,496,000
49,223,000 105,238,160
53.87
(RE-PUMPED) (47,470 KWH.)
.
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Month
in Gals.
Hours Run
Gallons Fuel Oil
Gallons Pumped
Duty, based on BTU in Fuel 19,500 per lb. fuel oil Head, 74.5 feet
Wolverine-Gould
1,67272
5,52914
174,679,000
145,100,000
Fairbanks-Morse
1,67174
4,6233/4
173,496,000
172,400,000
Total
3,3433/4
10,153
348,175,000
-
Manomet Well (electric)
41,420 KWH
42,109,000
Lout Pond Well (electric)
41,000 KWH
52,985,300
Total Pumping
443,269,300
Gravity
105,238,160
Total Consumption
548,507,460
1
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TABLE SHOWING NEW CONSTRUCTION, LOCATION, SIZE AND) COST OF PIPE AND ACCESSORIES, LAID DURING THE YEAR 1956
Special Articles:
Feet C. I. C. Size
Cost
Hemlock St.
490'
6" $2,880 Manomet Heights
Pine St.
250'
6"
1,560 Manomet Heights
Hilltop Ave.
1900' 8" 9,948 Manomet Heights
Diamond St.
920' 8" 4,821 Manomet Heights
Cary Rd.
1300'
8"
8,032
Manomet (Shore Acres)
Bay View Ave. 1000'
8"
8,796 (replaces 4")
Jordan Rd.
By-Pass
700'
8"
1,800 (replaces 4") Trenching by
Commonwealth of Mass.
Regular Construction:
Samoset St.
1284' 8" $6,900
James A. Monroe & Son, Contractor: Bond Issue:
Sandwich St.
125'
6"
$500
Sandwich St.
132'
8"
660
Sandwich St.
4796'
12"
33,572 (from Hospital to Bramhall's Corner)
Sandwich St.
1085'
12"
7,595
(Sand. St. to Chiltonville 1,000,000 gal. tank)
Obery St.
756'
10"
4,536 (Sand. St. to Murray's house)
Lout Pond
Reservoir
920'
16"
9,200 (Lout Pond Sta. to new tank to Braley Lane main)
10- 6" Gate Valves for
Hydrants
800
2- 8" Gate Valves
250
15-12" Gate Valves
3,375
3-16" Gate Valves
1,650
10-Hydrants 2,000
Chiltonville Tank Foundation 7,600
(for 1,000,000 gal. tank)
Lout Pond Tank Foundation (for 1,000,000 gal. tank)
8,200
Tank Valve Chambers:
Cherry St. 3,400
Rock Hill
4,000
Pine Hill
3,400
Total Pipe Laid 15,658 ft. - 2.96 miles
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Department
OF THE
Town of Plymouth
M
1020.
CHUS
....
MOJ
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31
1956
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SCHOOLS
Senior High School - Telephone 26 Edgar J. Mongan, Principal
Junior High School - Telephone 460 Mary M. Dolan, Principal
Cold Spring School - Telephone 708 Emmett B. Finck, Principal
Cornish-Burton and Oak Street Schools Mrs. Eleanor L. White, Principal
Cornish-Burton School - Telephone 933 Oak Street School - Telephone 1661
Hedge School - Telephone 1140 Etta-Hix Allen, Principal
Manomet Elementary School - Telephone Manomet 3356 Mrs. Elouise E. Cashin, Principal
Mount Pleasant School - Telephone 1097 Mrs. Helen S. Manchester, Principal
SCHOOL CALENDAR 1957 - 1958
Open:
September 4, 1957
Close: December 20, 1957
January 6, 1958
February 21, 1958
March 3, 1958 April 18, 1958
April 28, 1958
June 21, 1958
School Holidays: Teachers' Convention, October 18; Veterans' Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Recess, November 27-29; Good Friday, April 4, 1958; Memo- rial Day, May 30.
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NO-SCHOOL SIGNAL
2-2 Repeated on Fire Alarm
7:05 a.m. No School for Junior and Senior High Schools 8:15 a.m. No morning session for Grades 1 to 6, inclusive 12: 15 p.m. No afternoon session for Grades 1 to 6, inclusive Radio Station WEEI broadcasts no-school signals shortly after 7:00 a.m.
