USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1932 > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
In 1918 he was appointed superintendent of schools of Saugus, Massachusetts. The School Committee then consisted of Dr. Ernest W. Homan, chairman ; Lawrence E. Morse, Anna C. Parker, C. F. Nelson Pratt, and Henry O. Westendarp. He was serving his fifteenth consecutive year when he passed away.
Endeared and respected by his teachers they will miss him greatly. His sunny smile and ready wit inspired them. His charac- ter and simple life served them an everlasting example.
The children of Saugus will miss his kindly wave and his keen appreciation of their problems.
His family have lost a devoted guide and counselor.
"Sunset and Evening Star, And one clear call for me- And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to Sea."
3
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1932]
SCHOOL NURSE
Mrs. Mary Donovan Broadway, Lynnfield
Breakers 75090
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Fall Term, 1932
Opened September 19, 1932
Winter Term (first half)
Closed December 23, 1932 Opened January 3, 1933 Closes February 17, 1933
Second Half
Opens February 27, 1933 Closes April 21, 1933
Spring Term
Opens May 1, 1933
Closes June 30, 1933
Fall Term
Opens September 6, 1933
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS
Grade Schools :
8 A.M., 2-2-2-2 on fire alarm and radio announcement from Station WNAC, means no morning session for grades and oppor- tunity class.
12.45 P.M., fire alarm signal and radio announcement from Station WHDH, means no afternoon session for grades.
High School and Sweetser Junior High :
6.45 A.M., 2-2-2-2 on fire alarm and radio announcement from Station WNAC at 7 A.M.
Central Junior High School :
11.45 A.M., 2-2-2-2 on fire alarm and radio announcement from Station WNAC at 12 noon.
The signals as given above will continue until the new addition to the High School is ready for occupancy, after that there will be no afternoon session for the Junior High, consequently, for the High School building there will be only one signal necessary. This signal will be given one hour before the opening of school in the morning.
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Armitage
1090
Mansfield 1096
Ballard
109[
No. Saugus 1098
Cliftondale 1092
Roby 1099
Emerson
1093
Oaklandvale
731
Felton
1094
Sweetser Jr. High 1097
Lynnhurst
1095
High School
260
Central Jr. High
1273
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Saugus :
For the year 1931 the School Department expended $214,911.60 not including repairs. To continue on the same basis in 1932 the budget submitted by the School Department would have been $231,000.
However, with the cooperation of the Superintendent of Schools, Principal of the High School and others of the school staff, we were able to effect many economies with the result that the amount asked for was $205,000. In substance the above mentioned economies were as follows :
I. No new teachers were employed to take care of additional pupils.
2. The sub-master and two teachers were eliminated from the High School staff ; one teacher from the Junior High ; one from the elementary grades ; one music supervisor ; one penmanship supervisor ; one manual training supervisor and one domestic science supervisor.
3. Manual training was eliminated.
4. Domestic science was eliminated.
5. A substantial reduction was made in the cost of maintenance of books.
6. We spent much less for new books.
7. A large reduction in the amount spent for supplies was effected.
8. We reduced the amount spent for salaries by the following change in the method of payment; instead of paying our teachers in twenty payments we paid them in twenty-four payments, thus materially reducing the amount of each pay-roll.
9. The amount allowed for sick leave was eliminated.
10. No automatic increases were allowed.
II. One janitor from the High School was eliminated.
Wherever possible we eliminated those in the school system who had been working in supervisory capacities, as we believed that a great amount of this work could be taken on by the teachers at no great loss to the pupils.
Through the excellent cooperation of our teachers we have been able to reduce our surplus of school supplies on hand and,
5
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1932]
at the same time, spend as conservatively as possible for ad- ditional supplies without impairing the efficiency of our school work.
As can be seen from the above reduction in costs the School Committee and the Superintendent have spent many hours in an effort to relieve the taxpayer of our town and, at the same time, not to any appreciable extent, deprive our children of any of the benefits derived from a grade "A" education.
In order to show what these savings amount to, we have in- cluded in our report a chart showing the exact amount we have reduced the per pupil cost of operating our school system. This we hope will dispel the erroneous idea (held by persons not well versed in the operating cost of our schools) that the expense of school maintenance is continually mounting.
With regard to our repair budget the committee asked for only $2,000 as a temporary economy move. This amount was not exceeded but it allowed us to do work only of a temporary nature, consequently a great deal of repair work must be done during the coming year.
