USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1927 > Part 11
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$35 40
1926
11,293,465
1,134,789
12,428,245
41 00
1925
10,739,570
1,154,332
11,893,902
37 85
1924
9,146,632
1,065,537
10,202,169
37 75
1923
8,855,675
935,652
9,791,327
38 00
1922
8,050,175
910,400
8,960,575
38 00
1921
7,930,383
917,675
8,848,058
37 00
1920
7,590,627
871,561
8,462,188
35 95
1919
7,309,951
690,444
8,000,395
25 95
1918
7,189,697
623,104
7,812,801
27 95
1917
6,817,568
599,642
7,417,210
26 30
1916
6,640,157
610,952
6,773,809
24 30
1915
6,542,503
579,590
6,441,093
22 30
1914
6,384,099
559,256
6,945,355
25 40
1913
6,157,204
518,605
6675,809
21 80
1912
5,911,837
530,140
6,441,977
20 70
1911
5,421,681
548,199
5,969880
25 60
1910
5,138,623
406,121
5,598,744
22 00
1909
4,947,062
355,117
5,302,179
20 00
1908
4,906,548
228,271
5,134,819
22 80
1907
5,428,858
266,558
5,695,416
27 80
1906
4,335,476
263,806
4,599,282
19 80
1905
4,338,464
238,106
4,576,570
18 70
1904
4,132,598
293,027
4,425,625
10 00
1903
3,968,206
492,552
4,460,758
27 70
1902
3,708,210
172,626
3,880,836
18 90
1901
3,619,329
172,226
3,791,555
11 00
1900
3,496,335
182,727
3,679,062
29 80
1899
3,393,994
174,214
8,568,208
10 00
1898
3,349,912
I63,378
3,513,290
20 50
1897
3,173,313
177,883
3,350,997
28 00
1896
3,044,200
179,377
3,223,597
12 00
1895
2,768,019
196,589
2,964,608
29 00
1894
2,697,548
263,825
2,961,373
18 40
1893
2,600,651
803,647
2,904,298
18 50
1892
2,463,984
252,128
2,716,112
16 50
I891
2,333,633
276,014
2,609,647
16 80
1890
2,253,875
238,993
2,492,868
18 00
1889
2,162,530
228,331
2,390,861
10 00
1888
2,037,192
234,107
2,271,299
29 00
1887
1,906,061
202,835
2,148,896
13 50
1886
1,873,680
156,555
1,373,680
17 50
1885
1,289,982
184,378
1,474,360
16 80
1884
1,197,402
181,280
1,378,692
18 00
1883
1,200,590
145,780
1,346,370
18 20
1882
1,197,760
142,605
1,342,395
19 00
1881
1,205,210
223,752
1,425,962
17 60
1880
1,210,495
254,960
1,465,095
16 50
1879
1,202,054
260,890
1,462,944
17 00
1878
1,210,725
299,810
1,510,535
18 00
1877
1,326,529
855,460
1,681,980
16 00
1876
1,317,128
381,800
1,691,428
10 00
1875
1,289,483
448,825
1,738,258
29 00
1874
1,254,233
543,000
1,796,233
18 50
1873
1,165,375
541,710
1,707,184
13 50
1872
1,110,125
492,225
1,602,350
12 50
1871
1,048,908
451,937
1,500,845
18 00
1870
1,004,929
457,160
1,462,089
15 00
1869
973,342
469,629
1,442,971
13 33
1868
914,214
869,558
1,310,772
14 50
1867
906,464
385,429
1,291,893
18 00
1866
895,312
453,366
1,348,678
15 00
1865
904,544
444,973
1,349,517
17 00
1864
909,646
397,400
1,307,046
12 50
1863
880,314
324,490
1,204,804
13 83
1862
876,680
270,000
1,146,695
18 00
1861
889,693
286,189
1,175,882
7 86
1860
877,605
301,087
1,179,592
6 80
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE
Town of Saugus
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1927
OF . SA
G
W
TO
162.9
1815.
LYNN, MASS. FRANK S. WHITTEN, PRINTER 1928
2
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WELCOME MCCULLOUGH, Chairman Term expires, 1928 280 Central Street
MRS. MABEL CARTER
128 Essex Street Tel. 762-W Term expires, 1929
ELLERY METCALF 7 Howard Street Tel. 566-J
MRS. MILDRED DINSMORE Term expires, 1930
53 Birch Street Tel. 40
FRANCIS M. HILL
52 Lincoln Avenue
Tel. 284-J Term expires, 1928
Term expires, 1930 Tel. 47
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
JESSE W. LAMBERT
Residence 279 Central Street Tel. 267
Office, High School Building Tel. 775
Office Hours-8.30 to 9.00 A. M. 4.00 to 5.00 P. M. On every school day except Friday
CLERK :- MRS. MARY O. BURTON
319 Central Street
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
CHARLES E. LIGHT
30 Stone Street Tel. 376
MEETING OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held the first and third Mondays of each month (excepting July and August) at 8 o'clock P.M.
