USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1939 > Part 19
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Net 1939 Educational Cost
Although $227,650.00 (General Budget) and $5,000 (Repair Budg- et), a total of $232,650.00, was ap- propriated in 1939 for the ex- penses of education, this sum does not represent the amount of money expended by the taxpayers of Sau- gus for education. (School De- partment expenditures).
The following refunds have been returned to the town treasury dur- ing the year 1939:
State reimbursement on account of the employment of teachers. Chapter 70, Part 1, General Laws $34,565.00
Tuition from City of Boston. (For Boston wards). 178.24 Tuition from Commonwealth of Mass. (For State wards) 1,113.06
Miscellaneous income 56.00
Americanization Class. (State reimbursement) 193.50
Unexpended of 1939 appropriation
1,821.84
$37,927.64
This total sum of $37,927.64 in various forms of refunds lessens the cost of education to the tax- payers of Saugus by that amount. We, therefore, subtract this sum of $37,927.64 from the total amount appropriated ($232,650) in order to determine the actual .cost of education to the taxpayers of the town. This cost is $194,- 722.36 for the year 1939 and not $232,650 as most people believe.
Probable 1940 Budget
The 1940 General School Budget
would have shown a very substan- tial increase over the 1939 budget had it not been for the foresight of the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools. This substantial increase would have been caused by the following fac- tors :
(a) Full year of teacher step- rate salary increases granted Sep- tember 1939.
(b) Additional salary of a teach- er in Senior High School.
(c) Restoration of $800.00 text-
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
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book item deleated from 1939 bud- get.
(d) Teacher step-rate salary in- creases due in September 1940.
To offset this increase in a year when efforts were being made to effect a reasonable reduction in the tax rate, the School Committee shifted its elementary school popu- lation about a bit and temporarily closed the Mansfield School in June 1939. This closing saves the School Department approximately $7,000.00 in operating expenses for a full year. This saving offset $7,000.00 of the increase. Other items made a still further offset. Thus the School Committee was able to offset an almost certain substantial budget increase and present the citizens of the town with a 1940 General Budget sub- stantially the same as the budget of 1939.
The School Department has co- operpated one hundred per cent in doing its part to effect a substan- tial reduction in the 1940 tax rate. It is to be hoped that such efforts will be appreciated by all citizens of the town.
Scholastic Standing
Scholastically our schools re- main at a high standard.
Our High School s rated a Class A high school by the State Department of Education.
We enjoy the privilege of certi- fying our High School graduates to some fourteen leading colleges which are members of the New England College Entrance Board. This privilege does not expire until 1942. We believe that it will again be renewed at that time.
Our graduates now in institu- tions of higher learning are all do- ing a good grade of work. They thus reflect credit upon Saugus High School in which institution they received their preparation.
Textbooks
In 1939 by agreement the School
Department reduced its allowance for textbooks by $800.00. The 1938 figure was $3,300.00 and the 1939 figure $2,500.00. This can- not be done again in 1940 if our school textbooks are to be ade- quate and up-to-date. The $800.00 has been reinserted in the 1940 budget.
The expenditure for textbooks in Saugus schools is very low compared with other communities.
These figures taken from the latest available report of the State Department of Education prove this contention.
Expenditure
Name of Town per pupil
Greenfield $2.16
Norwood 2.13:
Southbridge 2.08
Braintree
2.06
Dedham 1.91
Milton
1.55
Winthrop
1.54
Wakefield
1.31
Saugus .94
Milford .42
The ten towns listed above are all of a comparable population to that of the Town of Saugus. Therefore they offer an honest comparison.
It has taken me seven years to raise our school textbooks to a modern high-grade level. Neither I nor the School Committee recom- mend a continued reduction of this: item in the 1940 budget.
Athletics
It is undoubtedly true that noth- ing has so made Saugonians for- get the $49.90 tax rate as the 1939. Saugus High school football team. This team brought the most fa- vorable type of publicity and the best kind of advertising. They were the second highest scoring team in the State, being topped only by Brockton. They were perhaps the best team in the State defensively. They won the North Shore championship and finished second in the State in Class C out of a total of fifty-one teams.
As proper Sachems they scalped Amesbury, Danvers, Swampscott, Salem, Woburn, Marblehead, Cambridge Latin, Gloucester and
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1939]
Wakefield. They tied powerful Melrose and lost only to Medford.