Radio Station WPLM broadcasts no-school signals at 10- minute intervals beginning at 6:30 a.m.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
REIMBURSEMENTS AND RECEIPTS
From the Commonwealth:
1. General aid for public schools
$58,672.39
2. Aid for specific purposes
(1) Transportation 26,185.30
(2) Vocational Tuition 1,379.63
(3) Vocational Transportation 516.88
(4) Special Classes 14,079.17
(5) Americanization Salaries
337.50
3. Tuition, State Wards 1,516.64
From Other Sources:
1. Tuition, Pottery School
292.50
2. Miscellaneous Receipts 1,179.68
Total
$104,159.69
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FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Balance to
Appro- priations
Expen- ditures
Excess and Deficiency
Salaries
$575,202.75
$573,871.03
$1,331.72
General Administration
2,370.00
2,288.78
81.22
Out-of-State Travel
200.00
193.90
6.10
Expenses of Instruction
29,195.00
29,198.38
5.80
(Trust Fund Income)
9.18
Curriculum Revision
1,000.00
997.22
2.78
Tuition
4,900.00
4,127.13
772.87
Transportation
46,284.00
46,094.65
189.35
Fuel and Light
24,362.00
26,198.40
None
(From Reserve Fund)
1,836.40
Operation of School Plant
4,600.00
4,693.25
96.75
(From Reserve Fund)
190.00
Maintenance of School Plant
8,000.00
7,990.25
9.75
New roof on north wing of Hedge School
3,500.00
3,498.60
1.40
Completion of homemaking units in cooking room of Jr. High School
2,500.00
2,488.96
11.04
Chain link fence along Standish Ave. approach to Cold Spring School
1,000.00
996.85
3.15
Replacing two floors at Hedge School
1,100.00
1,099.75
.25
Renovation of lighting system at Hedge School
7,525.00
7,523.00
2.00
Replacing Copper Valleys at Jr. High (From 1955)
1,584.00
1,531.17
52.83
Emergency Lights at Sr. High (From 1954)
1,200.00
1,197.13
2.87
Desks and Chairs
4,000.00
3,998.15
1.85
Other Equipment
3,575.00
3,540.60
34.40
Piano
550.00
550.00
None
Promotion of Health
600.00
584.51
15.49
Diplomas and Graduation
500.00
396.36
103.64
School Libraries
800.00
796.94
3.06
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Appro- priations
Expen- ditures
Balance to Excess and Deficiency
Dishwashing Equipment at Jr. - Sr. High School
3,700.00
3,694.88
5.12
New Jeep Truck
2,500.00
2,494.64
5.36
Athletic Fund
3,700.00
3,700.00
None
Elementary School Lunch Fund
625.00
625.00
None
Totals
$737,108.33
$734,369.53
$2,738.80
Reimbursements and Receipts, account of schools
104,159.69
Net Expenditures for Schools, Exclusive of Building Program
$630,209.84
Annual Report of School Committee and Superintendent of Schools
One of the major school problems which faces the Town of Plymouth during the next two years is the planning for additional secondary school building facilities to accommodate increasing enrollments and improving educational offerings in the Junior-Senior High School.
During 1956 various groups concerned with this problem have continued their study started in 1955. These groups include the School Committee, the School Study and Site Committee, the faculty of the Junior- Senior High School, and the Advisory Council, composed of teachers and interested citizens. Business leaders in the Town were called in to aid in studying the business education facilities and curriculum and to make recom- mendations for improvements. The Evaluative Criteria for secondary schools was used by the faculties to assist them in the study of all phases of the operation of the
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two schools in order to discover weak and strong points of the school program. Educators who have had much experience in developing curricula for secondary schools were invited to Plymouth to assist in the studies. Among these were Dr. Morris L. Cogan, Professor of Secondary Education, Harvard University, Mr. Albert Reilly, As- sistant Superintendent in charge of curriculum, Fram- ingham, Massachusetts, Mr. Francis Moran, Assistant Superintendent, Silver Lake Regional School, and Mr. John Millane, Supervisor of Secondary Education, Massa- chusetts State Department of Education. After a study of the curricula of 50 of the better school systems in the State, selections were made of those which seemed to have strengths in certain subject matter areas. These systems were visited by members of the Junior-Senior High School faculty, with every teacher having an oppor- tunity to make one or two visits to study the subject matter area in which he was most interested. A visiting committee of 16 educators from other Massachusetts school systems and the State Department of Education spent two days at the school using the Evaluative Criteria as a guide in studying the school program. The Com- mittee has made many recommendations for improving the curriculum.
