USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Saugus > Town annual report of Saugus 1960 > Part 2
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At the Sweetser School we put in new floors in every classroom except two which were in good condition and were refinished. The building was also painted inside and the exterior trim refinished. I feel that with new light fixtures and a new floor in the Assembly Hall, this school should be free from major repairs for some time to come.
This department also did exten- sive work at the Roby School in 1960. New floors were put down in six classrooms, the Principal's office was enlarged, new access doors added between classrooms, and the entire interior painted. A new fire eye safety feature was also added to the present burner. bringing this installation within the State requirements.
At the Junior High School annex, which is used for twelve elemen- tary grades, new lighting was in- stalled in all classrooms, a public address system was installed, and the interior of this annex painted throughout. We also had major repairs to the stoker. and the boiler was recovered, putting this heating plant in good condition. In the boiler room, one boiler was retubed, and the fire boxes rebuilt in both. Although these boilers are quite old, 1 believe they will be suitable for some years with the proper maintenance and upkeep
In the Junior High cafeteria, new fluorescent lights were in- stalled around the kitchen area. These lights help greatly in the preparation and serving of meals.
In the year 1961 1 hope to be able to do a few more important projects at this school, such as new stair treads, some new plumb- ing, and general work in the base- ment and dining area. When these projects are accomplished, this school will also be in very good condition. New air valves were also installed throughout the heat- ing system during the year 1960, improving the efficiency of the heating plant.
The Cliftondale School is the last masonry building to be renovated, and we have plans to do extensive work there during 1961.
Our wooden buildings are being kept up to a suitable standard, but we hope that in the not too distant future, one or more of the older buildings can be eli- minated as a school.
A new oil burner was installed in the Lynnhurst School and it appears to be much more satis- factory than using soft coal.
The two new additions under construction at the Veterans (Continued on Page 4)
(Continued.an Page 4)
1
Between $350
&
$374
9
0
2
Between $300
&
$324
15
10
1
1
Between $325
& $349
12
$487.94 $458.64 $432.42 $403.79
$288.38 $256.94 $244.16 $221.01 ***
TOWN REPORT Page 3
TABLE I Per Pupil Expenditures in Sixty-four Towns
AMOUNT EXPENDED PER PUPIL
2
Grade V1 368
The Saugus Advertiser March 16, 1961
TOWN REPORT Page 4
Building Department
(Continued from Page 3)
Memorial School and the High School, are progressing very well. I believe that the Veterans Memo- rial School will be ready for oc- cupancy some time in February of 1961. The weather has been a poor factor in the construction of the addition at the High School, but certain parts are nearly ready for use; namely, the Home Econo- mics and shop areas.
It is my opinion that if the program established for our schools is followed through for several more years, all of our buildings will be in first-class condition, thereby needing only the usual maintenance each year.
In the above report I have men- tioned only the major repairs and renovations, but of course the Building Department is kept very busy throughout the year taking care of hundreds of minor repairs or breakdowns. I would like to be able in the future to handle all repair work within the de- partment, eliminating contracting for repairs; but at present with only four men, it is an impossible task.
The statistical report for the department is as follows:
TYPE
160 $863,500.00 Repairs &
Alterations
(Homes) 155 135,774.00
I (Other) 14 78,700.00
Garages
I (residential) 10 10,000.00
Stores 9 1,433,000.00
Store
E foundations 2
60,000.00
Hotel
1 327,000.00
Motel
(4 unit)
1
12,000.00
Stable
1
5,000.00
Additions
(School)
2 620,800.00
(Library)
1
33,164.00
Self Service
Restaurant 1 6,000.00
Mfg. Shop
1 15,000.00
Elevators
2 34,800.00
Storage bldg.
1 4,000.00
Sheds 3 12,550.00
Swimming Pool 1 5,000.00
365 $1,568,314.00
Buildings
' demolished
Receipis taken in by the Build- ing Department for the year 1960 are as follows:
Building Permis $6,189.00 Electrical Permits 1,730.75 Removal of gravel 180.00 Overhanging signs 19.00 Rental of T. H.