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
At a meeting of the School Committee held January 10, 1928,
it was "voted to accept the Annual Report of the Superintendent as the report of the School Committee required by the statutes." WELCOME MCCULLOUGH,
Chairman.
3
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1927]
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
NAME AND ADDRESS
PRECINCTS
TELEPHONES
Dr. Myron H. Davis
24 Main Street I-2
235
Dr. Leroy C. Furbish
272 Lincoln Avenue 2-4
I20
Dr. G. W. Gale
68 Lincoln Avenue
3-5
638-J
SCHOOL NURSE
Mrs. Mary Donovan Broadway, Lynnfield
Breakers 75090
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Fall Term, 1927
Opened September 7, 1927
Closed December 21, 1927
Winter Term, 1928
Opens January 4, 1928
Closes February, 24, 1928
Second Half
Opens March 5, 1928
Closes April 27, 1928
Spring Term
Opens May 7, 1928
Closes June 22, 1928
Fall Term
September 5, 1928
Holidays : October 12, Thanksgiving Recess (Wednesday noon to following Monday), February 22, April 19, May 30, June 17.
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS
2-2-2-2 on the fire alarm and the street lights turned on five minutes.
At 8 A.M. means no morning session for grades.
At 12.45 P.M. means no afternoon session for the grades.
At 7.00 A.M. means no school for High and Junior High.
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Armitage
1090
Mansfield 1096
Ballard
1091
No. Saugus 1098
Cliftondale
1092
Roby 1099
Emerson
1093
Oaklandvale 731
Felton
1094
Sweetzer Jr. High 1097
Lynnhurst
1095
High School 260
4
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee and Other Citizens of Saugus :
In accordance with law and custom your Superintendent takes this opportunity to submit for your consideration his tenth annual report of the condition, progress and needs of the Schools of Saugus, the same being the thirty-fifth annual report of the School Department.
The Financial Situation
When planning for such an expensive and important enterprise as that of educating boys and girls to meet the requirements for successful law abiding citizenship our first consideration should be that of Service. The value of educational service in any case is liable to depend on the price paid for it. No one expects to receive expert service or even advice for a price as low as that of unskilled labor on a time basis. Thrift does not always mean the saving of money. None of us regard the miser as a thrifty man. It is true that the cost of education is increasing. It is a very large expenditure in the town of Saugus, but not large in comparison with that of surrounding towns.
From a school report of 1925, picked up at randon, your Superintendent reads the following figures :
Number of pupils in all schools 2,577 96
Number of teachers
Budget for 1926 $243.250
There was nothing unusual in this budget. Let us look at the corresponding figures as shown by our own reports.
Number of pupils in all schools 2,780
Number of teachers 95
Budget for 1926 including repairs $196,200
By all means let us economize, but let it be an economy based upon thrift bearing in mind the fact that value is not always expressed in terms of dollars and cents.
In making up our budget the cost of every item is given careful consideration. Nothing is left to "snap judgment." Our motto is "Economy with Efficiency ."
5
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1927]
Actual Cost of School Support
Some misunderstanding exists regarding cost of running our schools. In a discussion of school expenses distinction should be made between school appropriations and net costs. There are reimbursments from the State Department, but the whole cost must first be met by the town : consequently, in making up our budget we must provide for every necessary expense including that for which the state returns to the town, a very considerable sum, about ten months later. It should be borne in mind that the state return is made to the town but not to the School Department, although it is through that department that such return is secured. The following figures showing net cost for 1927 are self explana- tory.
Appropriation, General Fund, March,
1927 .
$180,000 00
Special Appropriation, August, 9,000 00
TOTAL .
$189,000 00
Received from State (income tax) . $33,204 75
TOTAL 66 66 tuition of State Wards 984 00
$34,188 75
From local taxation and reserve fund . $154,811 23 As to cost per pupil exclusive of general control,
the average for the State last year was, for Elementary Schools (Grades [-8) $78 72
Our per pupil cost for same $56 29
Per pupil cost in high school, average for State $132 79
Our per pupil cost for same $120 76
We are informed by state officials that cost per pupil in the State of Massachusetts is not above the average for the United States.
