USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Swampscott > Town annual report of Swampscott 1935 > Part 12
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Transfers. ..
10,000.00
00.00
00.00
Poll taxes .
*9,457.00
*9,644.00
Property taxes .
604,143.39
628,836.41
*9,807.00 577,167.31
6,506.00 684,925.56
Totals .
$798,241.36
$786,907.71
$682,601.47
$757,217.34
$791,921.10
APPROPRIATIONS FOR WATER DEPARTMENT OR MONEY RAISED ON BOND ISSUES NOT INCLUDED IN ABOVE FIGURES
Amounts bonded.
$50,000.00
$0.00
$00.00
$00.00
$00.00
Value of buildings
15,444,237.00
15,525,047.00
15,454,462.00
15,402,015.00
15,329,891.00
Value of land .
7,079,414.00
7,018,415.00
6,950,961.00
6,855,872.00
6,805,751.00
Value of personal property
1,168,246.00
1,276,099.00
1,248,875.00
1,215,044.00
1,240,657.00
Total valuations
23,691,897.00
23,319,561.00
23,654,398.00
23,472,931.00
23,376,299.00
Tax rate.
25.50
26.40
24.40
27.00
29.30
Polls .
3,147
3,204
3,172
3,304
3,253
Population 10,328.
*Includes Old Age Assistance Tax.
123
REPORT OF BOARD OF ASSESSORS
1935]
Estimated receipts
VALUATION CARD - TOWN OF SWAMPSCOTT
Building
Roof
Year Constructed
Estimated Cost
Plan
Lot
Flat.
Hip.
Gable.
Gambrel .
Height
Ground Area
Cubic Feet
Number of Rooms
Repl. Value
Dormer
Interior Attic Finished . Attic Open
Class
Unit Value
Unit Value
Assessment Value
Foundation
Stone. .
Concrete.
. Hot Water Heat
Brick.
Steam Heat . . Hot Air . .
Walls
Clapboard . .
Shingle .
Brick .
Stucco
Root
Shingle Wood. Shingle Compo . . Shingle Asbestos Slate Metal .
. Elec. Lights . . Gas Light .
.
.
. . . . .
Sketch of Building
Use Space on Inside of Card for Miscellaneous Memorandum
[Dec. 31
TOWN DOCUMENTS
124
-
$.
$ ..
.
Oil Burner .
. Gas Burner . .
. Bath Rooms
. Extra Fixtures .
$ ..
Bungalow. . . Single House Two Family House. . Three Family House. Apartment House ... Stable . Garage Sep. Garage With
Owner . .
Plan . . Lot .
Remarks and Sketches
Zone. Av. Depth.
Frontage .
Area .
Unit Value of District
% Value Due to Depth.
Actual Unit Value .
Corner Influence .
Assessment Value .
1935]
REPORT OF BOARD OF ASSESSORS
125
126
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
School Committee-1935
Thomas S. Bubier, Chairman
3 Beverly Road
Leo J. Coughlin
Ja. 2579
Philip A. Graham
Br. 1169-W
40 Beach Bluff Avenue
Philip H. Stafford
26 Banks Road
Br. 2927-M
Regular meeting, second Wednesday of each month
Superintendent of Schools and Secretary of the School Committee Frank L. Mansur
88 Banks Road Br. 2193
The office of the Superintendent of Schools is open on school days from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M .; Saturdays from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 M.
School Calendar-1936
Winter term begins
Thursday, January 2 Friday, February 14
Winter term closes
Spring term begins
Monday, February 24
Spring term closes
Friday, April 17
Summer term begins
Monday, April 27
Summer term closes
Tuesday, June 16
High School Graduation
Tuesday, June 9
Fall term begins
Wednesday, September 9
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
In making its report for the year 1935 the School Committee is glad to find that probably the most difficult problem that the town has faced for the past ten years is nearly solved. The new high school is now under way. Whatever may be said as to location, cost and design, the important fact is that we are to have a school. More than that, from our knowledge of the plans and specifications, we feel certain that the school will be up-to-date, as well arranged as can be expected where its basis is an old building, and large enough to accommodate the town's high school population for many years.