Auditorium 100.00
$8,218.75
From the above figures, it can be easily noted that the Town of Saugus is rapidly expanding. In 1960 there were less houses built than in 1959, but much more in- dustry and business. Sears Roe- buck & Company on Broadway was completed, and thirty-two other stores are under con- structlon in the same area. Zayres has. a large new store under con- struction at the corner of Route 129 and Broadway. The G-E-M chain. of stores also has a large discount store being built on Lynn Fells Parkway. These projects are the larger ones. built, or being built, in 1960, but of course there were numerous smaller business- es'constructed during this same period.
li is my belief that if Saugus going to become a community with a fairly stable tax rate, we must and should, allow much more business to locate here, even if gboC (Continued on Page 5) 19702
Superintendent of Schools
(Continued from Page 3)
Some administrative recommendations affecting the educational welfare of the junior high and elementary school boys and girls have not been implemented, mainly because of marginal plant facilities. Whether or not the recommendations of a professional survey team would be implemented is not known; the recommendations of the team would be more extensive than would be the recommendations of the administration; however, the recommendations would be parallel in all essential respects. In view of such duplication it seems too bad to spend money unnecessarily.
Senior high school education costs considerably more than does elementary school education; junior high school education costs somewhat more than the lower cost of elementary education and less than the high cost of senior high school education.
In Saugus, at the present time, grades seven and eight are classified according to state regulations as elementary school grades, con- sequently the following enrollments and per pupil costs are reported on this basis. The following figures for the school 1959-1960 relate to the foregoing discussion:
TABLE III
Expenditures for Support in the Elementary and Senior High School Grs.
Total
Number of Pupils Grades
Spent for Per Pupil
(Average Membership) Included
Support Expenditure
3351
Grs. 1 through 8 $823.204 $245.66
1178 Grs. 9 through 12 $502.766 $426.80
Of the total sum spent for the SUPPORT of schools (exclusive of General Control) in the amount of $1,325,970 for the school year 1959-1960; 38% was spent for 26% of the school population; 62% was spent for 74% of the school population.
Again, however, this is not to say that less should have been spent for the senior high school, but the figures do indicate why it is that our senior high school is showing the results of better staffing, more substantial advances in the development of curriculum materials and why it is possible to meet specific educational needs and to provide so much better for the wide range of individual abilities in the pupil population as contrasted with the less fortunate situation in the elementary and junior high school grades.
We find some contrasts in our school system in other respects also; for example, we support our junior and senior high school bands quite generously - yet art and vocal music and physical education in the junior high and elementary school grades is little more than a token of what it should be; there is lacking this year a staff member specifically in charge of elementary school supervision and curriculum coordination (although the cost of elementary school supervision contributed to last year's expenditures for the elementary school grades when a comparable position did exist in Saugus.) In this connection, in part at least, is the material in the Report of Mr. Ashton Davis. Because his Report is pertinent to this discussion I am incorporating it here.
REPORT OF JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL
A few months ago Dr. James Bryant Conant published his Mem- orandum to School Boards: Education in the Junior High School Years. Wide-spread interest has been shown inthis reportby Dr. Conant, who is respected by both educators and the general public for his opinions on education. His recommendations have been described as concise, conservative and practical.
The Conant study, in effect, provides several criteria for evaluating junior high schools. It should be our concern in Saugus that some of the educational policies and practices which Dr. Conant terms essential are curtailed or non-existent in this junior high school. These deficiencies are not caused by any lack of quality in our teaching staff; almost without exception they are the results of inadequate building facilities, the exigencies of the two-platoon systems, and the ever-present policy of rigid economy.
Following are some of the Conant recommendations together with brief descriptions of conditions in Saugus:
Dr. Conant recommends these required subjects for all pupils in grades seven and eight: English, social studies, mathematics, and science (all meeting one period a day five days a week) and art, music, physical education, home economics for girls and industrial arts for boys.
In Saugus Junior High School science meets three periods a week in grade eight and four periods a week in grade seven. Art and music are elective subjects taken by a minority of the pupils; physical education is not offered; and industrial arts and sewing are required subjects for grade eight, but are not offered to grade seven.
Dr. Conant advocates extra instructional periods in reading and arithmetic for pupils who are a year or more below grade-level expectancy.
Developmental reading is taught in our grades seven and eight, but there are no special remedial classes in mathematics and reading.
The report states that "some, if not all, pupils should start the study of a modern foreign language on a conversational basis with a bilingual teacher in grade seven."
Although conversational French is taught with the aid of television in grades four and five, no foreign language is offered at present ir grades seven and eight.
Dr. Conant states that there should be a full-time specialist o. the equivalent in guidance and testing for every 250 to 300 pupils in grades seven and eight.
To fulfill this requirement we would need three such specialists: we have none.
The report further declares that the junior high school should have a program of intra-mural athletics. (Dr. Conant is opposed to inter- scholastic athletics in the junior high school.)