Perusal of these figures leads us to conclude that we are well within the limit of a reasonable expenditure for education.
The Teaching Force
It is a matter of regret that we are unable to prevent the annual loss resulting from the passing of many of our successful teachers to other towns and cities where adequate compensation for services rendered can be secured. If any way can be found whereby we can keep expenses down without lowering our school standard let us seek diligently for it, but no more serious danger of educational
6
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
loss can be conceived than that resulting from frequent changes in our teaching force.
Teachers employed by us for the first time since our last report are by no means an inferior class, but, as we have often said, no teacher can do his or her best service during the first year.
LEFT 1927
SUCCESSORS
Miss Mildred Bee
Mrs. Marion Emmett
No successor
Miss Erastine Gilmore
Miss Helen Towle
Mr. William Lowell
Miss Margaret McIntyre Mr. C. Francis Woods
Mrs. Esther Lovering
Miss Ethel Edwards and Miss Loretta Mullin Mrs. Blanche Love
Miss Helen Bacon
Miss S. Barbara Allen
Mrs. Eda Shannon
Mrs. Ethel Foley and
Miss Laura Bailey
Miss Annie Wilson
Miss Phyllis Smith
Miss Elizabeth Blandford
Miss Elsie Farrar Miss Edna Bailey
Mrs. Marjorie Wiggin Miss Mildred Wright Miss Josephine Freeman
Miss Nancy B. Millett
Miss Dorothy Cross
Miss Elva Batchelder
Miss Evelyn Allen
Miss Helen Stevens
Miss Ethel Edwards and
Miss Loretta Mullin Miss Shirley Clucas
Miss Arline" Albee
*Transferred from Oaklandvale and succeeded by Mrs. Vida Norton.
Leave of absence was granted Miss Gladys Hartshorn, High School from October 17th to December 17th, 1927.
Attendance
As our attendance officer is to report on this matter, there is but little need for extended comment here. However, it is well to remember that regular attendance is an absolute necessity, otherwise we can not hope for satisfactory results. However strong a child may be mentally the "being there," is indispensible.
Miss Inez Richards
Miss Katherine Campbell
Miss Myra Weber *Miss Dorothy Merrill Mrs. Marian Burwell
Miss Margaret Cameron
Miss Laura Cram
Miss Blanche Milbery
Mr. Harold Warren
7
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1927]
Transportation
While the cost of this item is not as large as it is in some other towns, it is of sufficient proportions to admit of careful consider- ation. As school population increases this expenditure will grow larger, since such increases are likely to result from an extension rather than a concentration. In other words there will be more and more¿ school children residing two or more miles from the school they are entitled to attend. The service under direction of Mr. Garrow has been excellent. There have been difficulties, particularly in connection with transportation from Golden Hills, since the bus must either travel a long distance through Melrose or make use of a private way. This private way has been in very bad condition at times, but the bus drivers have made the daily routes regularly and without langer to pupils. Mr. Garrow and his drivers should be commended.
High School
The work of this school has been carried on very successfully during the past year.
You are advised to read Principal Webber's report carefully.
The Sweetser Junior High
The principal of this school is to submit a report consequently we offer here only suggestions as to use of building. To avoid the institution of the two-platoon system in our high school it will be necessary during the school year 1928-29 to extend the boundaries of sections served by this school, since the total increase in Junior High School population, or its equivalent, must be housed in this building. From present probabilities every seat will be needed.
The work in this school has been very commendable, although the domestic science and manual training departments have been hampered for lack of proper equipment. Attention should be given to this matter at an early date.
The equipment of the assembly hall is very satisfactory and is fully appreciated by those who use it.
General Housing Conditions
Acute and still more acute is the school housing situation. It is possible, barely possible, that by using every available seat in the Sweetser building we may continue our regular sessions in
S
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
the high school for another year, but what we can do with the ever increasing numbers in our elementary grades is a question that we cannot answer at present. At Oaklandvale and at No. Saugus the problem can be solved at a comparatively small cost as there is a vacant room in each building. These rooms should be finished and equipped during the coming summer. Too long already, have we delayed.
At the Roby school we have a condition that is simply appall- ing. To comply with state law we are employing an additional teacher who must find some nook or corner closet or hat-room in which to render adequate service. We could renovate the old school building, so called, so as to provide four small rooms. This would prove a very satisfactory solution, but the cost would be considerable, and we would have a wooden building in which rooms would not be of the best proportions. It might be better to add two rooms to the Roby building. Some provision must be made. It has passed the stage of desirability to that of absolute necessity.
