USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1936 > Part 20
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$ 10.00
DR.
To balance of M. V. Excise Tax com-
mitment of April 20, 1935 $ 1,825.39
To interest collected 34.48 -
$ 1,859.87
CR.
By payments to Treasurer $ 375.85
By abatements
99.71
By interest paid Treasurer 34.48
By commitment to Town Counsel
1,080.92
$
1,590.96
$ 268.91
DR.
To balance of 1935 M. V. Excise Tax commitment of June 5, 1935 $ 183.74
To interest collected 4.64
$ 188.38
360
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
CR.
By payments to Treasurer $ 72.06
By abatements 43.73
By interest paid Treasurer 4.60
By commitment to Town Counsel
10.00
$ 130.39
Uncollected Dec. 31, 1936
$ 57.99
DR.
To balance of 1935 M. V. Excise Tax
commitment of July 6, 1935 $ 124.66
To interest collected
2.33
-
$ 126.99
CR.
By payments to Treasurer $ 45.23
By abatements
35.87
By interest paid Treasurer
2.33
By commitment to Town Counsel .
7.97
$ 91.40
Uncollected Dec. 31, 1935 $ 35.59
DR.
To balance of M. V. Excise Tax com-
mitment of August 3, 1935 $ 13.53
To interest collected .16
$ 13.69
CR.
By payments to Treasurer $ 3.64
By interest paid Treasurer
.16
$ 3.80
$ 9.89
DR.
To balance of M. V. Excise Tax com- mitment of Aug. 20, 1935 $ 449.10
To interest collected 10.90
$ 460.00
361
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
1936]
CR.
By payments to Treasurer $ 187.61
By abatements
62.41
By interest paid Treasurer 10.90
By commitment to Town Counsel
14.58
$ 275.50
Uncollected Dec. 31. 1935
$ 184.50
DR.
To balance of M. V. Excise Tax com-
mitment of Sept. 10, 1935 $ 441.56
To interest collected 4.73
$ 446.29
CR.
By payments to Treasurer $ 167.29
By interest paid Treasurer
4.73
By commitment to Town Counsel
150.30
By abatements
22.49
$ 344.81
Uncollected Dec. 31, 1936 $ 101.48
DR.
To balance of M. V. Excise Tax com- mitment of Dec. 18, 1935 $ 923.22
To interest collected
5.82
$ 929.04
CR.
By payments to Treasurer $ 702.39
By abatements
35.95
By interest paid Treasurer .
5.82
$ 744.16
Uncollected
$ 184.88
DR.
To M. V. Excise Tax commitment of
April 15, 1936 $ 8,766.89
19.36
To interest collected
$ 8,747.53
362
TOWN CLERK'S REPORT
[Dec. 31
CR.
By payments to Treasurer $ 7,494.26
By abatements
449.90
By interest paid Treasurer
19.36
$
7,963.52
Uncollected Dec. 31, 1936 $ 784.01
DR.
To M. V. Excise Tax commitment of
June 16, 1936 $ 4,945.98
To interest collected
9.10
$
4,955.08
CR.
By payments to Treasurer $ 3,540.09
By interest paid Treasurer
9.10
By abatements
123.84 $ 3,673.03
Uncollected Dec. 31, 1936
1,282.05 $
DR.
To M. V. Excise Tax commitment of
Sept. 2, 1936 $ 3,970.98
To interest collected
5.13 $ 3,976.11
CR.
By payments to Treasurer $ 3,222.89
By abatements
68.48
By interest collected
5.13
$ 3,296.50
Uncollected Dec. 31, 1936 $ 679.61
DR.
To M. V. Excise Tax commitment of
Nov. 14, 1936 $ 2,663.75
To interest collected .06
$ 2,663.81
-
363
TAX COLLECTOR'S REPORT
1936]
CR.