One thousand dollars was set aside in the budget for the curriculum study which made it possible to have experts come to us, to have our teachers visit other schools in the State, to confer with experts, and to purchase books and materials to aid in the study. Out of all of this work has come an educational plan for grades 7 through 12 which, with enrollment forecasts, can be used as a basis for determining school building needs for those grades. The School Building Assistance Commission which assists local communities in planning new buildings requires an educational plan such as this before it will consider plans for a new building. Plans are being made to put into effect some of the recom-
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mendations for curriculum improvements in September, 1957.
The School Study and Site Committee, appointed by the Town Moderator in 1955 to select a site or sites for future schools and to study the needs of the Town with respect to future school facilities, recommended at the Town Meeting in March, 1956, that approximately 67 acres of land between Stafford Street and the by-pass be purchased for future school sites. The Town voted $29,500 for the purpose of acquiring title to this prop- erty. The Committee has continued its study of school needs and will present a complete report at the Town Meeting in March, 1957.
SCHOOL PLANT IMPROVEMENTS
The following major improvements were accom- plished in 1956.
Junior High School: Completion of homemaking units in cooking room, replacement of dishwashing ma- chine and counters in lunchroom.
Manomet: Interior painting of metal window sash.
Cold Spring School: Installation of 510 feet of chain link fence along the Standish Avenue approach to the school.
Hedge School: New roof on north wing, recovering of two classroom floors with rubber tile, new lighting fixtures in north wing.
The School Committee is asking for funds for the following major plant improvements in 1957:
Junior - Senior High School: Filling and grading play and parking area, $5,000; Automatic heat for fur- naces, $10,000.
.: , Hedge School: Refinishing two additional class-
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room floors, $1,200; Completion of the installation of new lighting in south wing, $2,800; Modernizing heating system in 4 rooms of the south wing, $4,032.
Mount Pleasant School: Painting exterior trim, $1,050.
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM
The school lunches continue to be patronized well by the student body of the Junior-Senior High School and by the transported pupils in the elementary schools. The Junior-Senior High School lunchroom sold 80,377 Type A lunches and 17,928 Type C lunches (milk only) during the last school year, with a total income of $30,- 881.07. The elementary program sold 77,954 Type A and 115,279 Type C lunches. The income was $35,226.98. Federal reimbursement of 9¢ for Type A lunches and 4¢ for Type C lunches amounted to a total of $7,951.05 for the Junior-Senior High School program and $11,454.55 for the elementary program. The School Committee has found it necessary to ask for some Town funds to help support the lunch programs. This is necessary since the State Lunch Office has a ceiling of 25¢ on the amount which can be charged for each Type A lunch and this does not cover the rising costs of food and labor.
PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Two Harvard-Boston University Extension Courses were offered in Plymouth to teachers in the Plymouth schools and surrounding towns during 1956. "Teaching Arithmetic in the Elementary Schools" was taught by Dr. J. Fred Weaver of Boston University and "Visual Education" by Dr. Abraham Krasker. Many Plymouth teachers availed themselves of these courses which were offered after school hours in the late afternoon and evening. The entire expense of these courses is borne by those teachers who enroll. Miss Betty Sylvester, Reading Consultant for Ginn & Co., gave a reading demonstration for elementary school teachers. Reading demonstrations
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were given in various grades of the elementary schools for the Plymouth secondary school teachers. In addition to the intensive work done on their curriculum by the secondary school teachers, work has also been continued on curriculum improvement in the lower grades.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
The reports of the elementary school principals, Miss Etta-Hix Allen, Mrs. Elouise Cashin, Mr. Emmett Finck, Mrs. Helen Manchester, and Mrs. Eleanor White, have been consolidated and summarized:
A. Text and Reference Books
Small sets of social studies books have been pur- chased for various grade levels to implement the new social studies curriculum. Library books, encyclopedia, and supplementary reading books have been provided.
B. Audio-Visual Aids
Filmstrip libraries have been increased; dark win- dow shades and a projection screen were provided for the Hedge School and a record player for the Cornish School. The weekly motion picture program has been continued. Large plastic relief maps of the United States and special Massachusetts maps have been purchased for each school.
C. Tests
Standard mental tests were given to all pupils in grades 1, 4, and 6; standard achievement tests were ad- ministered to grades 4 and 6. The reading tests which accompany the new basic reading series were given to all pupils. Individuals requiring special testing were given the Stanford-Binet by our school psychologist, Miss Janet Broadbent.
