USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > Weymouth > Town annual report of Weymouth 1931 > Part 16
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Water Rents
$107,431.88
Construction account
6,749.15
Notes-Construction Loan 31/2%, 1932/46
7,500.00
Interest, N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. Bonds 31/2%, 1954
595.00
Interest, Weymouth Trust
194.16
Interest, Weymouth Trust Savings Dept.
1,208.90
Interest, South Weymouth Savings Bank
813.81
Dividend-Casualty Co.
11.48
Premium on Notes
5.25
Interest on Note
10.21
Refund Gas Tax
17.82
Refund October 1, 1931 coupons
580.00
Total
$125,117.66
Cash on hand January 1, 1931
55,891.33
$181,008.99
PAYMENTS FOR 1931
Paid on Selectmen's Warrants For :
Notes and Bonds due 1931
$17,500.00
Interest on Loans
5,883.75
Land Taking
26,139.42
Accounting Dept.
550.00
Sundry appropriations
80,166.56
Total
$130,239.73
Cash on hand December 31, 1931
50,769.26
$181,008.99
CASH ASSETS
Amount due for Water Rents
$30,058.17
Amount due on Construction Account
2,497.71
Total
$32,555.88
Cash on hand December 31, 1931
55,309.80
$87,865.68
Less outstanding checks
4,540.54
Cash balance, Total Assets
$83,325.14
1
:
212
Due from Weymouth Trust Company
$10,795.36
Due from Weymouth Trust Company, S. D.
27,625.18
Due from South Weymouth Savings Bank
16,889.26
$55,309.80
Less outstanding checks
4,540.54
Cash balance December 31, 1931
$50,769.26
WATER LOAN.
Serial bonds and notes due 1932/46 31/2%
$7,500.00
Serial bonds and notes due 1932/44 4%
61,000,00
Serial bonds and notes due 1932/34 41/4%
3,000.00
Serial bonds and notes due 1932/44 41/2%
26,000.00
Serial bonds and notes due 1932/44
5%
18,000.00
Total
$115,500.00
INVESTMENTS
H. S. Moody Land Co. Fund-Balance January 1, 1931 $2,000.00
Interest to December 31, 1931 91.50
Total $2,091.50
N. Y., N. H. & H. R. R. 31/2% Bonds due 1954
$17,000.00
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN R. SAMPSON
Treasurer.
REPORT OF COLLECTOR FOR WATER DEPARTMENT From May 8, 1931 to December 31, 1931 WATER ACCOUNT
Balance due May 8, 1931 $24,480.45
Charges to December 31, 1931
77,699.66
$102,180.11
WATER ACCOUNT CREDITS
Cash received Abatements Balance due December 31, 1931
$70,605.03 1,516.91
30,058.17
Paid to Treasurer $70,605.03 $102,180.11
213
MATERIAL AND LABOR ACCOUNT
Balance due May 8, 1931
Charges to December 31, 1931
$1,697.27 5,539.09
$7,236.36
MATERIAL AND LABOR ACCOUNT CREDITS
Cash received Abatements Balance due December 31, 1931
$4,701.31 37.34
2,497.71
$7,236.36
Paid to Treasurer
$4,701.31
Respectfully submitted,
EDWIN R. SAMPSON
Collector for Water Department. May 8, 1931 to December 31, 1931
-
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
School Committee
1
ISSET
VES
-162
ABORARE
CER
MASSACHUSETTS
W
MC
WEYMOUTH, MASS. 1931
HIGH SCHOOL CAFETERIA
218
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
WEYMOUTH SCHOOL COMMITTEE PRINCE H. TIRRELL, Chairman MRS. ARTHUR R. TAYLOR, Secretary
EDWIN R. SAMPSON Term Expires April 1, 1932
19 Lincoln Street, North Weymouth Wey. 0434
MRS. ARTHUR R. TAYLOR Term Expires April 1, 1932
44 Tower Avenue, South Weymouth Wey. 1863-W
FRANCIS W. REA Term Expires April 1, 1933
706 Pleasant Street, East Weymouth
Wey. 1198-M
PRINCE H. TIRRELL Term Expires April 1, 1933
167 Pleasant Street, South Weymouth Wey. 2175-M
JOHN P. HUNT Term Expires April 1, 1934
99 Front Street, Weymouth Wey. 1889-M
J. HERBERT LIBBY, M. D. Term Expires April 1, 1934
707 Broad Street, East Weymouth Wey. 0216
SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
PARKER T. PEARSON
590 North Street, East Weymouth Wey. 0520
OFFICE
Weymouth High School, East Weymouth
Wey. 1460
OFFICE HOURS :
At High School
Daily : 9.00 to 9.30 A.M. 3.30 to 4.30 P.M.