By payments to Treasurer $ 1,161.07
By abatements
49.85
By interest paid Treasurer
.06
$ 1,211.98
Uncollected Dec. 31, 1936 $ 1,451.83
REPORT OF TAX COLLECTOR'S FEES
January 1, 1936 to December 31, 1936. To the Citizens of the Town of Saugus:
I hereby submit my report of Tax Collector's Fees for the year 1936.
34 Water Lien Releases at $1.00
$434.00
59 Tax Certificates at 1.00 59.00
Paid to Town Treasurer $593.00
VIOLA G. WILSON,
Collector of Taxes.
Toum of Saugus Commonwealth of Massachusetts
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
AND
Superintendent of Schools
OF THE
Town of Saugus, Mass.
FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1936.
TOWN. OF . SAI
UGUS
1629.
1815.
The Cliftondale Press, Saugus
In Memoriam
Dr. Myron T. Dauts School Physician
"Peace be with thee, O our brother In the spirit-land! Vainly look we for another In thy place to stand."
DR. MYRON H. DAVIS SERVED THE SCHOOL DEPART- MENT AS SCHOOL PHYSICIAN FOR NEARLY TWENTY YEARS. HE WAS NOT ONLY A DOCTOR, HE WAS A HUMANITARIAN. THE UNDERPRIVILEGED, THE POOR AND THE UNFORTUNATE HAVE LOST A FRIEND AND COUNSELOR. HIS SERVICES KNEW NO PRICE AND THE GREATNESS OF HIS SOUL HAD NO BOUNDS. SEL- DOM DOES SUCH A MAN WALK AMONG US. THE VERY WORDS HE UTTERED BESPOKE CONFIDENCE AND EN- COURAGEMENT.
THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT HAS LOST A SIN- CERE FRIEND. THE TOWN OF SAUGUS HAS LOST ONE WHO WILL BE MISSED MORE AND MORE WITH EACH PASSING YEAR.
GEORGE A. McCARRIER, Chairman WALDO B. RUSSELL, MARIA E. SMITH, HARRY F. WENTWORTH, PAUL A. HALEY,
School Committee.
In Memoriam
Delbert A. Wheeler
Head of the Science Department Saugus High School
The Chariot Swung Low, And Carried Him Home.
GEORGE A. MCCARRIER, Chairman, WALDO B. RUSSELL, MARIA E. SMITH, HARRY F. WENTWORTH, PAUL A. HALEY.
4
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
SCHOOL COMMITTEE
GEORGE A. McCARRIER, Chairman
29 Prospect Street
Term Expires 1938 Tel. 732
WALDO B. RUSSELL
Term Expires 1937
6 Anawam Avenue
Tel. 582
MARIA E. SMITH
Term Expires 1939
51 Essex Street Tel. 1350-W
HARRY F. WENTWORTH
Term Expires 1937
11 Emory Street Tel. 636-W
PAUL A. HALEY
Term Expires 1939
116 Essex Street Tel. 1024
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
VERNON W. EVANS
Residence, 94 Chestnut Street
Tel. 805
Office, High School Building
Tel. 775
Office Hours-8:30 to 9:30 A. M.
3:30 to 4:30 P. M. on every school day.
SUPERINTENDENT'S SECRETARY ANNA V. JACOBS
16-R Jackson Street Tel. 441-W
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
GEORGE I. HULL
40 Pleasant Street
Tel. 78
MEETINGS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. 8 P. M.
SCHOOL PHYSICIANS
DR. MYRON H. DAVIS
24 Main Street
Tel. 235
DR. LEROY C. FURBUSH 272 Lincoln Avenue
Tel. 120
DR. MARY PENNY 26 Jackson Street
Tel. 110
DR. JAMES A. CLARK 315 Lincoln Avenue Tel. 760
SCHOOL NURSE
ANNE CHENEY PRENDERGAST 21 Henry Street Tel. 154-W
5
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1936]
SCHOOL CALENDAR
Fall term, 1936
Opened September 9, 1936
Closed December 23, 1936
Winter term, 1937 (first half)
Opens January 4, 1937 Closes February 19, 1937 Opens March 1, 1937
Winter term, 1937 (second half)
Closes April 16, 1937
Spring term, 1937
Opens April 26, 1937 Closes June 25, 1937
Closing June 25, 1937 dependent on reasonable weather.