As has been the case for the past number of years, the School Committee has closed the year with a substantial balance in the treasury and has sub- mitted a budget for the coming year calling for a smaller appropriation than last year. It may be of interest to the townspeople to study the following table covering school appropriations and expenditures for the past four years :
Year Appropriation
Amount Expended Balance
1932 $203,175.00
$197,261.26
$5,913.74
1933 184,770.00
182,169.60 2,600.40
1934 190,108.46
187,514.21 2,594.25
1935 188,926.00
The School Committee feels these economies have been effected without any loss to the efficiency of the schools and on the contrary believes the schools are presently at the highest peak of accomplishment attained in many years.
As the exact completion date of the high school addition is at this early time as yet undetermined, the Committee in submitting its budget for the year 1936 has included the operation of only such plant as is now in use by the School Department.
It can safely be assumed, of course, that with completion of the addition there will be increased expenses for janitorial services, light, heat, water, etc. The Committee feels it is better to ask for merely the usual appropriation at this time, make every reasonable effort to have that appropriation go as
Br. 3893
5 Essex Terrace
11 Humphrey Terrace
John R. Hurlburt
Br. 3754
127
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1935]
far as possible and if the addition is completed before the end of the year and sufficient funds are not on hand to care for the increased items, then would be a proper time, rather than now, to request a supplementary appro- priation.
The Committee directs the attention of the townspeople to the fact that there will be inserted in the Warrant an article calling for the replacement and modernizing of the toilet facilities at the Clarke School. It has been the custom of the Committee to submit a special article in the Warrant when a major or extraordinary repair is required in a school building as it is the feeling of the Committee that the expenditure of an amount for repairs over $2,000.00 should have the specific approval of town meeting members. The toilet facilities at the Clarke School are part of the original installation, are totally unsuited for school purposes because of sanitary and other reasons, and we feel should be replaced with modern plumbing at the earliest possible time. In order to remedy this condition we recommend that the town meet- ing appropriate the sum of $3,000.00 for the installation of modern toilets. Even if this item of extraordinary repairs were included in our budget, the amount asked for maintenance is substantially less than last year.
The balance of the school plant has been maintained in a good state of repair and the work contemplated to be done in the coming year involves work which might be classed as ordinary and due to normal wear and tear. The principal items proposed are detailed in the Superintendent's annual report, also printed herewith.
The Committee during the past year passed a ruling which will permit local residents, otherwise qualified for teaching duties except in the element of actual experience, to qualify as candidates for teaching vacancies in our elementary and junior high schools. The Committee also passed appropriate rulings in connection with the new State Laws on flag salute and teachers' oath.
The Committee during the past few years has made a thorough study of salary schedules for women as adopted in other communities of the ap- proximate size of Swampscott. To eliminate the misunderstandings which have occurred in the past, to acquaint new teachers definitely with their possibilities for material advancement and to offer an inducement to teachers now in the system to improve their academic standing, with consequent benefit to the school children, the Committee early in the past year placed in effect a salary schedule. This schedule fixes the minimum salary to be paid to new teachers, is based on training and experience and provides for definite and stated annual increments until the maximum is reached. Thus the salaries of women teachers will be handled automatically.
The Committee during the past year appointed a new male instructor of physical education and in the interests of economy and efficiency con- solidated the boys' physical education departments of the High and Junior High Schools, although of course separate classes are held in each school as in the past. Before appointing the new Physical Education Instructor and Coach the Committee reviewed the records and personally interviewed many candidates and feel that a wise selection was made. The Committee is satis- fied with his accomplishments to date and feels he is laying a good ground- work for a successful regime.
We have devoted every effort to keep the scholastic standing of our schools at a high grade. The figures given in the Superintendent's report, as well as the results of our graduates in college entrance examinations and in , college standing, seem to indicate that the results have been good.
The Committee desires to extend its appreciation to the Superintendent, to the supervisory and teaching force and to the janitors and other employees for their co-operation and loyal assistance during the past year.