HELEN G. TONRY, Secretary 79 Chard Street, East Weymouth
MYRTLE L. RICE, Assistant Secretary 79 Front Street, Weymouth Wey. 1534-M
SCHOOL CALENDAR, 1931-32
FALL TERM-Opens September 9-Closes December 23 WINTER TERM-Opens January 4-Closes February 26 Opens March 7-Closes April 29
SPRING TERM-Opens May 9 Closes June 23
HOLIDAYS-Columbus Day, Armistice Day, Thanksgiv- ing and the day following, Washington's Birthday, Good Friday, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day.
NO SCHOOL SIGNAL 2-2-2 2-2-2
At 7.30 A. M., No session in any school during the morning. At 8.00 A. M., No session in Grades I to IV, inclusive during the morning.
At 11.45 A. M., No session in grades I to IV, inclusive, during the afternoon.
At 12.45 P. M., No session in any grade during the afternoon.
219
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE
Regular meetings of the School Committee are held the first Tuesday of each month at the High School Building at 7.30 P. M.
ENTRANCE AGE
No child shall be admitted to school in September unless he has reached the age of five on or before the first day of April preceding. Children entering for the first time will be admitted only during the first two weeks of school.
BIRTH CERTIFICATES
A birth certificate is required for entrance to the first grade.
VACCINATION
No child shall be allowed to enter the first grade without a certificate of successful vaccination.
Quotation from State Law, Chapter 76, Section 15: "An un- vaccinated child shall not be admitted to a public school except upon presentation of a certificate like the physician's certificate required by Section 182 of Chapter 3."
EMPLOYMENT CERTIFICATES
No child between the ages of fourteen and sixteen shall be allowed to leave school until a signed promise of employment card has been presented to the principal of the building in which he is attending school. Employment certificates are issued by Mr. Charles Y. Berry, at the Hunt School, Weymouth, every week day except Saturday, between the hours of nine and twelve.
220
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
To the Citizens of Weymouth :
The School Committee herewith submits its annual report, de- tails of which are contained in the appended report of the Super- intendent of Schools and the reports of the various departments.
There is no indication that the considerable and constant growth in school attendance which has prevailed will cease to continue. The Town has hitherto met such growth with proportionate in- crease in school buildings and other facilities. At the last annual town meeting provision was made for a new school location at Wey- mouth Heights and for the preparation of plans for a new school- house to be built thereon. Suitable plans for a six-room school have been perfected by the Committee having the same in charge. More than one hundred and sixty children now resident in the neighbor- hood would naturally attend a six-room school at such location. The rate of growth in this vicinity, according to the school census, is greater than in any other portion of the Town. We hope that con- ditions will warrant the construction of the proposed new school during the present year.
A new lunchroom at the High School was built during the past summer under an appropriation of $15,000.00, which was sufficient for the construction of the addition. This addition was built in the rear of the High School and contains a lunchroom capable of seating six hundred, a kitchen, and storerooms connected therewith. Its use during the past school session has been greatly appreciated and its general appearance and arrangements have been approved by many visitors from other towns and cities. The kitchen has been supplied with new equipment throughout, provided by the earnings of the lunchroom itself, and the value of the whole is considerably in excess of the actual appropriation made by the Town. The con- struction was under the direction of Clark & Smith, Inc., the archi- tect was Mr. Howard B. S. Prescott, and the work was done on the basis of actual cost and not under contract.