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D. Special Activities
All pupils in grades 4 and 5 made scheduled visits to local museum's and historic sites. Some classes visited the local radio station, the Town offices, and the local court while it was in session. Several classes took longer trips to the Museum of Science, the U.S.S. Battleship, "Constitution," the Boston Navy Yard, Bunker Hill, Chil- dren's Museum, and Otis Air Force Base.
The conservation classes have been continued in all fifth grades. This is a 15-hour course taught by teachers from the Audubon Society.
Free instrumental lessons are offered to those pupils who are interested.
Films on- forest fire prevention were shown by Mr. Arthur Terry. Fire Prevention Week exercises were con- ducted by Captain William Sawyer of the Plymouth Fire Department.
E. General
New report cards were developed with help from PTA members. The programs of pupil accident insur- ance and savings plan have been continued.
F. Special Assignments
Teachers assisted in the annual school census. Nurses and teachers volunteered to serve during the summer on the Salk Polio Vaccine Program.
G. Equipment
One room each of pupils' desks and chairs were pur- chased for Hedge, Oak Street, and Mount Pleasant Schools. Sixty folding chairs were provided for the Mount Pleasant · School. Two classroom filing cabinets were purchased for the Hedge School and one for Cornish.
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H. Cooperative Assistance
Greatly appreciated was the money (in excess of $600) contributed by the various PTA's toward school trips, film strips, books and items of equipment. Free admission tickets for the Museum of Science were pro- vided by the Plymouth Cordage Company.
I. Recommendations
The Cornish-Burton buildings should be replaced as soon as possible.
The study and reorganization of the elementary school curriculum should be continued.
Libraries should be established in every school.
Speech classes should be resumed.
The replacement program of pupils' desks and chairs should be continued.
The repairing and refurbishing of buildings should be continued.
More attention should be given to the maintenance of grounds.
1
COMPARATIVE DATA ON SCHOOL EXPENDITURES - PLYMOUTH AND 24 MASS. TOWNS (12 Next Larger and 12 Next Smaller having 6-Year Elementary, 3-Year Junior, and 3-Year Senior High Schools)
Assessed Valuation (1956) Per Pupil
1956
(Fiscal Year)
Tax Rate
1956 (Fiscal Year) School Tax Rate (1)
1956 (Fiscal Year) % School Tax of Total Tax
1955-56 (School Year) Expenditure for School Support Per Pupil
Barnstable
$19,555
Northbridge
$80.00
Rockland
$42.10
Auburn
69%
Wellesley
$325
Webster
17,740
Rockland
75.00
Auburn
37.07
Rockland
56%
Needham
288
Falmouth
15,981
Billerica
69.80
Northbridge
36.00
Wellesley
49%
PLYMOUTH
286
W. Springfield 14,981
Stoughton
68.80
Billerica
31.34
Agawam
48%
Milton
285
Wellesley
14,897
Ludlow
66.00
Stoughton
29.24
Northbridge
45%
Winthrop
282
PLYMOUTH
13,864
Stoneham
64.00
Agawam
26.79
Billerica
45%
Norwood
278
Milton
13,710
Dracut
62.00
Dracut
25.95
Stoughton
43%
W. Springfield
270
Somerset
13,654
Andover
60.00
Ludlow
25.85
Shrewsbury
43%
Northbridge
261
Marblehead
12,146
Agawam
56.00
Stoneham
25.20
Needham
43%
Marblehead
257
Needham
12,043
PLYMOUTH
56.00
Wellesley
25.16
Somerset
43%
Falmouth
256
Norwood
11,637
Shrewsbury
55.40
Shrewsbury
23.83
Dracut
42%
Andover
251
Greenfield
11,050
Winthrop
54.40
Andover
23.01
Stoneham
39%
Webster
251
Andover
10,242
Auburn
54.00
Needham
21.75
Ludlow
39%
Agawam
242
Stoneham
10,007
Adams
53.00
Winthrop
20.89
Andover
38%
Barnstable
242
Winthrop
9,998
Greenfield
53.00
Marblehead
18.25
Winthrop
38%
'Shrewsbury
239
Agawam
9.802
Milton
53.00
Adams
17.89
W. Springfield
36%
Dracut
236
Shrewsbury
7,346
Marblehead
52.00
Milton
17.78
Barnstable
36%
Greenfield
235
Rockland
6,713
Wellesley
51.20
PLYMOUTH
17.32
Marblehead
35%
Auburn
231
Billerica
6,438
Needham
51.00
Norwood
17.30
Norwood
35%
Stoneham
231
Dracut
6.437
Norwood
51.00
W. Springfield
16.70
Milton
34%
Stoughton
230
Stoughton
6,337
Falmouth
50.00
Greenfield
16.03
Adams
34%
Adams
*227
Ludlow
6.279
W. Springfield
46.00
Somerset
15.19
PLYMOUTH
31%
Ludlow
227
Northbridge
5.925
Barnstable
37.40
Falmouth
14.70
Greenfield
30%
Rockland
226
Adams
5.414
Webster
35.40
Barnstable
13.59
Webster
30%
Somerset
212
Auburn
5.256
Somerset
35.00
Webster
10.62
Falmouth
29%
Billerica
*186
Median
10,242
54.00
21.75
39%
Average
10.699
55.58
22.78
40%
250
*Figure for preceding year.