Too much credit cannot be given to Coaches Charles W. Harvey and Nicholas Morris. They worked hard and unceasingly to perfect the team. The loyalty and inter- est of the boys themselves was all that could be asked for.
In three years under Harvey and Morris the Sachems record stands: Won: 22. Tied: 2 Lost: 7 This record is but little short of remarkable when one considers that many of the opponents were Class A and B teams.
Financially the year was also a success. As a reward for their record the School Committee spon- sored a five-day educational trip to New York city for twenty-two members of the squad. The trip was made during the Christmas vacation. The total cost of the trip was about $1050.00 Approxi- mately $600.00 of this was taken from the athletic treasury and the balance raised by public subscrip- tion.
High School Band
Saugus High School now boasts one of the finest high school bands in the Commonwealth. Band Di- rector Donald Hammond and the band members deserve unlimited credit.
Starting from a nucleus of about twenty members the band now numbers over fifty accomplished musicians. They easily outshone any other high school band seen by Saugus citizens during the 1939 season.
It is the hope of the Superin- tendent of Schools to see the Sau- gus High School band soon com- prise one hundred members. It is also my opinion that some help should be given the band from general taxation. The unit has given to the town much desirable advertising. Why shouldn't the town help support the band ? It is becoming increasingly difficult to support it by begging and sup- plication.
Need of Vocational Training
For several years I have stressed the fact that our High School is
almost strictly an academic high school. The opportunity for stu- dents vocationally inclined is very slight. I still insist that the town must eventually meet this very definite educational problem.
More Adequate Appropriations
Each year, during the past seven years, the School Department has operated on appropriations far below those given communities in Massachusetts of comparable size. This has been done cheerfully and willingly in the interest of keeping expenditures at a minimum dur- ing depression years. It should not be assumed, however, that the appropriations of the past seven years were adequate. Each year something of major import- ance has had to be omitted or cur- tailed and limited to a point below the minimum needs to achieve a balanced budget.
By the end of 1942 the Town of Saugus should be in excellent fi- nancial condition-especially if it curtails further bond issues. At that time serious consideration should be given to liberalizing the school department appropriation.
Cost Comparisons
I present herewith two other in- teresting tables showing educa- tional expenditures in Saugus in comparison with such costs in nine other towns of comparable size. These figures were taken from the latest available state reports.
Table I shows the cost per pupil of General Control. General Con- trol includes the salary of the Su- perintendent of Schools, office 'ex- penses, clerks, attendance depart- ment and school census.
Table II shows the cost per pu- pil of the salaries of principals, supervisors and teachers.
You will notice in each table that Saugus stands at the bottom of the list and that the amount per pupil expended is very, very low.
TABLE I
Milton $3.43
Southbridge 3.35
Wakefield
3.32
Norwood 3.24
Greenfield
3.16
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[Dec. 31
Dedham
2.93
Milford
2.57
Braintree
2.12
Winthrop
2.04
Saugus
1.70
TABLE II
Norwood $92.67
Milton
83.65
Dedham
72.75
Greenfield
65.58
Wakefield
63.78
Winthrop 60.54
Milford
59.96
Braintree
59.71
Southbridge
50.10
Saugus
46.02
Care of School Buildings
I recommend a Schoolhouse Re- pair appropriation of at least $7,500.00 for the year 1940.
There are many repairs of im- portance which should be made to the fourteen school buildings owned by the town. Several of these are imperative but cannot be taken care of on an appropria- tion of $5,000.00
I list below several which should be taken care of as soon as possi- ble:
(1) All chimneys checked over and repaired where necessary. The hurricane of a year ago weakened several. They constitute a tential danger.
(2) Cornices on, brick build- ings. All should be checked and repaired where necessary. Some may be in a dangerous condition.
(3) A central heating plant should be installed in the Ballard School replacing the present five separate heating units. This should be done in the interest of economy and common sense.
(4) The replacement of consid- erable old water pipe in the High School building. This has caused trouble during 1939 and must be replaced in 1940.
There are scores of other repairs which should be made in the inter- ests of safety, sanitation, and the preservation of our school build- ings. The limitations of this re- port do not permit of their enu- meration.
It is my opinion that it is not wise and practical economy to
stint on Schoolhouse Repair appro- priations. A reasonable appro- priation for this type of work is a wise public investment.