NO SCHOOL SIGNALS Elementary Schools
8 A.M., 2-2-2-2 on fire alarm system and radio announce- ment from Radio Station WNAC, means no morning session for elementary schools and opportunity classes.
12:45 P.M., 2-2-2-2 on fire alarm system and radio an- nouncement from Radio Station WHDH means no afternoon session for elementary schools.
High School and Junior High Schools
Regardless of weather conditions there will be sessions of the Senior and Junior High Schools through June, 1937.
SCHOOL TELEPHONES
Armitage
1090
Mansfield
1096
Ballard
1091
Sweetser
1097
Cliftondale
1092
North Saugus
1098
Emerson
1093
Roby
1099
Felton
1094
Oaklandvale
731
Lynnhurst
1095
High School
260
Superintendent's Office
775
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Saugus:
At a meeting of the School Committee held January 5, 1937, it was voted to accept the Annual Report of the Superin- tendent as the report of the School Committee required by the statutes.
GEORGE A. McCARRIER, Chairman.
6
ENROLLMENT-January 4, 1937
SCHOOLS
GRADES
TOTALS
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
10
11
12
P.G. Special
Armitage
33
25
21
29
33
30
171
Ballard
30
33
30
29
41
36
199
Ballard
41
35
76
Cliftondale
42
39
41
39
161
Emerson
32
22
35
29
118
Felton
43
41
42
44
37
41
248
Lynnhurst
13
17
16
11
18
17
92
Mansfield
38
30
27
33
128
North Saugus
14
13
16
12
13
15
83
Oaklandvale
21
9
15
23
19
12
99
Roby
43
44
48
47
41
40
263
Roby
39
33
13
85
Old Roby
26
20
11
57
Sweetser Grades
120
127
127
Central Junior High
150
322
472
High School
282
270
211
147
8
918
Specials
36
36
Totals
348
299
311
307
339
296
277
322
282
270
211
147
8
36
3453
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS
63
57
Sweetser Junior High
7
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1936]
Report of the Superintendent of Schools
To the Honorable School Committee and Citizens of Saugus:
It is both the duty and the privilege of the Superintendent of Schools to submit his fourth annual report, the same being the forty-fourth annual report.
ANOTHER YEAR OF PROGRESS
The year 1936 has been another year of distinct progress for the School Department. Academic standing has not only been maintained but improved. Our teacher personnel, as a whole, is probably at the highest point of efficiency in the history of our school system. Our school text books are being brought up to modern standards as fast as the limitations of our budget will permit. Our school buildings are in the best physical condition in a good many years. We, therefore, have much to be thankful for although the past four years have been years of extremely low school budgets.
The Superintendent of Schools has received loyal coopera- tion from the School Committee, the teachers of the system, parents, and students. His work has accordingly been a pleasure and it is with grateful appreciation that he expresses his thanks for the above mentioned splendid and loyal co- operation.
SCHOOL COSTS
For the fourth consecutive year the School Department has finished the year within its appropriation. This is a record of which the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools are proud.
The total school appropriation for the year 1936 amounted to $209,992.70. I am not including the money transferred from the High School Fire Account since the town received this money for fire insurance. I am also not including the transfer of $653.00 from the Finance Committee to cover the
8
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
cost of the oil burner explosion at the Central Junior High School. This $209,992.70 was only $975.56 more than was appropriated in the preceding year of 1935. Of this $209,992.70 appropriated in 1936 $204,992.70 constituted the general budget with $5,000.00 for schoolhouse repairs.
In passing may I again call to the attention of the citizens that back in the year 1931 the School Department appropria- tions were $224,683.00.