Your attention is called to the following tables, especially table No. 2 and the limited digest of the same.
6
TABLE No. 1 Membership by Grades and by Schools, January, 1933 GRADES
TOTALS
I
2
3
4
5
7
9
IO
II
12 P.G.
Armitage
34
41
32
38
30
40
215
Ballard
38
39
28
10
39
39
223
Ballard
76
Cliftondale
45
40
37
37
159
Emerson
38
40
28*
16*
25*
147
Emerson
13*
13
Felton
42
42
38
42
41
243
Lynnhurst*
17
20
17
13
15
IO2
Mansfield
39
34
37
42
152
North Saugus*
14
16
19
15
19
2I
104
Oaklandvale*
17
15
16
13
1 5
14
90
Roby
30
40
41
44
34
47
236
Roby
40
40
80
Old Center*
II
19
30
Old Center
II
20
31
Sweetser (Grades)
19*
19*
38
Sweetser (Grades)
39
40
79
Sweetser Junior High
185
185
Central Junior High
170
265
435
High School
358
206
143
133
17
857
354
338
323
333
358
312
355
265
358
206
143
133
17
3,495
* Two grades in a room
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
SCHOOLS
6
8
40
36
38
20
1932]
TABLE No. 2 Comparative Statistics
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1923
1929
1930
1931
193 ª
Valuation of taxable property .
$9,788,927
$10,212,169
$11,898,152 523,888 13
$12,130,354 5IS,374 59
$13,176,500
$13,622,584
$14,712,529 585,012 09
522,397 71
601,385 51
637,034 42
Appropriation for schools .
154,000
165,000
172,500
1 85,300
190,230
197,600
208,030
215,078
205,000
Total tax rate ·
38 00
37 75
37 S5
41 00
35 40
35 40
35 $5
34 30
40 90
34.85
Rate per thousand for schools
15 72
13 36
12 34
14 64
14 34
13 23
13 43
13 69
14 73
13 15
Percentage of total tax for
schools
.39
35
325
.357
.344
.335
.336
398
.35S
.322
Average school membership
.
2,479
2,626
2,631
2,736
2,545
2,914
3,005
3,115
3,226
3,324
Per pupil cost, gross .
·
62 12
62 83
65 56
67 72
66 43
65 2S
03 34
66 78
66 66
61 67
Received from State School Fund (Income Tax) .
27,916 50
30,539 So
31,257 50
30,055 00
33,204 75
33,091 00
32,395 So
33,770 00
35,133 33
36,360 00
Received for tuition of State
wards
·
548 70
589 85
944 64
S58 53
984 00
1,363 79
1,010 51
607 26
497 42
599 21
Total receipts from State ·
28,465 20
31,129 65
32,202 14
33,913 53
34, ISS 75
34,454 79
33,406 31
34,377 26
35,630 75
36,959 21
Net cost for education, not in- cluding repairs
125,534 80
133,870 35
140,297 86
151,356 47
154,811 25
155,775 21
164,193 69
173,652 74
179,447 25
16S,040 79
Net per pupil cost
50 64
50 98
53 32
5 33
54 41
53 46
54 64
55 75
55 62
50 55
$15,193,390
$14,603,57 3
$15,591,40 1
Appropriation for all purposes,
390,455 07
465,947 08
541,837 46 1S9,000
566,205 46
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
7
S
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
The per pupil cost is based on the average membership for the year ending in June of the date indicated. It will be noted that both the gross and the net per pupil cost is given. There seems to be a difference of opinion as to whether or not the School Department should be credited with funds received from the State even though the amount is determined by the detailed report required of and submitted by the Superintendent of Schools. We make no attempt to discuss the matter here, but would simply call attention to the fact that the document is marked by the State Department, General School Fund Statement.
A Limited Digest of Table No. 2
The average rate per thousand for schools (general expenses) since 1923 is $13.65, a decrease from that of 1923 of more than 13 per cent.
The average rate per thousand for all purposes since 1923 is $37.03, a decrease from that of 1923;of less than 2 3-5 per cent.
Please note that the decrease per thousand for school expenses, general account, is more than five times the general decrease for all purposes.
The rate per thousand for schools in 1923 was $15.72.
The rate per thousand for schools in 1932 is $13.15, or $2.57 less than in 1923.
As to per pupil cost, it is quite true that during our period of unprecedented prosperity and high prices there was an upward trend, but for the year 1932 the net per pupil cost is less than that of 1923.