Recommendations
I make the following recommen- dations knowing full well that some of them are impossible of realiza- tion at the present time. It is the duty of the Superintendent of Schools nevertheless to call them to the attention of the citizens:
(1) Better classroom facilities for the children in the special classes.
(2) New housing facilities for the Senior High school.
(3) Completion of the base- ment area in the Sweetser School to furnish a recreation area dur- ing the winter months as well as a. place for the eating of lunches by pupils.
(4) Improvement of play areas particularly at the Sweetser, Em- erson and Oaklandvale Schools.
(5) The appointment of a spe- cial teacher to relieve the elemen- tary school principals, thus giving them an opportunity to more close- ly supervise the work of their teachers.
(6) The introduction of voca- tional courses by one method or another for students in the Senior High school.
Thanks
To the members of the School Committee for their constant de- votion to the best interests of our- school system.
To William R. Salsman, Chief of the Fire Department, whose sin- cere help and cooperation has meant much to the School Depart- ment.
To the principals and teachers who have labored to make better citizens of our youthful school pop- ulation.
To John T. Stuart, Chief of the Police Department, for his person- al cooperation whenever required.
To Superintendent Ernest Mer- rithew of the Public Works De- partment for sincere cooperation at all times.
To the officers and members of
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1939]
the various Parent-Teacher Asso- ciations for their accomplishments and genuine cooperation during the year 1939.
To the Trustees of the Public Library for their efforts to im- prove our school library facilities.
To the members of the Finance Committee for their careful con- sideration of the needs and neces- sities of the School Department.
To Ralph Quirk, Town Account- ant and Harold E. Dodge, Town Treasurer, for their willingness to cooperate at all times.
To everyone else not specifically mentioned who has shown a true interest in providing the best pos- sible educational training for the youth of today.
Conclusion
In conclusion may I express the conviction that much good has been accomplished in our school system during the past decade. Our accomplishments have been made with very mediocre appro- priations at our disposal. I trust that in the years to come we may progress further towards the goal of perfection.
All we need to forge ahead edu- cationally is common sense, a lit- tle vision and plenty of courage.
Respectfully submitted, VERNON W. EVANS, Superintendent of Schools.
January 8, 1940. Mr. Vernon W. Evans,
Supt. of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report as school physician for the year 1939.
Following are defects found in students of the Senior High school after examination:
Teeth: Throat:
Fair-58 (enlarged tonsils)
Poor-76 Fair- 42
Very Poor-77 Poor-80
Very Poor-53
Heart Defects :- 2 Skin :- 2
Spinal Curvature :- 3
Hygienic conditions in our stu- dents remain about the same and
the defects as found again must be attributed to the general eco- nomic conditions.
Cooperation of all has been greatly appreciated by the school physicians and by the physicians of the Board of Health in their work relative e to immunization against diphtheria.
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES A. CLARK, M. D.
December 27, 1939.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans,
Superintendent of Schools, Saugus, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I herewith submit my report as School Physician for the year 1939.
The following are the defects found in the students of the Bal- lard, Emerson and Lynnhurst Schools, after examination:
Throat defects 119
Enlarged glands 25
Decayed Teeth 18
Poor nutrition
2
Skin eruptions-scabbies 1
Poor posture 2
Pediculosis 1
The reduction in the number of enlarged tonsils and cervical gland, noted again this year, is due to the fact that a large number of children had their tonsils removed during the summer vacation, and the School Nurse has a number booked for operation during the following months.
The parents, principals and teachers have cooperated in every way to eliminate communicable diseases from our schools.
I appreciate the appointment of another School Nurse, and feel that the general health and wel- fare of cur schools have been benefitted.
Respectfully, MARY M. PENNY, M. D.
December 28, 1939.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans,
Supt. of Schools, Saugus, Mass. Dear Sir: Once again I have the pleasure of presenting my annual report.
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[Dec. 31
The usual examination was made in the Armitage, Cliftondale, Felton and Sweetser schools with the following defects noted:
Decayed teeth 500
Enlarged tonsils 390
Enlarged glands 11
Poor nutrition 4
Poor posture 19
Heart defects 2
Pediculosis
8
Nasal defects
4
Diseases of the skin 6
It has been a pleasure to work in the schools this year.
The appointment of another
school nurse has improved the
working conditions. Health con- ditions is general appearance much improved.