Respectfully submitted,
THOMAS S. BUBIER, Chairman, LEO J. COUGHLIN, PHILIP A. GRAHAM, JOHN R. HURLBURT, PHILIP H. STAFFORD.
128
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
REPORT OF SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
To the School Committee of the Town of Swampscott:
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my annual report as Superintendent of Schools for the year now ending.
Outstanding events this year have centered about the High School. In the first place, we have a new building. In the next place, there have been interesting internal trends.
I have watched the course of events in the high school with interest for nearly five years. In the beginning it seemed to me that I had never known a school with less pride in itself-less interest as a group, either in its sur- roundings or in its accomplishments. This, I believe, had its inception not originally in the pupils but in the community, which on the basis of tradition, seemed to have little faith in the school. It did not seem to me that such an attitude was justified. The corps of teachers was strong, and being improved. The quality of pupils was high. The only test that the community chose to. apply-successful entrance to the colleges-was being met.
Whatever the events may be that have led to a change in state of mind, it is interesting that a change has come almost hand in hand with steps to improve physical circumstances. Briefly, the building has been repaired to the point that it is at least presentable. Courses of study have been altered. to accord with the fact that about seventy percent of the pupils are not intending to go to college but are not therefore, unentitled to at least the: same amount of the opportunity provided for pupils who are. To this latter end the Manual Arts course has been greatly expanded and moved to better quarters at the Hadley School, with the result that enrollment in the course has doubled. The Commercial Course has been intensified and a new branch -that of office machine work-introduced, with equipment as good as and probably better than that of any school of our size in the state. In its first year this branch shows an enrollment of forty-five pupils.
At the present time we come nearer to possessing a school of normal attitude than I have known heretofore in Swampscott. The number of mis- fits-always sources of difficulty-has been materially reduced, not by elimi- nation but by adjustment. The personal conduct of most pupils is business- like and responsive rather than unco-operative. The scholastic Honor Roll is at its peak as compared with the past. The number of subject failures last year was fifty percent less than for the preceding year. In other words, the student body as a whole seems to have responded like any other social body to efforts to better its environment and conditions. With the new build- ing an actuality, this is at least a hopeful prospect for the future.
We sent pupils into the freshman class of the following colleges this fall: Bates, Boston University, Brown, Duke, Harvard, Jackson, Massachusetts. Institute of Technology, Massachusetts State College, Mt. Holyoke, Norwich, Radcliffe, Simmons, Smith, Minnesota, and Wheaton.
Early last spring we granted permission to representatives of the Uni- versity of Pittsburgh to make certain tests in grades eleven and twelve of the senior high school, for the purpose of validating the results of other tests they were making while surveying the Wellesley School System. As the: examiners explain in their report: "Since the tests were newly adopted forms, it was necessary to secure evidence of the performance of other high school pupils on these measures. For this purpose the co-operation of the school authorities in Belmont, Norwood and Swampscott was asked and obtained."
The tests were not subject matter tests, but were measures of the more general skills and powers involved in analyzing and organizing material. The first-called "Study Performance"-is composed of eight excerpts from history, science, and similar fields, so chosen as to be of about the level of difficulty required in outside readings in freshman college courses. Each excerpt is followed with paired sets of notes. It was the student's task to choose the better of the two sets of notes in each pair. Thus, the test is both an index of comprehension and of judgment in note taking."
129
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1935]
The second-"The English and American Vernacular Test"-is an adaptation of a test used in a first year college experiment at the University of Minnesota. For this measure the students were given a pleasing, exposi- tory essay of twelve paragraphs dealing with differences in British and Amer- ican speech. The student's task was to indicate the author's organization and to answer specific questions bearing on the essay. The latter required the organization of the essay as one should organize it in studying to make it permanent."
The results are listed below.