(1) Local Tax per $1,000 for school.
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242
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SOME SCHOOL EXPENDITURE COMPARISONS
The chart on the preceding page compares Plymouth with 24 other towns in respect to certain school costs and ability to support schools. Towns chosen are the 12 next larger and 12 next smaller which have the same type of school organization as Plymouth, the so-called 6-3-3 plan. The figures for the school year, 1955-1956, show that our assessed valuation per pupil is well above the median in this group of towns. This means that our base for tax- ation per pupil is above the average of these towns. Our tax rate is slightly above the average for the group. Plymouth's tax support for schools per thousand valu- ation is well below the average, $17.32 as compared with the median of $21.75 (Needham). The per cent of school tax money used for the Plymouth schools is well below the average for other towns showing - 31% as against the median of 39% reported by Ludlow. The amount expended for school support per pupil for the school year is shown in the last column and is well above the median of the group. Plymouth paid $286 per pupil as compared with the median of $242. Two factors con- tribute heavily to this relatively high per pupil cost. The Plymouth schools have a large proportion of teachers of long experience who are at or near the top of the salary schedule. Our transportation costs are much higher than most other towns in the Commonwealth. The area cov- ered by Plymouth school busses is one of the largest in the state.
Respectfully submitted, RALPH C. WEAVER, Chairman, MAURO J. CANEVAZZI, Secretary, ROBERT B. BOWLER, SPENCER H. BREWSTER, ALTON S. CAVICCHI, JOSEPH S. CONTENTE,
Plymouth School Committee.
DONALD T. WELCH, Superintendent of Schools.
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Annual Report of the Principal of Plymouth High School
The major problems which the high school must deal with this year as last are problems which arise out of the survey recently completed by the staff. The survey itself is an approach to possible solutions of the problems arising from school population growth and the need to adjust the program of studies in line with the nature of that growth. How that survey has progressed to this point is the major theme of this report.
A year ago the Steering Committee, comprised of three faculty members of each school plus three admin- istrators, had rounded off its preliminary work including conferences with the School Building and Site Commit- tee, the Advisory Council, and several joint-staff meet- ings by setting up the sub-committees that were to appraise the various areas of the instructional program and those other closely related areas that have to do with the development and the welfare of pupils apart from classroom activities.
From January until June the various sub-commit- tees pursued their work in frequent meetings and con- ferences, the Steering Committee co-ordinating the activities and from time to time reporting to the Advis- ory Council and to meetings of the joint-staffs. Often these meetings were especially trying to all concerned for a progress report from one sub-committee or recom- mendations from still a different committee might well pose questions that would require other committees to review or even revise some phase of their work which they had thought completed. So complex is the program of studies in a modern school and the ramifications so intricate that situations such as are suggested above keep occurring as long as work of this kind continues. In many respects it is as though the committees were deal- ing with a living, sentient organism.
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Yet when June came the work was well in hand, sub- stantially complete. From the appraisals made, and the recommendations that grew from them, it was reason- ably clear that the pattern for secondary education in this town could be determined, certainly in its scope and its major outlines. Details are to be filled in, and no doubt that process will create its share of painful prob- lems too.
But a big start has been made on our problem, and while we are still too close to it to be able to see it in perspective we can be reasonably sure that no major errors have been made for the "Visiting Committee" com- prised of sixteen educators (teachers, supervisors, admin- istrators, and one member of the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Education) reported orally just before Christ- mas and their findings confirm the conclusions our own survey brought forth. This committee spent two days here visiting classes, conferring with students, inspecting the plant, checking the reports of our own sub-com- mittees, working far into the night analyzing and dis- cussing what the day had shown them. The town owes a debt of gratitude to the New England Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools which organized and sponsored this committee and to John Donovan of Con- cord High School who directed its work.
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