In our last report we stated that the Felton, Cliftondale and Armitage schools are either overcrowded or approaching that condition. They have arrived, especially the Felton and the Armitage. Additional rooms at the Roby might help to relieve these schools somewhat, but not largely, as there are compara- tively few who reside within a reasonable walking distance of that school. We have already exhausted every means within our power for relieving the situation. The Felton school building could be enlarged without interfering in any way with present conveniences, as it was built with that idea in mind. Should this be contemplated, provisions for playground space should be made. In fact, the lot back of the building should be purchased if possible, even if no further enlargement of the building is considered.
Health Program
We feel that satisfactory advancement has been made along the line of physical health and development.
The Dental Clinic, although not supported by town appropria- tions, is doing very much, not only to make pupils more comfort- able but also to raise the standard of our schools. Perfect teeth . are necessary to perfect mastication and this in turn is essential to proper digestion. It can be readily seen, then, that the Dental Clinic is a prominent factor in our health program and indirectly at least in matters educational. No student can concentrate on his work while suffering pain or physical inconvenience. Means
9
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
192.7]
taken by the Board of Health, school physicians and nurse to pre- vent the spread of dangerous contagion have been of great value. They should have our undivided commendation and support.
We trust that you will read carefully, Dr. R. P. Beckman's report on dental clinic work also reports of our school physicians and that of our school nurse.
Reports of Special Teachers
To prevent duplications we have annual reports from those teachers whose service is rendered in a special field. We feel that they are of very great value and should be read carefully by citizens interested in the various departments of our educational system.
We have no desire to combat anybody's opinion on the neces- sity, desirability or value of the work of these departments, but we do hope that reports dealing with them may be given fair and impartial consideration before a decision as to their value is made.
Repairs
On account of the comparatively small amount of money avail- able for repairs, not all of the work previously planned could be done. However, some very necessary improvements have been made. The new heating plant under the Felton School is now completed and seems to be functioning in a satisfactory manner. There are certain State requirements connected with it that could not be met, the special appropriation being insufficient.
The No. Saugus school-house has been painted and it now presents a very creditable appearance.
Metal ceilings have been installed in rooms I and 4 at the High School and in room I at Cliftondale.
One boiler under the Roby school has been retubed and three tubes replaced in the other. Also under the Roby School one indirect heating stack consisting of two radiators has been replaced.
Excavation under the Oaklandvale school and the building of a coal-bin have been completed.
Chain-link fences on the Hone-No. Saugus School line, the Campbell-Armitage School line and on the east line of the Roby lot have been erected.
Soon after school opened in September trouble developed regarding returns of boilers under the Roby school. It was necessary to replace a part of the piping. The cost of this piece of work was $400. It was an unforeseen emergency.
IO
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Because of the unusually rainy summer several floors in the Armitage School became so crowded through swelling that they were forced upward, it was necessary to relay them, there being no way to force them back into position. This piece of work was another unforeseen emergency the cost being approximately $200.
A great improvement along lines of sanitation has been made by the installing of sanitary drip attachments for urinals of all school buildings. The work of enlarging the urinal at Oakland- vale was not fully completed at the end of the fiscal year.
Besides the above mentioned pieces of work other improve- ments have been made among which are painting, varnishing and whitewashing in basements of the Roby, Emerson, Oakland- vale and High Schools, the finishing of desks in the Felton and the Lynnhurst schools and other minor repairs where needed.
The rate per cent used for repairs during 1927, based on school property valuation was a trifle more than one half of one per cent. It seems unnecessary to say that the school buildings cannot be kept in even passable condition for any considerable length of time at this rate.
The state is still giving us specific instructions regarding requirements. Our cooperation is not simply requested, it is demanded by the State Inspector. The cost of meeting these demands is considerable.
The following is a partial report of the State Building Inspec- tor under date of October 5, 1927.
I. In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 143 of the General Laws and its Regulations thereto, I inspected the follow- ing named buildings on October 3, 1927, and find that before cer- tificates as required by Statue Law for the use of these buildings may be issued, the following changes will be necessary.
Cliftondale School
(a) Provide additional means of egress from class rooms on first story. This may be done by cutting in a door in the rear wall to a balcony with stairs to ground.
(b) Protect ceiling in heater and fuel rooms with wire lath and hard plaster.
(c) Heater rooms shall be enclosed with incombustible mate- rials, and shall be equipped with self-closing fire doors, separat- ing same from remainder of basement.
(d) Doors leading from first story to basement shall be equipped with self-closing devices, and shall be kept closed at all times.
II
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1927]
(e) Fire alarm system shall be overhauled and kept in good repair ; switches operating same shall be plainly designated "FIRE ALARM."