The sanitary conditions in all four schools are excellent. I have only one criticism to make. This concerns the location and type of bubble fountains used.
Respectfully submitted,
LEROY C. FURBUSH, M. D.
Dec. 30, 1939.
Mr. Vernon Evans, Supt. of Schools,
Saugus, Mass.
Dear Sir:
Herein I delineate the results of my services as physician to my as- signed schools for the year 1939.
Physical surveys of the pupils in those schools disclosed the en- suing abnormalities:
Dental disorders 188
Tonsillar disease 71
Glandular enlargement 112
Cardiac disorders 2
Nutritional defects 34
Postural defects 29
Nasal deformity 1
The two cardiac conditions oc- curred in boarded scholars trans- ferring from other municipalities. They were remanded to their pre- vious physicians with whom both had long overdue appointments.
No epidemics of the common contagious diseases were experi- enced.
The teachers continue to merit their encomiums for intelligent co- operation in handling the trauma-
tic and contagious cases arising sporadically.
Very truly yours, J. O. WARD, M. D .-
Saugus, Mass, Dec. 30, 1939 .-
Mr. Vernon W. Evans
Supt. of Schools
Saugus, Mass.
Dear Sir:
I am pleased to present my an -- nual report for the year 1939. The attendance in the schools has on the whole been good.
Truancy on account of lack of cooperation by the parents, has been confined to a very few fam -. ilies.
On this account I have had to bring into court several parents. Most of the absences from: school, has been caused by sick- ness, much of this sickness on ac- count of lack of proper clothing, shoes and rubbers.
When this has been brought to. my attention, I have advised the parents of the proper authorities to apply to for these necessities .. Respectfully submitted, GEORGE I. HULL, School Attendance Officer ..
January 4, 1940.
Mr. Vernon W. Evans
Superintendent of Schools Saugus, Massachusetts Dear Mr. Evans:
I herewith submit my fifth an- nual report as principal of the Saugus High School.
Enrollment
School opened on September 6,. 1939, with 925 pupils in the senior high school and 415 pupils in the Central Junior High School.
Housing
During the past summer several changes were made within the. building. The Library was moved from the second floor up to the. alcove of the study hall. The old library was converted into a class room. One of the rooms on the. second floor of the new building was converted into an office prac- tice room. The old office practice room is now used as an office by-
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1939]
the head of the guidance depart- ment and the treasurer of school accounts. Chairs were purchased for the cafeteria.
The housing problem is still acute. As I stated last year lack of space makes necessary the un- satisfactory 7-period day, which results in a longer school day and shorter periods. The discipline problem is most certainly enhanced 'by the fact that under the supervi- sion of one teacher over one hun- dred pupils are required to study each period in the assembly hall, where, of course, no desks are pro- -vided.
Faculty
Miss Victoria Borys was trans- ferred from the junior high school to the commercial department. Miss Elizabeth Mead, a teacher of several years' experience, was en- gaged to take Mr. Frank Patter- son's place in the English depart- ment. Miss Helen Leyland was transferred from the Oaklandvale School to teach English in grade eight. Miss Dorothy Chatterton was transferred from the Armi- tage School to teach Litera: "e in grade eight. The first of Novem- ber Miss Chatterton resigned to take a position in Lynn and her place was filled by transferring Miss Pearl Belonga from the Oak- landvale School. Miss Barbara Walton, a graduate of Bridgewater Teachers College last June, was engaged as a substitute to teach mathematics in grade eight.
Several members of our faculty tock courses this year at summer school. It is interesting to note that eight members now hold M. A. or Ed. M. degrees and several more will receive them this year -or next.
Guidance
Miss Lavin has started her sec- ond year as head of the guidance ·department. ' She has already set up the organization for an exten- sive program of guidance. A new cumulative record card has been put into use.
Mr. Leahy has been working with her in this department taking charge of the mental aptitude testing program. Thirty-two ad-
viser groups have been set up in the senior high school. These groups meet on an average of once a month throughout the school year.
Revised Grading System for the
Junior and Senior High Schools
This system is simple and cap- able of a reasonably uniform in- terpretation by parents, students, and teachers.
A 90-100 Superior work, exceed- ing the requirements.
B 80-89 Good work. All required work consistently well done. A year average of at least 85% is required for certifica- tion for admission to college. C 72-79 Fair. Average work, regu- larly done.