In making up our budget for the coming year, we are following the same plan as heretofore, allowing for the established salary scale and for the automatic increases where such would ordinarily take place. We are aware that matters of municipal finance are of very serious concern in these times, and that all estimates and bud- gets will be scrutinized with a much more critical eye than ever before. We hope that it will not be found necessary for the Town to curtail the proper maintenance and upkeep of this .department.
221
The work on the Legion Memorial Field during the past year brought the entire playing surface to a usable condition, subject to ordinary maintenance work. It has not been possible to build the tennis courts that are needed. No appropriation is being asked for for this purpose, and we hope that the various improvements that will be needed may be made from time to time without special appropriation.
Mr. Fred O. Stevens has very helpfully worked with the Com- mittee in this project.
A summary of expenditures for the past year and estimates for the coming year follows :
Expenditures
1931
Estimates 1932
Superintendent
$ 5,749.92
$ 6,500.00
Other General Salaries
2,316.28
3,350.00
Other General Expense
1,671.72
1,800.00
Teachers' Salaries
262,499.74
283,000.00
Text Books and Supplies
19,145.96
18,000.00
Transportation
17,261.80
17,000.00
Support of Truants
94.29
250.00
Tuition
588.36
1,000.00
Janitors
28,724.21
29,000.00
Fuel
12,621.67
11,500.00
Light
2,497.02
2.,500.00
Maintenance
41,616.64
35,000.00
Other Expense
977.53
1,000.00
Day Household Arts
4,348.15
5,000.00
Day Industrial
24,425.20
. 25,000.00
Shoemaking
4,827.17
4,800.00
Evening Practical Arts
850.23
1,200.00
Total
$430,215.89
$445,900.00
PRINCE H. TIRRELL, Chairman ETHEL G. TAYLOR, Secretary (Mrs. Arthur R.)
JOHN P. HUNT J. HERBERT LIBBY, M. D.
FRANCIS W. REA
EDWIN R. SAMPSON
222
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
Members of the School Committee :
I take pleasure in presenting to you my twenty-third report, the forty-sixth in the series of annual reports of superintendents of this Town. Included are the reports of the Principal of the High School and the heads of the various departments. As these reports deal in a satisfactory manner with the various activities of the school system, I shall not go into further detail, but shall confine myself to a few topics which may be of interest or need discussion.
POPULATION
Census of 1930
20,799
SCHOOL CENSUS (as of October 1)
1930
1931
Increase
5 to 7 years
697
673
7 to 14 years
2,941
3,179
14 to 16 years
809
804
Total
4,447
4,656
209
ENROLLMENT
(for school year ended June 18, 1931)
1930
1931
Increase
Total number enrolled
4,245
4,420
175
Average Daily Membership
4,061
4,267
206
Average Daily Attendance
3,836
3,981
145
Per cent Attendance
94.46
93.28
Per cent Attendance (State)
94.49
94.09
SCHOOL BUILDINGS
1930
1931
Increase
Number of buildings
15
15
Number of classrooms
160
163
3
Number of halls
4
4
Number of gymnasiums
4
4
Number of cafeterias
0
1
1
INSTRUCTORS
1930
1931
Increase
High School
53
55
2
Elementary grades
103
110
7
Opportunity classes
2
2
0
Special
12
13
1
170
180
10
COST OF EDUCATION
Valuation, December 31, 1931
$46,455,905.00
Expenditures, 1931
430,215.89
Average cost per pupil
1930
1931
Increase
All schools, Weymouth
$85.85
$85.88
$ .03
All schools, State
100.66
100.77
.11
-
1
10
201
30-
40-
50
60
70
85
4th
47th 'in per pupil cost of education $85.88
77 th
62nd in tax rare $27 50
in population 20,882
in valuation $+5,304,861
in portion of local tax used for schools $7.42
This chart shows the rank of Weymouth among the 83 Massachusetts towns having more than 5000 population in respect to size, valuation, per pupil cost of education, expenditures for schools and tax rate for the school year ending June 30, 1931
The accompanying chart is presented to give a graphic view of the exact position of this town in comparison with others in the State, the figures being taken from the last report of the Board of Education. There are 83 towns in Massachusetts of 5,000 or over in population. In this group Weymouth ranks 6th in size, 4th in valu- ation, 47th in average cost of education per pupil, 77th in the amount spent from local taxation, and 62nd in tax rate. In a comparison between the 4th and 5th items, consideration should be given to the fact that the town receives a heavy reimbursement from State and Federal governments for various school activities, which reduces the net cost of the schools to the town. Some may ask, "Just what does the $7.42 mean?" It is safe to assume that the average home in Weymouth is valued at about $4,500.00. At $7.42 per thousand the school cost upon that home is $33.39, or less than the cost of compulsory insurance upon the ordinary automobile.