In view of these figures it would seem that school officials are doing very well and that comparatively speaking the "mounting cost of education" in Saugus is largely imaginary.
General School Statistics
Number of school buildings in town . 13
Number of school buildings in use
13
Number of resident minors October 1, 1932
4,035
Number between the ages of 5 and 7 years
575
Number between the ages of 7 and 14 years
2,049
Number between the ages of 14 and 16 years
530
Number between the ages of 16 and 21 years
88 1
Average school membership for school year ending July 1, 1932 3,324
Average daily attendance for same period 3,135
1932]
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
9
Percentage of attendance for same period, based on membership . 940
Enrollment fall term, 1932
3,473
Population of Saugus
15,500++
Assessed valuation of all taxable property includ- ing December assessment and valuation of motor vehicles · $15,591,401.00
Amount appropriated for all purposes including motor excise commitment . 637,034.42
Amount appropriated for schools (general)
205,000.00
Per cent of school appropriation to total appro- priation .32+
Amount appropriated for schoolhouse repairs 2,000.00
Valuation of school property including equipment 947,275.00
Per cent of valuation used for repairs .0021+
Approprietion for trade school tuition 900.00
Respectfully submitted,
FREDERICK B. WILLIS, Chairman
MABEL L. CARTER
WALDO B. RUSSELL
ERNEST A. ROGERS
GEORGE A. McCARRIER
Saugus, Mass., January 16, 1933,
IO
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Report of Superintendent of Schools
To the School Committee and other Citizens of Saugus :
It becomes the duty and privilege of the Superintendent of Schools to submit his fifteenth annual report of the conditions, progress and needs of the public schools of Saugus, the same be- ing the fortieth annual report.
Our Teaching Force
Transfers : Mr. C. Carroll Cunningham was transferred from the Senior High School to the Junior High school by his own. request, Miss Shirley Russell from the Junior High school to the Senior High school.
Mr. Paul Bund was transferred from Manual Training to Mechanical Drawing (Manual Training having been suspended in the interest of economy), Miss Beatrice Armstrong from the Central Junior High to the Sweetser Junior High, Miss Sita Allen from the Central Junior High to the Sweetser building, Miss Ruth Douglas from the Sewing Department to the Oppor- tunity Class (Sewing Department having been suspended in the interest of economy), and Miss Mabel Nelson from her position as Supervisor of Penmanship to her former position in the Junior High school, (this supervisorship being suspended in the interest of economy.)
At the opening of the school year 1932, Mrs. Pauline Peck- ham was transferred from the Ballard school to the Roby school and Mr. Archibald Coldwell from the Roby school to the Ballard school. Miss Evelyn Fenna was also transferred from the Ballard third grade to the Roby third grade, Miss Florence Evans from grades one and two at the Oaklandvale to grade two at the Ballard, Miss Leora Tomlinson from the Ballard school, grade six to the Principalship of the Emerson school, Miss Mae Butler from grade three at the Roby school to grade six at the Felton school, Mrs. Esther McCarrier from grade four at the Roby school to grade four at the Felton school, Miss Ella Bailey from the sixth grade of the Sweetser building to the sixth grade at the Ballard school and Miss Segrid Carlson from the Sweetser building to the Ballard school building.
II
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1932]
The following resignations were tendered :
Miss Ethel Edwards, Supervisor of Music.
High school: Mr. Frank M. Gracey, sub-master ; Miss Eleanor Batchelder, teacher of Mathematics ; Mrs. Harold Warren, teacher of History ; Mr. Thomas Perkins, teacher of French.
The positions rendered vacant by these resignations were not filled but the remaining teachers took on additional work in the interest of economy.
Junior High
Miss Kathryn Staples.
Elementary
At the end of the school year in June Miss Maria Smith, principal of the Felton school, resigned. Miss Smith had served with distinction during the entire time since she entered upon her duties in 1892. It would be hard to find any teacher whose ser- vices could be regarded in any particular as superior to those which she rendered. Her grasp of educational matters in the town of Saugus is equalled by few and excelled by none. Mrs. Florence Gibson succeeded her as principal of the building and has proven herself capable of carrying on the work. Mrs. Gibson had previously served under Miss Smith.