The 1936 appropriation of $209,992.70 does not represent the actual cost to the citizens of the town. The Common- wealth of Massachusetts refunded to the town treasury on the account of Education $34,188.86. The receipts of the School Department were $28.29. This made a total refund of $34,217.15. Deducted from the $209,992.70 this leaves $175,775.55 as the actual cost of the School Department to the citizens of Saugus for the fiscal year 1936. This is exact- ly $166.94 more than in the year 1935.
I can honestly say that every effort has been made at all times to insure an efficient financial administration of our school system.
FACULTY CHANGES
Although the depression has been a scourge and a curse to almost everyone it has been in some respects a blessing to our school system. It has enabled us to keep our experienced teachers when in prosperous times it would have been im- possible so to do. During the period of prosperity from 1924 to 1929 our teacher loss was terrific. It ranged from 25% to 33%. With the advent of the depression things changed and our teacher turnover fell to from 3% to 6%. This year we lost about the same percentage of teachers as we have each year since the advent of the depression.
A particular loss to our school system came in the death of Mr. Delbert A. Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler served for many years as Head of the Science Department in the Senior High School. His service was at all times faithful and efficient. Mr. Wheeler was a man unknown to many intimately. I knew him intimately. No teacher ever did more good for young men and women and said less about it. His reward will be
9
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1936]
as he would have it-in the silence of the Judgment. Death may erase his body but it can never erase the help, financial and otherwise, he gave to so many deserving and needy stu- dents.
Marriage claimed Miss Gertrude Hickey, Supervisor of Music; Miss Olive Neal, School Nurse; Miss Lillian Connell, teacher of grade six in the Ballard School and Miss Pauline Knox, teacher of grade one and two at the Oaklandvale School. With them in their new venture go the best wishes of the School Department.
After approximately 26 years of consecutive teaching ser- vice in the schools of Saugus, Miss Jeanette Nicholson, teacher of grade one, in the Armitage School, retired during the year 1936. It is the wish of the School Department that many years of health and happiness may yet remain to her.
TEACHER SALARIES
I would be remiss in my duties as Superintendent of Schools if I did not point out the fact that salaries of our teachers are extremely low. This is particularly true of the male teachers in the Senior High School. It is the judgment of 94 percent of the educational leaders of the country that a teacher should be paid a salary which will make it possible for his family to live as well as the average family in the community. Teach- ers incur expenses which may be unnecessary in other occupa- tions. In addition to the original outlay for a four to six year college education teachers must continue to better them- selves professionally. They must have membership in pro- fessional organizations, they must take extension and summer school courses, they must travel to broaden their educational outlook. All of these things cost real money. When a teacher's salary is too low the teacher is of necessity forbidden from improving himself as a teacher. Our male teachers do not receive salaries commensurate with the services they are rendering or with their position in the community.
The following shows clearly the present salaries, length of service teaching in Saugus, and the colleges where the teacher trained (Male teachers).
10
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Name of teacher
Yrs. teaching service College
Salary
Watson, Elmer
10 Bates College
$2100
Rice, Albion R.
7 Bates College
2000
Bund, Paul
11
Lloyd Training
2000
Hayes, M. Edward
11
University of N. H.
1900
Mccullough, Welcome W.
6
Bates College 1900
Gifford, John R.
6
Tufts College
1900
Warren, Harold
9
Univ. of Maine
1800
Davis, Ashton
6
Harvard College
1800
Haley, Harold
7
University of N. H.
1700
Blossom, Walter D.
6
Northeastern
1650
Pinciss, Abraham
6
Boston University
1650
Potts, Harry L.
5
Bates College
1650
Taylor, John A.
5
Boston University
1650
Leahy, John B.
3
DePauw University
1400
MacVicar, John A.
2
University of N. H.
1300
Chadsey, Earle
2
Harvard College
1250
The average teaching experience in Saugus of the above listed sixteen male teachers in the Senior High School is more than six years each. The average yearly salary of the sixteen is $1728.00. This is $272.00 per year less than the salary of a regular police officer or fireman in either of these town de- partments.
The School Committee and the Superintendent believe that these teachers, most of whom are married men with families, are deserving of decent salaries.