We have no athletic program.
Along with other special facilities the Conant report advocates a gymnasium with locker rooms and showers, specially equipped home
economics rooms for girls, and cafeteria space for at least one third of the student body.
We lack a gymnasium, locker rooms, and showers. Our single sewing room is'entirely inadequate; our cafeteria seats only about one sixth of the student body.
The Conant report states that a staff of 50 professionals for every 1000 pupils is the minimum acceptable ratio for junior high schools, and recommends up to 59 professionals for every 1000 pupils. This 50-1000 ratio would require a minimum staff of 41 in our seventh and eighth grades; we have a staff of 32.
I have listed these recommendations, realizing that their total fulfillment is not a probability, at least in the near future. I believe, however, that Saugus citizens wish to be informed as to what is considered good current practice -- at least byone eminent authority -- and that the town will continue to strive toward its attainment. It should be pointed out that many of our needs such as a gymnasium; adequate library and cafeteria; suitable guidance facilities, food and clothes laboratories, shops, science laboratories, and crafts room; and adequate outdoor play space and parking facilities cannot be realized until a new junior high school is built.
At the time of this writing, plans are in progress for the return of the junio high school to single session. Within a few weeks twelve of our sixteen elementary rooms will transfer to Veterans Memorial School, making it possible for our seventh and eighth grades to return to a regular school day.
It is not necessary to review the detriments of the two-platoon system. It suffices to say that the pupils will again receive some of the educational advantages they have been denied. Fortunately, although we have found it necessary to limit our co-curricular program, we have been able to maintain the standards of our academic subjects. Median scores for the Iowa Test administered last May were up to, or above, the national norms in ten out of eleven categories in both grades seven and eight. Only in the mathematics problem-solving test did our pupils average below the norm, and on that test they were less than two months below; on some tests our pupils as a group were one half to one year advanced.
1 believe that collectively we have the strongest faculty we have ever had in the junior high school. That the esprit de corps among our teachers is high is evidenced by the fact that all our full-time teachers returned in September, although several had good offers to go elsewhere. Because of increased enrollments in grade seven, two additional teachers, Mr. Leonard Wall and Mr. Roger Anzalone, were added to the faculty.
At the junior highschool we have tried, with much success, I believe, to encourage .friendly co-operation between the home and the school. It is my hope that parents in Saugus have the assurance that they are welcome to school to discuss problems with the teachers and principal and that parents have the confidence that our staff is interested in the welfare of every pupil as an individual. We are proud that we have a P.T.A. membership of 1034, one of the largest in the state.
In this report I wish to commend Mr. John Capomaccio for his time- consuming work in preparing our first annual handbook for seventh graders and Mr. John Curry, adviser for our safety club, which won second honors in the Commonwealth for the excellent quality of its program.
The acquisition this fall of three portable science laboratory units (with the aid of Public Law 85-864 federal funds) has made it possible for our science teachers to provide demonstrations and experiments in the classroom.
For the pupils and teachers I wish to express thanks to the town officials and to the building department in particular, for the re- decorating last summer and installation of new lighting fixtures in the twelve rooms of the elementary annex. My personal appreciation is also extended to Superintendent Eddy and the School Committee for their continued co-operation in the administration of the Saugus Junior High and Central Elementary Schools.
Ashton F. Davis, Principal IOWA TESTS OF BASIC SKILLS
The Iowa Test of Basic Skills were administered in grades 3 through 9 in May, 1960. The results will be found in appendices of this Report.
As in past years the median scores on these tests indicate that Saugus pupils, in grades tested at least, are achieveing above the national norms in the fundamental subjects. Such results are gratify- ing and to a casual observer speak well for the efforts of the teachers. However, the results and the median scores point to significant departures that we should undertake. A brief analysis of the READING COMPREHENSION scores for the sixth grade illustrates the point 1 want to make.
426 sixth grade pupils took this test.
The National Norm was 6-9 (the score of a pupil in the 9th month of the 6th grade)
The Saugus MEDIAN score was 7-1 (the score of a pupil in the Ist month of the 7th grade)
The HIGHEST score of a Saugus 6th grader was 11-6 (the score of a pupil in the 6th month of the 11th grade)
The LOWEST- score of a Saugus 6th grader was 4-2 (the score of a pupil in the 2nd month of the 4th grade)
82 Saugus pupils scored between the 6th month of the 9th grade and the 6th month of the 11th grade.
66 Saugus pupils scored between. the 4th month of the 8th grade and the 6th month of the 9th grade.
112 Saugus pupils scored between the 2nd month of the 7th grade and the 4th month of the 8th grade.
92 pupils scored between the 3rd month of the 6th grade and the 2nd month of the 7th grade.