Other resignations were tendered by Miss Phyllis Spedht at the Ballard School, Miss Ella Blaisdell, principal of the Emerson School, Miss Christina Bradley of the Felton school, Miss Bernice Seigle of the Mansfield school and Miss Dorothy Meeker of the Old Center school. Just before the end of the fall term Miss Myra Webber, teacher of grade two of the Roby school, resigned because of ill health. Because of her excellent service the committee granted Miss Webber an indefinite leave of absence. All of these teachers had rendered services of a high order.
New Teachers
The following teachers were elected to our teaching force :
Miss Dorothy Eyre who had previously been given a year's leave of absence was reinstated in the High School.
Miss Ada Hamilton was elected to grade three at the Mansfield. Miss Elizabeth Goss to grade one and two at the Oaklandvale, Miss Marion Spofford to grade three and four at the Old Center,
1 2
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
Miss Pauline Knox to grades two and three at the Old Center. Miss Pearl Belonga was elected in December to take Miss Webber's place.
Rating of Saugus School Teachers
Out of one hundred and fifteen educators including principals, teachers, supervisors and superintendent, the state accepted eighty-one for Schedule A, so called.
For these teachers the town receives $200 each, which is the greatest sum allowed by the state. To gain a position on this schedule a teacher must have had a college or normal school training, at least two years of experience previous to the preced- ing September and must receive a salary of not less than $950 a year. There are twelve other teachers whose extensive and successful experience has placed them on a similar schedule allowing a like reimbursement, making a total of ninety-three for whom the the town receives the maximum amount. The remaining twenty-two fell below the maximum not through any lack of educational equipment but because of insufficient experience.
In view of these facts it would seem that our teachers are fully entitled to our continued confidence and support.
The grand total received from the state for 1932 was $36,350.
Counting the Cost
This is a time when every effort should be made to reduce the cost in each and every department of the town. During the year 1932 the School Committee and the Superintendent gave much hard study to the financial situation and, as a result effected econ- omies whereby thousands of dollars were saved to the taxpayer. It must not be understood, however, that there has not been some loss to the schools in terms of education. We speak oftentimes of saving on expenses but whether this is a real saving or simply an apparent one must depend upon that which we sacrifice in order that the so called saving may be made. So far as school expenses are concerned, a reduction at its best is but an exchange of values. For instance, a difference of opinion will be found relative to the real saving occasioned by the elimination of Do- mestic Science and Manual Training. A reduction in the number of teachers in the High School has of necessity placed an addi- tional burden upon those teachers who still remain. If the efficiency of these teachers has been lowered because of this ad- ditional burden then the money saved is off-set to some extent, at
13
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1932]
least, by a corresponding loss on the part of the students. No parent, who believes in education, wants his or her child to have an unduly restricted educational opportunity. We are interested in having the best trained teachers possible, we are also interested in making conditions so favorable that the teachers may give to the children the best of which they are capable. As we have stated above, opinions differ relative to the elimination of certain subjects from our curricula. These opinions may be influenced by the type of child for which the parent is responsible. Let us not forget, however, that the public schools exist for all the chil- dren of all the people. As for the taxpayer it is but natural that in this period of extreme depression, he will make every effort to reduce the tax rate as much as possible. There is an ever in- creasing demand for reduction in municipal expenses. We can- not blame the taxpayer and yet money wisely spent for educa- tional purposes gives the largest possible return. There is no source from which a greater increase in the value of property can be secured. The State of Massachusetts pays a very small pro- portion of its income for public education. There is no greater power in the State of Massachusetts than the so called "man- power." Is it not essential that this man power be developed? Is it not true that it is developed chiefly through the public schools ? It would be well to bear in mind that there has been a substantial decrease in the proportion of school expenses to the total expenses in the town of Saugus, as is shown by figures listed in the School Committee's Report. It is of outstanding consequence that our social and financial system shall remain stable. There is no single activity that contributes so largely to that stability as that of the public schools. We should be more concerned about in- creasing our income than cutting expenses, where the cutting of such expenses must eventually be borne by the children and must eventually reduce the value of our citizenship.
It is true that the town of Saugus raises money almost entirely from taxation upon the home. Possibly the State Legislature may, from its taxes on intangibles, assist somewhat in lightening the burden now borne by the home owner. If we can lower the per-pupil cost without real detriment to the schools, it is our duty to do so ; but we should give very careful consideration to the entire subject before we make any very violent or radical changes.