224
SCHOOL ACCOMMODATIONS
In last year's report attention was called to the fact that the school population was rapidly increasing and that immediate provision should be made for three elementary buildings of six rooms each, to be constructed; one at Weymouth Heights, one in the center of the Town, and one on Union Street.
The school census shows that during the last three years there has been a larger increase in the number of school children than in any similar period in the history of the Town; 227 in 1929; 233 in 1930 ; and 209 in 1931; a total increase of 669 pupils.
The accompanying graph, however, is based, not on the school census, but on the totals taken from the registers as of the close of each school year in June, and shows the exact number of pupils that have been enrolled during the school year. The enrollment for 1929 was 4,070; for 1930, 4,245; for 1931, 4,420. Since the close of school in June there has been a further increase of 230, making a total increase in a little more than four years of 580, a number suffi- cient to fill nearly seventeen rooms of thirty-five pupils each.
It has always been the policy of the department to ask for new building construction only as needed in each section, and not to overbuild, as it is impossible to tell whether growth in any section will be constant from year to year.
Last year the Town appropriated the money for purchasing the Whitman Lot at Weymouth Heights, and provided for the prepa- ration of preliminary plans for a `six-room building. The wisdom of this action is shown from the census figures. Of the 209 increase shown by the school census of this year, 153 are in Ward 1. Of the 162 children who are entitled to attend school in Precinct 9, 88 have been placed in the present two-room structure, and the balance, 72, in the buildings in North Weymouth, East Weymouth, or Wey- mouth. Five children who moved to Weymouth Heights in Decem- ber were sent to East Weymouth schools, and three small children in one family were placed in three different buildings. Many of the children in this precinct have to walk nearly two miles, and twice, owing to complaints lodged with the State Department of Education, agents of that board have been sent to measure the dis- tances to see that the children were not walking over two miles. Exact measurement showed that in one case the distance was one mile and nine-tenths.
The plans that have been prepared for the new buildings are of a type new to this town; bungalow with no basement except for boiler and storage purposes. This type of building can be con- structed at far less cost than any other and provides immediate exit for all children from doors opening directly on the ground. The building should be constructed immediately, as it is no longer pos- sible to provide for the overflow in other sections of the town to which the children are being sent at present. The hall is in use in the Bicknell School. It has been necessary to open two extra rooms at the Hunt School, where all the room will be required for pupils of that ward next year. This plan of building six-room el- ementary schools is in accord with the policy of establishing small schools for the first six grades so that the children may not have to walk more than a mile to school.