86 Saugus pupils scored between the 4th month of the 5th grade and the 3rd month of the 6th grade.
38 Saugus pupils scored below the 4th month of the 5th grade (the 2nd month of the 4th grade being the lowest score.)
In percentages: 23% of our 6th grade pupils had a reading achieve- ment from a year and a half up to four years and seven months above their grade level.
(Continued on Page 5)
# VALUATION Dwellings
1960 Report Town Accountant
To The Town Manager:
In accordance with the provisions of Chapter 41. Section 61 of the General Laws of Massachusetts 1 herewith submit the Annual Report of all financial transactions by Town Officials and Depart- ments and a statement of the Financial Condition of the Municipal Government for the year ending December 31. 1960.
TOWN INDEBTEDNESS
During the year 1960 the town increased the bonded debt by $625, - 000.00. This sum was voted Nov. 16, 1959, along with available funds in the amount of $150,000.00. for addition to the Veterans Memorial School and additions to the Senior High School. On Dec. 31, 1960 total debt amounted to $2,961,000.00. A detailed brakedown of bonded debt has been included in this report.
TEMPORARY LOANS
Loans to finance municipal government again increased over last year by $200,000.00 making a total borrowing of $1.000,000.00. Total interest costs on Temporary Loans was $11,007.85. All loans wcre paid by December 31.1960.
TAX TITLES AND POSSESSIONS
On January 1, 1960 there was $17,339.38 outstanding on Tax Titles. Redemptions during the year amounted to $11,157.12. Taken by the Collector for unpaid taxes amounted to $9,299.98. Abatements and audit adjustments in the amount of $507.45 left an outstanding balance Dec. 31, 1960 of $14,974.79.
Outstanding Tax Possessions on Jan. 1, 1960 amounted to $66,- 843.37. Sold at public sale, during the year, by the Selectmen netted the town $18,561.75. Adjustment by audit of $1,153.01 left a balance of $49.434.63 on Dec. 31, 1960. The Sale of Tax Possessions increased over 1959 by $14,762.75.
GENERAL FINANCIAL CONDITIONS
Increased receipts in Motor Vehicle Excise Revenue, Old Age Assistance, Corporation Tax and other miscellaneous accounts com- bined to create a surplus of $82,569.96 in Estimated Receipts which were transferred to Surplus Revenue.
Unexpended balance in Appropriations amounted to $53,001.28 which was also transferred to Surplus Revenue. The above amounts brought the Dec. 31. 1960 balance of Surplus Revenue to a healthy $341,036.79 an increase of $146,081.00 over last years balance. Based on last years balance and certified free cash, 1960 Free Cash shold be approximately $200,000.00.
Respectively submitted Irving E. Campbell Town Accountant
TOWN OF 'SAUGUS BALANCE SHEET DECEMBER 31, 1960
ASSETS
CASH:
General
902.165.49
Special Deposit:
829.03
Surplus War Bonus Fund
Advance for Petty:
Collector
100.00
ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:
TAXES:
Levy of 1958
4.
5.80
Levy of 1959
Personal Property
891.46
Levy of 1960
Poll
94,00
Personal Property
3,716.86
Real Estate
107,389.02
111,199.88
Superintendent of Schools
(Continued from Page 4)
26% of our pupils were reading from two months to a year and / one-half above their grade level.
21% of our pupils were reading from grade level down to six months below grade level.
20% of our pupils were reading from six months down to one year and a half below grade level.
10% of our pupils were reading from one and one-half years to two years and seven months below grade level.
A group of 426 pupils may be thought of as typically represen- tative of the whole school population. It is obvious that we should attempt to do much more than aim our offering and our teaching time at the middle group; our offering should be so organized from grade to grade, as well as within each grade, that pupils may receive maximum educational ·benefits whether or not they learn slowly or rapidly. The coordination of the curriculum, or its organization, if you will, requires specific and skillful attention. Teaching pro- cedures, time allotment and pupil measurement also should have specific attention; procedures for developing pupils' skill at all learning levels and the use of materials that will forward this development are further needs which we should attempt to advance. All of these departures and many more are basic to the better educational opportunities that should be available to our young people. All of this has reference to section of this Report dealing with SCHOOL NEEDS.