Test and School
Grade
College Group Score
Business Group Score
All Pupils Score
All Except College Score
Study Performance
School A
12
26.6
13.9
18.1
15.7
School B
12
24.7
13.8
18.3
15.0
School C
12
22.1
15.0
18.0
16.3
Swampscott
12
25.5
17.2
20.5
16.2
Study Performance
School A
11
22.8
15.8
18.9
15.7
School B
11
23.3
13.7
17.4
14.1
School C
11
20.7
16.1
15.6
14.4
Swampscott
11
20.9
16.9
18.5
16.2
American and English
Vernacular Test
School A
12
21.5
9.8
15.9
11.0
School B
12
19.3
11.5
14.6
11.9
School C
12
18.0
11.1
12.5
11.1
Swampscott
12
21.5
13.0
18.4
12.2
American and English
Vernacular Test
School A
11
18.3
8.0
10.4
7.7
School B
11
17.8
10.6
13.5
10.6
School C
11
17.4
10.7
12.0
10.9
Swampscott
11
16.2
9.5
13.4
11.9
.
Out of the sixteen opportunities above, in competition with three other schools of excellent standing, our pupils registered the highest scores on nine occasions, and were either highest or next to highest on thirteen occasions. It is seldom that we are able to get unbiased evidence of excellence. It appears to me, however, that the evidence of these tables is convincing beyond dispute.
Our financial statement at the end of this report indicates that we are again closing the year with an unexpended balance. It should be noted in this connection that $1400.00 of this balance was in a way "ear marked" for a definite expenditure. At the time the budget was approved and appropri- ations made for the year, our intention was to fit up the cubicle at the rear of the high school so as to gain a necessary additional room. The furthering of the new school project made such expenditures inadvisable, and we are glad to return the sum intact.
Our budget for 1936 will show no increase over 1935, except in the matter of one major repair project which will be submitted to the town meeting in a special article. This deals with the modernizing of the toilets at the Clarke School. These toilets are antiquated, and are in fact so small as to be in- adequate for many pupils who have to use them. The undertaking has been postponed from year to year because of other projects that seemed more pressing at the time, but I would not recommend further postponement.
There are no other repairs of an extraordinary nature in sight for 1936. An attempt has been made to do a certain allotment of painting and re- decorating each year in order to maintain the appearance and condition of buildings without unusual expenditure in any one year. I recommend that four rooms in the Junior High School and four in the Machon School be redecorated, and that the exterior of the Machon School be painted this year.
130
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Major repairs during 1935 included: Exterior painting of Clarke and Stanley Schools; interior painting of classrooms at the Hadley School and corridors in the Junior High School; painting of walls at the Junior High School; redecorating the Machon School Auditorium; relaying of two floors in the Clarke School; top dressing of lawn of Stanley School.
In preparing the budget for 1936, the element of operation costs that a new building will entail can hardly be arrived at with any accuracy. We anticipate the necessity of a janitorial force-probably another man and a woman-in addition to our present corps. Fuel, electricity and water bilis are bound to be higher, but we have no information yet on which to base any reliable judgment as to amount. It seems to me that we should attempt to make no estimate on these items yet, since we are not certain even as to exactly when the building will be available for use. I suggest that we make plain to the town that we will go as far as possible on our present budget, but advise them we may have to ask for more when the time for taking over the operation of the new plant is at hand. This seems fairer to all concerned than to ask now for a sum that may prove later to be either excessive or in- adequate as the case may be.
We have taken full advantage of the funds available from Federal sources to assist worthy high school pupils financially. A quota of $60.00 a month is allowed us to be granted in allotments of not over $6.00 per month per pupil, such pupils to perform work of certain specified nature to be super- vised by the principal of the high school. We have ten pupils on projects, for the most part of a clerical nature. This aid ceases in June 1936.
Several changes have taken place in the teaching force this year. Miss Irene Magoni of the Machon School, Miss Dorothy F. Tower of the Junior High School, Mrs. Edith Craig of the Junior High School, Miss Shirley Allen of the Junior High School and Miss Ruth Holmes assistant at the Hadley and Stanley Schools have resigned within the calendar year.