(f) Paint fire escape, removing all rust, and replacing any loose bolts, nuts, rivets, etc.
Felton School
(a) Enclose boiler room with incombustible materials form play rooms on either side, and provide same with self-closing fire doors.
(b) Protect ceiling in fuel room with wire lath and hard plaster.
(c) Provide smoke partitions at either end of second story corridor. The location of said partitions shall be relatively the same as those on the first story.
(d) Fire alarm system shall be overhauled and kept in good repair, and switches used in operation of same shall be plainly designated "FIRE ALARM."
· (e) Remove all combustible materials stored in attic.
(f) Paint fire escape, removing all rust and replacing all loose bolts, nuts, rivets, etc.
Roby School
(a) Provide a smoke partition in center of first story corridor.
(b) Provide self-closing devices on doors leading to basement from first story.
(c) The use of class room located in the front of building on the level of the Intermediate landing of stairs leading to attic shall be discontinued immediately, until additional means of egress is provided therefrom.
(d) Partition leading from boiler room to main basement shall be incombustible throughout. Window in said partition shall be of metal, sash and wire glass, door to be a self-closing fire door
Mansfield School
(a) Partition off rear end of corridor on second story so that it will be possible to go from class room on left side of building direct to fire escape.
(b) Fire alarm system shall be overhauled, and kept in good repair. Switches used in operation of same shall be designated "FIRE ALARM."
(c) Paint fire escape, removing all rust, replacing any loose bolts, nuts, rivets, etc.
I 2
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
(d) Provide self-closing fire doors from heater rooms to base- ment.
High School
(a) Remove mullions separating main doors to building so that full width openings may be had at these points.
(b) Provide gas lighting in assembly hall near egresses, also in corridors and stair towers leading from said hall.
(c) Fire-proof curtain on stage.
(d) I would also recommend that a door be cut through right side of hall near stage to correspond with the one already in use from left side of hall.
Emerson School
(a) Provide a smoke partition in center of each corridor, - between exterior and interior walls.
(b) Provide self closing devices on doors at either end of corri- dor leading to basement, and also on boiler room door.
(c) Provide a light or cut in windows at intermediate stair land- ings from second story.
(d) Erect a partition in wardrobe just beyond door leading to fire escape from fifth grade room into corridor.
2. A prompt reply, and immediate compliance with this order is respectfully requested."
As yet we have had no specific report from the State Building Inspector concerning the remaining school houses in the town. It is fair to presume that his demands against us relative to those schools will be as great as those already listed. In addition to these demands there are a number of important pieces of work necessary to be done. In order that we might secure a compre- hensive view of repair needs throughout the town we called the principals and the janitors into conference upon the subject having previously asked them to inspect their respective buildings.
We probably shall not be able to carry out the full program of repairs as submitted by them, but we give that part in detail directly chargeable to the repair fund in order that he who reads may understand the many needs still existing.
Their recommendations follow :
ARMITAGE : Varnish wood work and window sashes in all class-rooms. Paint firedoors and partitions in halls and toilets. Repair brick-work at west entrance. Tint walls and whiten ceilings in all class rooms. Weather-strip windows of three rooms on west side. Cover entrances to basement. Install
13
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1927]
school gong. The fire alarm gong is now used for general purposes.
BALLARD : Install a metal ceiling in second grade room. Paint ceiling and repair burlap in one sixth grade room.
CLIFTONDALE : In the basement install electric lights in furnace room, whitewash walls and paint woodwork. Repair one toilet. Connect fire-bell with transformer. Paint one metal ceiling. Paint or varnish walls and woodwork in teachers' toilet. Ceiling is badly stained because of leak in roof. There is serious difficulty incurred in heating certain rooms. A new heating system may be necessary. Basement steps on the girls' side should be repaired. Stair casings and windows should be varnished.
EMERSON : Install electric lights in three rooms and on each stairway at first landing. Slate black-boards should be installed in all ı r rooms. The second grade is in need of book-shelves.
FELTON : Install electric lights and lay two new floors. Paint walls of the teachers rest room and varnish toilets. Sashes should be painted and varnished. Three conductors should be replaced.
HIGH SCHOOL : Paint new ceilings in rooms one and four. Repair stair treads on Denver and Central street, entrance. Make necessary repairs to improve heating of rooms :1 and 17. Paint dados in rooms 11, 12, 13, 14. Paint sub-office and library. Paint E. Denver and Central street, stairways. New locks are needed for front doors. State Inspector says the mullion between front doors must be removed. This will necessitate new doors and locks. Straighten driveway.
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