225
Increase in School Population
5000
4500
14000
3500
3000
2500
1921
1922
1923
19.24
1925
1927
1928
1929
1930 1931
226
CHANGES IN THE TEACHING FORCE
RESIGNATIONS
High School
Lucille O. Jones Helen E. Mayer Edith A. Sanborn F. Louis Whitford
James Humphrey School
Gertrude M. Burns
Hunt School
Catherine E. Mckenzie
APPOINTMENTS
High School
Inez E. Hoag
Ruth A. Thompson
Priscilla M. Sargent
Helen G. Lebbossiere
Bicknell School
Philip T. Jones
James - Humphrey School _
Josephine E. Ray
Hunt School
Robert E. Mitchell
Nunzie C. Daniele
Kathryn L. Regan
A. Alberta Richmond
Center Portable
Alice Owen
Edward B. Nevin School
David A. J. Burns
Marion E. Brown
Norma R. Brown
Pond School
Thelma Salzgeber
Dorothy M. Fitzpatrick
Superintendent's Office . Myrtle L. Rice, Assistant Secretary
RETURNED FROM LEAVE OF ABSENCE
High School Ernestine R. Canning
TRANSFERS
Alene E. Clifford
Edward B. Nevin to High School
Eleanor Freeman
Junior Annex to High School
Ruth E. Funk
Pond to Junior Annex
John F. Martin
Hunt to High School
Flora H. McGrath
High School to Director of Courses of Study
Florence A. Mckenzie Genevieve A. Perkins
Center Portable to Hunt School
Hunt to Edward B. Nevin School
Junior Annex
Adams School
227
Of the six teachers entered under resignations, two accepted positions in other school systems, one position was made vacant be- cause of a change in the character of the work, two were dropped under the married woman clause, and one resigned to take up an- other line of work.
Of the sixteen appointees, six are college graduates, and ten are normal graduates, divided as to years of training as follows : one of four years, three of three years, and six of two years. Of this number, five have had previous teaching experience.
New positions have been opened during the year as follows : two at the ;High School, one at the Adams, one at the Bicknell, two at the Hunt, two in the portable at the Nevin, a new Director of Courses of Study, as noted elsewhere in the report, and an assistant has been placed in the first grade at the Shaw.
DIRECTOR OF COURSES OF STUDY
In accordance with the vote taken last March, a Director of Courses of Study has been employed as an assistant in this office. Mrs. Flora Haviland McGrath, a graduate of the Curry School of Expression and of Boston University, with the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Science in Education, was chosen. In addition to her experience as a teacher, Mrs McGrath has had experience as a reader and dramatist.
Some may wonder why a Director is needed. Consideration should be given to the fact that for years Supervisors of single sub- jects have been employed. It has been left for the Superintendent of Schools, in addition to his regular duties of supervising all gen- eral instruction, of supervising repairs, and of planning for new con- struction, to have the entire charge of the supervision of the four most important subjects ; namely, English, Mathematics, History, and Geography. It is logical to assume that the more important subjects should receive closer supervision than the less, but the con- cerse has been true in many Massachusetts towns.
Mrs. McGrath has entered upon her work with a great deal of enthusiasm. I feel sure that she realizes the amount of work to be done, and can assure the public at large that a wide field with tre- mendous opportunities is open to her.
EVENING PRACTICAL ARTS CLASSES
It is interesting to note that there has been very little, if any, decrease in the size of evening school classes, either in this town or throughout the state. According to state records, there were 9,024 women enrolled in 450 classes for Dressmaking and Foods. In Wey- mouth 85 women enrolled in four different classes for these same subjects, or an average of 21 per class.
The fact that only 43 completed all units would seem to indicate that the expense of furnishing material was greater than many could afford. The aim of the course should be to develop the ability to utilize make-over material just as much as to create new, and it is hoped that no one will feel that a large expenditure is necessary in order to profit by all units of work.
228
The per cent of attendance was 80.26. This record might easily be improved, provided those enrolled are careful to inform the teacher promptly at the time of leaving. It is necessary to carry a student for three consecutive nights, unless otherwise notified.