New teachers are: Miss Hazel Dullea at the Clarke School, Miss Villette Powers at Hadley and Stanley Schools, Miss Virginia Tague at Machon School and Mr. Harold Martin at the High School. Miss Geraldine Minton, Miss Margaret Lally and Miss Edna Morrison are filling positions on tempo- rary appointments.
Our financial report for the year follows: Appropriation
$188,926.00
Expenditures:
General Control $7,182.76
Instructional Service
146,874.50
Operation of Plants
19,141.00
Maintenance 6,444.38
Capital Outlay 837.57
Auxiliary Agencies
4,856.25
185,336.46
Unexpended Balance
$3,589.54
General Receipts of Department 31.83
Tuition Received
1,455.79
State Aid to Trade Schools
489.43
State Refund to Town from General School Fund
14,197.60
$16,174.65
Net Cost of Schools $169,174.65
Respectfully submitted,
FRANK L. MANSUR, Superintendent of Schools.
131
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
1935]
Report of the School Nurse
To the Superintendent of Schools:
Dear Sir:
It is my privilege to submit to you at this time my fourth annual report as School Nurse and Attendance Adjustor.
The following facts seem worthy of your attention:
School Visits. . 210
School Visits-extra
134
Home Visits.
281
Notes to Parents .
361
Children Excluded .
98
Children referred to family physician
138
Children referred to school physicians
6
Children taken to clinic .
23
Visits for contagious disease.
62
Physical Examinations
1715
Vision Examinations
1715
Glasses Provided
82
Defects Found ..
271
Defects Corrected .
120
Defects Under Treatment .
70
Report of Attendance
Home Visits.
76
Truants.
18
Taken to Court
8
I wish to take this opportunity to thank the various individuals and organizations for their help in meeting needs arising from time to time during the year.
Respectfully submitted,
MARY K. HAMMOND, R.N., School Nurse, Attendance Adjustor.
School Census-October 1, 1935
Number of boys 5 years of age or over and under 7
81
Number of girls 5 years of age or over and under 7
64
Total
145
Number of boys 7 years of age or over and under 14
542
Number of girls 7 years of age or over and under 14
558
Total
· 1100
Number of boys 14 years of age or over and under 16 Number of girls 14 years of age or over and under 16
136
Total
274
Grand Total
1519
Number of boys 5 years of age or over and under 16
761
Number of girls 5 years of age or over and under 16
758
1519
Pupils Enrolled-November 1935
High School
Sophomores 147
Juniors 147 Class II 150
Seniors 102
P. G. 21
Total 417 Total 428
Grades
1
2
3
4
5
6
Sp. Cl.
Clarke School
32
37
39
37
42
33
Total 220
Junior High School
Class I 144
Class III 134
138
132
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Hadley School Machon School Stanley School
28
30
36
37
33
39 28
203
37.
28
35
37
33
25
223
25
43
34
40
36
34
212
High School
417
Junior High School
428
Elementary Schools
858
1703
Age-Grade Table-October 1, 1935
Grade Sex
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16 17 18 19 Tot. 67
Grand Tot.
M
23
31.
11
2
. .
·
. .
. .
. .
1
F
20
32
1
23
41
25
31
4
. .
.
1
. .
3
F
1
27
2 47 14 40
2
·
4
3
5
7
2
5
M F
66
144
M
2
18
8 23 39 14
. 9 7 37 44 19 32 4
8 38 20 9
15 12 27 34
1 5 5 19 14
1 18
13
2
2
73
152
11
·
1
13
22
14 3
1
103
M
·
F
1
10
5
2
26
Sp.