D 70-71 Passing work but of in- ferior grade.
F 0-69 Failure. Unacceptable work.
I-Incomplete. Given only in cases of absences.
X-Credit for the subject but the teacher does not advise the pupils continuing the subject. (This applies only to pupils in grades 9-12).
All students should receive a passing grade the last school term in order to pass for the year. Citizenship grades are given by each subject teacher:
1-Excellent 2-Good 3-Fair
4-Poor.
Honor and Credit Lists
High Honor List-All A's. Honor List-Three A's and grade under B. Credit List-No grade under B.
no
The Extra-Curricular Program
As I stated in my report last vear a basic principle of modern educational theory is that the ideal curriculum consists of well select- ed typical experiences of life. The experiences offered by the infor- mal clubs, the class enterprises, the assembly programs and the school paper seem to be a most ef- fective method of integrating school with everyday life. Indeed, the extra-curricular experiences, carefully supervised and based upon vital individual interests,
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TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
sometimes have more educative
value than the usual classroom
experiences. Realizing this, we have tried to develop the extra- curriculum in Saugus.
This year we started the plan of running an eight period day frequently. The extra period is called the activity period. This period is sometimes scheduled the first thing in the morning while at other times it comes the last part of the day depending upon the nature of the activity.
Both the junior and senior high schools have girls' clubs, the for- mer sponsored by Miss Priest and Miss Morrison and the latter by Miss Hayward assisted by Miss Motherwell. There is also a boys' club in the senior high school spon- sored by the principal and the men teachers. There are monthly meetings with excellent programs scheduled for each group.
The Sachem Chapter of the Na- tional Honor Society was organ- ized this fall under the sponsor- ship of Miss Motherwell. An im- pressive installation service was held in October.
The Student Council has taken on a new lease of life this fall under the able sponsorship of Mr. Gibbs.
The glee club directed by Miss Goss presented a most successful operetta last spring. This fall they sang at one of the fall meet- ings of the Riverside Club.
The band under the leadership of Mr. Hammond has progressed remarkably. Last spring they gave two concerts in conjunction with the Amesbury High School Band, one in Amesbury and the other in Saugus before two very large au- diences. This past fall they made an excellent appearance at all of the football games. Saugus High School is considered to have one of the best if not the best high school band on the North Shore.
The Sahico Club. a senior com- mercial group sponsored for sev- eral years by Miss Marison con- tinues to be a strong organization. They did 'an excellent job of handling the business end of put- ting out the School Annual.
Mr. Gifford has sponsored a
very successful model airplane club. This club gave a very clever . demonstration at one of our assem- blies last spring.
The Ski Club continues to flour- ish under the able sponsorship of Mr. Chadsey. Several trips have been made to the White Moun- tains.
The English department spon- sors .several. extra-curricular groups. Miss Mead has taken over Mr. Patterson's duties as sponsor of the Public Speaking Club. Miss Sisco has done excellent work with the Dramatic Club. Two skits were presented over the radio re- cently. The club took charge of ' the Christmas assemblies.
The "Focus," with Mr. Davis, Mr. Burns and Miss Small as ad- visers appears now in printed form. Several new departments have been added and the paper is certainly a credit to the school.
Last June the "Tontoquonian" appeared for the first time as a school annual. Mr. Burns and his faithful staff deserve a lot of credit for the best book of this kind that has ever been published by Saugus High School.
One of Mr. Davis' senior English classes prepared and had mimeo- graphed a Freshman Handbook which was used as a text in all of the Freshman English classes for a short period this fall.
The baseball team last spring was one of the best to represent the school in several years. Mr. Friberg had only a few veterans at the beginning of the season .. but nevertheless the boys played an exceptionally good brand of baseball and won a large majority of their games.
The football team this year was one of the best if not the best that Saugus High School has ever had. After dropping the first game to Medford the boys went on to win nine games and tie one to. take the championship of the North Shore. The win over Salem by the score of 3-0 was the crown- ing point of the season. Both Mr. Harvey and Mr. Morris deserve all the praise that has been heapeď upon them.
During the Christmas vacation
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REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1939]
the School Committee sponsored an Educational Trip to New York City for 23 of the boys. Coaches Harvey and Morris, Dr. Clark- team physician, and the principal accompanied the boys on this trip.
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