The following schedules show the values involved :
DRESSMAKING
Total cost of material
$ 732.64
Total value of product 2,479.00
Average cost per pupil for material
15.92
Average value of product
53.89
FOODS
Total cost of material
88.35
Total value of product 126.75
Average cost per pupil for material
7.36
Average value of product
10.56
CHADWICK CLINIC
Immediately following the re-opening of school in September preparations were made looking toward the operation of the Chad- wick Clinic under the auspices of the State Department of Public Health, Dr. Paul Wakefield in charge. Explicit information relative to the Von Pirquet Test and its purpose and a blank for the ap- proval of the parent were sent to the home.
The active work of the Clinic was begun on December 3, and the examinations completed just before Christmas vacation. The final figures have not yet been presented by the State Department of Public Health. They should make an interesting field for study and comment next year.
Roughly speaking, however, nearly thirty-seven hundred children were examined. I am assured by the State authorities that, in com- parison with the total number of children in Weymouth schools, the percentage of those examined in this town is larger than in other places where the Clinic has been held. Of the number examined, slightly less than two hundred were found positive. This does not mean active tuberculosis. It means that the X-ray showed scar tissue or shadows, as the aftermath of pneumonia or other illness, and that the parents should consequently be warned to give careful consideration to the health habits of such children. As far as we know now no active cases were discovered in the public schools of this town.
229
PROPOSED DENTAL CLINIC
At the time the District Nurse Association started the Dental Clinic, it was intended to have dentists do the work of filling and extracting the teeth of those pupils whose parents were unable to bear the expense. This part of the work has been neglected, due to the pressure of other matters, the School Department confining itself merely to prophylactic treatment and the instruction of the children in the proper care of their teeth.
Through the efforts of Miss Alice A. Conroy, the Dental Hy- gienist, and with the assistance of Miss Herberta L. Stockwell, the School Nurse at the High School and the Junior Annex, the dentists of the town have agreed to give a certain portion of their time for work on the teeth of those who absolutely require dental treatment. Owing to business conditions in this town a large and growing per- centage of the children are having their teeth neglected at a time when lack of treatment means loss of their permanent teeth.
Assurances have been received from the Red Cross and other local organizations making it possible to cover the cost of materials necessary.
Such service is truly helpful, and I wish to express my hearty appreciation for the co-operation of these different agencies in mak- ing the proposed clinic possible.
MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS
For a number of years items have appeared under maintenance which were formerly covered by special articles in the warrant. The macadam surface on the grounds of the Athens, Jefferson and Wash- ington schools, the additional grading around the Hunt School, the original equipment of the new cafeteria at the High School and the extra work necessitated in the old building on account of the con- struction of this addition, coming under this heading, should be con- sidered as outlay rather than maintenance.
The repairs recommended last year were more nearly completed than in any previous year.
1931 REPAIRS
Athens School
Part of yard covered with macadam
Seats for hall
Furniture for teachers' room
Minor repairs
Bicknell School
Additional seats for hall
Some painting and grading Minor repairs
James Humphrey School
Jefferson School
Flushometer valves Minor repairs Macadam surface for yard
Boundary fence Assembly chairs Repairs to roof
Minor repairs
230
Washington School
Hunt School
Center Portable
Installation of oil burner
Minor repairs
Boundary fence Minor repairs
New bubblers
Blackboards resurfaced
Minor repairs
Installation of oil burner in portable
Repairs to portable
Re-laying of drainage system from building
Chimney re-topped
Minor repairs
Painting Minor repairs
Original equipment for cafeteria, tables, chairs, etc.
Extra maintenance in old building to provide for plumbing, electrical and heating connections
Maintenance of Legion Memorial Field Painting
Drainage and cement work to keep water away from rear of building
Repairs to roof and parapet
Labor on grounds Stage curtain Minor repairs 1
SCHOOL CENSUS (as of October 1, 1931)
5 to 7
7 to 14
14 to 16
years
years
years
Total
BOYS
Ward I
102
406
98
606
Ward II
88
441
116
645
Pond School
High School
Macadam surface for yard Minor repairs
Grading Division of basement into lunch, man- ual training, and sewing rooms Gymnasium shades Minor repairs
Pratt School
Shaw School
Edward B. Nevin School
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