M
3
1
1
2
2
1
1
1
F
20
58
69 59
1 66 83
65 58
76 73
57 74
80 86
73 62
64 73
70 77
68 71
60 50
8
2
854
1712
43 112
128 148 123 149 131 166
135 137 147 139 110
32 11 1712
SCHOOL DEPARTMENT DIRECTORY
High School
Lee T. Gray, Principal
Maebelle Adams
Brooks K. Blossom
Flora A. Boynton Mabel M. Connell
Mary Mallery Bartholomew F. McArdle John I. Mclaughlin Edna Morrison Dorothy C. O'Keefe
Arthur G. Cronk
Mildred J. O'Leary
Harriet M. Dillon
Agnes T. Santry
James H. Dunn
Walter R. Henshaw
Amy D. Thissell Marjorie White
Antoinette Lambert
Junior High School
Alice L. Shaw, Principal Jean G. Allan Shirley Allen Viola Anderson Mary G. Boyce E. Marion Bryant
Marion P. Burlingame Beatrice L. Cook Hester Dwinell George E. Hutchinson
4
1
4
2
1
. .
. .
15
C1.
F
M 23
54
24
. . 9
10 858
136
9
F
1
25 2 4
16 18 32 12 21
. . 3
33 33
21
6
4
2
70
116
12
F
2
19
28 4
2
2
61 75 79
150
8
F
.
73 71 77 80 70
131
6
F
.
. 3 4
3
7
1
19
148
M F M
. 2
2
28
17
.
.
76
M F M F M
.
·
. .
. .
1 1
1
4 3
1
80 78
152
4
M F
31
3
33 12 22
11 10 44 35
N.
11
2
77
60
137
M
17
33
9
3
63 79
142
72
120
M
2
·F
. .
58
24
1 1
M
10
1
10
co .
53 50 8 18
P.G.
25
Margaret Lally Florence L. Melanson Geraldine Minton Crandall P. Nodwell Lena M. Patchett Eleanor Pettingill Marjorie Richardson Eleanor Sanborn Mary Sexton Helen Warren .
53
10
14
1935]
Clarke School
Blanche E. Doyle, Principal Hazel Dullea Edith A. Farnum Helen Lewis
Alice L. Shaw, Principal Amy M. Fenwick Ruth K. James Marion F. Newcomb
Mary I. Perkins, Principal Marion J. Champion Hazel D. Chase Elva Corson Ada S. Lewis
Blanche E. Doyle, Principal Charlotte N. Conners Grace M. Farrell Hilda Hennigar
Clara B. Chase Harold Martin Esther Nazarian Marion E. Tyler
Frank L. Mansur
Marjorie Webb Marion E. Clinch Frances M. Newell
Leverett T. Holder Daniel Myers Herbert E. Wood Rudolph Woodward John F. Wilson Simeon J. Strong Harold Wheeler
Eleanor Parsons Melvina G. Pearson Evilena B. Snider Katherine F. Wilson
Hadley School
Villette Powers
Hilda J. Thacher
Maxine Walker Anna F. Willey
Machon School
Elise A. Meaney
Elsie B. Oakes Phyllis G. Smith Virginia Tague M. Elizabeth Wade
Stanley School
Jessie C. Martin
Emma W. Parry Clara Waterman
Supervisor
Art Physical Education Music Penmanship
Superintendent of Schools
Secretaries
Hadley School High School Superintendent of Schools
Janitors
High School High School
Hadley School
Hadley School
Clarke School
Machon School
Stanley School
REPORT OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE
133
134
TOWN DOCUMENTS
[Dec. 31
Water and Sewerage Commissioners
WATER DEPARTMENT
To the Citizens of Swampscott:
We submit herewith our annual report for the year ending December 31, 1935:
Replacements for year have been 600 feet of brass 2-inch pipe replacing old 2-inch iron; also the usual amount of old services which have worn out with age. This work has cost us this year about $2900, all of which comes out of our budget but does not come back, being put in to the "Available Surplus" fund.
It has been often asked why our budget is so large, and in this matter we call your attention to the Metropolitan Assessment, which for 1935 has been $38,350 and for the last few years has increased approximately $4,000 each year. This one item alone takes about one-half of the budget.
We have purchased two new trucks to replace the old ones in service since 1929 and 1930 and the upkeep of these old ones is not economy.
There has also been paid on the debt this year $7,500 and about $1,300 interest on debt. These items alone account for over $50,000 of the budget for 1935. The new 20-inch main connection has been made and we anticipate this will give us ample supply in the future for all purposes.
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