To the citizens who may or may not own property we beg permission to point out a few facts. The relationship between education and citizenship is exceedingly close. The welfare of
14
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
the nation is largely dependent upon the right kind of education. The cost of our schools may seem to be the one item that must have first consideration, such, however, is not the case; we should first be interested in the success of our public school system, we should, also, be interested in seeing that the appropriation for schools is wisely spent. The building of character is infinitely more to be considered than that of wood, stone, bricks and mor- tar. It was said by a prominent citizen of the town, when dis- cussing the repair budget, that "it is cheaper to repair than to build new." In other words, it is cheaper to keep our school buildings in proper condition rather than to wait until they have fallen down and must be replaced. With this idea the Superin- tendent is in perfect sympathy, but would add that it is more economical and infinitely more to be desired that we maintain the educational standard where it is today, rather than wait until the standard has fallen below that of previous years, and then attempt to rebuild. As has already been stated the public schools are for all the children of all the people and our modern civilization is based upon mass education.
No man or woman should say that this subject or that subject is valueless simply because he or she could not succeed along that particular line. Let us not forget that citizenship is not built upon a foundation consisting entirely of literary strength but on a combination of physical, mental, moral and spiritual stability.
President Hoover on Schools
On January 5, 1933, President Hoover, speaking at the open- ing session of the Citizens' Conference on the Crisis in Educa- tion, said as follows :
"Our nation faces the acute responsibility of providing a right-of-way for the American child. In spite of our economic, social and governmental difficulties, our future citizens must be built up now. We may delay other problems, but we cannot delay the day-to-day care and instruction of our children.
"Our governmental forces have grown unevenly and along with our astounding national development. We are now forced to make decisions on the merits of the various expenditures. But in the rigid governmental economies that are requisite everywhere we must not encroach upon the schools or reduce the opportunity of the child through the school to develop adequate citizen- ship.
15
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE.
1932 ]
"There is no safety for our public without the educa- tion of our youth. That is the first charge upon all citizens and local governments.
"Above all, may I ask that throughout your delibera- tions you bear in mind that the proper care and training of our children is more important than any other process that is carried on by our government. If we are to con- tinue to educate our children, we must keep and sustain our teachers and our schools."
Cost of School Support APPROPRIATION GENERAL FUND
March, 1932 .
$205,000 00
Received from State (income tax) $36,360 00
Received from State (state wards) 599 21
36,959 21
From local taxation .
$168,040 79
Enrollment October 1932 . 3,473
Enrollment October 1931 . 3,384
Enrollment October 1930 .
3,3'5
Enrollment October 1929 .
3,164
Enrollment October 1928 .
3,094
Enrollment October 1927
2,988
Per pupil cost (net) 1932 based on October enrollment $45 51
Per pupil cost (net) 1931 based on October enrollment 53 02
Per pupil cost (net) 1930 based on October enrollment 51 45
Per pupil cost (net) 1929 based on October enrollment 51 89
Per pupil cost (net) 1928 based on October enrollment
50 33
Per pupil cost (net) 1927 based on October enrollment .
51 81
Student Body
There has been no very marked increase in the number of pupils in the elementary grades but the High School has been very much overcrowded because of the increase there. The general attitude of the student body has been eminently satisfac-
16
TOWN DOCUMENTS.
[Dec. 31
tory and we feel safe in saying that much of our success is due to the fine spirit shown by the great majority of the students and the spirit and cooperation of the home.
The Parent-Teacher Associations have brought the school and the home into a much closer contact and have done much to further a mutual understanding and cooperation. To those citizens who have shown such a lively interest in school affairs we extend our hearty appreciation and our promise of fullest cooperation.
School Attendance
There has been the usual number of unexcused absences dur- ing the year 1932. We are again asking every parent to cooper- ate with us to the fullest extent in keeping the children in school. It may seem a small matter for a child to lose one or two days but the break in the continuance of his work often means the difference between promotion and non-promotion. Every pupil should be in school every day that he is physically able to attend. The parents who have the interest of their boys and girls at heart will suffer many inconveniences in order that their children may maintain an unbroken attendance in school, if they understand the real detriment that is involved by frequent absences.
High School
Our usual high standard of High School work has been main- tained in spite of the fact that we are working with a less number of teachers.
It is true of course that the work has not been as extensive as in former years. It is also true that we are still working under the two platoon system which is a detriment not only to the Junior High school but to the Senior High school as well. The Principal of the Senior High school has an interesting report to which your attention is respectfully called.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.