SCHOOLHOUSE REPAIRS
The sum of $5,000 was given the School Department in 1936 for schoolhouse repairs. Slightly more than $2000 of this $5000 was expended in replacing the unsanitary toilet facilities in the Old Roby School. This work is now entirely completed and the Old Roby School has first class modern toilet facilities as well as a proper system of ventilation.
The Committee thus had about $3000 left to make all neces- sary repairs in the thirteen other school buildings. This gave us an average of about $231.00 per building. With this money the Committee replaced all of the interior water pipe in the Oaklandvale School, repaired many bad leaks in the roofs of
11
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1936]
several other buildings and made other necessary minor re- pairs in the buildings of the system.
There are several extremely necessary repairs which should be made during 1937. They are as follows:
1. Completion of the replacing of toilet facilities in the Roby School.
2. Completion of the basement area in the Sweetser School to furnish a recreation area in winter weather as well as a place for the eating of lunches by the pupils.
3. Roofing job at the Roby School which includes the re- placing of two gutters. This job is particularly neces- sary if the building is to be preserved as it should be.
4. Waterproofing Ballard School.
The School Committee is still of the opinion that a school- house repair appropriation of $7000 per year is little enough to properly keep in repair one million dollars worth of school property.
It is true that our school property is in the best condition in years. It is good business to keep it that way. Money so expended is but the protection of an investment and one that in the long run pays real dividends.
SCHOLASTIC STANDING
Scholastically our schools remain at a high standard. In 1936 our Senior High School was again rated a Class A High School by the State Department of Education.
In 1934 the privilege of certifying our graduates to some fourteen leading colleges which are members of the New Eng- land College Entrance Board was renewed for four years or until 1938. Four year renewals are only granted to high schools whose scholastic standing is unquestionable. I believe that in 1938 our privilege will be renewed until 1942.
It is common knowledge that our graduates who enter col- lege more than hold their own with the graduates of other high schools.
12
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
HEALTH AND SANITATION
During the year 1936 our school children were probably more healthy than at any previous period in the history of our school system. Contagious diseases were kept at a mini- mum and the more serious diseases were not prevalent.
I believe that this condition is due almost wholly to the or- ganization within our school sytsem for the preservation of health. Each teacher is ever watchful for symptoms of ill- ness among her pupils. Once detected the school nurse is called to examine the child showing signs of illness. If the child shows symptoms of a contagious disease he is immediately excluded from school. If the illness appears to be serious the child is taken home and the parents advised to call their family physician. Emergencies, such as accidents, result in the call- ing of a school physician to the school.
During the year the four school physicians make periodic examinations of all school children in the school system. De- fects are pointed out and remedial measures suggested.
I cannot speak too highly of the work of Mrs. Anne Cheney Prendergast, School Nurse, and of the four school physicians. They are Dr. Myron H. Davis, Dr. Leroy C. Furbush, Dr. Mary Penny and Dr. James A. Clark.
Good health means much towards the securing of a good education.
Good sanitation in school buildings is also necessary to the preservation of the health of our school children. We have done much in this respect by insisting on modern toilet facil- ities in the Roby and Old Roby Schools. Citizens should visit these two schools and see the improvements that have been made.
NEED OF A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL
The time has arrived when Saugus should have a vocational or trade school. Our Senior High School now numbers more than 900 students. It is strictly an academic type of high school giving an excellent general education as well as pre- paring for institutions of higher learning. It offers very few,
13
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1936]
almost none, of the practical arts or vocational courses de- signed to prepare students for specific vocations.
Thinking citizens will agree that many of the more than 900 students now in our High School will never attend the higher institutions of learning. The general education is high- ly desirable but it may not directly help many students to earn a living in later life. Many high school students, especially boys, are manually inclined and obviously fitted for vocational training. They are not interested in Latin, French, History or perhaps many of the other subjects offered in our High School. They would be interested in mechanics, woodworking, printing, elementary engineering, and courses along these lines. Our High School has no such courses. Neither has it the space, facilities or personnel for their introduction. There- fore students vocationally inclined have little or no opportunity to receive the training to which I believe they are entitled. They may, it is true, enter an outside vocational school such as the trade schools in Boston, Beverly, Everett, Somerville and other cities. In such cases the Town of Saugus pays the tuition and receives a one-half reimbursement from the Com- monwealth. Relatively few students, however, can avail them- selves of this opportunity since there are transportation and other costs involved which must be borne by the parents of the students.