CONCLUSION
Following are the Reports of Special Subject teachers, the Report of the High School Principal, and the appendices.
Rhoden B. Eddy
Superintendent of Schools
Motor Vehicle and Trailer
Excise: Levy of 1959 Levy of 1960
4.485.51 65,350.95
69,836.46
Special Assessments:
Sidewalk Assessments added to Taxes 1960
26.07
Committed Sidewalk
Interest 1960
5,33
Sewer Assessments
added to Taxes 1960
105.69
Committed Sewer
Interest 1960
40.10
Unapportioned Sewer Assessments
8,271,04
Sewer Rentals added to
Taxes 1960
129.73
Sewer Rentals:
June 1960
477.00
Dec. 1960
1.434.50
Unapportioned Water Mains
12,244,93
Water Main Assessments added to Taxes 1960 77.42
Committed Water Main Interest
25.52
22,837.33
Tax Title and Possessions:
Tax Titles
14,974.79
Tax Possessions
49,434.63
64.409.42
Departmental:
Ambulance
445.20
General Relief Cities
& Towns
988.33
General Relief Individuals
1,077.09
Aid to Dependent Children
3,184.47
Old Age Assistance
1.00
O.A.A. Cities & Towns
2,541.32
8,237.41
Water:
Liens added to Taxes 1960
2,465.33
Rates:
June 1959
10,00
June 1960
5.838.83
Dec. 1960
23.237.27
Maintenance 1960
922.23
32,473.66
Aid to Highways:
State
20.092.12
29.330.54
Unprovided for or Over-
drawn Accounts:
Underestimates 1960
County T.B. Hospital
4,234.40
Public Law 874
209.84
Emergency Snow
Ch44-S. 31
11,274.57
Investigations Ch.17-S.7
147.00
Recoveries O.A.A.
1,316.15
17.181.96
Bank Statements show
cash bal. as of Dec.31,1960,
as follows:
Saugus Trust Co. $ 466.831.94
Merchants National 20,802.98
National Shawmut 4 788.12
First National 2,452.17
Petty Cash 50,00
National Shawmut,Spec.311,216.85 Land Sale Account in
Safe Keeping 100,000.00
Stabilization Fund 203,672,00
$1.109,814.06
Add: Deposits in
Jan. 1961 applicable to 1960
3,814,47
Deduct: Checks outstanding 211,463.04
A
Cash in Treasury,
December 31,1960 $902,165.49
The following Trust
Funds are in the cus-
tody of the Treas .:
Surplus War Bonus Fund $ 829.03
Postwar Rehabil-
itation Fund 21.90
Benjamin N. Johnson Library Fund 144,64
Cemetery Perpetual Care funds Cash in Savings Acct. 95,866.69 Securities 120,000.00
Contributory Retire- ment Fund
Cash in Checking Acct. 58,524.96 Securities 274,650,35
Trust Fund Income:
Ora Maitland Kimball Welfare
1,682.59
Johnson Library
962.03
Kimball Library
258.82
Wilson Library
276.54
Cemetery Perpetual Care
6,438.44
9,618.42
TOWN REPORT Page 5 Building Dept.(Cont. from 4)
it means rezoning present land for business.
In conclusion 1 want to say that it has been a pleasure to work under the direction of a Town Manager who shows interest in each department, and cooperates at all times, whether the project in question is large or small. I wish to thank at this time, the Chief of the Fire Department, Chief Maguire, for the coopera- tion shown by him and his depart- ment at all times. Also I wish to thank all other departments for their cooperation during 1960. Also I want to commend the members of the Building Department main- tenance crew for their continued efforts and cooperation at all times.
With the same cooperation in the future as it has been in the past. 1 am sure that the Town of Saugus will benefit greatly. -
Respectfully submitted, : Walter J. Daniels Supt. of Bldgs. and Inspector of Buildings
1
1960 Report Treasury Dept.
Herewith is submitted the Report of the Treasury Department of the Town of Saugus for the year ended December 31, 1960.
The duties of the Town Treas- urer are to receive and disburse all monies of the Town, borrow temporary money in anticipation of revenue, if necessary, and to float all Bond Issues. The Treas- urer is custodian of all Trust Funds, Cemetery Perpetual Care Accounts and the Contributory Retirement Fund. Tax Titles and Tax Possessions also come under the jurisdiction of this office. Cash in Treasury.
January 1, 1960 $ 506,097.04
Receipts to
December 31, 1960 5,766,341.57 6,272,438.61
Expenditures to
December 31, 1960
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