One thing is most certain. A boy or girl vocationally in- clined should have the same opportunity to develop his or her talents as a boy or girl who may be academically inclined. In our High School they do not have the same opportunity. Be- cause of lack of interest in the regular subjects of the curricu- lum they frequently leave high school as soon as possible and become what might be termed "maladjustment cases". It does not follow that because boys and girls cannot master cer- tain subjects that they are devoid of brains. They have brains but they may not be atuned to the interest of academic sub- jects. Many a brilliant surgeon, inventor and scientist showed little brilliancy while students in academic high schools.
I have given this matter much thought and careful consid- eration. In the interest of equality of opportunity for all boys and girls of high school age I most earnestly suggest that
14
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Saugus entertain the idea of establishing a vocational school. Its cost of operation, I understand, is shared by the Common- wealth.
We shall doubtless have to start in a small way. I recom- mend that we make this start in September 1937 by introduc- ing courses in woodworking. The teacher is available and the room is available at no extra cost to the town. The only necessary expenses would be for the purchase of materials and equipment. Some equipment is available at the present time.
THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM
The School Department appreciates greatly the thoughtful- ness of citizens who made possible the inclosing of Stackpole's Field for high school athletics. We are especially grateful to the members of the Saugus Lions Club for their help and en- thusiasm in this project. The fencing of the field should solve many of our previous athletic problems. The field should be sufficient for our needs for some years to come. There are two things, however, that should be done in 1937. The foot- ball playing field should be put into decent condition and ad- ditional bleachers should be provided. The School Department asks no more.
A good football team and a favorable home schedule of games should show substantial increased gate receipts in 1937.
Mr. John Leahy resigned from his coaching duties in Decem- ber 1936. He intends to remain, however, in the teaching profession. Some coaches may have produced better football teams but no coach ever gave more earnestly of his time and talents than Mr. Leahy. He retires from coaching with the record of having never flinched from his duty and of never having given to Saugus High School anything but the cleanest of sports.
Mr. Charles W. Harvey of Somerville was unanimously elected by the School Committee as Head Coach of Football, Head Coach of Basketball and Assistant Coach of Baseball. Mr. Harvey coached for the past two years at Northbridge High School, Northbridge, Massachusetts. He was very suc- cessful there producing a record of seventeen wins against
15
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1936]
three defeats in football as well as turning out first class base- ball and basketball teams. The new coach will teach English in the Senior High School and will commence his coaching and teaching duties on April 5, 1937. I have every reason to be- lieve that the election of Mr. Harvey indicates an era of ath- letic success for Saugus High School. His contract here is from April 5, 1937 to April 5, 1940.
I repeat what I said last year in my annual report. A gym- nasium is needed and needed badly. No one can give it to us but the the citizens of the town. Our Central Senior and Junior High School building houses nearly 1400 pupils at the present time. There are virtually no facilities for proper work in physical education. Nothing does more to build strong and healthy bodies in our young people than a regular sys- tematized physical education program. Such is impossible of attainment without a gymnasium.
The erection of a gymnasium would permit us to develop athletics among the girls as well as the boys. At present the girls do not have an equal opportunity with the boys in our athletic setup. Physical development is very closely allied to mental development. Coordination of the two is an heritage to which the modern youth is entitled. The lack of a gym- nasium has undoubtedly retarded the development and success of all our sports.
The cost of the erection of a gymnasium would probably be spread over a ten or fifteen year period. Such cost would most certainly impair the credit of the town or embarrass its tax- payers.
The School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools urges all citizens to give this matter their most earnest con- sideration.
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